Environmental Education: School Field Trips
Fernwood’s gardens and natural areas are the perfect setting for students to observe, explore, and learn about nature! We offer a variety of engaging and interactive programs throughout the year for preschool-5th grade students. Each on-site program lasts for 1-2 hours and may consist of a nature hike, an educational game, and a creative activity or stewardship activity.
Program Fees
$4 per student (suggested maximum of 50 students per visit)
1 free adult admission per 10 students, grades 1-5
2 free adult admissions per 10 students, preschool & kindergarten
$8 for each additional adult
Ready to schedule your field trip? Fill out the inquiry form at the bottom of this page to get started!
Is your school a Mighty Acorns school?
Mighty Acorns is an environmental education program created by the Chicago Field Museum that connects students to multiple, meaningful and sustained interactions with their local ecosystems. While these programs are available to all students visiting Fernwood, partnering schools receive access to free curriculum and other resources for their classrooms.
How it works:
During the fall, winter, and spring of each year, partnering schools bring their 3rd-5th grade students to Fernwood for field trips where they engage in field study activities to explore the habitat, learn about the ecosystem and participate in environmental restoration work.
Before and after each trip, students complete a pre field study activity and post field study activity in their classrooms (free lesson plans provided!). These activities guide students to explore components of local ecosystems, issues that threaten the balance and biodiversity of local habitats, and actions we can take to care for nature. All Mighty Acorns curriculum is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
Interested in becoming Mighty Acorns partner? Contact Michelle McCoskey, Director of Education, or state your interest in the field trip inquiry form below.
Special thanks to our community partner, Sturgis Bank, for providing generous support to Fernwood’s environmental education programming.
PROGRAM LISTINGS BY SEASON & GRADE LEVEL
* Don’t see a program that fits your needs? We are happy to work with teachers to create custom programs for all grade levels and seasons.
Fernwood History, Garden, & Nature Tours
Whether you are interested in local history, natural history, or horticulture, Fernwood has something for everyone! Enhance your visit with an interpretive tour, guided by a member of our Fernwood staff or docent team.
Tour Fees
Daily admission fees apply for all ages (membership and group discounts available)
$25 per docent, per hour
1 docent required for every 20 visitors
Self-Guided Education
Fernwood offers opportunities to learn on your own. Interpretive signs are located along the garden paths and woodland trails.
Teachers may bring their students to Fernwood for self-guided tours. The Sims Education Center is available if not being used for Fernwood programs. An open-air platform located in the woods west of the pond and a pavilion in the gardens may be reserved.
What to Wear
Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for the predicted weather and outdoor activities. Apply sunscreen and bug spray if needed. Whenever possible, programs are held outdoors, rain or shine.
Allergies
If a student in your group has a severe allergy, please notify Fernwood staff on or before the date of your field trip. If medication/an EpiPen is needed, please make sure that an adult from your group has authorization to carry and administer that medication.
Lunch
After field trip programming is complete, school groups are welcome to explore Fernwood’s grounds and enjoy a picnic-style lunch on The Green or South Vista located just outside the Visitors Center. Sack lunches and picnic blankets may be stowed in the Visitors Center while programming is in progress. Please remember to remove all trash and recyclables before leaving the outdoor lunch areas.
Accessibility
To enter the garden, ramps are available on the north and south sides of the Visitors Center and a small elevator may be used to access the three levels of the building. If a wheelchair or stroller is not needed, it may be stowed in the coatrack area of the Visitors Center, across from the restrooms. Fernwood’s major gardens and structures are connected by paved paths, while nature trails consist of natural dirt or wood chips. Not all natural paths may be appropriate for wheelchairs and strollers. A limited number of golf carts are available for staff to transport visitors that need special assistance getting to and from locations on the property.
Things to know before arriving to Fernwood for field trips or tours
Field Trip/Tour Inquiry:
PLEASE NOTE: Field trip and tour dates fill quickly. Please reach out to us with your preferred visit day/time today!
