The Payhayokee... The River of Grass… A Biosphere Reserve… River Glades... Ever Glades...  THE EVERGLADES

Florida’s unique natural treasure and the only ecosystem of its kind on the planet! The survival of the Earth depends, in part, on the level of environmental awareness we develop in our children and maintain in ourselves. The potential for change is unlimited if we develop in our children an awareness and appreciation for our natural environment. We believe that this increased awareness in environmental perception and pleasure is most effective when discovered while actually in the ecosystem itself. 

The Everglades National Park (ENP) Habitats Tour is an extended school day expedition! This field experience takes place starting at the main entrance Everglades National Park in Homestead at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. From there we stop at various paths, boardwalks and observation tower and make our way down to the Guy Bradley Visitor Center. On the way back to the school at the end of the day, groups have a choice to stop off at Robert Is Here - an iconic landmark that will include one of their famous made-from-scratch milkshakes or smoothies and have the option to look at the animals as well as purchase some local and exotic produce and/or other items. It is a long day, but one they will never forget!

Participants will learn about the history of Everglades National Park & why/how it became a national park - an incredibly biologically diverse community, human impacts and their concentration will be on the various habitats within the Everglades Ecosystem. As wildlife biologists do on any scientific expedition, students working in groups will identify and record the fauna and flora they encounter and compare/contrast the different habitats they visit. The expedition doesn't only take place at the park, but also on the bus ride participants will see first hand our majestic Everglades and why it is so full of life - & how us humans live right beside it!

"WE ARE ALL CONNECTED, SO WE ARE ALL AFFECTED!"

Cost of Program

A minimum of 35 students and a maximum of 50 students per day, plus 1 free adult for every 10 students. If the minimum number of students is not met, adults can be used to reach the minimum number of students (35) at the student rate - but those adults will not be used towards the 1:10 ratio of free adults. Additional adults over the free ratio are charged an additional cost.

If you have less than the minimum number of 35 students per day and you do not want to supplement them with adults, please contact us - we will work with you to determine your rates.

If you are interested in an all-adults program, please contact us to work with you to determine the rates and schedule for your exclusive program.

If you are interested in an exclusive individual family educational program, please contact us to determine rates and a schedule for your program.

NOTE: If you have multiple classes (over 50 students), multiple field trip days can be scheduled.

Important Information for Teachers

Location: Everglades National Park (ENP) - main entrance & entire park

Approved transportation company used: Florida Tours

Reminder - this is an extended day! General activities (the order of events are based on school pick up & drop off, and the optional stop at Robert Is Here):

• Pick up at school (we arrive at your school when school begins, check paperwork, lunch/water bottles & clothing)

• Rules, introduction, background information, & overview of team jobs on the drive to ENP

• Bathroom & Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center

• 5 Location stops along the drive through ENP, including lunch (they provide their own), ending at Guy Bradley Visitor Center

• OPTIONAL: Robert Is Here milkshakes/smoothies

• Follow-up, share information on the drive back to school

Students work in teams to record data (provided).

Data collected and observations made throughout this engaging field experience can be further analyzed, organized and interpreted with the guidance of their teacher back in the classroom through graphs, charts, infographics and other visuals.

***NOTES: 

• South Florida weather may dictate a change in activities - it will be determined on case-by-case basis. 

• If your group has a special grant, area of study, or something specific that needs/wants to be covered, please let us know when scheduling and we may be able to accommodate your needs.