FIELD TRIPS TO GRASS RIVER
Download our Field Trip Booklet!
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A True Field Experience
Woodland and Wetland Curriculum A living laboratory, with programs in all 4 seasons Bring your school, camp, church, scout group, or home school group to a living laboratory at the Grass River Natural Area! NEW - with our improved entrance road, buses can now easily access Grass River any time of the year, including winter! Enjoy snowshoeing with students, learn about maple sugaring, or track animals in snow on the boardwalks! The lessons we teach at GRNA are designed to reinforce Next Generation Science Standards. At Grass River your students won't just learn science standards, they will experience them. Click on the Field Trip Booklet for more info on our half day and full day field trip experiences. Example Classes at Grass River Natural Area:
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"This is by far the best field trip I have taken students on. I have been to other locations to learn about similar topics, but nothing compares to the expertise of the volunteers and naturalists, the hands-on learning, and age appropriate and engaging activities. Grass River's program is to be commended for a job well done!" - Fife Lake Elementary
"My third grade team took a day field trip to the Grass River Natural Area and were blown away by your great education program, leaders, naturalists, and knowledge that our students gained." - Elk Rapids Schools
"My third grade team took a day field trip to the Grass River Natural Area and were blown away by your great education program, leaders, naturalists, and knowledge that our students gained." - Elk Rapids Schools
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Weather: Field trips are typically held outdoors, rain, snow, or shine. Come prepared for the weather. However, with larger groups (50+) there may not be enough indoor space to use during inclement weather and the trip may be cancelled or rescheduled based on the weather forecast.
Tips for Teachers:
• Lunch: If you plan to stay for lunch we have picnic tables under a pavilion at the Center. Please plan to pack out any garbage from your lunches with you in a garbage bag.
• Have students wear nametags if possible. Our naturalists and volunteers can engage the students more easily if they can call them by name.
• Review what to expect at Grass River with your students before the trip. Review any specific vocabulary in class before you arrive.
• Divide students into groups before you arrive. The students will stay in their groups and rotate to classes throughout the day.
• Assign at least one adult chaperone to each group. Teachers and Chaperones are free of charge. 4-8 chaperones is ideal. Encourage chaperones to take an active role in keeping the children focused. To this end, we request that younger siblings be left at home.
• If you would like to allow your students to purchase items from the gift shop, remind them to bring money. Students can purchase items from the gift shop at the end of the field trip.
Scholarships may be available to cover the cost of the field trip program for schools in need. Contact james@grassriver.org for availability.
For funds to cover busing, look into the Wheels to Woods program: https://www.treefarmsystem.org/wheels-to-woods This program provides funding to PreK-12 schools and other youth groups to pay for transportation costs for an educational field trip to a nearby forest.
• Lunch: If you plan to stay for lunch we have picnic tables under a pavilion at the Center. Please plan to pack out any garbage from your lunches with you in a garbage bag.
• Have students wear nametags if possible. Our naturalists and volunteers can engage the students more easily if they can call them by name.
• Review what to expect at Grass River with your students before the trip. Review any specific vocabulary in class before you arrive.
• Divide students into groups before you arrive. The students will stay in their groups and rotate to classes throughout the day.
• Assign at least one adult chaperone to each group. Teachers and Chaperones are free of charge. 4-8 chaperones is ideal. Encourage chaperones to take an active role in keeping the children focused. To this end, we request that younger siblings be left at home.
• If you would like to allow your students to purchase items from the gift shop, remind them to bring money. Students can purchase items from the gift shop at the end of the field trip.
Scholarships may be available to cover the cost of the field trip program for schools in need. Contact james@grassriver.org for availability.
For funds to cover busing, look into the Wheels to Woods program: https://www.treefarmsystem.org/wheels-to-woods This program provides funding to PreK-12 schools and other youth groups to pay for transportation costs for an educational field trip to a nearby forest.
Fall, Winter, Spring - Programs for all grade levels, K-12: Grass River hosts Wetland and Woodland Curriculum field trips year-round with lessons designed to reinforce Next Generation Science Standards. Choose from the class options listed above or create your own custom program.
Summer: Bring your summer camp, youth group, or scout group to Grass River for a great outdoor summer experience. Summer is one of the best times to visit Grass River.
College Students: Grass River is an amazing place for field work with college students. We have over 7 miles of trails and an indoor lab space.
Summer: Bring your summer camp, youth group, or scout group to Grass River for a great outdoor summer experience. Summer is one of the best times to visit Grass River.
College Students: Grass River is an amazing place for field work with college students. We have over 7 miles of trails and an indoor lab space.
