New Jersey and Surrounding Areas
Explore our art-filled gardens with over 300 sculptures for Pre K-12th Grade
See ad on page 7
A GUIDE FOR SCHOOLS, CAMPS, SCOUTS & OTHER STUDENT GROUPS { Grades Pre K - 12} art | history | entertainment | science | assemblies | nature | museums | amusement
Happy Spring! Educators and youth leaders are the backbone of our society. These awesome teachers, scout leaders, homeschool champions, camp directors, PTA planners and recreational leaders help shape and guide our children. Cheers to you and thanks for picking this up!
NJ KIDS produces this handy resource to help you dive into a treasure trove of wonderful field trip destinations. Our guide brings you new fun-filled educational and creative adventures, exciting programs, group activities, and must-see venues that will ignite curiosity and creativity. Our Pre-K through 12th grade student leaders can choose from a diverse array of science, nature, arts, theater, history and adventure. It’s all here, ready for you to explore. Some will even come to your location!
This special edition is delivered straight to your mailbox once a year, but the fun doesn’t stop there. You can access the guide online 24/7, all year round, at www.njkidsonline.com/field-trip-guide If you would like copies delivered to your school location, please email us with your full address, contact name, and phone number at admin@njkidsonline.com.
We can’t wait to connect you to all these amazing field trip options in and around NJ.
Happy Field-Tripping!
Sandra Leu & the NJ KIDS Team
NJ Field Trips & Assemblies Guide is an annual publication published by NJ Kids Media Group, Inc. We assume no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions, nor do we recommend programs, nor do we warrant the accuracy or reliatbility of any of the information contained in this book. Nothing herein contained may be reproduced in any mannerwithout written permission of NJ Kids Media Group, Inc.
Copyright 2025 NJ Field Trip & Assemblies Guide.
with locations throughout New Jersey with locations throughout New Jersey including Chatham, Hoboken, Montclair, and Upper Saddle River including Chatham, Hoboken, Montclair, and Upper Saddle River
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This summer, spark your PK-12 youth group’s curiosity and creativity at Grounds For Sculpture (GFS), a 42-acre sculpture park in Hamilton, New Jersey. Explore our art-filled gardens, which boast over 300 sculptures and thousands of trees and plants, either on a selfguided tour or one hosted by a trained guide. Then, participate in a hands-on workshop led by a museum educator. A day trip to GFS offers the perfect opportunity for joy, learning, and discovery—and the 10,000+students that visit each year agree!
GFS has self-guided and guided tours. During a self-guided tour, take advantage of our free online resources: partake in a fun-filled Sculpture Hunt, or discover the park with an Explorer’s Guide with an art, horticulture or wellness theme.
Guided tours are available for youth who are in grades 4-12 and number 50 students or less. Trained guides cover a select number of sculptures, and there are 3 tour types. Tours
cost an additional $5 per student and must be booked 6 weeks in advance.
Encourage experimentation with a hands-on workshop! Our workshops are for students in grades 3-12 and are led by experienced museum educators. These interactive sessions include creating with clay and a selfie-sculpture challenge, and are available for additional fee.
The cost per student is only $10. A $50 deposit is required when booking. Visits must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance and are available every 15 minutes starting at 10AM. Unopened bagged lunches are permitted.
Volume 12, No.2
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This publication covers NJ State and is mailed directly to schools, camps, recreation departments, libraries, scouts, and other group organizations. The Digital ebook is emailed to subscribers throughout the year and can be found online.
NJ Field Trips & Assemblies Guide is an annual publication published by NJ Kids Media Group, Inc. We assume no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions, nor do we recommend programs, nor do we warrant the accuracy or reliatbility of any of the information contained in this book. Nothing herein contained may be reproduced in any manner without written permission of NJ Kids Media Group, Inc. Copyright 2025 NJ Field Trip & Assemblies Guide.
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Explore this 42-acre sculpture park in Hamilton, New Jersey. Art-filled gardens with 300 sculptures and thousands of trees and plants and hands-on workshops for Pre-K through 12th grade. Bring your groups. See spotlight on page 7.
Field Trips are essential to a well-rounded education
From Kindergarten to 12th grade, excursions are packed with benefits that fuel growth and learning. Whether it’s exploring educational spots that bring academics to life, enjoying entertainment that sparks creativity, or diving into art and music that foster expression and cultural appreciation, field trips are a goldmine of opportunities. Outdoor adventures like hiking add even more value, helping students connect with nature, build life skills and enjoy teamwork-filled fun. With such a wide variety of destinations, there’s something to inspire every student.
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Hiking and nature explorations encourage students to embrace the outdoors, promoting physical fitness and environmental stewardship. These activities build resilience, adaptability, and self-reliance, as students learn about ecosystems and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Overcoming challenges in nature boost confidence and leaves students with a sense of accomplishment.
Trips to trampoline parks, challenge courses and amusement parks give students a chance to unwind, but they can also learn about motion and physics. These outings challenge them physically, encourage teamwork, and offer a break from routine.
Visits to art museums, galleries and creative workshops let students explore various forms of art, inspiring creativity and non-verbal expression. Workshops experiences sharpen problem-solving skills and fine motor development while expanding creativity. Outdoor art activities, like painting nature or photography connect students to the world’s beauty, enhancing their artistic and environmental awareness.
Field Trips are more than just a break from the classroom - they’re a dynamic part of a student’s educational adventure, offering experiences that can’t be found in textbooks.
Visit the New Jersey State House where where civics come to life.
njstatehousetours.org · 609-847-3150 · njstatehousetours@njleg.org
Field Trips offer a treasure trove of experiences that nuture curiosity, foster growth and equip students with the skill they need to succeed in life.
Field trips to concerts, operas and music workshops expose students to diverse musical genres, enriching their appreciation for music as an art form. Live performances evoke emotions and enhance well-being, while hands-on workshops can ignite a lifelong passion for music, offering insights into potential careers and mentorship opportunities. Cultural festivals celebrate diversity, broadening their perspectives and fostering unity.
With budget cuts, transportation hurdles, and longer approval process, many schools are strapped and unfortunately can’t leave the premises. Don’t fret, because many organizations are taking their show on the road! There are so many new assembly programs being offered where they can bring the expert engagement and interactivity into your own classroom or school auditorium. Traveling museums for instance are designed to reach your students in a dynamic new format, to get kids excited. Many are prepared to provide a wealth of classroom ready online resources to enhance your teaching.
Can’t do it? No budget? Don’t be stuck in the same environment. Take them out of the classroom. There are many places around your town that would be willing to offer children the chance to explore and get some real-world experience without a hefty price tag. Ask about volunteer opportunities, a great way to help and learn. Also you get to meet the professional behind the scenes.
• Fire Station - Step into the daily routines of our fire fighters. Children might get the chance to try on a fireman’s gear, climb a truck, run through a simulated home and hear the fire truck’s siren.
• Grocery Store - Learn about the supply chain of food! Give them the chance to stack boxes, unload produce, or help at the checkout.
• Library - This could be a volunteer opportunity to collect books, stack shelves, or clean up old ones. They can learn about the cataloging system, and then get their own library card.
• Bakery - Learn all about ingredients and how they become tasty treats. Perhaps the children can even help make some.
• Walk Around The School - What about a silent walk with the task to observe, hear, and touch but not to speak – what a novel idea? Teach them concentration skills and have them become more aware of physical surroundings.
If you can get away, try these free venues:
• State Beaches - Learn about the water ecosystem and the ocean. At the beach, team build and see who can make the largest sand castle creation.
• State Parks - Meet with a park ranger and explore what they do in the great outdoors. Our state parks are packed with trails, nature and wildlife.
• Wetlands - Discover freshwater wetlands, upland woods, and the fresh water flowing through it.
• Wildlife Preserve and Nature Centers - Visit a wildlife preserve with the vast variety of species of birds and mammals using the park. Nature reserves immerse students in ecosystems, nurturing a love for the environment.
• Lighthouses - What better exercise than to climb. Some are equipped with picnic areas, hiking trails, nature parks, scenery.
ant to add excitement and adventure to your field trip? Want to make learning new skills and concepts fun while reinforcing classroom topics? Want a trip that is memorable for the kids and for the school? Don’t get trapped in following your predecessors or don’t just “go with the flow’. Be creative, be thoughtful and you’ll stand out amongst your peers. It certainly takes some serious planning and teamwork to reach a successful well-focused field trip. Here are 7 pre-and post-trip steps on how maximize the learning value of any field trip. This applies to planning assemblies as well. All of this takes time, but it will be so worth it.
The secret to planning a focused field trip is to make connections between the trip and your curriculum, learning goals and other projects. Consider these ideas.
Have a curriculum for the term ready, or at least an idea of the major concepts you’ll be working on. Will you be focusing on one main topic or will you be involving multiple concepts - from math, science, language and history to life skills. Trips have to be integrated into the big picture so that their lessons aren’t lost. A trip to an amusement park will always be fun, but with planning and preparation, it can also be a vehicle for
learning about topics ranging from engineering to why we have to obey the rules.
Ask yourself questions:
• What are the goals of the lessons for the term? What are the difficult concepts to teach
Or you may even build your curriculum around your field trip(s) by listing an overview of all the field trips you might take during the term.
Think of places to visit, and then consider each prospective place next to the list of concepts your lessons are focused on. Once you have many ideas for possible field trips, you and your team can begin to narrow down the list. For each idea, ask,
• What can we see or do there?
• What can we learn?
• How does each place correlate with the learning goals for the term and how they provide opportunities for links between the trips.
Every field trip presents a host of learning opportunities, which is why it’s so important to focus on the goals and write them on paper. Otherwise, you may miss the reason why you are there and the core concepts to learn may be so diffuse that they won’t register with the children. Writing down goals will help to ensure that field trips reinforce larger learning objectives, and to think through projects and activities associated with the field trip.
Involve staff and the children in the planning process so that they feel a sense of ownership. Everyone must understand the objectives, goals and their roles.
• Determine what steps of the trip require teamwork
• Engage other teachers and leaders in the planning process, even if it is outside the subject area. A math course can be integrated with science lesson; history with english; art with architecture or social studies
• Engage parents, since you may need chaperones
• Build teams within your classroom or cross-teams between the various groups
Visiting the location in advance of the trip is a smart idea. You will uncover new learning opportunities, staffing needs, and find supporting literature to take back to the class. It will also identify opportunities and challenges before the kids get there as well as help establish logistics, such as the location of bathrooms, dining options, first aid, etc. You may find onsite specialists who you can engage for interviews during the trip. Maybe you’ll find out that the destination is not appropriate for your group.
Work any collected materials into class activities in preparation for the trip. Below are some other ways to get kids prepared and excited in the days before the trip:
• Give kids input into what they’ll be doing on the trip
• Ask them “What would you like to see or learn there?”
• Prepare the children by teaching observation skills so that they can get the most out of the experience
During the day of the trip, be prepared with some key activities to enhance the experience while keeping in mind that the trip is supposed to be fun of course.
The sky’s the limit on post trip projects. Classroom discussion and group think work begins. You can build web pages, presentations or write articles for the school newspaper, create a class bulletin, etc!
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Top considerations and important health and safety materials to bring on a trip. Taking a day trip with young children can provide wonderful learning opportunities to enrich and extend your curriculum—but day trips can go awry! Aside from having the spirit of adventure, it’s crucial to have careful planning and adequate staffing for adults and children to enjoy outings safely. Here are some planning safety tips to help make it a safe and successful venture.
Be sure the destination you have chosen is safe and appropriate for young children. If possible, visit the site in advance of announcing the trip. Look at the site from a safety perspective, such as potential falls, entrapments, choking/poisoning hazards, etc. Many destinations are usually not “child-proofed.” Identify accessible restrooms and a supply of running water. What are the best times to visit to avoid large crowds? Are there hazards such as unfenced bodies of water, poisonous plants, or stairs without secure railings? Gathering this type of information ahead of time will help you choose an appropriate destination.
Ask and answer these questions to ensure appropriate safety measures are put in place in order to reduce any risks:
• Is the Group Leader capable of implementing and conducting safety measures?
• What type of visit or activity is involved and what physical demands will be put on
• Where you are going, the route of how to get there and the modes of transport to be used.
• Does the trip require a long walk through a parking lot or along a busy street?
• What are the abilities and qualifications of supervisory staff?
• What steps will be taken in the event of an emergency?
• What special needs or medical requirements are there?
• What is the suitability and quality of any equipment to be used ie: ropes course, rollercoaster?
• How will one help students who cannot complete the trip to the finish?
• Is there a designated First Aider in the case of an emergency?
Be sure the destination you have chosen is safe and appropriate for young children. If possible, visit the site in advance of announcing the
trip. Look at the site from a safety perspective, such as potential falls, entrapments, choking/poisoning hazards, etc. Many destinations are usually not “child-proofed.” Identify accessible restrooms and a supply of running water. What are the best times to visit to avoid large crowds? Are there hazards such as unfenced bodies of water, poisonous plants, or stairs without secure railings? Gathering this type of information ahead of time will help you choose an appropriate destination.
Ask and answer these questions to ensure appropriate safety measures are put in place in order to reduce any risks:
• Is the Group Leader capable of implementing and conducting safety measures?
• What type of visit or activity is involved and what physical demands will be put on students?
• Where you are going, the route of how to get there and the modes of transport to be used.
• Does the trip require a long walk through a parking lot or along a busy street?
• What are the abilities and qualifications of supervisory staff?
• What steps will be taken in the event of an emergency?
• What special needs or medical requirements are there?
• What is the suitability and quality of any equipment
to be used ie: ropes course, rollercoaster?
• How will one help students who cannot complete the trip to the finish?
• Is there a designated First Aider in the case of an emergency?
A permission slip specific to the trip should be distributed to families ahead of time, and should include details about the trip, the date on which it will occur, the destination and its address, the mode(s) of transportation to be used, and the estimated times of the group’s departure and return. The permission slip should also include consent for emergency care if required during the trip, contact information and health information with any necessary medication that needs to be administered in the event of an emergency.. Only children whose parents have signed and returned a permission slip should participate.
During travel and at your destination, maintain the appropriate ratio of staff to children at all times. Parents should be welcome to accompany the group, and having additional adults around will certainly make the logistics of travel easier for all participants.
An accurate list of children who have been signed in on the day of the trip is crucial. Use this list to conduct frequent exact head counts. Count the children as you leave the program, once they are in the vehicle(s), as they exit the vehicle(s), and when they get into the designated building or area.
• Adhesive bandages of assorted shapes/sizes
• Gauze pads/rolls and bandage tape
• Scissors and tweezers
• Thermometer (not made of glass)
• Eye dressing
• Cold pack
• Bottled water
• Sunscreen
• Small splints
• Soap or disposable hand wipes
• Disposable gloves
• Plastic bags for soiled materials
• A simple first aid guide or chart
• Any emergency medications potentially needed by participants
• List of emergency phone numbers, parent contact information, and poison control numbers
• A pen or pencil and a small notepad, for taking down emergency notes
• Care plans describing any special health needs of participating children. If a child has asthma, the kit should contain the care plan as well as any medications or equipment he or she may need.
Practice handwashing prior to eating, even when you are away from your site. It may be necessary to carry hand wipes, if there is no access to clean running water on your trip.
If your trip will include a meal or snack, be sure to prepare food safely. Consider non-perishable items since refrigeration may be an issue. Carry water to prevent dehydration. Can children carry their own backpacks or lunch sacks?
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At the very least, for a short trip, a nutritious snack should be carried
by the adults and distributed to the children at an appropriate time.
Identify the children in your group with a special sticker, or even matching tee-shirts. Ready visual identification of the children in your group is helpful where there are many groups of young children present.
With the proper attention to health and safety preparations, unnecessary problems can be avoided.
