Nature Experiences for grade bands K-2 and 3-5
Intro to Ecology, A Forest Story, and Our Forest Home field trips are designed to engage kids in a nature experience while provide hands-on learning, activity and movement, and fun in the great outdoors. All three field trips include both a hike and time in the creek - experiences not all of our individual programs offer but ones that schools love! Please note that programs can’t be substituted for either the Intro to Ecology, A Forest Story, or Our Forest Home nature experiences.
All of our program offerings align with the new Pennsylvania STEELS standards.
Introducing our all-new pre-planned, discounted, day-long nature experiences for grade bands K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 for only $12 per student!
K-2 Option - Intro to Ecology
Program #1 - Secrets of the Forest
Program #2 - Bugs in My Backyard
Program descriptions:
Secrets of the Forest - Students explore the basics of Pennsylvania forest ecology while learning about the rich history of our region! Includes a hike.
Bugs in My Backyard - All bugs are not the same! Students take an in-depth look at life cycles of native and non-native insects including ones that start their lives in our creeks and rivers! Includes time in the creek.
6-8 Option – Our Forest Home
Program #1: Biodiversity!
Program #2: The World of Water
Program descriptions:
Biodiversity! - In this program, we explore our forest and discover how changes to our local environments can have positive and negative impacts on a variety of living things. This program includes a hike and a biodiversity assessment.
The World of Water - In this program, we dive into the world of water and discover how human activity has impacted our waterways and what we can do to help protect them. This program includes time in the creek as part of a stream study.
3-5 Option - A Forest Story
Program #1 - Staring: Trees!
Program #2 - A Day in the Life of a Decomposer
Program descriptions:
Staring: Trees! - Trees have a starring role in a forest’s ecology. Students discover how humans and animals impact a forest through their use of beech, walnut, black cherry, and more! Includes a hike.
A Day in the Life of a Decomposer - It takes a lot of work to turn a dead tree into nutritious soil! Students explore the various native and non-native decomposers working hard to keep our Pennsylvania forests growing healthy and strong. Includes time in the creek.
Example of a field trip schedule:
*Can be adjusted according to your school‘s start and end times
10-11:30am – Program #1
11:30am-12pm – Packed lunch in pavilion
12-1:30pm – Program #2
Ready to book your school’s nature experience?
Call our office at 717-642-5840 or email our Director of Environmental Education, Anne, at education@strawberryhill.org!
Minimum $50.00 deposit two weeks in advance, balance due on the day of your scheduled program. Checks made payable to Strawberry Hill and may be mailed to: 1537 Mt. Hope Road, Fairfield, PA 17320 or pay over the phone by credit card. You will receive notice and an invoice via email when your registration is confirmed. A receipt is available upon payment, if requested.
Cancellations: Programs are held rain or shine, sleet or snow. It is not likely Strawberry Hill will cancel a program due to weather conditions, but if we deem conditions hazardous, we will contact you to set up a postponement date with no additional charge. – Cancellations made more than 2 weeks in advance of program date will receive a full refund minus a $25.00 processing fee. – Cancellations made between 4-13 days prior to a program will receive a full refund minus a $50 processing fee. – Cancellations for any reason made within 3 days of a program will forfeit the $50 deposit.
$12.00 per participant per nature experience with a minimum group fee of $100 for all field trip options except maple sugaring. Maple sugaring minimum group fee is $125.
One chaperone per 10 participants is required. School teachers, teacher’s aides, and school staff chaperones are free of charge. Additional adult chaperones are charged the regular participant rate of $12 per nature experience.
Siblings who participate in a nature experience will be charged regular rates. Children aged 4 and under are free, unless in a preschool program.
The final attendee count is due 7 days before your scheduled program. Total due is based on final attendee count unless actual attendance is higher than final count.