Nature is for everyone.

At Reflection Riding, we believe that education is the key first step towards conservation, preservation, and a better understanding of the world. Our educational programs cultivate and inspire an interest in science and the importance of nature with hands-on, experiential learning that leaves a lasting impact on kids of all ages. 

Everything You Need to Know

Dates and Availability

Field trips can be reserved from August through May. Typically, we book field trips during two available time slots: 9:00-10:30 am and 11:30-1:00 pm ET. However, we are happy to do our best to accommodate your needs, please fill out our Field Trip Request Form and let us know if you require a different time or day. Self-guided field trips and off-site programs can be reserved year-round.

Field trips are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact our education team at education@reflectionriding.org with any questions or special considerations. Check out our program offerings below!

Cost

Field trips at Reflection Riding are $10.00 per student and $15.00 per adult. For Title I schools, we request $8.00 per student and $10.00 per adult. Group leaders are always free. Self-guided and off-site program pricing is detailed below.

On Campus Programs

Field trip programs can be combined or adapted to fit your needs. All of the following programs are geared toward elementary and middle school students. Custom field trips are available for high school students. Unsure of which program you need? No problem, go ahead and fill out our Field Trip Request Form and we can help you decide!

From the Ground Up: Students will experience the forest in a new way as one of our Naturalists helps them explore everything from the soil to the treetops. They will search for creatures under logs and in the pond while learning that all organisms in an ecosystem depend on each other for survival. Core Ideas: Earth and Human Activity, Earth's Systems, Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics, From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

More Than Leaves: Students will learn about different types of plants and what makes them unique. We will discuss the characteristics that help plants survive in different habitats and which animals depend on them for food and shelter. Core Ideas: Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics, From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

Nature Play: This program takes place in our 5-acre “Nature Playscape”, which is designed as a microcosm of the Reflection Riding landscape. Students will explore our four play areas - creek, grassland, rock, and woodland. At each of these locations, students will be allowed to discover and interact with nature in their own way. This experience can either be staff-led or self-guided. Core Ideas: Energy, Motion, and Stability: Forces and Interactions, Earth and Human Activity, Earth's Place in the Universe

Pollinators and Plants: Students will accompany one of our Naturalists on a walk through our pollinator-friendly areas. We will discuss why plants go to the trouble to make flowers and their structures and functions. We’ll search for pollinators of all kinds and explore the different ways plants have evolved to manipulate them. Core Ideas:  Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics, From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

Saving the System: Students will accompany our staff on a walk and talk focusing on land conservation and stewardship at Reflection Riding. Middle and high school students can participate in invasive species removal with members of our Land Conservation Team. Core Ideas:  Earth and Human Activity, Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Survive and Thrive: Students will get to meet one of our Animal Ambassadors up close and learn their physical and behavioral adaptations. You may choose from a bird, mammal, reptile, or amphibian. Students will also get an opportunity to tour our Native Animal Area if it is not closed for Red Wolf breeding season. Core Ideas: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics, From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

Self-Guided Field Trip: Don’t need our staff, just our campus? Self-guided trips at Reflection Riding are a great way to use our outdoor classroom and facilitate your own teaching or program. Self-guided trips are $5.00 per student and $8.00 per adult. Group leaders are always free.

Custom Field Trip: Our team can teach or assist with almost anything related to your LS, PS, ESS, or ETS standards. We can help with PBLs and design solutions or critiques. We can discuss what you are looking for and what activities might be suitable. Core Ideas: Project-based Learning, Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics, From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes, Energy, Motion, and Stability: Forces and Interactions, Matter and Its Interactions, Earth and Human Activity, Earth's Systems, Links Among Engineering, Technology, Science, and Society

Follow this link to see how our programs align with Tennessee Academic Standards for Science.

Off-Campus Programs

Off-site programs can be customized to fit your needs. Interested in us coming to you but not sure what that can look like? No problem, go ahead and fill out our Request Form and we can help you decide!

Off-Site Animal Encounter: Would you like us to bring one of our animal ambassadors to your location? Off-site program pricing begins at $250. Inquire now to learn more!