Exciting Educational Adventure Field Trips

Looking Back in Time

Florida Seminole History, Native Plant Ecosystems, and River Ecology
Jupiter, Florida
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Looking Back in Time

Explore the historical Loxahatchee River Battlefield and Riverbend Park in Jupiter Florida!

Students begin the educational journey back in time at Riverbend Park learning about the great Seminole Nation, the landmark site of the last Seminole war, and the way of life of early Florida pioneers.

Working in journals, students hike a trail beneath the canopy of a hardwood hammock, cypress swamp, and pine flatwood identifying native Florida plants and trees. Discovering secrets of survival that Native Americans and early pioneer settlers used to reap the bounty of these forests.

Student groups embark on a journey back through time imagining what it was like living as a pioneer and Seminole Indian. Hiking on a trail leading to the remnants of a Seminole camp, students discover the unique dwellings, built from surrounding natural resources, of these native people. In comparison, hike to a pioneer homestead and sawmill to understand the cultural differences of these two groups of people that inhabited the area in the past.

Continuing the field trip, students master skills of canoeing and explore the wonders of the Loxahatchee River headwaters. Paddling the secluded and calm waters of the Loxahatchee River, which supports a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, student groups identify Florida native birds, fish, and turtles along the way. As “historians”, imagining the footsteps of the Seminole warriors hiding along the shores and the Tennessee volunteers in small boats, student groups learn about the final battles that took place during the Second Seminole War between 1835 and 1842.

Journey home reflecting on the rich history and ecological diversity at Riverbend Park while creating a Seminole inspired craft!

INSTRUCTORS ARE:

  • Experienced and professional
  • Required to complete an intensive on-site training program
  • Present the program material in a way that makes it come to life
  • Lifeguard, First Aid and CPR certified
  • FDLE and FBI Level 2 Background Checked
  • ASAP-Camp Safety Certified

OUR PROGRAMS BUILD…

  • Self-confidence
  • Self-reliance
  • Teamwork
  • Friendships
  • Leadership skills
  • A “can do” attitude

OUR FIELD TRIPS INCLUDE:

  • Certified instructors
  • All meals and snacks-full day and overnight trips
  • Activity fees
  • All equipment
  • Transportation
  • Educational journals
  • Bus activities
  • Accommodations-overnight trips

FLEXIBILITY AND CUSTOMIZATION:

  • Each trip is carefully planned to provide an educational and memorable experience
  • All programs can be custom tailored to meet your school’s individual needs
  • Level of instruction varies based on grade level.
  • All programs are taught using a fun, interdisciplinary and hands-on approach
  • Local history is incorporated into the learning experience
  • Scholarships available so no student gets left behind

 

Florida State Standards following Grades 3-5

Students will:
  1. Learn the importance of recording data in a field journal, with an emphasis on the value of each person’s contribution to the total body of scientific observations and the effort to compare and contrast their findings with those of other students
    • SC.3.N.1.3 Keep records as appropriate, such as pictorial, written, or simple charts and graphs, of investigations conducted.

      SC.3.N.1.7 Explain that empirical evidence is information, such as observations or measurements that is used to help validate explanations of natural phenomena.

      SC.3.N.1.1 Raise questions about the natural world, investigate them individually and in teams through free exploration and systematic investigations, and generate appropriate explanations based on those explorations.

      SC.4.N.1.1 Raise questions about the natural world, use appropriate reference materials that support understanding to obtain information (identifying the source), conduct both individual and team investigations through free exploration and systematic investigations, and generate appropriate explanations based on those explorations.

      SC.4.N.1.4 Attempt reasonable answers to scientific questions and cite evidence in support.

      SC.4.N.1.6 Keep records that describe observations made, carefully distinguishing actual observations from ideas and inferences about the observations.

      SC.4.N.1.7 Recognize and explain that scientists base their explanations on evidence.

      SC.5.N.1.1 Define a problem, use appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigations of various types such as: systematic observations, experiments requiring the identification of variables, collecting and organizing data, interpreting data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions.

      SC.5.N.1.6 Recognize and explain the difference between personal opinion/interpretation and verified observation.

      SC.5.N.2.1 Recognize and explain that science is grounded in empirical observations that are testable; explanation must always be linked with evidence.

  2. Understand the concept that the presence of certain plants are an indication of events that are occurring, noting that they have adaptations that allow them to live in certain areas, with a focus on exotic species, like water lettuce
    • SC.3.N.1.6 Infer based on observation.

      SC.4.L.17.1 Compare the seasonal changes in Florida plants and animals to those in other regions of the country.

      SC.5.L.15.1 Describe how, when the environment changes, differences between individuals allow some plants and animals to survive and reproduce while others die or move to new locations.

      SC.5.N.2.1 Recognize and explain that science is grounded in empirical observations that are testable; explanation must always be linked with evidence.

      SS.5.G.3.1 Describe the impact that past natural events have had on human and physical environments in the United States through 1850.

  3. Identify and understand different organisms and their unique structures, functions and environmental adaptations
    • SC.3.L.15.1 Classify animals into major groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, vertebrates and invertebrates, those having live births and those which lay eggs) according to their physical characteristics and behaviors.

      SC.4.L.16.2 Explain that although characteristics of plants and animals are inherited, some characteristics can be affected by the environment.

      SC.5.L.14.2 Compare and contrast the function of organs and other physical structures of plants and animals, including humans, for example: some animals have skeletons for support – some with internal skeletons others with exoskeletons – while some plants have stems for support.

      SC.5.L.17.1 Compare and contrast adaptations displayed by animals and plants that enable them to survive in different environments such as life cycles variations, animal behaviors and physical characteristics.

  4. Understand the importance of green spaces and the preservation of archeological finds like ruins or battlefields to better understand the past
    • SS.3.G.3.2 Describe the natural resources in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

      SS.3.G.4.1 Explain how the environment influences settlement patterns in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

      SS.3.G.4.2 Identify the cultures that have settled the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

      SS.4.A.1.1 Analyze primary and secondary resources to identify significant individuals and events throughout Florida history.

      SS.4.A.2.1 Compare Native American tribes in Florida.

      SS.4.A.3.10 Identify the causes and effects of the Seminole Wars.

      SS.4.A.3.2 Describe causes and effects of European colonization on the Native American tribes of Florida.

      SS.4.A.3.8 Explain how the Seminole tribe formed and the purpose for their migration.

      SS.5.A.1.2 Utilize timelines to identify and discuss American History time periods.

  5. Understand the significance of human actions, including their own, in the protection of natural resources such as water and its pollution and redirection
    • SC.4.L.17.4 Recognize ways plants and animals, including humans, can impact the environment.

      SS.4.A.8.4 Explain how tourism affects Florida’s economy and growth.

      SS.4.C.2.2 Identify ways citizens work together to influence government and help solve community and state problems.

      SS.4.E.1.2 Explain Florida’s role in the national and international economy and conditions that attract businesses to the state.

      SS.5.C.2.5 Identify ways good citizens go beyond basic civic and political responsibilities to improve government and society.

  6. Understand the history and cultural significance of the Seminole tribe, with a focus on their traditional relationship with the natural environment
    • SS.3.G.2.6 Investigate how people perceive places and regions differently by conducting interviews, mental mapping, and studying news, poems, legends, and songs about a region or area.

      SS.3.G.3.2 Describe the natural resources in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

      SS.3.G.4.1 Explain how the environment influences settlement patterns in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

      SS.3.G.4.2 Identify the cultures that have settled the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

      SS.4.A.2.1 Compare Native American tribes in Florida.

      SC.4.L.17.2 Explain that animals, including humans, cannot make their own food and that when animals eat plants or other animals, the energy stored in the food source is passed to them.

      SS.5.A.2.3 Compare cultural aspects of Native American tribes from different geographic regions of North America including but not limited to clothing, shelter, food, major beliefs and practices, music, art, and interactions with the environment.

      SS.5.A.3.2 Investigate (nationality, sponsoring country, motives, dates and routes of travel, accomplishments) the European explorers.

      SS.5.A.3.3 Describe interactions among Native Americans, Africans, English, French, Dutch, and Spanish for control of North America.

      SS.5.A.4.1 Identify the economic, political and socio-cultural motivation for colonial settlement.

      SS.5.E.2.1 Recognize the positive and negative effects of voluntary trade among Native Americans, European explorers, and colonists.

Field Trip Pricing

All pricing dependent on group size, destination, departure location and date of travel.
Contact Us For Pricing

What’s Included

Instruction, activities, equipment, and coach transportation

3rd – 5th Grade

Student Educational Field Trip at Riverbend Park, Jupiter, Florida

  • Canoe the Loxahatchee River
  • Hike through Hardwood Hammocks, Cypress Domes, and Pine Flatwoods
  • Study the history of the Seminole Tribe of Florida
  • Tour Recreated Homesteads-Seminole and Pioneer