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Outreach Education Field Trip Information




Outdoor Education @ Tonaquint Nature Center

TNC Outdoor Education team presents topics such as water, desert plants & animals, tree identification, birds of prey, and more to school groups from Kindergarten to fifth grade tailoring the discussions and hands-on activities to the age of the participants. These classes are presented at Tonaquint Park and Nature Center. Additionally, home-school groups can coordinate classes with our staff to meet their specific needs.

 

Outdoor Education Program Topics

A variety of topics can be presented by the TNC’s staff and volunteers. Below is a a current list of topics that are offered.

 

Topics

1.       Boundless Biomes (Habitats)

2.       Beak Buffet (Bird Adaptations)

3.       Birds of Prey (Owls, Hawks and More)

4.       Desert Wildlife *presented by Red Cliffs Desert Reserve/Conserve Southwest Utah

5.       Flutter Away (Butterfly Life Cycle)

6.       Garden Creatures (plants and critters of the garden) *presented by the Washington Co. Water Conservancy District)

7.       Million Year Old Picnic (Reuse and Recycle)

8.   Water Cycle

9.   You, Me and Trees

10.   Tennis is for Everyone (Physical Education)

 

How to Book a Field Trip

Any educator may visit our website at https://www.sgcity.org/triprequest/ to book a field trip day for his/her classroom. Group pricing is $25 for groups of 49 people and less and $50 for groups of 50 or more. A two (2) week notice is greatly appreciated due to calendaring issues.  However, please note when viewing the on-line calendar there are black-out dates. When requesting your field trip, please select your preferred topics, the number of attendees along with the day and time you prefer. Once your field trip request has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation or denial of your request.

 

Field Trip Set-Up

 

In most cases, a large group is divided into smaller groups of 25 or less to accommodate the stations. An average school group of 100 is typically divided into 4 sub-groups of 25 students. Each sub-group then would rotate throughout 4 stations lasting approximately 20 minutes at each station.

Smaller groups will be divided into less stations.

Making the Most of Your Field Trip

A field trip is an opportunity for students to link their classroom learning, knowledge and understanding of a subject with outside experiences. These extension activities make learning more relevant and memorable. Your students will get more out of the experience if you build what they learned into your curriculum. An ideal field trip begins with in-class lessons and experiments to prepare students for what they will experience in the field. Post field trip activities will further enhance the learning, knowledge, and understanding gained during the environmental experience.

On our website, www.sgcityrec.org/tnc you will find the list of programs available. Please refer to this website to prepare your students in advance.

Teacher Responsibilities:

  • Please have your groups ready at the drop off point, with name tags visible, at Tonaquint Park’s main parking lot at the proper time.

  • Prepare your students by reviewing program vocabulary.

  • Let the students know ahead of time what to expect in their program.

  • Explain the behavioral expectations.

  • Encourage the students to listen to the presentations, keep their voices down and come willing to learn something new.

  • Please maintain a “don’t touch” policy for the students unless the environmental educator has suggested it.

Student Responsibilities:

  • Follow the environmental educator’s instructions at all times.

  • Stay with the group and on the paths at all times.

  • Wear clothes that are comfortable and adequate for any weather changes.

  • Please maintain a “don’t touch” policy unless the environmental educator has suggested it.

  • Ask questions.

  • Respect the environment. We are visitors in the home of others.

 Chaperone Responsibilities:

  • Know where the members of your group are at all times.
  • Resolve any discipline issues.

  • Assist participants who have an emergency.

  • Make sure all members of the group follow staff rules.

  • Participate in and show interest in the programs.

  • Model proper behavior.

  • Leave siblings or other children at home.

  • Please turn off cell phones.

                         

Preparing For Your Field Trip

Arrival:

Please arrive on time. Delays may force cancellation or shortening of some programs. Buses should drop students off at the designated parking area near The Conservation Garden. Please assemble students in the pavilion next to the parking lot. Your students will be greeted by one of our educational staff. **Smaller groups will meet at the Tonaquint Nature Center.

Cell Phones:

While we recognize the importance of cell phones on-site, we request that all cell phones be silenced during program presentations and that all chaperones refrain from taking calls during the field trip.

Discipline:

The environmental educator is not responsible for discipline. Teacher and chaperone involvement is vital to a meaningful learning experience and student safety.

Dismissal:

Please have buses pick up students at the park’s main parking lot. After turning onto the park’s main entrance, follow the road until you see the parking lot next to the tennis courts. There is enough room for the bus to turn around. If your bus is going to wait, please ask the driver to turn off the bus. Bus emissions are harmful for the environment and students at the park.

Dress:

Students and chaperones must wear close-toed shoes. Long pants and long sleeves are preferred, even in warm weather. Dress appropriately for cooler weather as most activities are in the shaded tree areas. Failure to comply may result in participant exclusion.

Grouping:

Instructional groups of no more than 25 should be divided in advance; preferring prior to arrival. The adult to student ratio should be no less than 1:10.

Inclimate Weather:

The program will be cancelled in the case of heavy rain, and/or severe wind. Notification will be called into the school by 7:30- 8:00 on the morning of the trips. If class needs to be rescheduled, we will discuss potential dates with the teachers. Teachers may call Hannah Keller at (435)627-4564 with any questions.

Insect Repellent/Sunscreen:

You will be outside for the duration of your field trip. Spraying with insect repellent and/or sunscreen before your trip is recommended.

Lunch:

Groups have the option of using one of the picnic pavilions at the park. Cleaning up leftover lunch trash is an important part of the day. We encourage Earth friendly packing of lunch, with as little waste as possible. Trash cans are located in the area.

Name Tags:

All participants, students and chaperones, must wear a visible name tag.

Ratio:

Adult chaperones to students should be no less than 1:10

Respect:

All living things, including plants, are to be respected and not injured in any way.

We LOOK, LEARN, AND LEAVE ALONE. However, if your field trip leader provides you with an opportunity to touch, please do so. 

Safety:

Stay with the group within the boundaries. Follow all directions.

What Not To Bring:

 

Radios, IPods, Gameboys, or any other electronic toys.