The Friends of Tryon Creek State Park offer hands on, experiential field trips designed to facilitate student-driven exploration of basic concepts in science and natural history in a southwest Portland urban forest. Full- and half-day programs for preschool through fifth grade are offered, focusing on topics from animal adaptations and sensory exploration to watersheds and forest succession. Students spend time outdoors (rain or shine) in small groups with a trained volunteer nature guide, making connections to key concepts through group collaboration, hands-on activities and direct observations. All field trips are connected to state and national science standards, and are designed to promote critical thinking, develop problem-solving skills and foster positive relationships with the natural world.
