Early childhood EDUcation field trips
Get your students out in nature with a field trip to WPNR! ECE field trips are designed for students in preK-2nd grade and take place at the WPNR Learning Center Barn and trails. Programs consist of 4 stations: a story, a craft, an outdoor activity/game, and a wild card activity.
Field trip groups are welcome to bring a snack or lunch for after the program and can use the lower-level classroom and/or back patio for that purpose.
Groups are encouraged to explore the trails and Reserve grounds independently following their scheduled program.
Field trip groups are welcome to bring a snack or lunch for after the program and can use the lower-level classroom and/or back patio for that purpose.
Groups are encouraged to explore the trails and Reserve grounds independently following their scheduled program.
SchedulingApril-October
Tuesday-Friday Starting at 10:00 am On a first come, first serve basis |
REGISTRATION$8 per student
No charge for adult chaperones Request program at links below. NO PHONE OR EMAIL REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. |
ParticipantsGrades PreK-2
Class Size: Field trip groups will be charged for a minimum of 15 students and are allowed a maximum of 40 students per program or 80 per day with 2 programs (AM and PM). |
Field Trip PROGRAMMING OPTIONS
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Vulture View
What would it be like to soar like the mysterious vulture? Students take flight with yoga, a story, a vulture craft & a birding hike to hopefully see a vulture. Rollie Pollie Party Have you ever wondered about “Rollie Pollies?” In this program, students will investigate real live pill bugs, have a ”ball” creating a unique craft, move like a pill bug, & more! |
Dino Day
Students will transform into budding paleontologists during a Dino Day Field Trip! Activities include moving like dinosaurs, crating a dinosaur skeleton to take home, digging for dino bones, and more! Conservation Station Each day is Earth Day! Students take a journey with Michael Recycle, explore the earth on a mini-nature hike, become an eco-superhero, and more! How About Those Herps Learn all about slimy and scaly herptiles (reptiles and amphibians) in this new field trip option! Meet some of WPNR’s educational ambassadors and more! |
Hey There Honeybee
Students will buzz about the Reserve to learn all about honeybees, transform into a bee with a wearable craft, become a busy worker bee, and more. Buggy Bonanza Explore & learn all about bugs and insects during this hands-on program! Make a bug craft, look for bugs outside, listen to a story about the “Bugliest Bug,” and more! |
School-age field trips
Get your students out in nature with a field trip to WPNR! School Age field trips are designed for students in 3rd-9th grade and take place at the WPNR Learning Center Barn and trails. Field trip groups are welcome to bring a snack or lunch for after the program and can use the lower-level classroom and/or back patio for that purpose. Groups are encouraged to explore the trails and Reserve grounds independently following their scheduled program.
SchedulingApril-October
Tuesday-Friday Starting at 10:00 am On a first come, first serve basis |
REGISTRATION$8 per student
No charge for adults chaperones Request Program at links below. NO PHONE OR EMAIL REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. |
ParticipantsGrades 3-9
Class Size: Field trip groups will be charged for a minimum of 15 students and are allowed a maximum of 40 students per program or 80 per day with 2 programs (AM and PM). |
PROGRAMMING OPTIONS
|
Habitat Hike (2 hr.)
Students are guided in small groups along the Nature Reserve trails to bird with binoculars, identify plants and insects, dip net in the pond, and more! Each station encourages respectful & careful investigation of nature. |
Herp, Herp Hooray (2 hr.)
Reptiles + Amphibians = The wonderful world of HERPS! Learn all about the similarities and differences of reptiles and amphibians and get up close and personal to these slimy and scaly creatures! |
Wild About Water (2 hr.)
What is water? Where does it go? Who lives there? What does it do? Jump in and learn all about the all important H2O! |
Field Trips FAQ
Cost and Payment
When does payment need to be received?
What is WPNR?
Are we able to explore the barn and grounds independently after our scheduled program?
What is the minimum and maximum number of students for a program?
What time are your programs scheduled?
What do your programs consist of?
Are siblings allowed to attend field trips?
When does payment need to be received?
- Final # of students, total due, and signed agreement due 2 weeks before scheduled program date.
- No refunds are provided for absent individuals after final # of students is submitted.
- Programs cancelled within 2 weeks of date or due to inclement weather may be refunded or rescheduled.
- All field trip programs are $8.00 per student.
- No, unlimited adult chaperones/teachers can attend for free.
- For field trip programs, we require at least a 1:5 chaperone student ratio (including teachers).
- Adult chaperones/teachers are responsible for supervision of student behavior and safety at all times while on WPNR property.
What is WPNR?
- WPNR is Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at Saint Vincent College-a 50-acre nature reserve in Latrobe, PA that includes a Learning Center Barn and appx. 2 miles of accessible trails.
- Our mission is to foster environmental stewardship through education, recreation, and conservation.
- Programs that take place here include components that take place inside of the Learning Center Barn and around the trails and grounds.
- WPNR has bus parking, a water fountain, and restrooms at the Learning Center Barn.
- Yes, classes are welcome to use the Lower Level Learning Classroom and/or the back patio for lunches or snacks after the scheduled program.
- Garbage must be properly disposed of (we require composting and recycling).
- There is no refrigeration for student lunches.
Are we able to explore the barn and grounds independently after our scheduled program?
- Yes, we encourage classes to stay and explore the different nature play and explore areas around the Reserve.
- WPNR has over 2 miles of accessible walking trails, an array of wildlife habitats, multiple children’s play spaces, and a variety of gardens and educational areas to explore. Plan your own independent activities on the grounds or utilize our independent exploration kits free of charge!
- As you are exploring, we ask that you please be respectful of the staff and students participating in the WPNR-led program and keep in mind that an adult chaperone must be with students at ALL times.
- Unfortunately, we do not have the staff capacity to lead independent exploration of the reserve, but we can recommend trails, play areas, and activities for you and your students.
- Yes, we have binoculars, hand lenses, field guides, children's story books, and more that you are welcome to borrow to use with your students while exploring the WPNR grounds.
What is the minimum and maximum number of students for a program?
- Field trip groups will be charged for a minimum of 15 students and are allowed a maximum of 40 students per program or 80 per day with 2 programs (AM and PM).
- No! As long as your group meets the size and age restrictions, we welcome scout groups, home school groups, preschools, etc.
What time are your programs scheduled?
- All programs are scheduled to begin at 10:00 am and last 1.5-2 hours depending on the program.
- Groups of 40-80 students will follow the following schedule:
- GROUP A: GROUP B:
10:00 am-11:30 am: WPNR Program 10:00 am-11:30 am: Independent Exploration
11:30 am-12:30 pm: Lunch 11:30 am-12:30 pm: Lunch
12:30 pm-2:00 pm: Independent Exploration 12:30 pm-2:00 pm: WPNR Program
- GROUP A: GROUP B:
- Programs and field trips are scheduled April-October, Tuesday-Friday.
- Programs are scheduled on a first come first serve basis.
- You can request a program up to one year in advance.
What do your programs consist of?
- See program descriptions above.
- All ECE programs consist of 4 stations: story, craft, outdoor, and wildcard.
- School age programs include a station rotation through a variety of activities.
- Our Early Childhood programs are designed for students in PreK-2nd grade (Ages 3-8) and our school age programs are designed for students in 3rd-9th grade.
Are siblings allowed to attend field trips?
- If a sibling is going to participate in the program, they must fit in the appropriate age group and be included in your final number and paid for with the full payment.
- Please no strollers during field trip programming.
- Most of our programs are able to be adapted for indoors.
- Rescheduling due to weather is dependent on date and staff availability. We do not preschedule built-in rain dates.
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding field trips to Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at Saint Vincent College.
If you have any additional questions, please call 724-537-5284 or email Environmental Education Coordinator, Allison Sellitto, at [email protected].
If you have any additional questions, please call 724-537-5284 or email Environmental Education Coordinator, Allison Sellitto, at [email protected].
