View our report! Find out what our program accomplished during the 24-25 fiscal year.
Request a Program
Programs are rain or shine, year-round! Programs happen Tuesday - Friday between 9am and 2pm. We can usually teach up to 40 children at one time. We are fully booked for the 2024-2025 school year.
Click here to request a summer program
Field Trip Topics
| Topic | Age/Grade Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
Amphibians  | 3rd-12th grades | What can frogs and salamanders tell us about the environment? We will study the health of ponds and forests at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge through amphibians! We will use tools to look for and responsibly handle salamanders and frogs in different life stages. We will collect data and learn about protecting these unique creatures and their habitats. March-May only. |
Bees of Portland  | 1st - 12th grades | There are hundreds of species of beesin Portland! They visit flowers and spread pollen to plants in our neighborhoods and parks. We will use special tools to take a closer look at bees and other pollinators. We will learn the important roles pollinators play in the environment and think about how they affect our lives. May - August only. |
Birds  | 2nd - 8th grades | We don’t have to travel to faraway places to find fascinating birds. They live in our neighborhoods and parks! We will listen and look for birds to learn about their special patterns and behaviors. Using binoculars and guides, we will become familiar with our common local birds. We will test our nest building skills and discuss how birds adapt to built environments. This topic can be taught any time of the year. |
| Pre-K - 2nd grade | Learn about some common urban birds through play, imagination, and observation. This topic can be taught any time of the year. | |
Habitats of Oaks Bottom  | Kindergarten through high school | Our local parks have many different types of habitats! On this field trip, we will visit a forest, a meadow, and a pond. We will learn about the important parts of habitats that plants, animals, and fungi need to survive. As we hike, we will compare and contrast the three habitats we visit based on what we find. This topic can be taught any time of the year. |
Ladybug Nature Walk - early childhood program  | Ages 2-6 | Children borrow a backpack full of tools to help them explore plants, animals, and rocks. A Ladybug Walk introduces early science concepts, vocabulary, and opportunities to practice empathy and gentleness in nature. Walks incorporate play, imagination, and child-led exploration. This topic can be taught any time of the year. |
Decomposers  | Kindergarten through 8th grade | What happens when a tree falls in the forest? On this field trip, we will become detectives to find out what happens to a dead log. We will turn over logs and look at the important creatures that break down dead plants and animals into soil for new growth. Without these decomposers, our world would be piled high with dead things and poop! Fall, Winter, and Spring only. |
Volcanoes in Your Backyard  | 3rd - 12th grades | Portland is one of the few cities in the U.S.A. that has a volcano within its borders. We will learn about different types of volcanoes and act out eruptions while standing on top of a local volcano! We will use tools to explore cool rocks and visit special sites that tell the story of the volcanoes that exist in our backyard. This topic can be taught any time of the year. |
Nature Hike | 1st - 12th grades | Portland’s parks provide the best immersive outdoor classroom for learning and adventure! We will take a hike in a local park and get curious about both the living and nonliving nature we experience there. With exploration tools and activities, we will become more aware of our relationship to the environments around us. Program timing varies by park. |
| Travelling Nature Museum | All ages | Nature has so many shapes, sizes, colors, and textures for us to explore. What if we brought our nature collection to you? We have cool specimens and interactive activities to share through a tabling-style event. Our setup is highly adaptable and meant for any location, weather, and audience. We can even pair this experience with another field trip! |
| Stewardship | All ages | We can invite PP&R Stewardship Coordinators to add a hands-on restoration work component to your field trip with us. When available, volunteer activities could be planting, hand-pulling introduced weedy plants, trail maintenance, litter removal, etc. When you fill out the form to request a field trip, you can indicate your interest in adding on a stewardship component. |
We may also be able to build a custom program for your school, club, or organization. Please inquire.
Locations
We can do field trips in any PP&R park or natural area. We may also be able to do programs in your schoolyard.
You can choose park that is close to you, or request one of our most popular field trip locations:
| Area | Popular Parks for Programs |
|---|---|
| Southeast |
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| East |
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| North |
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| Northeast |
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| Southwest |
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Cost for programs
Field tripsare charged per participant. Each participating school or organization should choose the appropriate cost for their situation.
Rates for the 2024-2025 school year.
- $7/participant - Schools and programs located in Portland
- $10/participant - Schools and programs located outside of Portland. Due to high demand for our programs, teachers from schools outside of Portland can request up to one field trip per school year.
- $0/participant - Schools that qualify for federal funds (Title I, Head Start), or other organizations. We may also be able to reimburse you for the cost of transportation.
We offer priority scheduling to schools and organizations located within Portland as well as groups identified in the Parks Local Options Levy, such as communities of color, seniors, teens, households experiencing poverty, immigrants and refugees, and people living with disabilities. Programs are reduced price or free for schools located within the City of Portland thanks to the 2020 voter-approved Parks Levy.
Teacher Information
Once your field trip is scheduled and confirmed, visit the Teacher Information Page to get more information, chaperone letters, parent letters, and more.