Field Trips
Field Trips
Sign Up for a Field Trip:
Check out the program guide below to read more about the field trip options. The image below shows which research project you can participate in at different times of year. Once you have a date range in mind, please fill out the Program Request Form below which will start the process of planning for a field trip. The form shows all available dates and you can select your top 3 choices. We also need to know about class age, size, estimated arrival and departure times, among other details that help us get a sense of what you’re looking for in a trip. We will reach out shortly confirming and clarifying any details and get you on our calendar!
What an average field trip to Clifton looks like…
- A teacher submits a completed Program Request Form asking for a date in early November to have 3 classes totaling 75 2nd graders go on a Field Trip.
- Our education team confirms the date and details with the teacher. They tell the teacher that their students will be helping us with our Grassland Restoration research project at that time of year because it is the most beautiful time to look at our native grasses!
- If this is a FCPS school, the team will also offer a free in-classroom visit before the trip (typically on a Tuesday) to prepare the students for their upcoming research experience. These in-classroom visits are very customizable and intended to make the day of the trip run smoother.
- Two weeks before the date of the trip, our education team emails teachers an introduction video and a few pre-trip lesson plans to help them prepare students in the classroom for what to expect when they arrive at Clifton. All pre-trip materials are optional, but research shows that students have a more positive experience and retention rates when field trips are integrated with classroom learning.
- One week before the trip, our education team sends a general schedule, clothing recommendations, driving and parking details, and any other day-of information. A schedule often looks like this:
- 9:00-9:30: Introduction and Grassland Ecology Activity
- 9:30-10:15: Plant Species Identification Lesson + Hike to Grassland (0.5 mi)
- 10:15-11:00: Collect Plant Data in Grassland
- 11:00-11:15: Hike Back and Pair Reflections
- 11:15-11:45: Lunch! (This depends on when students normally eat)
- 11:45-12:15: Graphing & Interpreting Data: What does it all mean?!?
- 12:15-12:30: Reflection: Why does this matter and how do we share?
- Within 2 days of the trip, the education team sends the teacher a copy of the data their students collected along with historical data and ideas of how to use it in the classroom. In this email, the team also shares photos from the trip with teachers as well as optional post-trip activities to extend what they did on the Field Trip into a larger lesson.
- Teachers fill out a post-trip survey and let us know how to improve the experience next time.
Resources for Teachers
For each of the five Field Scientists for a Day programs, we provide videos to show students before their field trip, examples of the field guides and data sheets we use to collect data, and a database of the data collected by previous students. You can find these and other resources by clicking on each of the buttons below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a field trip cost?
The cost is $5 per non-FCPS student and $2 per FCPS student for all programs regardless of length. We do not charge for teachers, parents, or chaperones.
Do I pay before the trip?
We usually send school groups an invoice electronically after the program. There is a place in our Field Trip Request Form to enter the contact information to which an invoice should be sent. That way we can charge for the actual number of students that attend. If you would prefer to bring a check or cash on the day of the trip you may do that as well.
How long do field trips usually last?
The longer students are able to stay at the field station, the better! We encourage teachers to come for a whole day if possible. However, our programs are flexible and can be as short as 2 hours or as long as the school day depending on the teacher’s schedule. In the Field Trip Request Form, we ask teachers to specify a start and end time and whether students will be eating lunch on site.
What is the process for rescheduling or cancelling a field trip?
Please alert us as soon as you need to reschedule or cancel a program! Programs that cancel within 7 days of the trip for reasons outside of severe weather or illness outbreak will be charged a $50 fee.
What if rain is predicted for the day of the field trip?
We hold field trips even in light rain and hot / cold temperatures. However, should a greater than 70% change of heavy rain, snow or thunderstorms be predicted for the day of the trip, Clifton staff will be in touch with our point of contact to discuss rescheduling within 48 hours of the trip. We will make a final call no later than 5PM the day before the trip.
What is the minimum and maximum group size?
We request a minimum of 10 students in order to run a program. If fewer than 10 students attend we charge a minimum flat rate of $50. We have space school buses and staff to manage groups of up to 75 students. If you have a larger group, please contact Bridget Bradshaw (bbradshaw@cliftoninstitute.org) to discuss options.
Is there a limit to the number of chaperones that can attend?
Our parking lot can only hold around 25 vehicles. All adults are free, though we ask that chaperones help manage the group and keep side conversations to a minimum if they choose to come. If they do not wish to participate, then they are welcome to hang out and talk near the house so long as it is not disruptive to the program.
Is there a place to eat lunch?
We have 6 outdoor picnic tables and plenty of lawn space for students to eat lunch. However, we only have enough covered space for around 20 students, so be prepared to take lunch back to school if it begins to rain heavily during the program.
Are there bathrooms?
We have 2 port-a-johns and a portable handwashing station at the peach house.
Are there ticks?
Yes! From April through October we have dog, deer, and lone star ticks. Staff usually wear either tall rubber boots or shoes with permethrin-treated gaiters to keep ticks off. These are both preferable to using bug spray on shoes, as some of our programs involve work with insects and amphibians who are extremely sensitive to bug spray. However, ticks happen and all of the staff are accomplished tick-removers. Students should always check for ticks when they get home!
What attire is recommended on field trip?
Clifton staff often wear rubber boots year-round in order to keep feet dry on dewy mornings and ticks off in the spring through fall. Sturdy closed-toed shoes are also a good option. Almost all of our trails are mown grass. Long pants are also recommended to keep from getting insects bites, scratches, or irritation from grass. Layer appropriately, as we will be starting and stopping, sitting and hiking!
What do we do with our trash?
We are a pack-in, pack-out facility. This means that any trash visitors generate while they are here should be brought out with them. The exception to this is paper towels from the handwashing station which can go in the trash can provided. However, any foody trash in there will cause the whole thing to be upended by racoons and/or bears. Please plan to bring your own garbage bag. Thank you for helping us keep the field station trash-free!
What are your COVID protocols?
All of our staff are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and all of our programming takes place outdoors. We are happy to comply with any masking protocol that is in place with visiting groups. Even if students are not wearing masks outside, we ask that students bring masks with them in the event that a staff member needs to take them inside or perform any first aid. If you need to reschedule or cancel because of COVID (or any other infectious disease) outbreak, please let us know and we will waive the $50 cancellation fee. Thank you for helping reduce the spread!
Can I come see the field station before our visit?
Please do! We offer a multitude of free walks and other programming where you can come and explore the grounds with a staff member. To see our events, please visit http://cliftoninstitute.org/events. The property is open to Friends of Clifton ($40 annual donation) on Saturdays from January-October where are welcome to explore on their own. If you are interested in seeing the property or learning more about the visit before you bring your class, please contact Bridget Bradshaw (bbradshaw@cliftoninstitute.org).
Do you provide in-classroom visits?
If you are interested in having us facilitate pre or post-trip activities at your school, please contact Bridget Bradshaw (bbradshaw@cliftoninstitute.org). We are a very small staff and our busiest months are October, November, April and May. We will do our best to find a time to come to you, but cannot guarantee it.
If I am organizing a homeschool trip, what programs are available to me?
Any program in our Program Guide is available for homeschool students! For the Field Science Experience programs, students must be 6 or older and must be dropped off here. Parents and younger siblings are welcome to remain near the house while we take the students into the field. You may also choose a Guided Hike, which are open to the entire family, provided all participants are able to walk for around 1.5 hours. We are a small and flexible team, so please reach out to Bridget Bradshaw (bbradshaw@cliftoninstitute.org) if you have any specific requests and we can address them on a case-by-case basis!
Are younger or older siblings allowed to attend and, if so, do you charge a fee for them?
Our rule of thumb is that we don’t charge for students who aren’t participating (i.e. not using equipment or coloring sheets, babes in arms, etc.). We’ve had challenges in the past when a group of 10 students is on our calendar but another 10 younger (or older) siblings arrive who also want to use the bug jars, ask questions, use coloring sheets, and participate in other ways. Because of the informal nature of outdoor learning, it’s pretty easy to adapt our plans to include older and younger students but then we’re short bug jars, clipboards, and most importantly extra staff to help manage and safely guide the group. From our perspective, the number of kids that will want to sit in the circle, use tools, and otherwise be part of the learning is what we’ll plan for and they should be considered participants ($5/student). For example, if there are truly 10 kids, only one staff is required. However, if there are 10 kids plus 5 other siblings who will want to do the activities and use equipment, multiple staff or volunteers will be assigned to the program. Does that make sense? It’s a smudgey line to be sure!
Teacher Testimonials
“I personally felt that this was one of the best educational trips I have taken my students on in a long time. Not only were the presentations informative, so were the staff interactions. The students loved being part of a research project. It made them feel that the activity had purpose. It was also great to have knowledgeable people explaining the topics instead of volunteers reading from a script!”
“We had a wonderful time at Clifton, and hope that we will have many more trips in the future. The activities were spot-on and the students enjoyed the time outdoors exploring. I thought you’d like to know I looked over today and noticed a student had changed his screensaver to a beaver! You all made a lasting impression & a great memory for our 5th graders.”
“Thank you so much for hosting us! Everyone told us how wonderful the Clifton Institute was, and they were right! We had the best time! It was the first field trip for all of the students in a VERY long time (COVID), and they loved every second of it!”
“We are big fans of the Clifton Institute! Congressional School students have enjoyed their “Scientist for a Day” program for several years now. I love that students can immerse themselves in nature and get a taste of field research. We’ve chosen a different topic every year and we always learn something new. The educators and volunteers at the Clifton Institute are always so welcoming, knowledgeable, and supportive of our students. Thank you!”
“We all enjoyed our morning with you. Thank you for your expertise and giving the students the opportunity to dig into classification. Giving them the space and time to slow down and pay attention in the woods was wonderful to see.”
“Our students had such an amazing experience. They were talking about their field trip for many days afterwards and are excited to practice their bug catching techniques. Most importantly, all students left with a newfound appreciation for and curiosity about our native wildlife and nature in general. Bridget and Eleanor do a tremendous job leading the students during the field trip. They encourage the children to ask questions and share their observations. All children are treated with respect and their comments and ideas are validated and explored. Due to the guidance and support of Bridget and Eleanor, students genuinely see themselves as valid members of our community who have the power to impart change.”
“We had a wonderful experience at Clifton! The educators were outstanding and really knew how to relate to elementary students. The learning was hands-on and interactive. Our students came away with lots of new knowledge!”
“The Amphibian Monitoring program provided a glimpse of the real process of science inquiry to our middle school and high school students. It was a good exercise for the students to see that what is simulated in their lab class is actually what “real” scientists do in the field.”
“The women who guided the children were fantastic in engaging the students in the topic of vernal pools and amphibians. Initially I had some children who were not excited about the field trip however when we were leaving I had many of them say to me that they really enjoyed being at the Institute and loved collecting and analyzing the data. As a science person, that spoke to my heart!”
“This is my favorite field trip of all time and I’ve been teaching for more than twenty years! It was fun, interesting, reasonably priced, and educational. We will be returning soon!”
“I have never seen my students so excited about science. The combination of outdoor exploration, collection of data, and collaborative work is perfect for 5th grade. We will certainly plan to return next year. Thank you!”
“The enthusiasm, professionalism and pure joy of the naturalists at work makes for a great field trip.”
“It was a great experience for the children to apply the 5Cs in science (critical thinking, citizenship, communicate, collaborate, and creative). This experience created excitement to learn more about the environment and scientific process.”
“This was our second field trip to the Clifton Institute – I was once again impressed by the quality of their program and the Clifton educators… We’ll definitely be back next year.”
“Thank you so much for a wonderful field trip! My class was absolutely thrilled by the entire experience. My two who are “scared” of bugs were completely at ease and were so proud of themselves for having such a great time! I especially appreciated the pre-field trip visit– I’ve never seen that as part of a field trip and it made the day so special.”