The Guadalupe River Park & Gardens is an education destination like no other. A natural oasis located in the heart of downtown San Jose, the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens (GRPG) features 254 acres of park that include the Heritage Rose Garden, the Historic Orchard, a community garden, and 2.6 miles of trail that runs adjacent to the Guadalupe River. The GRPG is a natural outdoor laboratory for science experiments, a creative and dynamic atmosphere for learning, and a perfect destination for field trips!

When outdoors, children can see science playing out before their very eyes, develop powerful observational skills, and are exposed to the environmental sciences, an up-and-coming field worldwide. Children won’t come out of the field trip just caring for the environment, they will come out with tools, knowledge, and the understanding of how science functions in nature.

Need Help with Buses?

Teachers, would you like to book a field trip but you are concerned about the cost and availability of buses?  Our friends at Science By Nature have made available a transportation fund to help get Bay area students out into nature.  If you are interested in transportation funding please sign up through Science By Nature.

To Sign Up

We like to keep field trips to a maximum of 40 students, however if you have a larger class or are interested in attending with another class please email the Education Coordinator.  All field trips are two hours long and are available Monday through Friday. The cost is $280 per field trip, but a limited number of scholarships are available for Title 1 schools.

If you are interested in booking a field trip, please follow these simple steps:

1. Review the field trip opportunities available to your grade level.

2. Click here to register for a field trip using our online form. Or contact us at education@grpg.org or 408-298-7657 to plan and schedule your field trip.

3. Schedule transportation. (The cost of transportation is not included.)

4. Receive your confirmation letter and teacher information packet from the education staff.

5. Have fun! Call 408-298-7657 with any questions.

Salmon and Trout Education Program (S.T.E.P.)

The S.T.E.P. Series pdf flyer

Explore science and our local watershed with the S.T.E.P. Series.  Guadalupe River Park Conservancy’s S.T.E.P. Series consists of exciting one-day field trips that focus on the salmon and steelhead trout that make their way up the Guadalupe River every year and the healthy watershed that these important species depend on.  All grade levels will participate in hands-on science activities that cater to a variety of learning styles and fulfill California State Science Standards. Pre and/or post-visit field trip materials are included with each field trip so that your students can continue to learn beyond the field trip experience.

This field trip series was made possible by a generous grant from the
eBay Foundation.

Other Exciting Field Trip Opportunities

We still offer our popular, original K-5 field trips that fulfill California State Standards, feature dynamic hands-on activities, and that are steeped in culture, history, and especially science!

Custom Field Trip Opportunities

To create a custom field trip or to adapt any existing programs to a different grade level, please contact the Education Coordinator at 408-298-7657.

Testimonials

“I would certainly recommend GRPC to anyone that asks where to take their children. My staff and the children really enjoyed learning about the birds and animals that live in the area. My personal experience with my son who is 4 tells me all the time about nests and birds that he sees. Thank you!”

Animals In and Out (Pre-school group), 10/12

“We liked everything!  We liked the variety – having four different, yet related sessions – with lots of hands-on and interaction. We definitely would recommend this field trip!”

Flower Power, 9/12

“The staff interactions were genuine with out students.  We liked how there were visuals and headphones in the restrooms.  The entire concept of the field trip was great for our students.   All staff were professional and truly cared about our students and their program.”

River Explorers (Special Needs), 7/12

“Thank you very much for the wonderful field trip ‘Hooked on Chinooks!’ we attended the field trip back in April, and by the end of the school year my 5^th graders were still raving about it.  Most of my class chose it as their favorite field trip of the year.  Your staff was extremely  knowledgeable and engaging.  I look forward to taking my next class!”

Hooked on Chinooks, 4/12

“Thank you so much! The students LOVED the field trip, and I really appreciated the scholarship. They have been talking about geocaching nonstop since we went on this field trip. Thank you!”
Nature Navigators, 5/11

“This was a wonderful learning experience for my students. They had a lot of fun and are anxious to return when they are in 5th grade.”
Nature Navigators, 5/11

“The program is great, very well organized, good use of props and pictures. The kids love interacting with nature and completing the activities.”
Flower Power, 4/11

“This year’s trip was wonderful for students and teachers alike. It was great to have so many guides there to help and teach the groups of students. I believe they learned so much more…because of all the small group attention they got from the guides. All students were engaged in the learning and excited about it. Someone told me it was the best field trip they had ever been on and didn’t want to leave.”
Water Rustlers, 3/11