Local Field Trip Options

Teeming with life, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM Research Reserve) is a dynamic, ever-changing place with many interconnected habitats from the ocean to the forests. One of 30 National Estuarine Research Reserves in the country, this landscape protects and provides for a great diversity of plants and animals. People have historically changed and preserved this ecosystem. People are an important part of the future of this landscape. This is your reserve! Enjoy, share, and protect it. Visit us today!

The GTM Research Reserve provides formal and informal educational programs inside and outside of the classroom. Our team interprets research data and findings at the GTM in an exciting and understandable way for grades K-16. Our education programs integrate elements of GTM’s science, research, and monitoring programs to ensure a systematic and locally focused approach to education and stewardship. Click the links below to create your own adventure at GTM. 

**They offer field trips, self-guided resources, virtual programs, internships, and family events - all free. I highly encourage you to explore this page.

Available for elementary through high school. Curriculum adapted to grade level. Minimum 20 students. 120 Maximum. 2 hours long. (Camps are 1 hour long and do not include classroom activity.) Includes: Hands on candy making activity, classroom session, factory tour, and shopping spree.

Program Information

Candy Experiences Offered: August through May (excludes December): Taffy, Lollipop, or Chocolate Bars High School Students: Trips geared toward learning the business side of Sweet Pete's available. **Note: All summer field trips are 1 hour long camp style only** 

Seasonal Experiences: September 1 - September 30: Sour September (Hard Candy Pull and Foaming Sour Powder) September 15 - November 15: Fall Chocolate Apples November 15 - December 31: Candy Canes January 1 - February 2: Candy Slime (Make Gummies that turn into Candy Slime) February 21 - March 31: Dr. Seuss Taffy & Oobleck  

Pricing and Add Ons: $8.50 per student. No charge for chaperones. $6 candy boxes for children to fill $2.50 ice cream scoops (small half chocolate/half vanilla scoops). 

Lunch Options: Eat on site with pre-ordered lunch packages, available through our in-house restaurant Fizzies & Fare. $7 children's lunches or $12.50 for older students and chaperones.  Or, bring your lunch & eat in the park across the street! Contact James Weldon Johnson Park to arrange a lunch table set up: 904-515-9058 ext. 2 or terrance@jwjpark.org. Teachers can unload coolers and bring them into Sweet Pete's until lunch time.

Location: 400 North Hogan Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202

For more information reach out to info@sweetpetescandy.com or call 904-643-4172.

Surge Adventure Park is a thrilling and exciting destination that guarantees non-stop entertainment for all visitors. And guess what? If you are a homeschooler, you can enjoy exclusive discounts on jump times at Surge Adventure Park. All you need is to show proof of being a homeschooler, and you are good to go! This is an amazing opportunity to have fun with your friends and family while also learning new skills and tricks. So, grab your homeschooling buddies and head over to Surge Adventure Park for a day filled with bouncing, flipping, and jumping like never before! Don't miss out on this incredible offer!  

Program Information

Location: 9292 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville, FL 32225 

Time: Monday - Friday (open - close) 

Price: $13.50 (1 hour) $16.50 (2 hours) + Surge Safety Socks $3.25  

For more information call (904) 312-7156 or email jacksonville@surgefun.com.

Our studio provides the ultimate DIY experience by empowering the community through the use of raw wood, power tools and paint to build your very own custom wooden projects. We welcome DIY-ers of all ages, with our Art-Tenders present to walk you through safely and correctly using all equipment! View our entire collection of project options on our website to book individually or as a group. Sign-up for our Newsletter to remain in-the-know for any upcoming Junior Woodshop programs, Kids Build-It Days, Parent’s Night Out events, as well as adult workshops. 

Program Information

Location: 4611 River City Drive, Unit 119 (In the Target Plaza, between Sally Beauty and GNC)

Time: Contact the Studio or Book Via the Website. DIY to fit your schedule!

Price: Varies by project selection. All pricing is on our website. Kids projects start at $10 for take home kits, $21 for in-studio projects. Adult projects start at $10 for take home kits, $36 for in-studio projects. 

For more information call 904-434-6664 or email JaxStudio@NailedItDIY.com.

The Poppin Box is an old-fashioned popcorn and candy shop that not only offers sweets to the taste buds, but also creates sweet memories for your family.  We offer community events throughout the year, as well as special events that require reservations.

Program Information

For the homeschool community, we have 2 different offerings.  One option is "Story Time at The Poppin Box".  This event is only $3 per child, which includes a slushie and about 30 minutes of fun story reading. Story Time is ideal for students ages 2-10 but older are welcome. Please call to schedule, minimum of 6 children for event.

Our other option is an interactive "How it's Made Tour" where the children will start their kitchen tour with a slushie, will see how we make our popcorn, will get to sample several flavors, and then will get to decorate their own popcorn.  They will end the tour with a goodie bag filled with more popcorn and a few candies.  This event is $20 a child (or $25 a child with pizza included) and takes place Monday-Saturday from 10:30-12:00.  This event is fun for ages 3-99. Please call to schedule, minimum of 6 children for event.

Location: 116 Bartram Oaks Walk #102  St. Johns, FL 32259

For more information call  904-484-7030.

Did you know that you can download one or more of our self-guided educational activities from our website, allowing you to learn at your own pace and in line with your own interests while you’re here?

Fascinated with animal behavior? Check our animal observation worksheet.

Passionate about being able to identify each individual dolphin by sight? Check out our animal ID activity.

Dedicated to becoming a Marineland expert, knowledgeable about our history and our animals? Check out our scavenger hunt.

No matter who you are, how you learn, or what you find interesting, we have just what you need. Visit https://marineland.net/self-guided-activities/ to download your free worksheets.

**Additional information on Marineland Homeschool Days can be found HERE.

Amelia Island Kayak Excursions is a local family owned and operated, multi-award-winning business. We offer professionally guided kayak tours/rentals, Hobie Mirage® Kayaks, SUP’s, private motorboat tours, teen/kids camps, Master Naturalist – led interactive hikes, beach relays, and special events for Amelia Island, Cumberland Island, and the surrounding areas. We welcome individual families as well as small and large groups, and we offer options for all experience levels, family friendly trips, and complimentary jump seats for little ones. 

We homeschooled our son and daughter and enjoy having them a part of the family business. We have a passion for the outdoors and care about people, and it is our goal to help our guests have an authentic, fun, and informative experience as they explore the natural setting of our area.

Join us for fun and memorable opportunities to explore our beautiful area. We enjoy being creative, and we are happy to help in planning experiences that best fit your needs. As a gift from our family to you, we provide complimentary digital memory photo albums. Thank you for allowing us to introduce ourselves, and we would be delighted to be a part of your time on the water.  Please call us as we are happy to help you plan a fun outing. Kind Regards, The Bullington Family

Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Florida

904.557.5307

info@ameliaislandkayak.com

Greetings from Floating Sea Aquatics (FSA) where we focus on Rescue, Education Conservation and Service (RECS.) Entrance is free every single day of the week so come check us out.  We have over 700 display tanks, two 4,000-gallon rescue ponds, beautiful enclosures for various prohibited species in the state of Florida, a rescued moray eel, sharks, iguanas, burmese pythons and so much more for your educational enjoyment! 

At FSA, you’ll find that the excitement of learning and adventure never ends!  We offer hands-on education that appeals to all modalities of learning, FSA will spark imaginations and encourage an appreciation for nature, all while promoting Scientific Exploration and Discovery.  

Not only can you get your needs met when you’re looking to purchase high quality plants, freshwater and saltwater fish, coral, reptiles, and more, but we are also your best source for high-quality supplies to care for your vivarium: Aquarium, Paludarium, Riparium, Terrarium, Florarium, Insectarium, etc.  

We have an art club with an expanded eclectic art gallery! We offer free art classes, have an on-site cafe, host various celebrations and do so much more to build our community! Additionally, we have a non-profit that aims to serve, educate and support our community. Our cafe, with a food bank, also hires employees with varying exceptionalities. We teach the community that exceptional and diverse does not and should not count people out of things they can do! We seek to build the community and believe in “community over competition.” 

Continuing projects include plans to have a tactile art gallery, to go with our sensory room, Braille with auditory descriptions, touch tanks and more. We have an SRI library and more to support literacy and the love of learning. We support all learning adventures to include Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. FSA can accommodate field trips, learning adventures and even workshops with stations all tailored to your group’s age-appropriate learning goals and objectives.  

Tailor made programs can include a reptile show and more! They are all booked through our RECS department. Email us at FSA@floatingseaaquatics.com for more information about educational learning adventures and programs tailored to your needs.  Prices for group packages will vary based on the package specifics (time, supplies, etc.)

Program Information

Location: 8661 Old Kings Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32217

Time: M-Sat 11:00-7:00 Sunday 11:00-6:00

For more information email fsa@floatingseaaquatics.com or call (904)423-0247

Bring the excitement of studying the St. Johns River to your Homeschool Co-Op through our Outreach Program. St. Johns Riverkeeper offers a wide range of programs, which last 45 – 90 minutes and can be presented in your classroom or event space. Please visit our Classroom Program page for age appropriate lessons that we can bring to you!

Up to 25 students

**They offer a lot of FREE programs. Absolutely worth taking the time to explore their website.

Join us for a fully customizable farm visit for you, your friends, or your students!  

Duration: 2 hours  

About: Welcome to the farm! Each farm tour begins with a brief overview and history of our third-generation farm and a family introduction. Included in the tour is an equipment demonstration and photo op, meet & greet with the farm animals and a chance to feed them, u-pick activities (harvest your own veggies or flowers), and a hay ride. 

Program Information

Location:  2680 Ada Arnold Rd St. Augustine, FL 32092

Ages: The farm is fun for kids and adults of all ages!  

Price: $15/person 

For more information call 904-679-5660.  

 VERTICAL MOTION’S kidZone  With our 12 ft., 6 ft., Warped, and Interactive Climbing Walls, Vertical Motion’s kidZone, our family owned and operated Entertainment Center in Orange Park, is a perfect Homeschool Field Trip destination for every age.  

Kids can maneuver through our Lazer Maze, challenge themselves on our Ninja Warrior Ground Obstacle Course, hit the waves on a VR Jet Ski that sprays real water, dance the day away on Step Maniax, and so much more. Most of our games have adjustable difficulty levels, which allows us to match it to the age of the Gamer (which typically range from age 4 to age 15). The kids stay physically active and entertained while parents/teachers hang out in air conditioned comfort.  

Program Information

 Location: 1035 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park 32065  

Time: Groups/Individuals during Normal Business 

Mon., Tues, Thur., Fri.  2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Groups Renting the Facility for a Private Event = Wed. 

Sat. = Noon - 9:00 p.m.  -  Sun. = Noon - 7:00 p.m.  

Price: 

• Regular Admission during Normal Hours = $13.95/ea ($12.95 if bring your own non-slip socks) Includes Unlimited Climbing on ALL Walls, Ninja Course play, and Traditional Arcade Games.
• Group Rates During Regular Hours  -  $10./ea with groups of 10 or more
• Groups/Field for Private Event = Group of 10+ Paid Admissions = $16.50/ea; includes unlimited climbing and gaming (with the single exception of the Lazer Maze), pizzas, drinks, & the exclusive use of our facility for 2 hours. Available for Booking on Wednesdays Only.  

For More Info: Contact Tami at VerticalMotion0@gmail.com 

Facebook = VerticalMotion1    (904) 579-4848  *  Waiver Required for Entry 

We are a small homestead on the edge of Callahan, FL. Close to the busy downtown but away from the crowds, Sheehan Homestead offers a charming petting zoo that is perfect for families and individuals seeking a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of corporate life. Our small homestead is home to a variety of friendly animals, including goats, farm dogs, rabbits, and chickens, all eager to meet and interact with visitors. We provide a unique, hands-on educational experience where guests can learn about animal care, sustainable farming practices, and the importance of wildlife conservation. With guided tours, feeding sessions, and interactive workshops, Sheehan Homestead ensures a memorable visit that is both fun and informative. Whether you're looking to unwind in a peaceful rural setting or educate your children about the joys of homestead living, our petting zoo offers a perfect retreat for all ages.

All ages are welcome and encouraged to visit our farm. We ask that visitors sign a waiver upon entry, and please leave your pets at home. Please note that for now, we do not have bathrooms accessible to the public.

Program Information:
Location: 44065 Cushman Rd. Callahan, FL.
Time: By appointment only, after 9:30 AM 7 days a week.
Price: $20 per guest- adult or child

Register online
For more information call 914-263-1311 or email us at sheehanhomestead@gmail.com