Field Trips

Field Trip Rate

In-Person at VINS
Explore VINS: $13.50/student

Visit VINS and have a lesson: $15.50/student

One adult is free for every 7 students. Additional adults pay $15.50. Paraeducators with a 1-on-1 student are free VINS.

Memberships, EBT cards and library passes are valid for an adult during a Field Trip. They are not valid for students.

Virtual
$200 per Virtual Field Trip

Advanced booking required.

Nature Center Hours

VINS Nature Center
10 AM to 5 PM Daily

Wild Bird Rehab
802.359.5000 x212
8 AM to 4:30 PM Daily

Contact Us

802.359.5000
info@vinsweb.org

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BOOK FIELD TRIP

Field Trips to the Nature Center

At the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, your students will be immersed in a rich learning
experience. Our field trips are designed to work with and enhance your curriculum, making every
visit to VINS a valuable experience for your students. All of our field trips are aligned with the
Next Generation Science Standards.

VINS has been a leader in environmental education since 1972. Our staff have a wealth of experience and knowledge in outdoor education, the natural sciences and teaching methods. We’ll work with you to deepen the connections between your learning goals in the classroom and your outdoor exploration at VINS. Classes are able to explore the VINS campus and enjoy on-site educational programs. You may also sign up for an additional lesson that will deepen the learning experience for your students.

Field Trips Rates

  • Explore VINS: $13.50/student
  • Visit VINS and have a lesson: $15.50/student
  • One adult is free for every 7 students. Additional adults pay $15.50. Paraeducators with a 1-on-1 student are free VINS.

Memberships, EBT cards and library passes are valid for an adult during a Field Trip. They are not valid for students.

To schedule a field trip, fill out the Field Trip Form or contact the Education Department at education@vinsweb.org or call 802.359.5000.

OutdoorClasstoom-2020

Outdoor Classroom

This structure, funded by the Jane’s Trust Foundation, models outdoor learning and supports the educational goals of VINS by demonstrating ways that learning can be taken beyond the four walls of an indoor classroom. Students of all ages can enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of this living-learning environment.

This learning location is available for VINS Field Trips! Book your lesson now  to ensure your preferred date and lesson in our Outdoor Classroom.

Want to dive deeper? Personalize your students' educational experience!

We will work with you to choose a lesson of your choice with one of our educators, and to make sure that our lesson complements your learners best. Please let us know if there is a topic you're interested in, even if you don't see it on one of the lists below.

Lessons are available on a first come first serve basis. Scholarship money is available pending our
grant funding for each field trip season.

Year-round Field Trip lessons:

  • Animal Homes
  • Bears
  • Beavers
  • Day & Night Animals 
  • Frogs & Toads
  • Preparing for Winter
  • Seasons
  • Snakes
  • Turtles
  • Explore VINS

Learn more

Book a Field Trip

Animal Adaptations (Fall/Spring)
Explore how animals have adapted to their ecosystem. Learn more.

Animals in Winter (Winter)
Delve into the winter adaptations of animals. Learn more.

Forest Canopy Walk (Fall/Spring)
Explore an ecosystem in the forest treetops. Learn more.

Home Sweet Habitat (Fall/Spring)
Help Otis the Otter find a home as we investigate habitats. Learn more: Virtual or In-Person

Stream Ecology (Year-round)
For Grades 2-3. Experience the power of moving water with our Stream Table. Learn more.

StarLab (Year-round)
Let the VINS campus become your launchpad to the cosmos. Learn more.

Explore VINS (Year-round)
Enjoy independent exploration of the VINS Nature Center. Learn more.

Book a Field Trip

Animal Adaptations (Fall/Spring)
Explore how animals have adapted to their ecosystem. Learn more.

Animals in Winter (Winter)
Delve into the winter adaptations of animals. Learn more.

Chickadee Landing Station (Winter)
Join in on this unique bird feeding experience! Learn more.

Forest Canopy (Fall/Spring)
Explore an ecosystem in the forest treetops. Learn more.

Geology Hike (Fall/Spring)
Explore & learn about the Quechee Gorge. Learn more: Virtual or In-Person.

StarLab (Year-round)
Let the VINS campus become your launchpad to the cosmos. Learn more.

Stream Ecology (Year-round)
Experience the power of moving water with our Stream Table. Learn more.

Explore VINS (Year-round)
Enjoy independent exploration of the VINS Nature Center. Learn more.

Book a Field Trip

Climate Change and Bird Migration (Year-round)
See how climate change affects all organisms -- including birds. Learn more.

Geology Hike (Fall/Spring)
Examine our changing earth of the Quechee Gorge. Learn more: Virtual or In-Person

StarLab (Year-round)
Let the VINS campus become your launchpad to the cosmos. Learn more.

Stream Ecology (Year-round)
Experience the power of moving water with our Stream Table. Learn more.

Explore VINS (Year-round)
Enjoy independent exploration of the VINS Nature Center. Learn more.

Book a Field Trip

Climate Change and Bird Migration (Year-round)
See how climate change affects all organisms - including birds. Learn more.

Geology Hike (Fall/Spring)
Explore & learn about the Quechee Gorge. Learn more: Virtual or In-Person.

Raptor Biology (Fall/Spring)
Investigate the adaptations of raptors. Learn more.

StarLab (Year-round)
Let the VINS campus become your launchpad to the cosmos. Learn more.

Explore VINS (Year-round)
Enjoy independent exploration of the VINS Nature Center. Learn more.

Book a Field Trip

Just wanted to send a belated thank you for the absolutely incredible field trip that our group had at VINS! I have been telling everyone how totally unique and beautifully prepared your incredible presentation was. It meant so much to all of the kids, my two kiddos are still talking about the raptor magnet game. 
 
Thank you for making our visit so meaningful. You are so talented, and I will continue to sing praises about the program! We truly appreciate it. 

VINS Field Trip Participating Teacher

The children were spellbound! We definitely will return next year!

VINS Field Trip Participating Teacher

I wanted to thank you for the amazing "field trip" today for class III! The children really loved it and you were able to keep them very engaged (no easy task over zoom). 

VINS Field Trip Participating Teacher

Thank you! Despite the weather challenges en route to VINS/Randolph, this day was an unqualified success! The children had a blast, learned so much, and were bubbling with enthusiasm and sharing facts with each other even back in the classroom.

VINS Field Trip Participating Teacher

My students absolutely loved today!!! I specifically loved how you introduced my students to the conditions of ecosystems with your slide presentation, carefully chose the activities, and allowed us access to the trails, playspace, and raptor exhibits. Meeting the Harris's Hawk was special. I will continue to put this field trip in my winter plans.

VINS Field Trip Participating Teacher

The VINS "Home Sweet Habitat" Field Trip was the perfect virtual experience for young learners. It was well balanced with showing both live and prerecorded information. The instructors were truly great to interact with - even online. Thank you. FYI: The children are still talking and singing about habitats!

VINS Field Trip Participating Teacher

Your field trips are top notch. The educators and guides do a great job managing school groups while educating them about the natural world around us with a focus on conservation.

VINS Field Trip Participating Teacher

Thanks so much for planning and facilitating the day for us. The students had a great time and learned a lot. They couldn't help but be captivated by the birds and it was so great to see.

VINS Field Trip Participating Teacher

Enhancing Classroom Curriculum with On-Site, Place-Based Education

Explore the natural world with hands-on lessons aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards.

CONTACT US
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