Scheduling a Field Trip with Willow Bend
Willow Bend Field Trips: Current Trip List
Willow Bend offers field trips September through October and April through May. Field trips focus on creating a connection between students and their earth through simple observation, fun activities, song, and critical thinking exercises. To ensure the highest quality experience and most effective learning, Willow Bend only works with one class at a time. There is a $50 per hour fee, but fee reductions and waivers are available for schools within Coconino County. Some of our programs are FREE, paid for by our Program Supporters! For more information or to schedule a field trip, please contact Kirstie Bickford.
General Willow Bend Field Trip (Grades: All; 2 hours)
Enjoy our Discovery Room’s interactive exhibits focusing on our theme “Sustainable Living: It’s Easy Being Green.” Students will learn simple ways to lessen our impact on the earth. They will also go on a hike to help connect them to nature through awareness activities.
Natural Senses (Grade: Kindergarten; 1 hour)
This field trip helps younger students learn about nature through their senses! Through a hike and various games, students will learn about colors, shapes, textures, scents, and more in nature!
Incredible Insects (Grade: 1st; 2 hours)
Explore the amazing world of our local insects through hands-on exploration of the Willow Bend gardens, sensory games, and recycled art! Required pre-trip visit: “Incredible Insects”
Wacky Weather (Grade: 2nd; 2 hours)
Learning about weather by being outside is only natural at Willow Bend. Students will hike into Sinclair Wash and explore weather through a variety of activities and games!
Plant Power (Grades: 2nd-4th;1 hour)
Students will learn the importance of plant ID so that we can harness the power of plants! This field trip takes place at the Rocky Mountain Research Station Greenhouse off South Lone Tree Road. Thanks to Rocky Mountain Research Station, this field trip is FREE—a $50 value! Required pre-trip visit: “Plant Power”
Water Quality (Grades: 4th, Middle and High School; 2 hours)
Students will conduct pH, DO, and other water quality tests at the Rio de Flag Wastewater Treatment Ponds to learn about watershed management. There may also be an opportunity for macroinvertebrate testing! Required pre-trip visit: “Water Quality”
NEW! Fire Ecology (2 hours)
Through games and activities at Taylor Woods near Fort Valley, learn how fire is a necessary part of our ponderosa pine forest ecology. Thanks to the ERI, this field trip is free—a $100 value! Required pre-trip visit: “Fire Ecology”
NEW! Healthy Body, Healthy Earth (Grades: 5th and up; 1-2 hours)
This information- and activity-packed field trip is composed of two parts. Part 1: Using Willow Bend’s native edibles garden, students learn the correlation between a healthy earth and healthy bodies. Part 2: Students take a trip to New Frontiers grocery store to learn about ingredients, economics, labels, and more! For middle and high school classes, it is also possible to choose just one of the two components. This field trip must be scheduled to end before 11:00am. Required Pre-Trip Visit: 5th-6th “Healthy Body, Healthy Earth: Gardening,” 7th-8th “Food and Fossil Fuels,” 9th-12th “GMOs and Seeds”
Willow Bend Tour (Grade: middle and high School; 1-2 hours)
Bring your class to explore the interactive exhibits in Willow Bend’s Discovery Room, focusing on our very relevant and popular theme, “Sustainable Living: It’s Easy Being Green!” Students will be introduced to passive solar design, native gardens, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and simple ways to lessen our impact on the earth. Suggested pre-trip visit: “Rainwater Harvesting”