Antelope Island Field Trip

Description

The Adventure Patches Antelope Island Field Trip explores the connection between humans and nature during a visit to Antelope Island. Antelope Island is the largest island in the Great Salt Lake. During the field trip, we’ll discuss the impacts of humans on nature in the United States using the American bison, our national mammal, as our main example. Additionally, students will learn some of the island’s history and features. Students will also expand their observation skills, just as real biologists and naturalists would while in the field. Then, we’ll bring everything together with poetry by learning about haikus, a Japanese form of poetry that traditionally celebrates nature.

This field trip consists of three stops in Antelope Island State Park. At each stop, we give a brief presentation about the history of the island, the wildlife, or skill-related topics. We will also do a short activity at each stop. This could include writing or a game. Depending on the group’s preference, we may also do a short hike at one of the stops.

On this field trip, you will drive your group between each of our stops. You will be provided with instructions as we move on from each stop. At the end of the field trip, you are welcome to stay on the island and explore on your own. Please follow all Antelope Island State Park rules and regulations including the posted speed limits. See the note below about wildlife safety on the island.

Details

Duration: 2-3 hours

Time: This field trip can be booked Monday through Saturday for either a morning or an afternoon tour. It is available year round (Yes, even in the winter). Call or email to check availability and schedule your tour time. We recommend you book your field trip at least one month in advance, but we will try to accommodate all groups.

Group Size: up to 12 participants with no more than 3 parents or guardians (at least one parent or guardian is required for each group)

Price: $70 per group up to 5 participants (see recommended grade levels below), $10 for each additional participant

(The state park admission fee is included for all participants and parents if a tour is booked far enough in advance for the group to receive the field trip rate to access the state park. Otherwise, the admission fee of $15 per vehicle is not included in our field trip price.)

Recommended Grade Levels: 3-6 (younger and older students are welcome to participate; all children six years old and above will be considered participants and have to pay the fee)

Skills: using adjectives and descriptive language, observation as a form of research, poetry

Subjects:

  • Language Arts
  • Social Studies
    • Utah History
    • U.S. History
  • Science

See list here for a list of academic standards this field trip supports.

Assignments

We give assignments for students to complete before the field trip and after the field trip. These directly connect and apply to what we discuss and the activities for each stop. For this field trip, we focus on descriptive language, an important skill used in all professions from science to the arts. This is why the pre-trip worksheets focus on adjectives and should be brought with you to Antelope Island.

In addition to the assigned worksheets and reading, participants are invited do other readings to prepare for the tour or to support learning after the tour. A list of additional reading material suggestions can be found here.

Things to Remember

  • Bring: water, sun protection, a notebook and pen or pencil for each participant, and completed pre-trip assignments
  • Wear: good shoes for walking, appropriate clothing for being outdoors in the weather on the day of your field trip
  • Share: Throughout the field trip, parents are welcome to take photos and videos to share on social media. As you share, please remember to tag us on Instagram and Facebook and use the hashtags #AdventurePatches and #HomeschoolFieldTrip.

Wildlife Safety

Antelope Island is home to hundreds of American bison (buffalo), pronghorns (antelope), and many other animals. Please remember that these animals are wild and can be dangerous. This is why the National Park Service warns that you do not get closer than 25 yards to bison or pronghorn. Here are some safety reminders for these animals from Antelope Island State Park:

  • If you see a bison and it stops what it is doing to pay attention to you, you are too close and should slowly back away.
  • If a bison is in the road, wait for it to pass. Do not get out of your vehicle.
  • If a bison is on the side of the road, feel free to slowly drive past it. Stay inside your vehicle.
  • If you see a bison in the distance, do not walk across rangeland to get closer. Take your photos from a safe distance.
  • If you are hiking and a bison is on or near the trail, you should slowly back away and return the way you came or leave the trail and give the animal a very wide berth to go around.