The School Kids In The Park (SKIP) program aims to encourage educators to utilize the Park as a living classroom by facilitating visits to the Park and working to remove barriers that may limit students' participation like transportation costs. These trips to the Park offer options for your class to explore and learn in the park and include beach talks about sea turtles, visits to the Annaberg historic district, bird walks, nature and plant walks, and hiking the National Park Service Network to Freedom trail in Leinster Bay.
Discuss your classroom’s field trip options and schedule a Park or classroom visit with Friends of the Park’s Program Manager, Taylor White at [email protected] or (203) 530-4392.
Network to Freedom Hike
Age Range: 4th to 12th grade
Location: Leinster Bay trail
Length: 3 hours
Themes: History
Trip Description: Guided hike on Leinster Bay trail to the Leinster Bay Factory ruins. The hiking trail is about 2 miles total, 1 mile to the factory, and 1 mile back to the parking lot. The path along the Leinster Bay shoreline is slightly shaded, and has some areas with uneven terrain. Two years ago this area was accepted into the NPS Network to Freedom Program, which honors, preserves and promotes the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight.
Preparation: Closed toe shoes, 1 liter of water per student, lunch/snacks, sun protection, swimsuits
*Trip Tip* Combine this trip with a guided tour of Annaberg
Explore the History and Heritage of Annaberg
Age Range: Pre-K to 12th grade
Location: Annaberg Historic Site
Length: 1 hour
Themes: History, Culture
Trip Description: Join a guided tour of Annaberg, enjoy a cooking presentation from Ms. Olivia Christian in the cookhouse ruins and explore the Annaberg garden with Mr. Charles Jackson to learn about native plants and their medicinal uses.
Preparation: Closed toe shoes, 1 liter of water per student, lunch/snacks, sun protection. Annaberg has many bees and wasps. Please inform your guide of any allergies, and have an epipen on hand if needed.
*Trip Tip* Combine this trip with the Leinster Bay Network to Freedom hike (4th grade and up).
Learn About Sea Turtles
Age Range: Pre-K to 12th grade
Location: Hawksnest
Length: 1 hour
Themes: Turtles, Marine Conservation
Trip Description: Join our Turtle Education Specialists for an interactive discussion about sea turtles, their environment and the issues facing these endangered species.
Preparation: 1 liter of water per student, lunch and snacks, sun protection, swimsuit
Leinster Bay Seashore Walk
Age Range: Pre-K to 12th grade
Location: Leinster Bay trail
Length: 1 hour
Themes: Marine Resources, Conservation
Trip Description: Join retired Ranger Laurel Brannick on a walk along the Leinster Bay shore and into the mangrove flats. Learn about the marine and natural resources along the beach and shore, and their importance to our ecosystem.
Preparation:Waterproof shoes (crocs), swimsuits, 1 liter of water per student, lunch/snacks, sun protection
Francis Bay Bird Walk
Age Range: Pre-K to12th grade
Location: Francis Bay trail/boardwalk
Length: 1 hour
Themes: Birds, Natural Resources
Trip Description: Join retired Ranger Laurel at the salt pond at Francis Bay (~.25 mile) and learn about local birds and other plants and animals that live around the salt pond, mangroves and seashore.
Preparation:Closed toe shoes, 1 liter of water per student, lunch/snacks, sun protection
*Trip Tip* The best time to take this trip is Nov-Apr when there are more birds at the pond.
Cinnamon Bay Interpretive Loop Trail
Age Range: Pre-K to 12th grade
Location: Cinnamon Bay
Length: 2 hours
Themes: History, Plants
Trip Description: Hike the Interpretive Loop trail (~.25 mile) through the shaded forest and the Cinnamon Bay Plantation ruins. Learn about the history of the area and the local vegetation.
Preparation:Closed toe shoes, 1 liter of water per student, lunch/snacks, sun protection
*Trip Tip* Combine this trip with a tour of the Friends of the Park Plant Nursery & Learning Lab.
Volunteer With The Trail Crew
Age Range: 8th to 12th grade for trails, All ages for trash pickups
Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Locations: All over the park
Length: 4 hours
Themes: Volunteerism, History, Natural Resources
Trip Description: Join the Friends trail volunteers in the field, maintaining ruins, clearing trails, picking up trash and debris, or assisting in our native planting projects! Learn about history, the natural and cultural resources in the park, as well as the importance of volunteerism and conservation.
Preparation:Closed toe shoes (no crocs or slides), long pants, 2 liters of water per student, lunch/snacks, sun protection
*Trip Tip* Projects will vary based on what work needs to be done in the park at that given time. Students will work alongside our visiting volunteers working. Trail work is hard work in the hot sun! Be prepared to use tools such as loppers to cut vegetation such as catch and keep and acacia. Be sure to pack plenty of water and wear the proper clothes.
Tour The Friends Plant Nursery and Learning Lab
Age Range: Pre-K to 12th grade
Locations: Cinnamon Bay
Themes: Plants, Conservation
Trip Description: Join a Friends Educator for a tour of our native plant nursery located at Cinnamon Bay. The nursery grows native plants, non-native fruiting plants, and rare and endangered plants. Learn about conservation issues affecting the island such as coastal erosion, and the restoration projects happening in the park to protect endangered species. A planting activity can be arranged if we have the resources at the time.
*Trip Tip* Combine this trip with a guided hike on the Cinnamon Bay Interpretive Loop trail
Ask About Other Trip Topics
Options that can be arranged include mangroves, coral reef systems, watershed management, St. John wildlife, and more!