Field Trips

 

Tower Grove Park is an urban park registered as a National Historic Landmark, which lies on the Great Missouri Birding Trail, and has earned a level II Arboretum status due to our impressive historic canopy. We encourage schools to take advantage of the unique features of the Park and learn what makes it special to the city of Saint Louis.

Field Trip Information

  • 1 chaperone per 6 students; extra chaperones welcome

  • Field trips should ideally be booked 4 weeks in advance

  • Field trips are 2 hours minimum in length. Visits are extended based on group availability, including an additional 30 minutes for groups seeking an on-site lunch during the field trip.

  • Depending upon the package, we can typically accommodate up to 75 students for one day. This will include a teacher-led rotation with suggested activities provided by our staff. Larger groups will need to choose multiple trip dates.

  • Site for lunch is provided at no charge, as available.

  • Thanks to funding from the U.S. Forest Service Urban Connections program, field trips are currently offered at no charge.

ALL SPRING 2024 FIELD TRIPS ARE FULL. PLEASE RETURN FOR SUMMER OR FALL INQUIRIES WHEN POSTED.

Please browse through our field trip offerings and fill out an online inquiry.

 

+ Living in Harmony

  • Grades 1st through 5th
  • October - December, March - May
  • Length approximately 2.5 hours (longer for large groups)

There are countless interactions between plants, animals, and people every day at Tower Grove Park. How does nature strike a balance? Using dramatic play, animal artifacts, and an Osage Culture Traveling Trunk, let's observe these interactions up close at the Park's East Stream (Nee Kee Nee). Together, we will learn about indigenous connections with flora and fauna and discuss how we still depend on each other today.

This field trip is presented jointly with Tower Grove Park's Education Team and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Availability is limited, and priority booking will be given to schools within SLPS.

+ Watershed Wonders

  • Grades 3rd through 8th
  • October - December, March - May
  • Length approximately 2.5 hours (longer for large groups)

How does water connect us all? Take a trip along the restored East Stream (Nee Kee Nee) in Tower Grove Park to learn about watersheds, the water cycle, native plants, and the history of this land through hands-on activities, guided hikes, and more.

This field trip is presented jointly with Tower Grove Park's Education Team and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Availability is limited, and priority booking will be given to schools within SLPS.

+ Birding Adventure (self-guided)

  • All ages welcome
  • Offered year round
  • Timing is flexible

Thanks to support from the Saigh Foundation, Tower Grove Park now has birding kits available for checkout to help students, teachers, and families learn about the Park’s many unique species of birds and their habitat. We recommend using these in the Robert and Martha Gaddy Wild Bird Garden, located in the northwest corner of the Park, near Kingshighway & Magnolia.

Developed in partnership with the St. Louis Audubon Society, the kits contain:

  • Youth and adult-sized binoculars with case
  • Birding field guides
  • Birding flash cards

Bird kits can accommodate groups of up to 30 participants and can also be checked out individually. Please contact our Community Engagement Coordinator at education@towergrovepark.org or 314-649-8920 to learn more or reserve a kit for your next visit!

+ Collaborate

Work with the Education Team at Tower Grove Park to align your classroom curriculum with natural world experiences not often found in the classroom. We love collaborating with educators who are looking to tailor a current offered program or simply design a one-of-a-kind visit. We want the experience to be relevant and enjoyable for all. Please direct all inquiries to our Education Program Coordinator at education@towergrovepark.org.

Review the list below for some ideas of topics that might complement your classroom learning:

  • Victorian architecture and landscape design
  • Native trees, plants, and wildlife
  • Birding kits
  • Urban garden, greenhouse, and compost site tour
  • Bees and pollination
  • Riparian stream corridor
  • Prairie

Field Trip Inquiry Form