Field Trips to your East Bay Regional Parks

Links

EBParks.org/Register
Search for programs, classes, events and activities and register online

Kids Healthy Outdoor Challenge
Self-paced outdoor activity program

Program Guides
Download Regional In Nature or other activity guides by visitor center

Special Events
Find special events throughout the year for you and your family

Pack a Waste Free Lunch (PDF)

The East Bay Regional Park District offers unique opportunities to explore the natural and cultural history of the San Francisco Bay Area. Naturalists lead programs at a number of parks throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Field Trip Programs

Click on the links below to find out about each Visitor Center and the field trip programs offered by each site:

Ardenwood Historic Farm (Fremont): Field Trip Program Descriptions
Big Break Regional Shoreline (Oakley): Field Trip Program Descriptions
Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve (Antioch): Field Trip Program Descriptions
Coyote Hills Regional Park (Fremont): Field Trip Program Descriptions
Crab Cove Visitor Center (Alameda): Field Trip Program Descriptions
Del Valle Regional Park (Livermore): Field Trip Program Descriptions
Mobile Education Outreach (programs in your school): Mobile Education Outreach Descriptions
Sunol Regional Wilderness (Sunol): Field Trip Program Descriptions | In-Class Program Descriptions
(Please Note: Due to Calaveras Dam Construction Sunol’s programs will be scheduled to occur at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area in Pleasanton)
Tilden Nature Area (Berkeley): Field Trip Program Descriptions

Naturalists are a wonderful resource for teachers who want to bring their students to the East Bay Regional Parks for field trips. In addition to the programs above, Naturalists are available to discuss teachers' objectives for their class and design programs to meet their specific needs. Environmental education is the perfect theme to make any subject come alive. For instance, if a teacher wishes to enhance a math program, activities with trees such as calculating the height, circumference, diameter, and age lend themselves to both math and environmental education.

Field Trip Application Process

Naturalist programs are very popular and demand often exceeds availability. The staff will accommodate your request as scheduling permits. Requests are filled by lottery for each session (summer, fall and spring). Most naturalist programs are free of charge for Alameda and Contra Costa County public school groups-exceptions are noted in the field trip program descriptions. The hourly fee for private schools, non-District schools and other public or private groups is $61/hour for each District employee involved.

Please see the Field Trip Application - How To page BEFORE filling out the application
Apply for Field Trips Online

Application Deadlines

For Summer Programs: Submit an application by 5 p.m. on the 1st of Monday in May.
For Fall Programs: Submit an application by 5 p.m. on the 1st of Monday in August.
For Spring Programs: Submit an application by 5 p.m. on the 1st of Monday in December.

Field Trip Guidelines

You can enhance your upcoming field trip by taking a few moments to go over this checklist. Remember that pre- and post-trip activities are a very important part of the field trip experience, and we will be happy to provide you with suggested activities.

Dress Appropriately
- Shoes: Wear sturdy shoes that can get dirty and wet. No sandals.
- Clothing: Wear play clothes that can get dirty or wet. Weather can be variable - dress in layers. Be sure students have jackets if necessary.
- Rain Gear: Come prepared for the weather.
- Name Tags: All students and adult leaders should wear visible name tags. Print legibly and large. Pin-on or stick-on tags are preferred.
Bring Food and Snacks
- Refrigerators are available for storing some lunch items if necessary (except at Black Diamond). If your group has special needs, check with the office.
- Restrooms, picnic areas, and drinking water are available at all parks.
Arrive at the Scheduled Time: Late arrivals may cause conflicts with other scheduled programs.
Collecting Is Not Permitted: All Parklands are protected. Collecting is not permitted. Help us by making your group aware of this. Our natural resources are limited and fragile. All rocks and animals must be returned to their original position.
Supervision: Naturalists are a special resource and can do a better job if they are not dealing with discipline issues at the same time. At least one adult leader should be present for every 15 students.

Cancellation

Call the visitor center where your program is scheduled immediately if you find it necessary to cancel. Rain will not cancel scheduled programs. We may have to alter your program, but we will be here to meet your group.

Parks Express: Apply for Low Cost Transportation to Our Parks

Low cost transportation is offered to school groups and non-profit groups that qualify through the Parks Express program. Information may be obtained by calling Parks Express at 510-544-2205 or...

If you would like to coordinate a Naturalist Educational Program, contact the Visitor Center directly for more information on programs offered, application procedures, and deadlines.
See a list of our Visitor Centers.

Note: Transportation and program reservations MUST be made separately.
Reservations for one does not assure reservations for the other.
Please find detailed information, including how to apply online, on our Parks Express page.

Public transportation to the parks may also be available. Please visit our Public Transit page for details.

Alternative Featured Services

Naturalist-Led Programs and Consultations

Naturalists provide consulting services to conservation education organizations. Conservation education organizations can contract with naturalists to conduct docent training.

Docent Training

For information about our docent training programs, click here.

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