2 DAY FIELD
TRIPS
BONE
VALLEY IMAGES SUMMARY
4th Grade - High School (2
day trip)
Study
Florida's Geologic History, Paleontology and Endangered
Ecosystems
Students will follow in the footsteps of
Captain Francis LeBaron as they discover fossil wonders of our
state, much as he may have done in 1881! The trip will begin
at Archbold Biological Research Station, where students will
investigate the endangered Florida scrub and its endemic
species, including the captivating scrub jay- a bird with
great biological significance and a great personality!
After
a hearty lunch, we will travel to Joshua Creek, known for its
wide variety of fossils and authentic Native American
artifacts. Here, we’ll learn to be real fossil hunters,
finding ancient treasures. Many sharks teeth and perhaps
a manatee rib bone later, we'll then travel to our campsite,
settle into our cabins and enjoy a great "home cooked" meal. A
full evening of activities includes a genuine Native American
campfire, story telling and our ever popular Spirit Creature
game.
After
breaking camp the next morning, we'll whisk away for the core
of Bone Valley...a canoe trip down the Peace River! We'll
launch our canoes into the meandering river, where we're bound
to spot turtles and many varieties of native birds. Students
will discover the real Florida of the past as they use
specially designed tools to screen through black phosphate
pebbles on the river bottom. The diversity of fossils is
amazing! Following a picnic lunch, we'll head home. The bus
will become a "traveling museum", as we identify and
categorize our finds...and learn to make shark tooth jewelry!
Educational
Objectives
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GULFSIDE
GLIMPSES SUMMARY
4th Grade - High School (2
day trip)
Marine
and Barrier Island Ecology
 As
we cross the Everglades, students work cooperatively in teams
recording what they observe in their "travel-sect" journals.
We'll journey northwest to Ft. Myers to explore 6 Mile Cypress
Preserve. Here we'll have the opportunity to hike through a
Cypress Slough (a guided trail, walking through the pristine
clear water among the cypress trees). Following lunch, we'll
depart for Sanibel Island where a visit to the historic shell
museum will fill us in on all the mysteries of the beautiful
treasures of the beach. After we set camp at Periwinkle
Park, a late afternoon session of beachcombing will allows to
us find some of Sanibel’s famous shells for ourselves before
watching the glorious west-coast sunset. After a
well-deserved dinner, a moonlit hike will take us to a site on
the beach where Native Americans may have gathered, where
students will enjoy a campfire. The final trek will take us
back for a night of sleep under the stars.
After
breakfast, it's back to the beach to see what new treasures
the morning tides have washed ashore...then off to Tarpon Bay!
At Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, we sense the history
as we
kayak through the mangroves wondering how Sanibel's Native
Americans, the Calusa, were able to survive among the prop
roots. After we complete our study of mangrove ecology, we
head back to break camp and refuel with a picnic lunch. We'll
depart homeward along Alligator Alley, continuing to identify
plants and animals along the way. We’ll hear the tales of
pirates that made Sanibel and Captive infamous during the
early 19th century as instructors share the secrets of how to
make shell jewelry!
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Comparative Ecosystems, Marine and
Barrier Island Ecology and Florida Native
American Studies
 Journey to another time as we cross the state
in search of some Florida pre-history. We’ll begin our
adventure amidst the epiphytes and ancient cypress trees of
the unique 6-mile Cypress Slough. As we do the quiet heel-toe
walk of the Native Americans, we’ll spot dragonflies stalking
their prey as we learn about this valuable water-cleansing
ground saved from destruction by schoolchildren. The gallons
of fresh water might wash away the evidence of the people who
once inhabited this place, but we’ll soon find them as, after
lunch, we set out to a local Calusa archaeological site.
Large shell mounds are evidence of the ocean where our first
inhabitants found their food. Our Florida adventure continues
as we board the Tropic Star, an authentic “jungle queen”
riverboat. Dolphins join our journey, jumping in our wake as
we make our way to beautiful Cayo Costa. We’ll set camp and
head off to one of best shelling beaches around. Our bags
filled with the oceans discarded treasures, we’ll return for a
“home-cooked” dinner. We’ll be prepared for an evening of
activities, including our Native American campfire, before
retiring to our tents to sleep under the stars.
The next morning,
we’re off for an exploration of the island’s many varied
ecosystems. A short hike from the beach takes us on a natural
journey from dune to hammock to pine flatwoods, discovering
the many changes along the way. Next, we take to the kayaks,
exploring the vital mangrove system and perhaps spotting a shy
manatee along the way. After our estuarine exploration, we’ll
head back to break camp and greet our dolphin friends once
more. As we head home, our minds and hearts are filled with
thoughts of the gulf coast’s astonishing natural beauty and
the amazing people who witnessed it long before us.
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SPRINGS SAFARI
SUMMARY
4th Grade - High School (2
day trip)
Florida's Hydrology, Topography and Comparative Ecology
 Come
journey with us as we discover where our water comes from.
We’ll pass lake after lake as we head north to Kelley Park
campground. After setting camp and a hearty lunch, students
and their buddies will grab a tube and ride down the
refreshing waters of Rock Springs River. We’ll peer into
spring water so clear that you can see turtles swimming
beneath our feet. We’ll watch fish play in water that
magically billows from the heart of the Earth. Along the way,
we'll study plants and animals and begin to understand the
amazing system of underground springs. Traveling in teams,
students discover the special techniques of orienteering and
the use of a compass while comparing and identifying the
dominant plants of this unique ecosystem. Following dinner,
we prepare for our distinctive Native American campfire
(complete with Spirit Creature game) and a night hike. Will
the chorus of frogs serenade us? Perhaps we'll spot the
elusive snapping turtle!
The next morning we'll break camp and travel
the Wekiwa River by canoe...which comes alive with fish,
turtles and birds of all kinds. After our riverine
exploration, we’ll head back to the main source of the river.
Swimming over a boil that percolates millions of gallons of
water a day, it's time for lunch and our trip back home. We'll
review our incredible adventure and discuss the importance of
the springs.
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Objectives
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FLORIDA
KEYS ADVENTURE SUMMARY
4th Grade - High School (2
day trip)
Comparative Mangrove and Coral Reef Ecology
 Explore
the delicate and beautiful ecosystem of Key Largo’s mangrove
estuary! As we journey down to Key Largo, students discuss the
KLOE (Kissimmee River–Lake Okeechobee-Everglades) system and
observe the relationship between the Everglades and the Keys
and the changing salinity of Florida Bay. As we spot the
encroaching mangrove trees, we look out for osprey nests which
line our route. After reaching the kayaking launch site and
a brief kayaking lesson, we begin our journey across the bay
into the mangroves, stopping along the way for our comparative
study of the mangrove ecosystem. Discussions will include the
importance of mangroves both to humans and a diverse array of
wildlife, from the fish and invertebrates we observe the birds
flying overhead. We’ll continue our ornithology study at the
wild bird sanctuary where we will have the opportunity to
observe rehabilitating native birds. After returning to our
campsite or hotel, we can enjoy an afternoon swim before
preparing for dinner. As night falls, we look to the heavens
as we learn the basics of astronomy before heading back to
hotel or campsite to rest up for our snorkeling adventure.
Following breakfast, we’ll head to John
Pennekamp State Park, fit our snorkel gear and board the dive
boat to begin our coral reef study. Snorkel gear will be
provided. We’ll spend the next 3 hours discovering the
fascinating dynamics of both mangrove and coral reef ecology.
Returning from our snorkeling experience, we’ll enjoy a picnic
lunch, departing Key Largo in the late afternoon to head home,
swapping stories about our Florida adventure! A last stop at
the famed “Robert is Here” tortoise farm and smoothie stand is
a perfect end to our trip.
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Objectives
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EYES ON
ISLANDS SUMMARY
5th grade – High School (2
day trip)
Comparative Island Ecosystems
 Join us for a unique island adventure. We
begin our journey with a boat trip to the prehistoric shores
of Munyon Island. Once inhabited by Native Americans and
later home to the eccentric inventor from which it takes its
name, the island has been recently restored to its native
state. Wetland birds and manatees abound. Brown pelicans and
laughing gulls follow us to our destination, the historic
Peanut Island. As turkey vultures circle above the exotic
Australian
pines and native palms, we will gear up for our
snorkel adventure and may catch a glimpse of a shy octopus,
colorful damselfish, or one of many other marine creatures
that call this gulfstream-bathed, shallow water, island reef
system home. After a tour of the historic Coast Guard station
and maritime museum and Kennedy bunker, shelter of the late
president, we will be ready for journey back to the mainland
to our campsite. After we settle into our cabins and enjoy a
“home-cooked” meal, we’ll begin our island campfire under the
stars.
Morning brings a
kayaking adventure that will allow us to get up close and
personal with the creatures inhabiting the mangroves on Munyon
Island. Crustaceans crawl out of our way as we glide through
the still waters, learning kayak skills along the way. Our
island adventure concludes with a journey to a unique
multi-ecosystem barrier island at John D. Macarthur Beach
State Park. Golden-orb spiders spin their webs just feet from
the ocean’s edge as we hike, climb and stroll our way through
the afternoon. After investigations of the coastal, hammock
and estuary systems, we’ll have much to talk about on the
journey home!
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Objectives
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FOOTPRINTS
IN TIME SAFARI SUMMARY
4th and 5th Grade (2 day
trip)
Barrier Island Ecology and Archaeology
 Walk in the footsteps of the Native Americans
as we learn how they lived on Florida’s unique barrier
islands. We are so close to home, tucked behind the dunes of
Fort Lauderdale beach at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, yet we
are a world away as we explore the tropical hardwood hammock,
the grocery store of the Native Americans. As we identify
trees and discover their secret uses, we start to build a
picture of the “real” Florida as it was hundreds of years
ago. We add to our picture as we retrace the steps of the
barefoot mailman and hunt for beach treasures Mother Nature
has left behind. The evening brings the opportunity for new
discoveries. After a short hike, we arrive at the Bonnet
House to unlock the secrets of its nocturnal residents of the
furry kind. As we are led through the house’s extensive
grounds, we may glimpse a bat or spot a spider! After
rounding off the evening with a Native American campfire,
complete with s’mores, we are snug in our cabins as the
cicadas sing us a lullaby.
The morning brings new adventures as we embark
on more explorations. Navigating the tranquil freshwater
lagoon in canoes, we discover how this amazing ecosystem has
changed with the arrival of developers and exotic species.
Water testing provides us important clues as we wonder if this
place provided all these ancient people needed. At the end of
our trip, our field journals are full and we have made some
important conclusions about the value of this natural place.
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DOLPHINS
AND KEY WEST SAFARI SUMMARY
4th Grade-High School (2
day trip)
Dolphin Biology and Behavior and History of Key West
 Join us for a Florida Keys adventure! We will
begin by exploring Key West, once the largest city in
Florida. We’ll soak up some Florida history as hop on the old
town trolley for an overview of this fascinating city. From
touring the light house, to checking out the treasure in Mel
Fisher’s museum, we begin to understand how history has shaped
Key West. No trip would be complete without visiting the
Hemmingway House and exploring many shops and art galleries
along Duval Street. Following dinner, we’ll arrive at Mallory
square for sunset. As we browse through the many vendors and
watch the many performers that have made the Key West sunset
so famous, we can’t help be captivated by panoramic views. As
darkness fall, we head for our hotel to rest for our morning’s
adventure.
Following breakfast, we head down to the dock
at Hawk’s Cay Resort to prepare for our dolphin encounter. As
we spend the next 1 ½ hours interacting with and learning the
behavior of these very intelligent mammals from the safety of
the dock (swimming here is for dolphins only!), we are awed by
their fascinating abilities. After leaving our dolphin
friends and Duck Key, we journey north stopping at the Wild
Bird Sanctuary for our ornithology encounter. Meet and greet
the pelicans and herons that we have been spotting in the
skies above the Keys. As we leave Florida’s southern island
chain, we have a chance to grab on more taste of the Keys at
“Robert is Here” fruit stand in Florida City. We’ll enjoy one
of their famous smoothies while viewing the giant tortoises- a
tasty end to an amazing two days.
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Traveling
Through Time
4th Grade-High School (2
day trip)
A Visit To Old St. Augustine
We’ll explore
the cobbled streets and feel the history of old Florida on our
2-day adventure
 through
beautiful St. Augustine. The old village is our first
destination- the tour giving us a real sense of the layers of
rich history here. A trolley will carry us to places of great
significance, including the old church and old jail. The
Florida Heritage Museum provides a moment for closer study
before we head back to the trolleys for a Ghost and Gravestone
Tour! The next day provides an opportunity to visit the unique
coquina limestone walls of the famous Castillo de San Marco.
After a tour of this magnificent fort, we’re off to explore
the oldest school and the Spanish Quarter Living History
Museum, seeing how everyday people lived so long ago. Add a
visit to the lighthouse or the famed Ripley’s Believe It or
Not Museum and your students will have much to discuss and
remember of this historic place on their homeward journey!
Educational
Objectives
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