School Field Trips at Turtle Bay

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More than 14,000 visitors a year experience our school tour programs, from northern California, western Nevada, and southern Oregon, to learn about the Sacramento River region, science, art, history, forestry, and horticulture. You can make the most of your visit by choosing an option that best works for you: a basic self-guided experience, or enrich your visit with an interactive Animal, Garden, or Exploration Class. Groups may also want to consider a stroll on the Sundial Bridge and through the Botanical Gardens.

To book a field trip, start by selecting the black button below to complete a field trip request form below. Call 530-242-3108 or email fieldtrips@turtlebay.org for more information.

Field Trip Reservations

All field trip reservations must be requested at least two weeks in advance. Classes fill to capacity and there is a daily limit for field trip admissions. If either of your preferred dates and times are available, Turtle Bay staff will follow up to confirm your reservation. If unavailable, a choice of alternative dates and times will be provided. Once your field trip has been booked, you will be emailed a confirmation of your reservation, information to prepare for your field trip, and a chaperone guide. With less than 48 hours’ notice, there is a non-refundable $50 charge for cancellations.

To request a field trip, please complete the form below. All field trip coordinators and teachers must also submit a policy agreement form to fieldtrips@turtlebay.org.

2023-2024 Field Trip Rates

All Field Trips

  • Students - $6

  • Chaperones - $6

  • Teachers - Free

  • Turtle Bay Members (not including students) - Free

Other

  • Nectar Cups for Parrot Playhouse (optional) - $2 per person

  • Admission Sticker* - $0.50 per person

    *required for any missing school stickers, shirts, or equivalent

Educator-Led Class Fees

Reservation only. Fees are in addition to field trip rates above.

  • Exploration Class - $1 per student

  • Animal Class - $2 per person

  • Garden Class - $1 per student

Distance Learning Animal Classes

  • Live course (up to 40 students) - $150

  • Go HERE for more information

Check out our 2023-2024 School Field Trip & Resources brochure for more information on add-on class programs, exhibitions, Park favorites, and more!

PDF Downloads

Chaperones

Chaperones are considered parents, volunteers, student teachers, or other school staff that are not teachers or one-on-one aides (nurses, interpreters, etc.). Only Turtle Bay Member adults named on their membership card are admitted for free. Memberships do not waive student admission or class fees. Member Guest rates do not apply for field trips.

Groups must have:

  • A minimum of 1 adult chaperone per 8 students

  • No more than 1 chaperone per 2 students

  • Additional adults over the maximum allowed will need to pay general admission and check in separately

 

Payment

One transaction per reservation. Payment for your visit is due upon arrival by cash, check, or card or Turtle Bay will invoice if a purchase order is provided. Chaperones cannot check in separately, please collect money from chaperones in advance or include them in your payment from the school. There is a non-refundable $50 charge for cancellations within 48 hours of reservation or for no-shows.

Field Trip Options

Add one of the following class programs to your visit. All classes require a reservation and additional fees may apply.

Exploration Classes

Turtle Bay Educator-led Exploration Classes offer interactive, informational, and inspirational experiences. These classes provide opportunities to practice, build on, and connect with Next Generation Science and other standards. All classes are 45 - 60 minutes long and your group may stay and enjoy the rest of the Park before or after your class.

September 6, 2023 - April 26, 2024

Wednesdays - Fridays; 9:15 AM - 12:00 PM

No classes on November 22 - 24 & December 27 - January 5

A minimum of 10 students required. Maximum capacity is 30 students per rotation and 3 rotations per day. Additional $1.00 per student.

  • Discover the scientific method and sharpen your observational skills in this exciting and hands-on class. Younger students will investigate the states of matter and conduct experiments to build on their understanding of why matter really matters. Older students will observe and predict the surprising properties of everyday materials.

  • Ladybugs & butterflies go through BIG changes! Younger students will hear a story and then get a chance to explore activities that showcase everyone's favorite insects. Older students will be learning all about metamorphosis through more animal examples and a fun game!

    March & April dates only.

  • Uncover the stories that trees can tell us through their lifetimes and explore how important these organisms are in our world. Students will investigate the structures and functions of trees and discover the secrets hidden in tree rings.

  • Did you know that Turtle Bay sits on what was once Wintu territory? Sit in the replica Wintu bark house and discover how the Wintu used natural materials for shelter, food, and tools and learn how they continue to use these materials for baskets, regalia, and more, today.

  • Students will conduct a simulated bio-assessment of a stream by sampling aquatic macroinvertebrates. By learning the process by which macroinvertebrates are assessed, results are recorded and pollution tolerance indexes are determined.

  • Students will become active participants in the rock cycle as they explore the different processes and forces behind each step. This class includes examples of rocks and sediments for students to analyze and identify.

  • Design, build, test, and redesign! Students will get a glimpse at the design thinking process and apply their knowledge as they work in small teams to make a solar shield model for the James Webb Space Telescope.

Classes in the Gardens

Explore the plants, trees, and other features of our Botanical Gardens with one of our horticulture specialists. Each class is tailored to support the State Content Standards for the grades listed. All classes are one hour long and your group may stay and enjoy the rest of the Park before or after your class.

February 1, 2024 - April 25, 2024

Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 AM

Maximum capacity is 30 students per rotation and 2 rotations per day. Additional $1.00 per student.

  • From seed to decomposition, plants provide food, oxygen, habitat for animals and insects, wood for our homes, fiber for our clothes, many medicines for illnesses and then break down and return to enrich the soil for more generations of plants and for soil microbiota.

  • Plant adaptations help plants grow in various climates. These genetic traits show up in leaf texture, seed dispersal methods and more. Find out what helps our local native plants thrive in our dry-summer climate by comparing those adaptations with plants from around the world as we walk through the gardens.

Animal Classes

These popular Animal Classes are available in-person and virtually! Virtual classes are live web programs for students to view in the classroom or at home. Each class is interactive, contains live animals, and is tailored to fit the State Content Standards for each grade listed. All classes are one hour long (40 min & 15 min Q&A) and your group may stay and enjoy the rest of the Park before or after your class.

October 13, 2023 - February 9, 2024 | ALL DATES ARE BOOKED FOR THE SEASON

Fridays at 10:00 AM

A minimum of 10 students required. Maximum capacity is 75 students per rotation and 2 rotations per day. Additional $2.00 per person.

  • Nocturnal animals have unique adaptations to survive life in the dark. Whether an owl, snake or porcupine, these animals each have their own advanced senses that allow them to navigate their unique habitats.

  • New this year!

    Forests cover only 30% of Earth's land area but are home to more animals than any other ecosystem. Surviving life in the forest requires a variety of different strategies and adaptations.

  • While all birds have wings and feathers - from the smallest parrot to the largest raptor - birds are an extremely diverse group of animals with unique traits. From pollinators to predators and seed spreaders to scavengers, learn how birds fill many functions in an ecosystem and the effects they have on the food chain.

  • Learn what it really means to be cold-blooded! Whether a hard-shelled turtle or a snake with no legs, reptiles have many diverse characteristics that allow them to live in all types of habitats. Explore the many different senses that allow these ancient animals to find food, shelter, and mates.

Presented by
Tri Counties Bank

Education media support provided by
North State Parent Magazine