School Field Trips

This 60-minute field trip is designed for our youngest visitors.

Visit this unique site where nature and architecture come together. This program takes students into the organic Community Garden, where they will learn about the plants we grow. During an interactive story time, students will learn about the importance of pollinators and what they can do to support their work. 

After a visit to the garden, students will have an opportunity to visit the River building and create with the Imagination Playground. Students will develop, play, collaborate on, and explore the ideas inspired by their visit. Architect David Rockwell designed this playground of foam shapes and parts. 

$6 per student

curriculum standards | K-ESS2-2, K-2-ETS1-2, K-ESS3 

Grace Farms began with the land. Since the beginning, nature has played an important role in the design and operations of the double LEED certified River building and in the mission of our Foundation. 

Led by a Grace Farms Educator, your group will explore solutions that can reduce human impact on land, air, water, and the living things in your local environment. As part of the experience, your group will be led through parts of the 10 biodiverse habitats at Grace Farms to learn about the power of the 2,000 trees on site and how ongoing stewardship has allowed more than 100 species of birds to be observed throughout our nearly 80 acres of restored meadows and woodlands. 

This program includes a visit to the organic Community Garden, a close look at the roof of the River building to discover how it supports the natural water system, and an examination of the meadows and how natural species thrive in adverse conditions. 

$8 per student

curriculum standards | NGSS K-ESS3-3, 5-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-4, HS-ESS3-6, 2-LS4-1, 3-LS4-4, 5-LS2-1, MS-LS2-5, HS-LS2-7 

Explore the award-winning SANAA-designed River building to learn how “space communicates” through intentional design. Special consideration was given to the landscape of Grace Farms, ensuring that no matter where you are on site, you can see and experience nature. This program introduces young learners to architecture and design concepts.

Led by a Grace Farms Educator, students will walk through the River building, exploring the architecturally significant design and how the structure supports the landscape and the mission of the organization.

Students will investigate the materials used in the creation of the River building and learn to trace the materials as far as possible along the supply chain. By exploring the supply chain for timber and stopping into the With Every Fiber exhibit, participants will be introduced to the Design for Freedom movement. Launched in 2020, the Design for Freedom movement aims to end forced labor in the building materials supply chain. Students will learn how decisions that are made in the design process can impact communities around the world. 

$8 per student

curriculum standards | NGSS K-2 ETS1-1,2&3, 3-5-ETS1-1,2&3, MS-ETS1-1,2,3&4, HS- ETS1-1,2 & 3 | HIST 8.3 | CIV 2.1-4, 8.4, 9-12.1 | ECO 2.2-3, 8.6, 9-12.5-6 | GEO 2.4-6, 8.4

School groups can enjoy space for reflection and contemplation.

The River building, with its winding silhouette and glass walls, was designed to help visitors slow down. Students will take a guided tour through Grace Farms while pausing to participate in hands-on inquiry-based activities. Looking closely at architecture, artworks, and the landscape, this program explores themes from embracing challenges to what it means to thrive personally and as a community.

curriculum standards | INQ 3

Explore the SANAA-designed River building with a Grace Farms Educator. This program will visit several locations throughout the River building that illustrate the intentional design that architects, engineers, and designers used to create a public space communicating with nature. 

Grace Farms is LEED-certified for its building design and construction as well as its operations and maintenance. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how the built and natural environment can work together.

This inquiry-based tour will allow participants to observe the River building and gain new insights into its creation.

$8 per student

curriculum standards | NGSS MS-ETS1-1, HS- ETS1-1,2 & 3 | HIST 8.3 | CIV 8.4, 9-12.1 | ECO 8.6, 9-12.5-6 | GEO 8.4

Take a guided tour of the SANAA-designed River building and Barns to highlight ethical and sustainable material sourcing. The Design for Freedom movement was launched by Grace Farms Foundation in 2020 to address forced labor within the building materials supply chain. Combined with our LEED certification in building and operations, the River building and Grace Farms Foundation is striving for a more graceful and peaceful world.

This tour will make several stops along the River building to highlight the decisions made throughout the construction process to address environmental and ethical challenges. The group will also stop into the new Design for Freedom exhibit, With Every Fiber, which aims to inspire a greater understanding of the materials that make up the built environment around us.

Students on this tour are invited to take a closer look at timber, glass, brick, stone, and copper sources and learn how your class can create a more equitable and peaceful world through creative design and informed choices.

$8 per student

curriculum standards | NGSS ETS 1.B, ETS 1.c , GEO 9-12.7,GEO 9-12.8, ECO 9-12.1, CIV 9-12.1

Intertwined with participatory activities and discussions, this tour of the SANAA-designed River building explores questions that shaped the architecture and guide the humanitarian work of Grace Farms Foundation. Students will take time to pause and reflect on design, nature, and the permanent art collection to discover how they can create resiliency, shape responsible decision-making, and make inclusive spaces.

$8 per student

curriculum standards | NGSS ETS 1.B, ETS 1.c , GEO 9-12.7,GEO 9-12.8, ECO 9-12.1, CIV 9-12.1

How do I register for a field trip?
Please fill out our application.

Where will we meet our educator?
Upon arrival, a Grace Farms Foundation Educator will meet your group at the West Barn welcome desk, provide an orientation to the site and Grace Farms Foundation, and answer any questions.

How long is each program?
Out standard program for 1st-12th grade programs is 90 minutes. The Pre-K and Kindergarten experience is 60 minutes.

Do you offer extra information to prepare me and my students prior to our visit?
We’re happy to provide more information prior to your visit! Please reach out to your tour coordinator at [email protected].

Is there a minimum or maximum number of students I can bring?
While there is no minimum amount, Grace Farms can accommodate groups of up to 100 students, depending on the program and staff availability.

What is Grace Farms’ weather policy?
There is no bad weather at Grace Farms! We only interrupt daily operations or events if the weather poses a safety concern. In this case, we’ll reach out to your contact person and confirm the cancelation. In the rare event where we cannot contact you, 0r if you are uncertain of status, please visit our home page for the most up-to-date information about closures.

Are there restrooms?
Restrooms are located throughout Grace Farms’ River building and barns, and are open during operational hours.

Can we store our lunches and backpacks during our program?
Lunches can be stored in an air-conditioned room during the length of your program. However, personal items, such as backpacks, cannot be stored and should remain on the person, at school, or on the bus.

Do you have a gift shop?
A limited number of retail items are available at the West Barn Welcome Desk and the Library. Purchases are not allowed while a program is in session.

Can our busses park at Grace Farms?
Our safety team will provide instructions to the bus driver on where the group can be let off. The bus driver will then be directed to a parking space in our lower lot.

Can my group do more than our Experience or Tour during our visit?
Yes. All groups must be pre-registered. During your registration, kindly let us know if there are other activities, including a self-guided Grace Farms tour, that might interest your group. We offer self-guided materials for certain activities. Please note that extra fees may apply.

Can we bring our own lunches?
Yes, please indicate in your reservation that you would like to eat lunch here so that we can provide a designated lunch area for your group, depending on the weather.

Can my students purchase food or beverages?
Students may purchase food or beverages from the Commons during any potential free time before or after their program, and at the discretion of their chaperone. Food and drink purchase are not allowed while a program is in session, and we cannot reserve space for school groups in the Commons.

How much do visits cost?
The cost associated with your visit depends on the size of your group. Our experiences and tours are $8 per student, except the Pre-School and Kindergarten experience, which is $6 per student.

Our minimum administration and orientation fee is $75.

Do you offer financial assistance?

Financial assistance is available for Title 1 Schools. Please note this request when filling out the Field Trip Request Form under Additional Information.

When do we pay for our visit?
An invoice will be sent to the group contact once all visit details are confirmed. Please provide payment two weeks prior to your visit. We accept credit card, check, or PO. We do not accept cash.