Contact us: water@eastmercedrcd.org
Education Opportunities
Education at EMRCD
We provide learning experiences for students and teachers focused on natural resource conservation, the Merced River, and California Water Resources. School field trip sites include George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area, McConnell State Recreation Area, Hagaman County Park, and Henderson County Park. We also do school classroom presentations. Field trips are designed to enhance classroom learning, address California content standards, promote health & fitness, and environmental stewardship.
School & Youth Programs
The East Merced RCD offers classroom presentations and field trips for schools, scouts and youth groups. The program believes that “if students become aware of their watersheds, become educated about the needs of their watersheds, understand the effects of human activities on their watersheds, and discover ways to become involved in their watershed, they will act more responsibly to preserve, protect and enhance them.”
Field Trips & Classroom Presentations
Field trips and classroom presentations can be planned for a small or large group, a single class, or an entire grade level. Events normally begin between 9-10 am and end between 2-4 pm. We work with groups to accommodate their school and transportation schedule. Field trip sites include Henderson Park and McConnell Park.
School Activites
We work with teachers to plan activities that meet their needs.
We have experienced natural resource docents on staff to guide learning experiences. Field trips involve a wide variety of learning experiences to challenge students to experience and explore nature and discover that science has real life application.
All activities are correlated with academic standards.
Paddlesports
Paddlesports, kayaking and stand up paddling, can be incorporated into all field trips.
For large groups we recommend Sit On Top Kayaking. We have boats, staff and equipment available for over 50 kaykers to be on the water at the same time. We can do a group of 22 paddle boarders.
To allow adequate time during school field trips a block schedule is used. The field trip day is divided into four blocks. Paddlesports and learning activities are each allocated two blocks of time.
Costs & Funding
We strive to keep field trip costs as low as possible. Depending on activities, staff requested, and sites, costs range from $5.00 to $20.00 per day for each participant. There is no charge for chaperones. We work with groups to design programs to fit their budget.
Please contact us for up-to-date details.
Click here to download the school program brochure.
School & Group Event Planning Guidelines
We offer events September through November and February through June. Other dates are available by special request. May and June are our busiest months so you should schedule well in advance.
Plan on starting by 9:00am and ending no later than 3:00pm.
If you must end by 12:30 you should plan on doing 3 learning stations and one large group activity. If you can end between 1:30 and 2:00 you can plan on doing 4 learning stations and one large group activity.
Our staff requires a 30 minute lunch break during events lasting longer than 3 hours. Our staff need to finish all event activities no later than 2:30 pm.
Canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddling may be incorporated into a field trip at an additional charge.
Click here to submit an event request once you determine available dates.
Contact us if you need assistance planning your event!
