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School field trips at Metro parks

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Choose from a menu of field trip programs designed to offer fun and engaging outdoor learning experiences for students. Programs are available at Metro's Oxbow Regional Park and Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area.

Field trips

Salmon and river ecology field trip at Oxbow Regional Park

Suitable for students in second grade or higher; offered mid October to Nov. 7

Join the wild Chinook salmon, Canada geese and other migrating wildlife as they arrive at Oxbow this fall. This trip focuses on the Sandy River, one of the few places in the region where students can see wild spawning salmon in a free flowing river. Using special polarized glasses, on most days students can spot 20- to 40-pound salmon digging, fighting and resting on their spawning grounds. Students will examine jars of salmon eggs and fry as the naturalist shares the amazing story of the salmon life cycle. Students also will hike quietly down to the river's edge to search for animals, catch and identify aquatic insects and open their senses with nature awareness games.

On this field trip, students will gain understanding of the life cycle of wild salmon, the connections between the terrestrial and aquatic food chain, and the importance of watershed health. Elementary students participate in three activities: wild salmon life cycle and fish watching, river exploration and sensory awareness games. For students in grades six and up, sensory games may be replaced by a journal activity or other activity of your choice.

Wetlands ecology field trip at Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area

Suitable for second through fifth grade levels; offered April through June

Where can your students see ducks, herons and birds of prey? Touch chew marks left on a tree by hungry beavers? Catch water boatmen and sideswimmers? Smell the sweet scent of budding cottonwoods? They can do all this and more at Metro's Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area. Experienced naturalists will guide you in an unforgettable hands-on exploration of this 2,000-acre wetland.

This field trip provides an overview of wetlands ecology, awareness of urban wetland wildlife, and an understanding of the freshwater food chain and the importance of water quality. Students participate in two activities: wildlife watching and animal tracking and water exploration, a "critter catch" of aquatic insects and other small animals.

Ancient forest adventure field trip at Oxbow Regional Park

Suitable for students in second grade or higher; offered April through June

Explore the highlights of this 1,200-acre park with experienced naturalists. Begin with the fox walk and other age-old secrets of awareness that help you move invisibly through the woods and get close to wildlife. Then experience an ancient forest with all your senses as you hike through towering 700-year-old trees, listen to singing birds and taste a wild edible plant. Use your detective skills to follow the tracks and trails of deer, otter and other animals as you explore along the banks of the pristine Sandy River.

On this field trip, students will gain an introductory understanding of old-growth forest ecology, increase their observation skills through identification of wildlife tracks and sign and gain a deeper awareness of wildlife and their use of forest and riparian habitats. For students in grades six and up, this program can be adapted for a more in-depth focus on ancient forest ecology or animal tracking.

Questions and answers

What is the format for field trips?

Metro provides one staff naturalist and trained volunteers. Schools provide one adult (parent/helper) per eight children. Classrooms are divided into smaller groups, and students rotate through two or three hands-on activities led by Metro staff and volunteer naturalists. In some instances, the teacher or a parent helper will be asked to help lead an activity.

How much time do I need to allow for the field trip?

Field trips to Oxbow Regional Park are usually a full school day (three and a half to four hours in the park, excluding travel time to and from school). Field trips to Smith and Bybee Wetlands often can be done in a half day (two hours), depending on group size and travel time; trips for two classrooms will require a full day (four hours).

When should I book a reservation?

Reservations for spring field trips are accepted beginning Jan. 2. Reservations for fall and winter field trips are accepted beginning Aug. 1. Space is limited and popular dates are filled two to three months in advance.

What size group can I bring?

Metro's field trip program is designed for one classroom of 30 students or fewer, to be split into smaller study groups. Field trips can accommodate two classrooms (maximum 55 students at Oxbow, 60 students at Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area).

Can our class visit your parks on our own?

If you would like to arrange your own field trip to a Metro park or natural area without our naturalists, you must obtain an Education Special Use Permit in advance. Permits are free for most groups and are easy to obtain. For more information about the permit application, call Sandy Jamison at 503-813-7565.

What is the fee for field trips?

• Program fee is $2 per student; adult chaperones are free ($25 minimum per group).
• Park entry fee (at Oxbow Regional Park only) is $7 per bus or $5 per vehicle, payable at the park entrance.
• Pay on the day of the field trip. Make checks payable to Metro. If your school is unable to pay due to financial hardship, you may be eligible for a program fee waiver. Ask the program registrar for more information.

Sample field trip and schedule

In this example, a teacher has reserved a spring ancient forest field trip at Oxbow. A class of 27 students has been divided into three smaller groups, with nine students in each group. Parents and adult helpers are assigned to each group of students and stay with the students as they rotate.

Students will participate in an ancient forest scavenger hunt adventure program while assuming roles of ancient clan members moving through the forest. The second part of the program can involve one of the following programs: 1) looking for aquatic insects in the river exploration program; 2) a walk to find and explore animal tracks and signs with the tracking ABC's program; or 3) a walk to explore the "stumps of mystery" and the geological sites of a lahar flow.

Your school's field trip schedule will vary depending on which site you choose, whether you bring one or two classes and your travel times and needs. After you have discussed these factors with the registrar and made your reservation, you will receive a personalized schedule, maps and materials to prepare your group in the mail.

Related Links

Smith and Bybee Wetlands

Home to beaver, river otter, black-tailed deer, osprey, bald eagles and Western painted turtles, this 2,000-acre natural area offers accessible wildlife watching, a canoe launch and more.

Oxbow Regional Park

Discover Oxbow Regional Park, a 1,200-acre natural area park located within the wild and scenic Sandy River Gorge.