Field Trip Opportunities
Polk County Conservation is putting more emphasis outdoors. Field trips may have two or more naturalists or volunteers leading the programs. Winter is a great time to explore the outdoors so consider visiting us for a winter field trip.
Our goal is provide students with memorable experiences and to help them make stronger connections to the natural world.
All field trips are FREE for public, private, and home school groups.
We welcome any school to host a field trip with Polk County Conservation. However, we do give priority to school districts within the county. Schools located outside of Polk County can request a spring field trip after March 15.
Scheduling Programs
To schedule a field trip, please fill out the Program Request Form here and e-mail it to:Patrice.Petersen-Keys@polkcountyiowa.gov.
Bus Scholarships Available
The Great Outdoors Foundation (GOF) has committed to sponsoring a limited number of buses each school year. GOF will reimburse the cost of one bus per field trip up to $200 per school.
Example: If two busses are needed for the field trip, GOF will reimburse the cost of one bus. Schools must be in Polk County.
Fill out the Field Trip Bus Scholarship Form and e-mail it to Patrice Petersen-Keys at Patrice.Petersen-Keys@polkcountyiowa.gov at least two weeks prior to the event.
Field Trip Opportunities
Polk County Conservation is putting more emphasis on getting students outdoors. We have developed theme based field trips. These field trips may have two or more naturalists or volunteers leading the programs. Don’t forget winter is a great time to explore the outdoors so consider a winter field trip. Check out the new opportunities and let’s try to get more students outdoors exploring nature. Our goal is to provide students with memorable experiences and to help them make stronger connections to the natural world.
All field trips are free except for any field trip involving canoes and/or kayaks. The $50 fee helps cover the cost of transportation and equipment replacement. To schedule a field trip, contact Patrice Petersen-Keys at patrice.petersen-keys@polkcountyiowa.gov or 515-323-5359.
Habitat Discovery
Grades - 2nd - 5th
Length - 3 - 4 hours
Months - September, October, May
Locations - Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, Jester Park, or Thomas Mitchell Park
Through hands-on discovery, students will explore Iowa’s habitats including a woodland, prairie, and pond.
Hatchet/Survival Skills
Grades - 6th – 12th
Length - 3 - 4 hours
Season - Spring or Fall
Location - Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, Jester Park, Fort Des Moines Park, Easter Lake Park, Thomas Mitchell Park
Are you reading Hatchet? What a great way to integrate Language Arts and Science! This field trip can include wayfinding (map reading), axe throwing, fire building and a survival hike.
Insect Safari
Grades - Kindergarten - 2nd
Length - 4 hours
Months - September, October, May
Locations - Jester Park, Fort Des Moines Park, Thomas Mitchell Park, or Easter Lake Park
Students will learn the basic characteristics of insects and how to identify them through fun and interactive programs. Hands on activities include insect hunts in a stream, pond, woodland and prairie.
Life on the Prairie
Grades - 3rd - 5th
Length - 3-4 hours
Month - September, October
Location - Jester Park
Join Polk County naturalists and get a glimpse of what life was like on the tall grass prairie. Students will learn about the wildlife that call the prairie their home through hands-on activities like hide and seek and an insect hunt. They will also learn how bison and elk were a resource for early people and gain experience with ancient technologies through hands-on tool building.
Marsh Madness
Grades - 6th - 12th
Length - 2-4 hours
Months - September, October, May
Location - Engeldinger Marsh only
Get down and dirty as naturalists lead students into one of the last remaining wetlands in Polk County. Geological formation, wetland history, ecology and hydrology will all be explored through adventurous hands on activities that will leave the students muddy, wet, and wild about wetlands. Students must wear old shoes and clothes that can get wet and muddy.
Outdoor Skills
Grades - 6th - 12th
Length - 2 - 4 hours
Season - Spring or Fall
Locations - Jester Park
Through hands-on learning, students will experience one or more outdoor recreational skills. Options include: archery, geocaching, wayfinding (map reading), canoeing, kayaking and axe throwing. Students will learn about equipment, technique, appropriate dress, and safety.
Secrets of Iowa's Past
Grades - 3rd - 8th
Length - 3 hours
Months - September, October, May
Location - Jester Park
This immersive field trip experience lets students uncover the secrets of Iowa's rich history and natural heritage. Embark on a guided natural resources hike, exploring Iowa's diverse ecosystems and wildlife. Delve into the mysteries of Iowa's past through a hands-on skulls and bones program featuring current and extinct megafauna. Gain experience with ancient technologies through hands on tool building. Students will also complete a scavenger hunt in the Jester Park Nature Center's artifact exhibit to learn more about the artifacts found right here in Polk County.
Service Learning
Grades - 6th - 12th
Length - 3 - 5 hours
Months - September, October, May
Location - Any Polk County Park or Area
Students will get hands-on learning while providing a valuable service. Projects included, but are not limited to, prairie plant seed collection, removing invasive species, and planting prairie or wetland species.
Trees and Plants
Grades - K - 2nd
Length - 3 - 4 hours
Months - September, October, May
Location - Jester Park, Fort Des Moines Park, Thomas Mitchell Park
Students will learn about the life cycles of plants and trees and their importance to other living things. Activities include a hike, seed collection and sorting, and pollinator games.
Wild for Wildlife
Grades - Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Length - 2 - 4 hours
Season - Any
Location - Jester Park, Fort Des Moines Park, Thomas Mitchell Park, Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt
Through hands-on discovery, students will learn about Iowa's wildlife. They will observe different animals in their natural habitat and search for signs that animals live in the park.
Winter Survival Skills
Grades - 5th and up
Length – 3-4 hours
Season – Winter
Location – Jester Park Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center
Winter is the perfect time to put your survival skills to the test. Students will learn about map reading, shelter building, and fire building through hands-on practice. Snowshoeing may be offered if there is adequate snow. Activities will take place indoors and outdoors.
Winter Exploration in the Park
Grades – K-4th
Length – 2-4 hours
Season – Winter
Location – Jester Park Nature Center
Come explore the park in the winter to learn about how animals survive in the cold temperatures. Some of the education live animals will be used to discuss survival strategies. Students will also try to keep an "animal" from freezing on a hike to the woodlands. Activities will take place indoors and outdoors.