The Payhayokee... The River of Grass… A Biosphere Reserve… 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. Come and experience this unique treasure with us on our unforgettable trip into the once mystical “river of grass”.

The Everglades Experience is a full day field experience which takes place in the Florida Everglades in Water Conservation Area II in Broward County, Florida at Sawgrass Recreation Park (1006 US-27, Weston, FL 33327). Participants who attend will be involved in an in-depth investigation of a natural sawgrass prairie succession. The area was completely burned during the 1999 drought and has recovered and re-established itself as a biologically diverse community. Students spend the day investigating the biodiversity of the Everglades, exploring the geology of the system, relating critters to the health of the ecosystem, analyzing water from various locations, and understanding the impact of exotic flora and fauna.

Come and experience this unique treasure with us on our unforgettable trip into the mystical “river of grass”.

Data collected during these field experiences are available for the participating schools for analysis over the entire year. Students realize that water levels, water temperature, acidity, invertebrates, alligator sightings and snail eggs all help contribute to a fuller picture of the health of the ecosystem. This puts them in a better position to make wise decisions concerning policies for preservation and conservation.

On the return trip back to school, the instructor will ask the teams to share their findings so comparisons can be made. Equipped with the experiences of the day in the Everglades, wildlife biologists will better understand and realize the responsibilities we all must assume for our own “River of Grass”.

"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.

Although activities listed is based on a 4th - 12th grade school-day, 6-hour program (from start time to drop-off time), we now can do our Everglades Experience with K-3rd grade as well!   However, K-3rd will not slog (walk in water). 

The rates are based on the number of participants, a 30-minute vs 60-minute airboat portion, using our transportation (currently Florida Tours) or providing your own, extending your day, and whether you are based in Broward County or Palm Beach & Miami-Dade Counties. For other situations, please contact us.

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

Important Information for Teachers

Location: Sawgrass Recreation Park

Approved transportation company used: Florida Tours

General Agenda (this may be changed based on timing & grade that particular day):

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

• Drive to Sawgrass Recreation Park

• Intro, plants, animal exhibit

• Airboat 

• Bathroom break

• Lunch

• Slog >> NOTE: If your organization does NOT want to walk in water, let us know there are alternatives

• Critter lab (if time allows)/water quality (additional, special programs only if time allows)

• Drive back to school (we get you back to school 10-15 minutes before school is out)

Each student uses their own personal logbook and pencil to record data (provided).

Groups or Teams are responsible for recording the data they collected through an online form (link provided on logbook) - students are participating in citizen science!

Logbooks contain instructions & a discount coupon for additional visits back to the park - the student can become the teacher!

"What to do/what to wear/what to bring CHECKLIST" >>> Most importantly -

REQUIRED BY ALL TO PARTICIPATE:

• Eat at least a light breakfast as we will be out in the heat without snacks (helps prevent headaches, dizziness, fainting, nausea, etc.) 

• Go to the bathroom before leaving the school

• Long pants (to the ankle – no shorts or capris!)

• Closed-toed shoes that tie securely to feet (NO sandals, "water shoes", dive booties, slip-ons, slides, crocs, Tevas, hiking sandals, etc. - galoshes and wading boots are highly discouraged as they will only fill with water

• Permission/Liability forms filled out completely/properly for each attending participant (both for students and all adults)

• Bagged/Sack lunch & reusable Water bottle - labeled with their name >> ALL FOOD MUST BE BROUGHT – NOTHING TO BE BOUGHT ON-SITE

OPTIONAL, BUT SUGGESTED:

• Sunglasses

• Hat

• Socks

OPTIONAL, DEPENDENT ON CIRCUMSTANCES & PERSONAL PREFERENCES:

• Thin, long-sleeved shirt - only while slogging needed while walking through the sawgrass – best to be able to put over top of the other shirt - HIGHLY DISCOURAGED ARE SWEATSHIRTS, HOODIES & THICK JACKETS (way too hot)

• Rain coat/poncho

• Sunblock

• Insect repellent

• Camera (beware, we will be in and around water throughout the day - best is waterproof or have a waterproof bag with a lanyard to hang around their neck to not get lost/dropped in the water)

• Towel to sit on the bus ride back to school

DISCOURAGED TO BRING - WILL REMAIN ON THE BUS:

• Student cell phones (adults can carry theirs for picture taking - beware, we will be in and around water throughout the day)

• Money (we will NOT be going into the gift shop - students or adults - adults for emergencies only)

• Valuables, electronic games, "extra stuff", etc.

• No smoking of any kind at any time on the trip

• Change of clothes - there is not time or a location for a change of clothes or shoes, they can do change when they get back to their school/location

PLEASE CHECK THE WEATHER THE MORNING OF, FOR THE ENTIRE DAY, TO MAKE SURE YOU/YOUR CHILD IS DRESSED APPROPRIATELY AND PREPARED

SCIENCE EYE IS NOT ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANY ITEMS LEFT, LOST OR DAMAGED. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD’S NAME IS WRITTEN ON ANY PERSONAL ITEMS. REMEMBER, THIS IS A WATER RELATED FIELD STUDY.

Download the checklist of what to bring-wear-do:

Testimonials

"We had an amazing time during the Everglades Experience on Wednesday. The weather cooperated and the students were engaged. The instructor, Selena, was phenomenal! I have done trips like this in the past and yours succeeded my expectations. The other chaperone from our school was very impressed as he had no idea what to expect from your company. The walking sticks, nets, and digital instruments were an extra feature that I have not seen from other companies doing similar trips." Northeast High School

“This was an amazing day. So educational and fun!” Grade 4-Bethune Elem

“Great experience for people of all ages! Loved the enthusiasm of the instructors and my students were highly engaged.” Grade7&8-Silver Lakes Middle

“Everything was great and well organized! Lots of info for the kids to back.  They’ll be doing an expository writing assignment from this experience!” Grade 5-Pine Crest of Boca

“Excellent day! We look forward to returning.” Grade 4-Croissant Park Elem

“Fabulous from start to finish. The instructors made it fun and educational.” Grade 5-Pine Crest of Boca

“In March, I was lucky enough to chaperon a trip to the Everglades with Lyons Creek Middle School. The program you presented to these students is more than an educational experience. You have offered these children a chance at a 'life experience' that they will always remember. There is no better way to influence the mind of a child than through hands on experience, and what you offered could not have been more complete. They learned not only how fragile our environment is, but how they can help preserve it. Your instructors were enthusiastic, informative and entertaining for the entire group. I was honored to be a part of the trip, and I commend you for your professionalism and educational programs.” Grade 6 parent-Lyons Creek Middle

“This educational experience was a great learning experience. It was full of authentic real world experience. The students had a super time.” Grade 4-American Heritage

“Superb program, very student friendly, parent friendly too. Totally reinforces school curriculum in an exciting way!” Grade 4-Saint David’s Catholic

“I was impressed with the instructors knowledge and the way they could transfer it down to the children’s level. Great job.” Grade 4-Saint David’s Catholic

“Definitely the best field trip! Very interactive and a full day of activities.  The instructors were great!” Grade 4-Epiphany Catholic School

“The best field trip experience!” Grade 4-Pinewood Acres

“Great program-excellent instructors” Grade 4-Pinewood Acres

“Great trip with awesome instructors!” Grade 6-12-Broward Virtual

“Your instructors were beyond expectation. Excellent trip.” Grade 6-Lyons Creek Middle

“This is the most amazing field trip I’ve ever been on.” Grade 6-Lyons Creek Middle

“Every child should participate on this kind of field trip. It was excellent.” Grade 6-Lyons Creek Middle

“Relevant and informative. Awesome!” Grade 6-Pioneer Middle

“The best ever! Keep up the great program.” Grade 4-Croissant Park Elem

“The Everglades is such an important project for our future and I think it is very important to keep preservation our number one goal. Our students learned a lot from this project.” Grade 4 – Royal Palm Beach Elem

“This was an awesome experience! Correlated to our SSS and the mixture of hands-on and bus time utilizes every minute. Way to go!” Grade 4 – Royal Palm Beach Elem

“Another fantastic day! You all are the very best! We learned so much and had a blast! Thank you!!!” Grade 4 – Royal Palm Beach Elem

“Just plain awesome!” Grade 4 – Royal Palm Beach Elem