Plan your educational experience

Areas of study

In Golden Gate National Recreation Area, we have five areas of study to choose or mix and match.  

• Marine Ecology: Students visit coastal, lagoon, and rocky intertidal habitat while exploring human impacts on the ocean and the estuarine resources.
• Terrestrial Plants and Animals: Students gain an understanding of the components and intricate interconnections of terrestrial ecosystems.
• Watershed Studies: Students can learn about the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems and the role of water in terrestrial systems, and how their actions affect the world ocean, no matter their distance from it, and how in turn the ocean affects all of us.
• Earth and Physical Sciences: Students engage their science process skills and discover why this region and their home community has developed over geologic time to have its unique character.
• Climate Change (Fifth grade and up):  At Golden Gate, students begin to define and understand climate change by learning about the carbon cycle, the greenhouse effect, and phenology.

Off-campus field studies

With a five-day program, you can take an optional off-campus trip. Your school is responsible for the bus cost of these trips, currently $615 for up to 48 people (pricing subject to change).

The Call of the Sea Program includes three hours of boat-based education aboard a traditional sailing vessel. Aligned with California and national education standards, this program integrates the following topics: Bay and California coastal history, navigation and seamanship, and San Francisco Bay ecology. This program is limited to 15-33 people total per sail. Larger groups may be able to schedule two sails in one day or over a few days. Only available in the fall season and from April to June. For this program, your school will pay a $30 charge per person.

Muir Woods is a favorite with many schools and educators. Your group will be transported to a trailhead on Mt. Tamalpais and spend the day hiking down mountain canyons through the grassland, chaparral, riparian, and Coast Redwood/Douglas Fir forest communities. You will finish the day in the beautiful Muir Woods National Monument.
 
San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge includes a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and an exploration of Chinatown. There is also the option of riding the famed cable cars for an additional $5 per person. In Chinatown, each hiking group typically divides into 2-3 smaller groups, each accompanied by an adult.  The focus of the day is the cultural richness and diversity of San Francisco.

Eco Athletics

Led by our Teen Environmental Education Mentorship interns from diverse Bay Area high schools, Eco-Athletics are fun, physical activities designed to complement the field science day. Eco-Athletics are offered on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, September through mid-May.

Logistics & Forms

Logistical Checklist: to help you plan and organize your program with us from the first step to arrival day.

Planning Questionnaire: this is the necessary paperwork that helps us prepare for your visit.

Hiking Group List: this is the breakdown of your students/chaperones

Participant Registration Form (Spanish Version): all students and adults must complete and sign this form to participate in our programs.

Program Overview for Chaperones:  This lays out the trip and discusses the chaperone’s role in program success.

Have questions about any of these forms?  Contact Chris Raisbeck at 415-332-5771 ext 24.

Teaching Tools

Help prepare your students for their visit.

Classroom visits: are available for pre- and post–trip lessons for classrooms located within 50 miles of campus. These visits are designed to help better prepare students for their trip and create meaningful connections between students’ experiences on our campus and their home communities. Please contact Chris Raisbeck at 415-332-5771 ext 24 to arrange a pre- or post-trip visit.

Next steps: Are you looking for documents to share with your students and parents? Download registration forms and more in “Information for Students & Families.”

Thank you for volunteering to be a chaperone!  Your positive attitude and willingness to participate during the instructional day is of great importance to both students and NatureBridge staff. 

• Program Overview for Chaperones:  This lays out the trip and discusses the chaperone’s role in program success.
• Adult Supervision Chart:  This can be used by chaperones to help plan and assign free time
• Participant Registration Form (Spanish): All students and adults must complete and sign this form to participate in our programs.

If you decide to participate as a chaperone on one of our programs, you can expect:

• To hike 2-3 miles a day with elevation gains.
• To participate as a positive role model during the program. You will be in charge of 24 hour supervision and discipline for students in your care.
• To be in a different trail group than your son/daughter. In our 40 years of experience, we have found that students engage more freely with their group members without a parent present.
• To possibly not participate in day programs each day. No more than two adults are allowed to hike with each field group.