Teacher and School Field Trip Planning Information

General Information

Besides field trips to a Nature Center, there are many programs and amenities to explore within the Broward County parks system.

Checklist for a Successful Visit

GENERAL ITEMS:

• Reserve your scheduled visit
• Send in your deposit and pay the balance on the date of the field trip
• Arrange transportation; coordinate your arrival and departure times with the bus driver and the Park Naturalist
• Recruit chaperones - one adult free for every 10 students
• Arrange for lunch pavilions (not available at all sites, call for reservation)
• Contact the Park Naturalist with your final group number seven days prior to your visit
• Review behavior expectations with students and chaperones
• Give your bus driver directions
• Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled program
• Programs and activities are subject to modification at the discretion of park staff and/or group leaders

Park Specific Items

ANNE KOLB NATURE CENTER

There are picnic tables to accommodate small groups at the nature center and an outdoor amphitheater for large groups. Large groups often prefer to picnic at West Lake Park, a short drive from the nature center. Staff will assist you with your lunch or snack plans.

DEERFIELD ISLAND PARK

The park is wheelchair-accessible at high tides only. Please call the park office for the tide schedule.

NORTH DISTRICT NATURAL AREAS

Restroom and picnic facilities are available at Hillsboro Pineland and Tall Cypress natural areas. Both sites have small outdoor amphitheaters, and Tall Cypress has a picnic area.

SECRET WOODS NATURE CENTER

There are no outdoor picnic facilities at this site.

SOUTHEAST DISTRICT NATURAL AREAS

Southeast District Natural Areas include Miramar Pineland and Snake Warrior's Island . Call the Anne Kolb Nature Center (954-926-2480) for site-specific items.

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT NATURAL AREAS

Southwest District Natural Areas include Pine Island Ridge and Long Key . Some programs may also be offered at Markham Park and C.B. Smith Park. Call the Southwest District Naturalist (954-370-3755) for information.

TREE TOPS PARK

Restroom and picnic facilities area available. This site offers wheelchair-accessible tours.

Broward County Parks and Recreation Division

Broward County parks and nature centers are excellent places to explore the wonders of nature and the history of Florida. Each nature center/park offers an array of quality environmental education programs to broaden your students' science horizons. The distinctive habitats of pinelands, hammocks, mangroves, swamps, and wetlands provide many opportunities for hands-on environmental education and nature adventures.

Educational Philosophy

Broward County Parks and Recreation Division offers a variety of environmental education programs suitable to a wide range of age and ability levels. On these field trips, students will gain an awareness of our fragile natural areas and the plants and animals sharing our South Florida environment. Through a variety of interactive and hands-on experiences, students will obtain knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of nature and the role history has played in forming our community. Broward County Parks and Recreation Division excels at incorporating grade-specific curriculum objectives into many of these exciting field trips. Find a program that fits your curriculum needs and join us for the adventure.

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General Information

RESERVATIONS

Dates fill up quickly so schedule field trips well in advance of your visit. Please call the park/nature center of your choice between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to make a reservation. Check individual park/nature center program listings for scheduled offerings.

CONFIRMATION

A deposit is required in order to confirm your reservation and must be received no later than 14 days prior to your program. The amount of the deposit is based on the size of your group and the deposit will be applied to the final cost of the program. A confirmation letter will be sent to your group. The balance of the cost for the program is payable on the date of the field trip.

CANCELLATIONS

Please telephone immediately to cancel a field trip. Division guidelines require a person authorized to initiate the environmental education program reservation to provide Broward County Parks and Recreation Division with a written letter of cancellation either to request a refund of the reservation deposit or to reschedule the field trip. This will enable us to offer a field trip to another group on our waiting list. Please allow six to eight weeks to receive a refund.

GROUP SIZE AND CHAPERONES

There is a minimum of 10 participants. The maximum is stated for each program. We require that there be at least one adult for every 10 students ages 6 and over. One chaperone for every 10 students, ages 6 and up, receives complimentary admission. For children ages 5 and younger, one adult for every five students is required. The chaperones, not the instructors, are responsible for the conduct, discipline, and safety of their group.

TOUR LENGTH AND FEE

Most sites offer programs for $3 per instructional hour per student. Some special programs include additional costs for materials, environmental boat tours, and exhibit hall tours. To ensure that your students receive a full tour, please arrive on time. Please notify us immediately if there will be a delay in arrival time.

DRESS

Participants will be outside, so have them dress appropriately for the weather. Closed-toe shoes are required. Shorts, pants, old shoes, and play clothes are recommended because the students will be hiking and may get dirty during some of the activities. Make sure students have sun protection, water, hats, and insect repellent if necessary. We also request that each participant have a securely attached name tag to increase interaction between instructors and participants.

INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Our park staff will make every effort to meet your group's program needs. When making a reservation for your program, please inform park staff of any special needs or considerations. Requests for auxiliary aids for communication must be made at the time of your reservation.

PICNICS

Shelters and picnic tables are available at most sites on a first-come, first-served basis. Shelter reservations are available for a fee. Check with the park of your choice for more information. Bring your own lunches and drinks. Some sites have soda machines available. Restrooms and drinking fountains are located in park buildings and pavilions. Note that all feeding of animals is prohibited. Please keep our parks clean and litter-free for other visitors and park wildlife.

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Nature Center Manners

BE GENTLE AND QUIET

Explore Broward County's nature centers and parks, but respect nature's serenity. Loud noises keep animals in hiding and reduce your chance of seeing them. Be mindful of other hikers so that all can have an enjoyable experience. Cell phones disrupt programs, please put your cell phone on silent or vibrate during the program.

BE KIND TO ANIMALS

Harassing animal wildlife is against the law and can harm the animals. Feeding of wildlife encourages their dependence on humans, provides poor nutrition, and can increase your chance of being bitten. Let's just watch them and learn how they live in their habitat.

BE KIND TO PLANTS

Plants need their leaves to make food and their flowers to produce seeds. Please do not pick our plants. Leave them for the butterflies, birds, insects, and other people to enjoy.

STAY ON THE TRAIL

For your own comfort and safety, stay on trails and boardwalks. Trails protect the natural environment, increase your safe passage in the woods, and reduce your chance of encountering poisonous plants.It is unlawful to drop off or remove any object from park/nature center grounds.

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