Field Trips

Ranger Sierra leads a geology hike for a field trip group.

NPS

 

The Valles Caldera education team is excited to welcome you and your students to the park for a field trip! Depending on staff availability, we offer ranger-led and self-guided options. To schedule a field trip, please contact us at least 30 days in advance of your preferred program date(s). Learn more about our ranger-led program offerings in the menu below.

 

Ranger-led Program Offerings

These are our established, ranger-led education program offerings. In most cases, we can customize and adapt these programs based on each group's objectives. Contact us for more information.

Geology & Wildlife of Valles Caldera

Grade Levels: Grades 4-6 

Location: Cerro La Jara

Description: Through educational dialogue, interactive activities, and captivating landscapes, students will delve into the world of types of volcanoes including calderas, and the incredible wildlife that thrives within Valles Caldera National Preserve. With the natural landscape as their classroom and the use of nature journals to guide them through new knowledge, students will be able to gain a profound understanding of the distinctive elements that make up Valles Caldera, from natural history, geology, and biology. Through a matching card game and a presentation of animal pelts, students will be able to accurately identify local wildlife, their characteristics and adaptations. 

Missing Animals of Valles Caldera

Grade Levels: Grades 9-12 (High School)

Location: Cerro La Jara or South Mountain

Description: The arrival of Asha, a Mexican gray wolf, at Valles Caldera in 2023 marked the temporary return of wolves to the Preserve. During this program, students will learn about the animals that were once part of the ecosystem in the Jemez Mountains including Mexican wolves, grizzly bears, and beavers. During a walk around Cerro La Jara or on the South Mountain Trail, students will find out about the U.S. government's predator eradication program, read and discuss primary sources related to this history, and find out why these animals were key parts of the ecosystem. 

Nature in the Caldera

Grade Level: Grades 4-6

Location: Cabin District

Description: Students will learn and explore Valles Caldera National Preserve through multiple scientific and artistic disciplines. Students will engage through group discussion, interactive individual and group activities, and self-reflection. Through an à la carte menu, teachers can select single to multiple lessons from biology, geology, or human history.

Fire History and Ecology at Valles Caldera

Grade Level: Grades 7-8 (Middle School) and 9-12 (High School)

Location: Valle Grande and History Grove

Description: Students will learn about the natural fire ecology at Valles Caldera and in the Jemez Mountains. They will then discover what went wrong in the 1900s and 2000s to produce megafires like Las Conchas, Cerro Grande, Thompson Ridge, and Cerro Pelado. The program will include a visit to History Grove, an old-growth ponderosa pine forest, to demonstrate causes of natural fires, fire-adaptations in in ponderosa pine trees, and landscape resilience. 

Art in the Park: Photographing the Caldera 

Learn the basics of photography and compositional rules using a Polaroid instant film camera, then while taking a short hike learn about the natural history and geology of Valles Caldera. A camera and film will be provided, but exposures will be limited to 2 per student. Program is by request only, 6^th grade or higher.

 

Field Trip Checklist

Once your field trip is confirmed, the next step is to prepare your class for their Valles Caldera adventure. Our team is dedicated to providing an engaging and educational experience during your visit. To ensure each student is ready for their field trip, please review our suggested checklist and important information below.

Student Checklist

1. Closed-toe shoes with a good grip
2. Pants instead of shorts
3. Rain jacket or coat
4. Water bottle
5. Snacks/Lunch
6. Bug repellent
7. Sunscreen
8. Medications in case of emergency

Important Information

• High elevation - Valles Caldera National Preserve is over 8,000 feet in elevation, so visitors coming from lower elevations may experience dehydration, severe sunburn, mountain sickness, and the aggravation of pre-existing medical conditions.
• Mountain weather - A bright, sunny day can change abruptly with high winds and driving rain. All students should bring a rain jacket or coat in case of rain. Be prepared for changing conditions as we might need to adjust our programs.
• All within protected - Everything at Valles Caldera National Preserve is protected by federal law. Collecting or damaging plants, rocks, artifacts, and wildlife is prohibited.
• Terrain - There are many areas of the preserve with uneven terrain and prairie dog holes. Please ensure all students are wearing sturdy, close-toed shoes.
• Water - There is no potable water in the preserve. Every student and adult are responsible for bringing enough water for the duration of their field trip. The Valles Caldera Bookstore sells water bottles for $1.
• Wildlife - Approaching, feeding, or disturbing wildlife is dangerous. Keep a safe distance. All preserve animals are wild and can injure you. Be aware of what is going on around you. Know what to do if you encounter a mountain lion or bear. Plague is endemic to the preserve. The disease is transmitted by fleas and from infected animals. Remind students not to feed or approach ground squirrels, prairie dogs, or other small mammals.