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 Shark Valley expedition is a full day field experience which takes place along the Tamiami Trail at the northern end of Everglades National Park (Shark Valley visitor's center entrance 36000 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33194). Groups have an option between a 6-hour school day that includes a 2-hour tram ride with a stop at the Shark Valley Observation Tower and an 8-hour+ extended day that includes the 2-hour tram ride, the Shark Valley Observation Tower stop, but also water quality testing and when open, the Otter & Bobcat Trail walks (weather condition and rain dependent). 

Participants will learn about the history of Everglades National Park & why/how it became a national park - an incredibly biologically diverse community, the various habitats within the ecosystem, why this area is called "Shark Valley",  and human impacts. As wildlife biologists do on any scientific expedition, students will identify and record the biodiversity and abundance of the fauna and flora they encounter. The expedition doesn't only take place at the park, but also on the bus ride participants will see first hand the on-going restoration improvements to bring our majestic Everglades back to life!

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

Cost of Program

A minimum of 40 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 40 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: Shark Valley, Everglades National Park

Approved transportation company used: Florida Tours

General 6-hour Day Agenda (this will be changed based on timing, grade that particular day and tram ride scheduling):

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

• Drive to Shark Valley

• Bathroom & Tram ride

• Lunch & Bathroom

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

General 8-hour Day Agenda (this will be changed based on timing, grade that particular day and tram ride scheduling):

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

• Drive to Shark Valley

• Bathroom & Walk to and through Otter Trail

• Lunch & Bathroom

• Tram ride

• Water Chemistry

• Bathroom & Drive back to school

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!

***NOTES: 

• Depending on tram schedule availability, we may need to pick up and/or drop off outside of a normal school day schedule - best if scheduled more than 4 months out; Jan-Mar are busiest at Shark Valley for Tram reservations, so trip agenda times may need to be changed for particular dates

• 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 arrange the schedule and accommodate your needs.

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

REQUIRED BY ALL TO PARTICIPATE:

• Go to the bathroom before leaving the school - long drive and there may not be time when we arrive before getting on the tram

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

• Comfortable shoes as we will be walking some >> No flip-flops, slides or crocs! – however, mostly sitting on the tram

• 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

• Sunblock

OPTIONAL, DEPENDENT ON CIRCUMSTANCES & PERSONAL PREFERENCES:

• Rain coat/poncho

• Insect repellent

• Camera (there is water, but we will not be directly overtop of water usually)

• Student cell phones (unless used for taking pictures – cell reception is almost non-existent) >> NOTE: bags, headphones, earbuds, cell phones, lunches will be under the bus during travel

• Money (there may be a short time of opportunity to purchase items in the small gift shop > do not count on time for getting snacks and drinks)

DISCOURAGED TO BRING - WILL REMAIN ON THE BUS:

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

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

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. 

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