Going on field trips is a highlight for students in any grade. While there are endless options for places to take students, both in the city and outside of it, there are significant benefits to choosing to take field trips to more natural settings like farms, parks, zoos and gardens. Children are naturally curious about the world around them, so placing them in environments that foster this curiosity and lead to a better understanding of the natural world will have many positive effects.
Exploring the Environment in Ontario: Nature oriented field trips are vital for student learning
At Switzer-Carty Transportation, we transport the future daily to and from school. Our travels don’t stop there as field trips are a big part of your services. If you’d like help booking your next field trip full of fun and learning about our natural environment, contact our trip experts today! Proudly going to nature-based destinations across Ontario.
Living in the GTA can leave kids quite immersed in city living. For many students, they may not experience much life outside of city. Incorporating the natural world into their formal education can help them learn more than if they are just shown pictures and videos inside of their classroom.
Connect kids with nature – While living in the city many students don’t get the opportunity to explore the natural world, as they are so removed from it. Allowing them the opportunity to connect with nature and learn about it can help broaden their interests.
Being in nature can help improve learning – Recent studies have shown that children learn better when exposed to green, outdoor spaces. Even sitting next to a window can have positive effects.
Learning is more engaging and fun – When kids are taken out of the classroom and encouraged to interact with their environment as they learn about it, they are sure to have much more fun.
It teaches them to respect and preserve the environment – In order for our world to thrive for generations to come it is essential that children learn the importance of conservation and preservation.
Top destinations for a natural field trip
There are countless options for a natural field trip for students, especially if you’re able to hire a bus and plan for a full day or half day excursion.
A working farm
Many city-raised children don’t have any idea how much work goes into putting food on their tables. Spending time at a working farm can give them an awareness and understanding that will stay with them for their entire lives.
A conservation area
Conservation areas are the perfect place for children to learn about their impact on the environment and the importance of putting effort into preserving our natural world.
A hiking trail
Getting your students out on the hiking trail offers the perfect opportunity for them to learn about the natural world around them, while benefiting from the physical activity that comes with a hike outdoors. Learning about different trees, plants, insects and wild animals can help students appreciate how beautiful and amazing the world is.
A community garden
Many students in bigger cities grow up in apartment buildings, small attached homes and homes with small yards, so gardening is a foreign idea to them. Signing the class up for a community garden space can help students learn where their food comes from and how to grow various plants.
A greenhouse
Especially in colder climates where growing seasons are shorter, visiting a greenhouse as a class can help then learn about plants and flowers that otherwise might not thrive in their day to day lives.
A zoo
Learning about animals while being able to experience them face to face is sure to help students be more interested in the details being shared. It’s also likely that students will have an easier time remembering things they’ve learned when it’s involved with something they’re experiencing first hand.
100 metre field trip
You don’t have to get on a bus to have a great natural field trip. Just getting out of the classroom and making the effort to study the natural pieces of the environment just outside your door can be a positive and educating experience.
A nature themed field trip is great for any age – today
Regardless of what subject you’re teaching or how old your students are, heading outside into nature is a great way to encourage their learning. A bus ride to a nearby outdoor experience is fun and beneficial for all! The earlier children learn about their natural environment and how precious and valuable it is, the better chance we have as society to preserve it.
