Around the World in Eight Birds

Tracy Aviary Field Trip

Description

On this Tracy Aviary field trip, students go on a journey around the world with eight birds. This geography themed, bird-guided field trip teaches students about seven different countries (including the U.S.) and birds that are found or represent each of those countries. The birds of the aviary will be our guides for this journey providing cultural insights, stories, and fun.

At each stop on the tour, we meet a different bird in the aviary, learn a few facts about a different country, and about the aviary bird or a bird related to it found in that country. Each stop includes a small activity inspired by the country and its culture. These include games, trying new food, and bird-related stories.

Three Routes

This field trip has three normal variations, each with a different route. This means participants can come on the field trip multiple times and learn about a different set of countries and birds each time. All routes include the U.S. as our starting point. From there, we learn about one country on each inhabited continent, including a return to North America.

  • Kookaburra Route: Australia, Canada, Ecuador, Germany, Malaysia, South Africa
  • Lorikeet Route: Cuba, India, Papua New Guinea, Suriname, Uganda, United Kingdom
  • Flamingo Route: Chile, China, Greece, Mali, Mexico, New Zealand

Note: The routes are subject to change. The countries in the routes are not listed in the order we “visit” the countries.

Christmas Around the World

We also have a special Christmas route for this field trip tour! The Christmas route also takes us to several countries around the world using the birds as our guides. Each stop will include learning about how Christmas is celebrated in each country and may include a game or a tasty treat.

  • Christmas Cardinal Route: Argentina, Australia, China, Madagascar, Norway, Philippines

Details

Duration: 1-2 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, most of the birds are still out in 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 4 parents or guardians (at least one parent or guardian is required for each group)

Price:

  • $50 per group up to 4 participants, $10 per additional participants
  • $60 per group up to 4 participants for Christmas Cardinal Route, $10 per additional participant

Note: These prices do not include aviary admission, which is $7.95 for children and $11.95 for adults.

Recommended Grade Levels: 2-6 (younger and older students are welcome to participate; all children who accompany the group who are six years old and above will be considered participants and have to pay the fee)

Skills: cultural awareness and appreciation

Subjects:

  • Social Studies
    • world geography
    • world cultures
  • Science

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 birds and world geography. Pre-trip assignments include reading a short informational text about birds as symbols in cultures and countries and a worksheet to assess students’ knowledge of countries in the world.

In addition to the assigned worksheets and reading, we encourage participants to do more readings to prepare for the tour or to support learning after the tour. Find a list of additional reading material suggestions here.

Things to Remember

  • Bring: water, sun protection, 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.