The City of Gainesville offers a variety of curriculum-enhancing field trip and outreach programs at one of our city parks or at a location of your choosing.
Requesting a Program
When you are ready to book a program, please complete a Program Request Form(PDF, 411KB).
- Reservations for programs are on a first come first served basis and must be made at least two weeks in advance.
- We will let you know we’ve received your request and will work to confirm our availability as quickly as possible. If we are available, we will also send a confirmation email with more information about your upcoming program.
Payments
Payment is accepted in several ways:
- The day of the program by check. Please make checks payable to “City of Gainesville.”
- The day of the program in person by credit card
- If either option is not available to you, please email EEPrograms@gainesvillefl.gov for assistance.
Cancellation Policy: There is no charge for programs cancelled more than 48 hours in advance. If programs are cancelled less than 48 hours in advance, a $25 fee will be charged. We do not charge for cancellations due to school closings. All weekday programs will be cancelled if Alachua County schools are closed due to weather.
Questions? Have a question about a program? Want to check a date? For program information, please contact us at Morningside Nature Center main number 352-393-8240 or at EEPrograms@gainesvillefl.gov.
Field Trip Programs
Field Trips programs most often take place at Morningside Nature Center, but are also offered at a number of Gainesville’s nature parks. They are mainly offered September through May, with limited summer availability. Click here for descriptions of the field trip programs.(PDF, 489KB)
| Program |
Grades |
Time |
Max Students |
Location* |
Cost** |
|
Critter Classifications
|
1-3
|
1.5 hours
|
25
|
MNC &
BA, BS, RP, C
|
$6.25
|
|
Exploring Florida’s Ecosystems
|
3-5
|
2.5 hours
|
30
|
MNC
|
$6.25
|
|
Farm Adventure
|
PK-2
|
1.5 hours
|
30
|
MNC
|
$6.25
|
|
Farm Fit
|
3-5
|
1.5 hours
|
25
|
MNC
|
$6.25
|
|
Farm Livin’
|
3-5
|
3 hours
|
25
|
MNC
|
$7.75
|
|
Hooray for Habitats
|
1-3
|
2 hours
|
25
|
MNC
|
$6.25
|
|
Nature Scene Investigators
|
3-5
|
1.5 hours
|
30
|
MNC
|
$6.25
|
|
Sensing Nature
|
PK-1
|
1.5 hours
|
25
|
MNC &
BA, BS, RP
|
$6.25
|
|
Timucua Times
|
3-5
|
3 hours
|
30
|
MNC
|
$7.75
|
|
Wetland Wonders (New)
|
3-5
|
3 hours
|
25
|
SWP
|
$7.75
|
| Makin' a Livin' (Large Group Program) |
3-8 |
3 hours |
Minimum of 30-
Maximum of 80
|
MNC |
$6.25 |
*Location abbreviations: BA=Bivens Arm Nature Park, BS=Boulware Springs Nature Park, C=Cofrin Nature Park, LEF=Loblolly Environmental Facility, MNC=Morningside Nature Center, RP=Ring Park, SWP=Sweetwater Wetlands Park
** Per person, with a 15 person minimum
Outreach Programs
Outreach programs are great for schools, extended day programs, libraries, senior centers, scout groups, etc! Of course, if travel isn’t a hassle, these outreach programs can also be booked at Morningside Nature Center. Click here for descriptions of our outreach programs(PDF, 500KB).
Fees: Outreach programs are priced by distance from MNC:
0-15 miles: $88.75 16-30 miles: $103.50 31-45 miles: $119.00 45-60 miles: $133.00
Additional programs on the same day at the same site are $37.00 each.
Time: All outreach programs are about one hour long.
| Program |
Age Group |
Max Participants |
|
Bear Necessities
|
Youth/All
|
50
|
|
Bird Watching Basics
|
Youth/All
|
50
|
|
Citizens of the Sandhill
|
Youth/All
|
50
|
|
Critter Classification- On the Go
|
Youth
|
25
|
|
Lost Tribes of Florida
|
Youth/All
|
50
|
|
Mystery History Trunk
|
Youth/Adult/All
|
50
|
|
Nature Scene Investigators-
On the Go
|
Youth
|
30
|
|
Nature Tales
|
PreK-K
|
30
|
|
Slime and Scales
|
Youth/All
|
50
|
|
Some Like it Hot
|
Youth/All
|
50
|
|
Space Invaders
|
Youth/All
|
50
|
|
Stream Scene-On the Go
|
Youth/All
|
25
|
|
Who’s Awake?
|
PreK/Youth
|
50
|
|
Wildlife Friendly Landscaping
|
Adult
|
50
|
The City of Gainesville’s Nature Operation Division is offering Curiosity Crates to assist with planning and implementing education. These curriculum-based education programs can be rented for up to 2 weeks for $25.
These crates will make a mind-nificent addition to your classroom or home!
Current Selection of Curiosity Crates
Timucua Times
Timucua Times: Go native and explore the culture of the Timucua speaking Potano people, an early Native American group of North Central Florida. Students rotate through activities that reveal the technology, food ways and other cultural practices of a vanished people.
Wetland Wonders:
Wetland Wonders: Wetlands were once thought of as wastelands. Not anymore! Through hands-on activities and experiments, students will discover the wonder of wetlands in our community.
Stream Scene
Stream Scene: Become an aquatic insect in a stream and experience both the tragedies of pollution and the benefits of restoration efforts. Participants learn about aquatic systems, macro-invertebrates, environmental indicators, types of pollution and pollution solutions.
Rent a Curiosity Crate
Contact us at 352-393-8240 or EEprograms@gainesvillefl.gov for information about these crates and how we can help your educational needs.