Education Naturally Field Trips
Bring your elementary class to Riverwood
Education Naturally field trips cover a range of topics, with tailored lessons for different grades. See our full list of programs below, and book your field trip today.
Please note that each field trip can host a class with a maximum of 30 students, and we can accommodate up to two classes, totaling 60 students, each day.
Primary Programs | Kindergarten-Grade 3
Kindergarten – Insects
Only available in June
Students learn about the various insect species that make Riverwood their home, and how they interact with human beings.
Grade 1 – Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
Students discover animal and plant characteristics and patterns, and go on an exploratory hike at Riverwood.
Grade 2 – Growth in Animals
Students get up close and personal with Riverwood’s wildlife: toads, birds, salamanders, salmon, butterflies, and insects.
Grade 3 – Growth in Plants
Students visit a variety of plant communities, including mature forest, ornamental and food gardens, and wetlands. They then learn about plant care and select plants to take home.
Junior Programs | Grade 4-6
Grade 4 – Habitats and Communities
Students engage in habitat simulation activities, explore Riverwood’s various wildlife habitats, and dissect owl pellets (optional).
Grade 4 – Rocks and Minerals
Students learn about and visit the remnants of an ancient Silurian sea, hunt for fossils, learn how to identify common rocks and minerals, and practice geology.
Grade 4 – Light and Sound
Students explore the roles that light and sound play in Riverwood, learn about the properties of light and sound, investigate the science behind these two kinds of energy, and learn how technology impacts plants and animals.
Grade 5 – Mapping and Navigation with GPS
Students learn compass, Global Positioning System, geocaching, and mapping skills, while gaining hands-on experience with the latest mapping technology.
Grade 6 – Biodiversity
Students collect field data, participate in invasive species monitoring, learn classification, and visit a variety of ecosystems (wetland, forest, creek) to investigate the Credit River’s salmon migration (fall), birds (winter), or frogs (spring).
Intermediate Programs | Grade 7-8
Grade 7 – Ecosystems
Students witness ecology in action, conduct field research, collect citizen science data, perform abiotic and biotic investigations, and visit a variety of ecosystems (wetland, forest, meadow).
Grade 7 – Climate Change
Students conduct temperature-focused science experiments, study the effects of cold on animal and plant survival, and participate in winter animal survival simulations.
Grade 8 – Water Systems
Students visit a variety of aquatic habitats, make predictions about ecosystem health, conduct field research, and collect data on Riverwood’s waterways.
Specialty Programs | Kindergarten-Grade 8
Hot Chocolate and Wild Birds (K-8)
Only available from December 1 to March 31
Students explore Riverwood’s urban forest and hand-feed chickadees, then return to our indoor classroom to warm up with hot chocolate and make crafts. In case of extreme temperatures, staff will adjust program to modified time outdoors, or entirely indoors, based on the weather conditions and needs of the group.
Art Naturally (K-8)
This program blends the creativity of studio art with hands-on field science for a full day of art and outdoor learning. Students spend half their day outdoors exploring Riverwood and half their day in Visual Arts Mississauga’s studios where they create a take-home piece.
Note: Art Naturally bookings must be made by completing the booking form here.
Gardening Naturally (Grades 3 and 5)
This boutique program includes touring Riverwood’s gardens with our Gardens Coordinator, participating in hands-on simulation activities, and exploring the trails with our Education Naturally guides.
This is an approved field trip for EcoSchools Canada Certification and is eligible for EcoSchools Canada funding opportunities.
Program activities directly compliment the Ontario Science Curriculum and the Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum:
- Grade 3 – Growth and Changes in Plants, Soils in the Environment
- Grade 3 – Healthy Eating
- D1.1 – Food origins, nutritional value, and environmental impact
- D2.1 – Food choices
- D3.1 – Local and cultural foods, eating choices
- Grade 5 – Human Health and Body Systems
- Grade 5 – Healthy Living: Making Healthy Choices, food literacy
Supplementary Programs
Supplementary Programs are optional topics of concentration that can be added for free to any full-day program booking (except Art Naturally)
Grades 1-8 – Stewardship
Students learn about The Riverwood Conservancy’s stewardship work, and provide hands-on help with revitalization projects by spreading woodchips on trails, managing invasive species, and planting trees.
Grades 1-8 – Salmon Migration
Only available in September and October
Cheer on wild salmon as they navigate their way up the Credit River to spawn. Take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the salmon run and learn about the fascinating survival needs of salmon through hands-on activities, simulations, and inquiry.
Grades 1-8 – Owls and Owl Pellet Investigations
Learn about the fascinating life of owls through hands-on investigations. Students will touch owl feathers, study taxidermized mounts, and break apart owl pellets to see what's inside. Plus, students will learn about role that owls play in Riverwood's ecosystem, and how to spot them in the wild.
Grades 4-8 – Geocaching
Bring your students out for a geocaching adventure! Students will learn basic navigation skills, how to use a Global Positioning System (GPS), and work together in teams to find hidden treasures in Riverwood.
Pricing
Half-Day Programs: $300 per class
Full-Day Programs: $450 per class
Art Naturally Full-Day Programs: $27 per student ($405 minimum)
Program Availability
* Art Naturally programs must be booked by completing the booking form here.
Cancellation Policy
When a program must be cancelled by TRC or the school/group (E.g., in the case of inclement weather or bus cancellations), TRC and the school/group will attempt to re-schedule. Inclement weather includes, but is not limited to thunderstorms, high winds, flooding and temperature extremes.
Due to the high demand for programs, schools/groups who want to cancel their programs without penalty must communicate and be confirmed by TRC in writing no later than one month prior to the scheduled program.
The charge for a cancelled program is 50 percent of the booked program fee. A school/group may re-schedule their program without a charge, if booked within the current calendar year.
Schools will not be allowed to book or participate in more programs if they have invoices outstanding more than 120 days.
In cases where TRC cancels due to weather, illness, insufficient enrollment and we are unable to re-schedule. We will attempt to re-schedule or refund as determined by circumstances. Full refunds will be issued.
If the cancellation is due to the occurrence of a traumatic event at the school/group, at the discretion of TRC, the cancellation charge may be waived.
Inclement/Extreme Weather
Our programs are designed to inspire a love of nature in all its forms – whether rain, snow, or shine. We ask students to come to Riverwood prepared for the weather of the day. In case of extreme temperatures, we will adjust program to modified time outdoors, may provide extra layers for cold temperatures, or move program entirely indoors, based on the weather conditions and needs of the group. If you have any concerns about weather conditions on the date of your trip, we encourage you to contact our education team to discuss how best we can support you.
Program Booking and Payment
Complete the form below to book your Education Naturally field trip. Please note that separate forms must be submitted for each program you wish to book for your class.
After submitting your form, we will contact you at the email address you provided with details on your program. You must reply to that email to confirm your booking. Unconfirmed booking requests will be held for two weeks. After that time, the requested dates will be released. Please note that a pre-program planning call may be required before we can confirm a program booking; we will contact you to arrange a call if necessary.
The Riverwood Conservancy will send an invoice to your school or organization after the delivery of your requested program(s).