Field Trips

Ranger-guided Field Trips

Teachers and students can get in touch with their desert home by exploring the plants, animals and cultures that thrive here! A ranger-guided field trip to Saguaro National Park can add a new dimension to your classroom curriculum by offering your students an opportunity to learn outside in a hands-on and inquiry-based setting. All programs align with Arizona state education standards.

Field trips are offered in both districts of the park beginning in mid-October to April. They are approximately 2 hours long and run between 9:30 am and 12 pm. Classes may choose to have lunch in the park following the program. All of our field trips are free of charge and reimbursements for transportation are available thanks to the Friends of Saguaro National Park (subject to availability and some restrictions apply).

 

 

FAQs

Transportation

Need support with transportation? Let the Friends of Saguaro National Park help! The Friends will subsidize up to $250 for district-owned buses from local Title 1 schools to transport students to the park for educational field trips. If transportation requires more than 1 bus to accommodate your students, please let us know in advance for approval. Here are the steps:

• Schedule the bus through your own district transportation office.

• Once the field trip is complete, have your transportation department send the invoice to

Environmental Education
2700 N Kinney Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85743

Invoices must be received with 90 days of the field trips in order to be processed.

Entrance Fees

No. All curriculum-based programs offered by Saguaro National Park are free of charge. Entrance fees are also waived for groups from accredited educational institutions coming to further their academic studies. Follow the instructions on the Educational Fee Waiver page. 

Pre- and Post-Visit Lessons

Review your specific field trip's page for pre- and post-visit videos, lesson plans, and other helpful links. In person pre- and post-visit programs may be available on a limited basis. Contact the Education Team if you'd like additional support before or after your program. e-mail us

Accommodations and Modifications

We uphold the principles of universal design for our programs. That said, if you have participants who need particular accommodations, please indicate that on your field trip request or let us know via email so we can be prepared and offer the best and most inclusive experience for all students, teachers, and chaperones.

Chaperones

We require a minimum of at least one adult chaperone per 10 students or one for each small group (usually 4). Got extra parents who want to join the fun? Great! The optimal chaperone to student ratio is about 1:6 but if you have a wealth of enthusiastic parents, just let us know in advance. We will put them to work, modelling engaged listening and helping with activities! Chaperones will also be responsible for accompanying students to the bathroom and helping monitor behavior during the program and lunch. Please be sure that chaperones understand their duties and are aware of the field trip requirements by providing our guidelines below.
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Field Trip Information for Parents and Chaperones

Greetings Parents and Chaperones! We are excited that your child will soon be joining us for a fun-filled, educational field trip at Saguaro National Park. Below are some reminders and guidelines that will enable the trip to happen smoothly and safely for all and will provide a wonderful experience for your child and the other students.

How prepare your child for the field trip:

• Safety is number one! All field trip activities should be performed safely, exercising care and caution.
• The program will be outside. Wear appropriate clothing for walking/light hiking for the day’s weather.
• Wear sturdy, closed toed shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are not designed for desert field trips.
• A hat, sunglasses, and light colored clothing provide for greater comfort/protection in warm/hot weather.
• Bring plenty of water – at least two liters per person.
• Cameras are permitted but can be a distraction. Please ask the group leader when photographs may be taken.
• Cell phones may be used only to take pictures, but please follow your school’s guidelines regarding mobile devices.
• If lunch is planned as part of the field trip, they should not need refrigeration. Please ensure that trash and food scraps are deposited in the nearby receptacles. This prevents the wind from blowing it into the desert and keeps wildlife from eating human food.

If you are a chaperone attending the field trip:

• Safety is number one! All field trip activities should be performed safely exercising care and caution.
• Be prepared to walk/hike outside during the program. Dress for the weather and terrain.
• Be an active part of the program by keeping up with the group and listening to the ranger/student conversations as you may be called upon to assist.
• You may be asked to guide students to the restroom.
• Refrain from using tobacco/nicotine products of any kind.
• Collecting anything natural from the park such as rocks, flowers, cactus skeletons, etc. is not permitted. Please leave them for others to enjoy.
• Taking photographs is a great way to remember an exciting field trip with your child. Please be sensitive as to when and where you take them as to not be distracting.

Thank you in advance for helping make this a safe, exciting, and rewarding visit for you and your child. We look forward to meeting you! Sincerely, The Education Staff at Saguaro National Park
 

Información sobre excursiones para padres y acompañantes

¡Saludos Padres y Chaperones! Estamos entusiasmados de que su hijo pronto se unirá a nosotros para una excursión educativa llena de diversión en el Parque Nacional Saguaro. A continuación, se presentan algunos recordatorios y pautas que permitirán que el viaje suceda de manera fluida y segura para todos y proporcionará una experiencia maravillosa para su hijo y los demás estudiantes.

Cómo preparar a su hijo para la excursión:

• ¡La seguridad es el número uno! Todas las actividades de viaje de campo deben realizarse de manera segura ejerciendo cuidado y precaución
• El programa estará afuera. Use ropa adecuada para caminar / caminar ligero para el clima del día.
• Use zapatos resistentes y cerrados. Las sandalias y las chanclas no están diseñadas para excursiones al desierto. • Un sombrero, gafas de sol y ropa de colores claros brindan mayor comodidad / protección en climas cálidos.
• Traiga mucha agua, al menos dos litros por persona.
• Las cámaras están permitidas, pero pueden ser una distracción. Pregúntele al líder del grupo cuándo se pueden tomar fotografías.
• Los teléfonos celulares se pueden usar solo para tomar fotos. Siga las pautas de su escuela con respecto a los teléfonos celulares. 
• Si se planea un almuerzo como parte de la excursión, no deberían necesitar refrigeración. Asegúrese de que la basura y los restos de comida se depositen en los receptáculos cercanos. Esto evita que el viento lo empuje hacia el desierto y evita que la vida silvestre coma alimentos humanos.

Si usted es un acompañante que asiste a la excursión:

• ¡La seguridad es el número uno! Todas las actividades de viaje de campo deben realizarse de manera segura ejerciendo cuidado y precaución.
• Prepárese para caminar / caminar afuera durante el programa. Vístase para el clima y el terreno.
• Sea parte activa del programa manteniéndose al día con el grupo y escuchando las conversaciones entre guardabosques y estudiantes, ya que se le puede pedir que ayude.
• Se le puede pedir que guíe a los estudiantes al baño
• Abstenerse de usar productos de tabaco / nicotina de cualquier tipo.
• No se permite recolectar nada natural del parque, como rocas, flores, esqueletos de cactus, etc. Por favor déjelos para que otros lo disfruten.
• Tomar fotografías es una excelente manera de recordar una emocionante excursión con su hijo. Tenga en cuenta cuándo y dónde los lleva para no distraerlos.

Gracias de antemano por ayudarnos a hacer de esta una visita segura, emocionante y gratificante para usted y su hijo. ¡Esperamos contar con su presencia! Sinceramente, El personal educativo en el Parque Nacional Saguaro

Weather

Field trips are all outside so we avoid the hottest months of the year and only offer programs in the morning. But this is the desert, so having students prepared for heat and sun exposure is part of the learning process. Generally, we offer programs rain or shine but if weather is going to pose a safety hazard, you will be notified before leaving the school.

Cancellations and Changes

Life happens, we know. It may not be possible to add an additional program or change a date as availability is limited. Please notify us immediately if you need to cancel or request any changes. That consideration will allow another class to fill your vacancy. Contact us at 520-733-5157 or e-mail us

 

Where do you want to go?

Saguaro National Park has two districts, one on either side of Tucson, Arizona. Each district has unique properties, geography, and facilities. Some field trips are available in both locations and others take advantage of specific features only found in one or the other. Most schools choose their field trip location based on proximity and ease of transportation.

I want to explore and book a field trip on the west side.
I want to explore and book a field trip on the east side.

Or, click on the map below where you'd like to take your field trip.