3 Day Field Trips

Florida Springs Manatee Safari Summary

5th Grade - High School (3 day trip)
Swim with the Manatees

Join us as we head west along Alligator Alley to Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota. Explore the research center and exhibits, as we begin to learn about the marine environment and take a behind the scenes tour, learning about this valuable ocean research. Next we’ll make a stop at the Pelican Bird Man Sanctuary to observe the rehabilitation facility of many native and exotic birds, before we depart for Crystal River. Before arriving at the Marine Science Station, we’ll stop at the dive shop to fit our wetsuits and snorkel gear for our early morning snorkeling adventure. Prepared, we arrive at the Marine Science Station, check in to the bunk bed style dormitory and get ready for dinner. Evening activities include our Native American campfire and ever-popular spirit creature game. It’s early to bed to store our energy for our exciting underwater encounter with the manatees!

After a hearty breakfast, we depart for the dive boat. While snorkeling, we explore the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and the many springs that provide “winter homes” for the manatees. Manatees, like humans are susceptible to cold and hypothermia and cannot survive for extended periods when water temperatures fall below 68 degrees Fahrenheit; the water in the springs is a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit providing a warm water escape from the cold gulf waters. (All participants snorkeling with manatees will be suited with a complete wetsuit). After our snorkeling trip we return to Marine Science station where naturalists share valuable information about the pollutants in this important spring system. For our next adventure, we board a boat, grab our snorkel gear and begin our drift snorkel along the Rainbow River. We explore the local flora and fauna, discuss river ecology, estuary ecology, bird watch and manatee watch as we float along reveling in this unique river experience. After we return, we drive to the local “Manatee Toy Company” dedicated to protecting the endangered West Indian Manatee for some manatee souvenir shopping. Our full day comes to a beautiful close as we visit a local beach to collect shells and watch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico, returning to the Marine Science station for dinner and a well-deserved rest. 

The morning finds us traveling to Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park which offers a showcase of native Florida wildlife and endangered species. The park also serves as a rehabilitation center and refuge for endangered West Indian manatees that have been orphaned, injured in the wild and for manatees that have been born in captivity. The natural spring environment allows them an opportunity to re-acclimate themselves to a more natural environment before they are returned to the wild. Here we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and then depart for home with a new appreciation for this gentle and endangered mammal.

Florida Keys and Everglades Adventure Summary

4th Grade - High School (3 day trip)
Wetland Ecology, Marine Diversity and Mangrove Exploration

3 Day Florida Keys and Everglades Adventure

Our journey begins as we set out for the Everglades, discussing the "River of Grass" along the way. We’ll explore this unique ecosystem from the perspective of those who have made their home there for generations, the Miccosukee Indians. Touring the Indian village, air-boating and taking a tram tour through the unique Shark Valley part of Everglades National Park (with an optional ranger-guided slogging experience), we will learn about how this vital natural area affects Florida’s wildlife, including us! Alligators and many bird species abound as we delve into the “grassy waters.” After our Everglades adventure, we’ll depart for Florida Keys and check into the Key Largo resort or campsite. Following dinner, some possible evening activities are: star-gazing, astronomy, marine ecology discussion, or fish identification program.

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!

Glances On The Gulfside Summary

5th Grade - High School (3 day trip)
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.

Southern Sights of Savannah Summary

5th Grade - High School (3 day trip)
History of Savannah

Departing early, we board our air-conditioned coach and head north, stopping for breakfast along the way. As we make our way across the Florida border to beautiful and historic Savannah, Georgia, our six-hour journey ends with spectacular views of the saltwater marsh ecosystem as we enjoy lunch at the Crab Shack. A local favorite, the restaurant is poised on stilts and offers us an opportunity to survey the wildlife of this natural area. After lunch, we head into town to explore two of Savannah’s many historic buildings. At our first stop, the Jepson Center for the Arts, the future meets the past as we explore the arts place in the world over three floors of interactive exhibits. After honing our critical thinking skills, we’ll head to the historic Owens-Thompson House and explore the lavish home and gardens built by one of Savannah’s first cotton merchants in 1819. After checking in to the Historic Savannah Doubletree Hotel, we’ll set out to stroll along the riverfront where we find an open market with local vendors to explore. After dinner, we join our guide for a walking ghost tour of the legendary streets and shadowy squares of what locals claim is one of the most haunted cities in America!

After breakfast, we get acquainted with Savannah’s unique network of streets and squares on our walking tour of the city. Planned and built by Ogelthorpe in the 1800s, Savannah was the first city of it’s kind in this area. Our morning offers us a chance to explore many of the cities important sites including the Savannah History Museum and the Roundhouse Railroad Museum. The Civil Rights Museum explores the history of Georgia’s oldest African American community and their settlement in Savannah. We visit the First African Baptist Church and then move on to discover another early cultural settlement in the city. Visiting the historic Mickva synagogue, established in 1735 and housing a 200-year old torah, we learn of the largest group of early Jewish colonists who, five months after Savannah was first settled, administered to the health needs of the city. After lunch, we discover two historic landmarks, the Juliette Gordon Low birthplace where we learn the family story of this Girl Scout founder, and the Davenport House Museum which dates from the 1820s. Our day’s exploring wraps up with a murder mystery dinner hosted by the professional actors of the Savannah Community Theater at the Pirate’s House- a perfect end to our historic day.

After breakfast, we head out to Old Fort Jackson, Georgia’s oldest brick fort, where history comes alive while we watch how Civil War soldiers fired the forts cannons. For the fort, we head down the longest live oak driveway in the world to discover the ruins of Wormsloe, Savannah’s legendary colonial estate. After a picnic lunch on the grounds, we say goodbye to the rich history and unique architecture of Savannah, Georgia. Arriving home after a dinner rest stop, we are full from our experience discovering one of our nation’s most interesting cities!