Field Trips

Spring 2024 field trips are FULL. Now booking for summer and fall 2024.

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.

Scheduling and Policies

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. 

  1. Our number one rule is RESPECT! Respect for naturalists, teachers, adult chaperones, other students, plants, animals, and the Education Center.
  2. 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 19.4ft, 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.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are available for field trips, outreach, and busing fees. Please indicate in the comment box if you need a scholarship.

Field Trip Programs