Each session can accommodate up to 35 participants. If you have more than 35 participants, book an a.m. and p.m. program on the desired day.
Looking for a different park or topic? The Nature Education team would like to work with your group to accomodate your request.
Custom trips
How to schedule a summer field trip: June 18 - August 23
- Reservations for summer field trips are accepted beginning Jan. 14.
- Contact us at 503-220-2782 or [email protected] with your top two dates to schedule your field trip.
- Program fee: fewer than 35 participants, $50; 36-70 participants, $100
- If the fee is a hardship, you may request a program fee waiver.
- Metro can offer financial assistance for transportation to schools and organizations that qualify.
Oxbow Regional Park
With the Sandy River winding its way through the gorge and ancient forests crawling up the ridgeline, Oxbow Regional Park offers visitors unparalleled opportunities to learn about fish, wildlife and plants. On the two-hour trip, students will walk among some of the oldest trees in our region. A Nature Educator will guide you as students learn about the wildlife and ecology of an old-growth forest.
Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area
An urban wetland just outside north Portland’s neighborhoods, Smith and Bybee is an active restoration site that’s home to fish, turtles, amphibians and birds. During the field trip, students will explore the wetlands and make observations of plants and animals and learn about the diversity of life in different habitats. They’ll do a “critter catch” of aquatic insects and other small animals, discovering how these animals make up an interconnected food chain. From the birds flying overhead to the decomposers in the muck, students will learn how sophisticated a wetland is.
Scouters Mountain Nature Park
Rising over the southeast corner of Portland, Scouters Mountain offers stunning views and trails filled with discoveries awaiting your group. Exploring this extinct lava dome, the forest comes alive with mushrooms, vibrant green moss and lichen, and various animal residents. While hiking the mountain’s trails, students will discover why mammals, amphibians, birds and insects make this forest their home. They’ll identify habitats, discuss life cycles and wildlife diversity, and learn that everything in the forest is connected, from the trees to the animals to the ferns and fungus.