Connect with nature and experience hands-on

learning at a field trip to Rutgers Gardens

 

 

Rutgers Gardens welcomes the After School and Camp Community for fun and exciting hands on exploration field trips for early dismissal, school closings and holidays, and summer camp programs. The program is geared towards school age children (K-8th grade) and consists of activities focused on being outdoors in the Garden State. Trips are available Monday through Thursday (some availability on Friday Mornings) during the months April through October.

Choose from 1.5 hour ($4.00 per student) and 3 hour ($6.00 per student) field trips. Here are some of the educational activities you may participate in:

Crafts

Leaf Crowns –Leaves can be a great material to work with since there are different color and shaped leaves. Using these colorful and different shaped leaves, children can make crowns.

Nature Decorations – Nature can provide many things that can become a decoration. Children will be able to create their own decoration such as star shapes and figures with twigs, pinecones, leaves and more.

Nature Cards – Using everything from nature, children can make colorful and creative cards.

Forest Mobiles – Children can collect and create their own mobiles with whatever they can find in nature from leaves, pinecones and flowers.

Fairy House Building – Children can use their imagination while they create a small house for a fairy using things like twigs and stones.

Fun Physical Activities

Shelter Building – Every child has a hiding place of its own. Children can find an area and use what they can find around them, build their own shelter/hiding place.

Garden Games – Different types of physical games for Children to be able to run around the garden and see nature while playing in it.

Nature Explorations and Investigations

Stream Dipping – The stream is filled with living things and children can see for themselves. With a net, catch and explore the underwater creatures.

Scavenger Hunts – It’s a race to see who can find the items first. Children will be given a list of things to find in nature. Who will find the most?

Bamboo Forest Tour – Do you know that the bamboo tree can grow up to 35 feet tall?  This bamboo grove is a perfect place to go and see and touch bamboo. It is great for a walk and it also has a bridge over a small stream which children can cross.

Helyar Woods Tour

  

 

Preparing for your trip:

Restrooms:

Restrooms are located in the Log Cabin. Please allow time before and after your visit for restroom use.

Clothing:

Children and adult leaders should wear clothing and footwear appropriate for an active, outdoor walk (no flip flops please) and suitable for changes in weather.

First Aid Kits:

Please keep in mind that there are potential allergens in the Gardens such as bees and pollen. Come prepared with a first aid kit.

Registration Form

Directions/Map

For more information please contact Mary Ann Schrum at schrum@aesop.rutgers.edu

 

 

 

Last Modified: 04/01/2009, rugardens@njaes.rutgers.edu.
©2008 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey