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.

Scheduling

​April-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.

Participants

Grades 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).

2023 ECE Field Trip Program Request
​April-October

2024 ECE Field Trip Program Request
​April-October

​Field Trip PROGRAMMING OPTIONS

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
ive 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!

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.

Scheduling

​April-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.​

Participants

Grades 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).

2023 SCHOOL AGE FIELD TRIP PROGRAM Request
​April-October

2024 School AGe Field Trip Program Request
April-October

​PROGRAMMING OPTIONS

School Age programs are in the process of being redeveloped to meet the new Environment and Ecology Standards. 
Currently, the Habitat Hike is the only School Age field trip program offered.

​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.

Field Trips FAQ

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 allison.sellitto@stvincent.edu.

Cost and Payment
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.

What is the cost per student for your programs?

• All field trip programs are $8.00 per student.

Is there a charge for adult chaperones?

• 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.

Facilities
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.   

Can my class eat their lunch or a snack before or after the program?

• 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.

Independent Exploring ​
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. 

Is a WPNR staff member available to lead Independent Exploration of the Reserve? 

• 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. 

Can I borrow materials, equipment, or other resources to use while my class is exploring?

• 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.

Class Requirements
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).

Do I have to be a formal classroom teacher to request a program?

• No! As long as your group meets the size and age restrictions, we welcome scout groups, home school groups, preschools, etc. 

Scheduling
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

When are programs and field trips scheduled?

• Programs and field trips are scheduled April-October, Tuesday-Friday.
• Programs are scheduled on a first come first serve basis.

How far in advance can I schedule a program?

• You can request a program up to one year in advance.

Programs
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.  

What grade are your programs designed for?

• 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.

Other
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.

Do you offer rain dates for field trip days that the weather does not cooperate?

• 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.