JBRPC offers free in-park and virtual field trips. 

Priority is held for fourth grade classes, but interested educators of 4th – 8th grade students are encouraged to request programming.  Our education program immerses students in New York City’s dynamic coastal environments and cultivates a spirit of stewardship for our public lands.

This year, educators can choose between two field-trip options: in-park, or virtual. Please see a short description of each option below.

Our in-park field trip model includes a virtual meet and greet with your JBRPC educator, asynchronous pre- and post-visit activities and an in-park field trip.

Virtual Meet-and-Greet (30 mins)

Our educators set the tone for the in-person trip, introducing students to the park they will visit, and answering any questions about the pre-lesson materials.

Pre and post- visit activities (Self-Guided)

Our comprehensive and engaging activities assist students to develop their understanding of the diverse ecosystems within Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways.

In-park Field Trip (60-90 mins)

Field trips explore the ecology of Jamaica Bay and Rockaway parks, along with opportunities for students to be stewards of their urban parks and communities. Field Trip locations vary based on season and program theme.

• Wild Neighbors: Students explore the zones of the urban coastal environment and observe plants and animals that live in our Jamaica Bay and Rockaway parks. Depending on the program site and season, activities may include plant identification, bird watching, shoreline exploration, nature walks, and more!

• Coastal Habitat Heroes: Students participate in a community science shoreline cleanup at a Jamaica Bay or Rockaway park, removing harmful marine debris and collecting data about the trash they find.

The fully virtual field trip includes a synchronous virtual session with one of our educators. Our immersive virtual programs engage students in Jamaica Bay and Rockaway ecology, and the essential role our parks play in preserving our ecosystems. These field trips build on our interactive Exploring and Caring for Jamaica Bay and Rockaway StoryMap Collection and NYS-standards aligned Jamaica Bay Curriculum.

Teachers can select one of the options listed below. Each session is 45 minutes long.

Wild Neighbors: Animal Adaptation (recommended for 4th-5th grades)

Students learn about local ecology as they examine the adaptations of ospreys, horseshoe crabs, gulls, and humpback whales to learn how animals survive in Jamaica Bay and Rockaway. 

Monitoring Monarchs (recommended for 4th-8th grades)

The threatened monarch butterfly is our guide to exploring the role of our coastal parks and urban environment in supporting healthy pollinator populations.

From City to Sea: Tracking our Debris (recommended for 4th-8th grades)

Students track the journey of trash from land to sea, discuss the impacts of marine debris on local and global ocean ecosystems, and explore their power in creating positive change in this lesson which encourages stewardship and sustainability.  

Scheduling

To schedule a virtual trip, please fill out a program interest form. Our team will get back to you to schedule a short consultation call to discuss our program and your goals, and to schedule your virtual trip(s).

Visit the Explore Online page to access our virtual resources and ways to learn about New York City’s coastal environments, plants, and animals from home or your classroom.

JBRPC is a proud partner of the Open Outdoors for Kids initiative, which ensures that 4th grade students have the opportunity to experience their federal public lands and waters throughout the school year, with a special focus on underserved communities. Find other NYC-region Open Outdoors for Kids partners here.

JBRPC virtual learning programs were made possible, in part, by a grant from the National Park Foundation through the generous support of donors from across the country.