We are presently booking field trips from now through mid June. Spring dates are filling up so register soon to assure that you receive a lesson with one of our educators as well as the date of your choice.
Contact Us
Field Trip Rate
In-Person at VINS
$13.00 per Youth
Free for School Staff
$15.00 per Parent Chaperone
Virtual
$200 per Virtual Field Trip
Advanced booking required.
Nature Center Hours
VINS Nature Center
10am to 5pm Daily
Wild Bird Rehab is Open
Accepting Calls Only
802.359.5000 x212
8am to 4pm
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 before and after their lesson and enjoy on-site educational programs at no additional cost. Hold your Field Trip in our Outdoor Classroom for an immersive forest experience.
To schedule a field trip, contact Laurie Goldsmith, Science Educator, at 802.359.5000 x203 or fill out the Field Trip Form.
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 new learning location is available for VINS Field Trips! Book your lesson now to ensure your preferred date and lesson in our Outdoor Classroom.
Choose from a variety of topics and work with our educators to personalize the educational experience to meet your students’ needs.
We will work with you around choosing a lesson of your choice with one of our educators and we will also work with you as needed 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 offered at no cost and 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
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.
Dam Exploration (Fall/Spring)
Investigate the Quechee Gorge Dam. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Enhancing Classroom Curriculum with On-Site, Place-Based Education
Explore the natural world with hands-on lessons aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards.