Field Trips to

Nahant Marsh

Now booking for spring/summer 2025.

Field Trips

Field Trips are designed to engage youth in hands-on learning about the natural world. The programs offer a focus on wetlands, local wildlife and plants, stewardship, and conservation.

Fees - $8 per child. No fee for teachers and/or adult chaperones.
Field Trips are conducted Tuesday - Friday between the hours of 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. and on a limited basis on Saturdays and weekday evenings.
Spring field trips run from mid-April to the end of May.
Fall field trips run from September to mid-October.
Fill out the request form below to schedule a visit with your class or group.

Our programs provide students engaging ways to learn about nature through observation and investigation. Group programs at Nahant Marsh Education Center (NMEC) are available for Pre-K – 12 schools, homeschools, Scouts, other youth groups, and adults.

Nature-based field trips offer students an immersive and playful setting where they can learn about the environment. Our naturalist-led activities provide educational and meaningful lessons about nature and nurture a bond between students and the outdoors.

Registration Policy

To request a group field trip, please complete the Field Trip Request Form. The Director of Education will respond within 3-5 business days to assist you with finding an available date. Dates fill very quickly and are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. To determine the appropriate number of field trip programs, we will need to confirm arrival and departure times, and the number of students. The Director of Education will assist you with this process. Once program choices are selected, our staff will create a schedule. About 2-4 weeks prior, you will receive an email with what to expect during the visit and a program schedule.

Spring field trip season runs from mid-April to the end of May. Fall field trip season runs from September to mid-October. Summer field trips are limited.

Payment Policy

Field Trip fees: $8 per youth. No fee for teachers and adult chaperones.

Groups have the option to pay in-person via cash, credit card, or check. We request that all groups use one form of payment. An electronic invoice will be sent to the group contact or billing contact after the program and includes an option to pay online via a credit card.

Payment may be sent via check to Nahant Marsh Education Center, ATTN: Amy Loving, 4220 Wapello Ave., Davenport, IA 52802

Scholarships are available. Please indicate on your Field Trip Request Form if you are interested in a scholarship for field trip fees and/or busing.

Field Trip Programs and Schedule

Teachers may choose 4-5 programs for full day field trips. The Director of Education will provide a schedule suitable for your class size and age group. Prior to your field trip, you will receive a confirmation email with a schedule of the activities you have chosen. The schedule will have the time of each presentation and the number of groups needed. Please have your class divided into the appropriate number of groups prior to arriving at Nahant, and have at least one adult assigned to each group to supervise throughout the day.

Field Trip Rules

All participants, including teachers, adult chaperones, and students must be familiar with these rules prior to arriving at Nahant Marsh.

Our number one rule is RESPECT! Respect for naturalists, teachers, adult chaperones, other students, plants, animals, and the Education Center.

Nahant Marsh is a nature preserve. A nature preserve is an area of land that is protected and managed in order to protect a particular type of habitat and its flora and fauna which are often rare or endangered. Removal of plants or wildlife is prohibited.

Extreme Weather and Cancelation Policy

Teachers/group contacts are responsible for checking the weather forecast the days prior to the field trip. The Director of Education will be in contact if the weather forecast looks poor.
If there is a high chance of thunderstorms or other weather that prevents us from outdoor programming, the field trip may be canceled.
In the case of light rain with no lightning, we will continue all programs as scheduled. Remind students to bring rain/warm gear with them because they will be going outside, rain or shine.
In the event of heavy rains and/or lightning during the field trip, the NMEC staff will adjust the groups and schedule to accommodate the group. Please keep in mind that space is limited in the Education Center. In this scenario, teachers should be prepared to rearrange groups.
Due to the high demand for services, alternate inclement weather/rain dates will not be scheduled.

Flooding Policy

In the event of flooding, programming will be adjusted as needed. If river levels reach 19 feet, field trips will be canceled or moved to an alternative location. You can check river levels at the Rock Island Gage.

Outdoor Dress Guidelines

Nahant Marsh programs include activities that require participants to be outside and active. Please check the weather forecast and make sure your group is dressed appropriately for your experience at the preserve.

Field Trip Programs

Preschool & Kindergarten
Early childhood field trips take children outdoors to explore the natural world through stories, games, and crafts. We are able to accommodate up to 45 students.

Fall - September to mid-October

Program Duration: 30 mins

Scavenger Hunt
Children will be given a scavenger hunt based on the season and see how many items they can find.

Nature Games
Children will play various games that teach about general nature concepts.

Wiggly Worms
Children will learn why worms are important and make observations with live worms.

Scaly Creatures
Children will meet a live snake and turtle and make observations about their features.

Marsh Mammals
Children will learn about the furry creatures and wetland habitats.

Tweet, Tweet
Children will learn about different types of birds and nests.

Pond Life
Children will explore the bugs that live in the marsh.

Insect Safari
Children will observe insects in the prairie and use nets to catch what they find.

Treemendous Trees
Children will learn about the parts of a tree and observe different leaf shapes

Spring - mid-April to end of May

Program Duration: 30 mins

Scavenger Hunt
Children will be given a scavenger hunt based on the season and see how many items they can find.

Nature Games
Children will play various games that teach about general nature concepts.

Wiggly Worms
Children will learn why worms are important and make observations with live worms.

Scaly Creatures
Children will meet a live snake and turtle and make observations about their features.

Marsh Mammals
Children will learn about the furry creatures and wetland habitats.

Tweet, Tweet
Children will learn about different types of birds and nests.

Pond Life
Children will explore the bugs that live in the marsh.
Lower Elementary 1st-3rd
All of our field trips include a major outdoor component. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your visit!

We are able to accommodate up to 75 students. For larger groups, please inquire about booking multiple sessions.

Fall - September to mid-October

Program Duration: 40-45 mins

Pick 1: Hike
Discovery Hike
Students will explore the trails learning about the importance of wetlands and discover the creatures that live at the marsh.

Scavenger Hunt
Using a guide, students will search for a variety of colors, textures, plants, and animals.

Bird Hike
Learn how to use binoculars and observe birds that live and visit the marsh.

Pick 2: Plants & Animals
Pond Study
Learn about the diverse creatures that live in the marsh, their life cycles, and adaptations.

Animal Adaptations
Students will learn how animals have different adaptations to help them survive in their respective environments.

Insects Investigations
Students will use butterfly nets and bug houses to catch a variety of insects. We will study their movement, body shapes, and life cycles.

Reptiles
Students will be introduced to the cold-blooded creatures of Iowa through live animal encounters. *This program can be done as a whole group if an extra rotation is needed.

Monarchs and Migration
Students will learn facts about these amazing insects, including their lifecycle, adaptations, migration pattern, and importance. Live caterpillars and Monarch butterflies may be used if season allows.

Need for Seed
Students will gather seeds from the prairie and learn the different ways in which plants spread their seeds.

Trees and Leaves
Students will learn the basics about trees, study leaf patterns, and learn why trees are important to people and animals.

Pick 1: Games
Nature Games
Students will play various games that teach about general nature concepts. Some common games include Bat vs. Moth, Ant Tag, and Oh Deer.

Spring - mid-April to end of May

Program Duration: 40-45 mins

Pick 1: Hike
Discovery Hike
Students will explore the trails and learn about the importance of wetlands and discover the creatures that live at the marsh.

Scavenger Hunt
Using a guide, students will search for a variety of colors, textures, plants, and animals.

Bird Hike
Learn how to use binoculars and observe birds that live and visit the marsh.

Pick 2: Plants & Animals
Pond Study
Learn about the diverse creatures that live in the marsh, their life cycles, and adaptations.

Animal Adaptations
Students will learn how animals have different adaptations to help them survive in their respective environments.

Reptiles
Students will be introduced to the cold-blooded creatures of Iowa through live animal encounters.

Trees and Leaves
Students will learn the basics about trees, study leaf patterns, and learn why trees are important to people and animals.

Furs & Skulls
Students will be introduced to the habitats, food sources, and adaptations of mammals found in our area. Furs, animal amounts, and skulls will be used.

Pick 1: Games
Nature Games
Students will play various games that teach about general nature concepts. Some common games include Bat vs. Moth, Ant Tag, and Oh Deer.
Upper Elementary & High School 4th-12th
All of our field trips include a major outdoor component. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your visit!

We are able to accommodate up to 80 students. For larger groups, please inquire about booking multiple sessions.

Fall - September to mid-October

Program Duration: 40-45 mins

Pick 1: Hike
Nature Hike
Students will explore the trails and learn about the importance of wetlands and discover the creatures that live at the marsh.

Bird Hike
Using binoculars, students will discover the diverse amount of birds that can be found at the marsh. Students will also learn why the marsh is so important to birds during spring migration.

Pick 2: Plants & Animals
Pond Study
Using dip nets, students will collect macroinvertebrates (water bugs) and learn their life cycles, adaptations, and what their presence can tell us about water quality.

Insect Investigations
Students will use butterfly nets and bug houses to catch a variety of insects. Students will use identification guides and insect collections to identify insect groups and species.

Turtle Research
Students will practice identifying a variety of turtle species that live in the midwest and do an activity to learn about research methods used to study them at the marsh.

Snake Science
Learn about the important role snakes play in an ecosystem and about the research that is being done on the marsh to learn more about these scaly creatures. Live snakes will be shown.

Monarchs and Migration
Students will learn about these amazing insects including their lifecycle, adaptations, migration pattern, and importance. During fall migration, monarch tagging may be an option.

Tree Study
Participants will learn how to identify trees and leaves. Students will also learn about the benefits of trees. Samples of leaves and tree rings will be used.

Edible and Medicinal Plants
Students will learn about edible and medicinal plants found in our local area. They will learn about the historical uses of these plants (medicine, dyes, food, and shelter) and how they are still used today.

Native Pollinators
Using observation, guidebooks, and insect displays, students will learn about insect pollination and some of the species found in Iowa and Illinois.

Water Testing
Students will use water testing kits to sample the water in the Marsh. They will learn what each test is and how it is used to determine the water quality for Nahant Marsh.

Furs & Skulls
Students will be introduced to the habitats, food sources, and adaptations of mammals found in our area. They will also learn about the history of the fur trade. Furs, animal amounts, and skulls will be used.

Pick 1: Games & Outdoor Skills
Native American Games
Game playing was called “the little brother of war” by Native Americans because the games taught many skills the youngsters needed to master for their future adult roles. Students will play games that were common to Native American children.

Team Building
Students will perform a variety of activities that promote teamwork, communication, creativity, and leadership.

Wilderness First AID
Using a variety of scenarios, students will learn wilderness first aid skills.

Wilderness Skills
Students will learn basic wilderness skills to stay safe on an outdoor adventure.

Spring - mid-April to end of May

Program Duration: 40-45 mins

Pick 1: Hike
Discovery Hike
Students will explore the trails and learn about the importance of wetlands and discover the creatures that live at the marsh.

Bird Hike
Using binoculars, students will discover the diverse amount of birds that can be found at the marsh. Students will also learn why the marsh is so important to birds during spring migration.

Pick 2: Plants & Animals
Pond Study
Using dip nets, students will collect macroinvertebrates (water bugs) and learn their life cycles, adaptations, and what their presence can tell us about water quality.

Insect Investigations
Students will use butterfly nets and bug houses to catch a variety of insects. Students will use identification guides and insect collections to identify insect groups and species.

Turtle Research
Students will practice identifying a variety of turtle species that live in the midwest and do an activity to learn about research methods used to study them at the marsh.

Snake Science
Learn about the important role snakes play in an ecosystem and about the research that is being done on the marsh to learn more about these scaly creatures. Live snakes will be shown.

Tree Study
Participants will learn how to identify trees and leaves. Students will also learn about the benefits of trees. Samples of leaves and tree rings will be used.

Edible and Medicinal Plants
Students will learn about edible and medicinal plants found in our local area. They will learn about the historical uses of these plants (medicine, dyes, food, and shelter) and how they are still used today.

Water Testing
Students will use water testing kits to sample the water in the Marsh. They will learn what each test is and how it is used to determine the water quality for Nahant Marsh.

Furbearers of the Midwest
Students will be introduced to the habitats, food sources, and adaptations of mammals found in our area. They will also learn about the history of the fur trade. Furs, animal amounts, and skulls will be used.

Pick 1: Games & Outdoor Skills
Wilderness First AID
Using a variety of scenarios, students will learn wilderness first aid skills.

Wilderness Skills
Students will be given a variety of items to construct a basic water filtration system and experiment with different ways to build a fire.

Native American Hunters
By examining various animal parts students will learn an overview of how some Native American people hunted for wild game. This program includes playing games and practicing throwing an atl atl.

Team Building
Students will perform a variety of activities that promote teamwork, communication, creativity, and leadership.

Archery
Students will learn how to safely use a bow and arrow and practice shooting at a target. Best for grades 5th and above.