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Field Studies

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Give your students a special opportunity step outside the classroom to experience with our three field studies listed below. Please refer to the school program reservations and policies before booking a program or tour.

American River Aquatic Adventures – A Summer Only Program

Students' natural curiosity and wonder will awaken as they explore the rich aquatic environment and shaded river forest in beautiful C.M. Goethe Park in the American River Parkway. Our experienced naturalists will lead students on a hike along the river, in active ecology-themed games and into a safe area for knee-deep investigations into the river environment.

• Site: C.M. Goethe Park (accessible from either side of the American River)
• Length: 120 minutes; morning only
• Fee: $100
• Size: Up to 20 students; add $5/additional student; maximum 60 students
• Chaperones: The Leader and 4 to 8 adult volunteers are needed.

Pond and River Communities: A Field Study (2nd-6th grades)

Prerequisite: Outreach program Living in Water, Underwater Interactions, or Aquatic Invertebrates. The teacher must provide 5-8 adult volunteers who are willing to lead small groups throughout the field study.

This visit to an American River wetland brings to life those concepts introduced in the classroom. Students will explore different aquatic environments to examine and compare the organisms found in each. This knee-deep investigation allows students to make their own discoveries and learn to identify aquatic organisms, while appreciating the wonder of the riparian habitat. All organisms found and examined by students are released. A pre-trip packet will prepare your class for this field study.

• Site: American River Parkway
• Length: 2 hours
• Fee: $325 (includes grade level Aquatic Ecosystems program)
• Size: Up to 34 students; add $5/additional student; max. 40 students

Gibson Ranch Living History (3rd-5th grades)

Prerequisite: The teacher and 5-10 adult volunteers must attend both the Pre-trip Workshop and participate in the Frontier Ranch Life Program.

Give your students a special opportunity to step back in time to the late 1800's and experience Sacramento's rich agricultural past. This program takes place at Gibson Ranch, established in the late 1800's.

The ranch retains the old-time feeling with stables, barns, pastures, trails, an arena, and a bunkhouse. From typical chores to old-fashioned fun, children will participate in a variety of hands-on activities that bring the olden-days to life. Teachers may chose from chores such as wheat threshing, biscuit making, butter making, rug braiding, toolbox construction, branding, corn husk dolls, candle making, gardening, washing and ironing, and composting (some additional supplies may be required). We encourage students to dress in period clothing, bring a lunch pail with foods of the era and take on the identity of a child who may have lived in the 1890's.

A complete Frontier Ranch Life Curriculum with extended activities for your classroom can be purchased for an additional $20.00 plus shipping.

• Site: Gibson Ranch County Park
• Length: min. 4 hours - max. 6 hours
• Fee: $515 (includes Pre-trip Workshop and Ranch Program)
• Size: Up to 34 students, $12 for each additional student, max. 40 students

Maidu Field Day - (3rd-6th grades)

Prerequisites: Methods of the Maidu outreach program. A minimum of six adult volunteers, including the teacher, must attend the pre-trip workshop and participate in the Maidu Field Day.

This hands-on program is designed to teach children about the life of the Valley Nisenan Indian people and to impart a greater understanding and appreciation for these native people's culture and relationship to the earth.

Tule houses, shade shelters, acorn granary, and a grinding rock are part of the replica village. Students spend the day in the village learning Nisenan skills, exploring the natural world, learning plant uses, listening to stories and watching demonstrations of old customs including acorn cooking. The Valley Nisenan Curriculum, with extended activities for your classroom, can be purchased for an additional $20.00 plus tax and shipping.

• Site: Effie Yeaw Nature Center
• Length: min. 4.5 hours - max. 6 hours
• Fee: $515 (includes Methods of the Maidu Outreach Program or The Valley Nisenan Curriculum and Pre-trip Workshop)
• Size: Up to 34 students, $12 for each additional student, max. 40 students

Modified Maidu Field Day (3rd-6th grades)

This modified day-program has been designed for classes that would like to spend time in the replica village and learn about the Nisenan Maidu culture but are unable to stay for the all-day program. The day begins with a 'Methods of the Maidu' presentation in the Nature Center's classroom and a discussion of the Maidu territory, language and population, followed by a guided walk in the Nature Area and time in the replica village for storytelling, a demonstration of acorn preparation, and a game.

• Site: Effie Yeaw Nature Center
• Prerequisites: No teacher/parent workshop required.
• Length: 3.5 hours
• Fee: $325
• Size: Up to 34 students, $12 for each additional student, max. 40 students
• Chaperones: The teacher and 4 to 6 adult volunteers are needed.