School Field Trips
Preschool - Kindergarten
Includes FUSD 3rd & 4th grade Goal 2 trips
3 experience program
Take your class to the river!
Parkway has been inspiring students through outdoor education since 1989. Our field trips connect students with the San Joaquin River while fostering curiosity, environmental stewardship, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. We proudly offer educational programs for students in pre-K through 6th grade. Upon request, we can also provide customized educational experiences for 7th grade, 8th grade, high school and college groups. If you need any assistance with field trip registration, please contact Teresa Magana, Programs Coordinator, at 559-248-8480 ext. 215 or tmagana@riverparkway.org.
2026-2027 Academic School Year Registration Now Open
River Buddies Preschool-Kindergarten
River Buddies is a nature enrichment field trip program designed for preschool through kindergarten-aged children. River Buddies field trips take place at our River Center site. Each field trip is aligned with the California Learning Foundations and provides a fun, engaging environment where children can connect with the natural world through three interactive learning stations: Explorative, Investigative, and Interactive Stations.
Explorative Station: Children participate in play-based outdoor activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, and sensory exploration. Students will have the opportunity to explore nature firsthand and enjoy getting their hands and feet dirty while learning through play.Investigative Station: Students become young scientists as they observe and discover the fascinating creatures that live in and around our pond ecosystem, through guided exploration and interactive storytelling.Interactive Station: Children take part in a structured, nature-based activity designed to reinforce learning through hands-on engagement, crafts, or other age-appropriate experiences that connect them to the natural world.
Activities and Curriculum
Aligned with the California Learning Foundations, River Buddies provides young learners with engaging, hands-on nature experiences through three interactive learning stations: Explorative, Interactive, and Investigative. Teachers will choose one activity from each station and may add an optional 15 minute snack break. For reservations with 4 groups, teachers will select two Interactive station activities instead, and a snack break is not included.
Time Frame and Price
TIME: 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM with an optional 15 minute snack time during the field trip.
PRICING:
Up to 12 students | $195 |
Up to 25 students | $350 |
25+ students | $350 per group
(1 group = 25 students) |
We allow up to a 4:1 student-to-chaperone ratio for all field trips. There is no charge for chaperones.
Payment will be required in advance of the scheduled field trip unless alternative arrangements have been made.
Registration
To sign up, please use the link below. We allow for a maximum of 4 groups per trip. If you are registering more than 4 groups, please schedule multiple field trip dates to ensure proper accommodations.
1st-5th Grade River Field Trips
Give your students the opportunity of a lifetime with an outdoor education experience along the San Joaquin River. Field trips typically consist of 3-4 activity stations including nature walks, educational activities, and crafts. The facilitator in charge of your trip will meet your group as it arrives, provide an opening presentation to the whole group, and then the students will divide into groups and proceed with the activities. Groups rotate from station to station, typically spending about 45 minutes on each activity. Our staff and volunteers will lead the majority of the activities, but teachers may need to lead one station (typically the scavenger hunt). All activity materials and supplies will be provided. If you have questions regarding choosing the activities for your trip, contact our office at (559) 248-8480 ext. 215.
Activities and Curriculum
River Field Trip activities are aligned with California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and designed to support classroom learning while providing meaningful, hands-on experiences along the San Joaquin River. While activities are correlated to grade level standards, all activities are adaptable to any grade. Teachers are welcome to select activities outside of their assigned grade level to best meet instructional goals.
The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust partners with FUSD Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Learning to ensure all activities align with California NGSS standards.
Parkway offers a Comprehensive Activity Guide organized by grade level to help you choose which activities work best for your students. This guide provides an overview of all available activities, including standards alignment, objectives, summaries, and pre-trip materials.
Time Frame and Price
TIME: 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM, with flexibility depending on bus schedules. We are happy to adjust timing if transportation providers are informed in advance. Time is allotted for students to eat lunch on-site.
PRICE: $360 per classroom (up to 30 students). An additional fee will apply for groups exceeding 30 students.
A 7:1 Student-to-chaperone ratio is allowed. Each trip can accommodate a minimum of 1 classroom and a maximum of 4 classrooms.
Payment will be required in advance of the scheduled field trip unless alternative arrangements have been made.
Registration
To sign up, please use the link below. We allow for a maximum of 4 classrooms per trip. If you are registering more than 4 classrooms, please schedule multiple field trip dates to ensure proper accommodations.
Field Trip Sites
All field trip locations are outdoor locations with full bathroom facilities. Field trip activities take place outdoors with the goal of introducing students to the local environment. Please have students dress accordingly.
Coke Hallowell Center for River Studies (River Center) - 11605 Old Friant Rd, Fresno, CAOwned and operated by Parkway, the River Center is a more maintained facility offering historical, natural, and educational experiences to students with our 1880s Ranch House, Hidden Homes habitat nature walk, demonstration orchard, vineyard, and open spaces. **The River Center does not currently offer direct river access. **
Owl Hollow - 11631 Old Friant Rd, Fresno, CA (north of the River Center)Owned and operated by Parkway, Owl Hollow is a riverfront property with an outdoor amphitheater, picnic shelter, direct river access, and a secluded feel. This location is located next to the River Center but uses a different access point and requires a short (less than half a mile) drive down a flat dirt road.
Lost Lake County Park - 16385 N Friant Rd, Friant, CA A Fresno County Park, Lost Lake offers a historic nature trail, park atmosphere, and open spaces along the river. It is a public park, and the condition and availability of shared facilities cannot always be guaranteed.
6th Grade River Field Trip Program
The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust’s 6th Grade River Field Trip program provides students with hands-on opportunities to explore the San Joaquin River and learn about the watershed, river ecosystems, and environmental stewardship. The program combines an in-class educational experience with field-based learning along the river, incorporating recreation activities that connect students to the natural environment and reinforce Next Generation Science Standards.
Since 2015, Parkway has partnered with Madera Unified School District to offer this program to all Madera Unified 6th-grade classrooms. Through this longstanding partnership, thousands of students have had the opportunity to learn about and experience the San Joaquin River through three educational experiences.
PROGRAM CURRICULUM
Phase 1 In-Class Presentation
A Parkway facilitator will come to your classroom and provide a ~60-minute presentation including in class activities.
Topics to be covered in the presentation:• The Water cycle
• The Watershed (Activity: Crumpled Paper Watershed)• Introduction to the Chinook Salmon (Activity: Sniffin Salmon)
Phase 2 Owl Hollow Field Trip
Classrooms will visit Owl Hollow and rotate through 3-4 activities. *Teachers may be responsible for leading 1 activity during the field trip.*
*Teachers may be responsible for leading Habitat Jenga and Oh Deer*
Phase 3 Sycamore Island Field Trip
Classrooms will visit Sycamore Island and rotate through 3-4 activities, including canoeing.
*Teachers may be responsible for leading Team Building Games*
