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Outdoor Education


Kindergarten
Throughout the course of the year kindergarten students go on several field trip that provide opportunities for outdoor education. These field trips correlate directly to the science curriculum and provide fun, hands-on learning experiences both for the students and the parents who are able to join them.  
 
Trips vary by year, but often include hands-on experiences at the Youth Science Institute at Alum Rock Park, a trip to the pumpkin patch, and a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. At the Aquarium students' excitement knows no bounds as they see and even touch many of the amazing animals that they have learned about in class. This trip is a favorite with parents, who are welcome and encouraged to join in. The date for the trip is usually published at the beginning of the year to allow plenty of time for planning ahead.  

 
1st & 2nd Grade
Each year, the 1st and 2nd grade class goes on several field trips that give students wonderful hands-on discovery experiences. The trips vary from year to year and may include the following:  Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, where students experience life on a late 1800's farm; Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose,  where students explore the wonders of waterways, traffic control systems, bubbles, and many other fascinating exhibits;  Alum Rock YSI Science and Nature Center, where students take nature walks and learn firsthand about the amazing plants and animals God has created, and Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, where students learn about animals and conservation through parallel play and exploration.


3rd & 4th Grade
Every year, the third and fourth graders get to learn some pretty awesome things through hands on learning and first hand experiences while visiting various places around the Bay Area. It could be walking through Mission San Juan Bautista to see what the California Missions System was really all about, or finding the speed of light at the The Exploratorium in San Francisco. Wherever our field trips take us, growing and learning while having fun is an experience that all students love. 
 
In the past, our class has visited The Tech Museum, Mission San Juan Bautista, The Exploratorium, The Monterey Bay Aquarium, the beach to go tide pooling, and a local bank to see where our money goes after Mom and Dad deposit that check. Ideas are always welcome if you have a great place we should head to next!


5th & 6th Grade
Each year the class goes on a week long educational trip.  The trips alternate yearly between a history and science focus.

An Up-Close Look at the Westward Migration
On an adventure-filled trip to Sacramento students get an up-close look at the westward migration through visits to various museums.  At the California Museum students hop aboard a bus to hear immigrants tell their story of coming to California and explore exhibits about the California Gold Rush.  The Old Sacramento Schoolhouse allows students to experience a living replica of an 1800's one-room schoolhouse.  At the Folsom Historical Museum students discover how westward migration and the Gold Rush impacted the settlement and development of the Folsom area.  On the Emigrant Train Ride students experience what it was like to travel on an emigrant train over 125 years ago through a passenger station tour and a 40-min. train ride.  The program is specially designed for 4th-6th graders and meets California curriculum guidelines for westward expansion.  A visit to the Capitol Building allows students to see the interesection of history and the present, as the building serves as both a museum and the state's working seat of government.

Visits to the Discovery Museum, and the Explorit Science Center give students a chance to explore multiple hands-on exhibits about science and space.





Learning to Appreciate God's Creation and Pursue the Creator Who Cares for Them
For the science focus, students attend the Hume Lake Outdoor Education program, a hands-on learning experience that will instill in students a passion for Christ, a respect for His creation and an understanding of the world around them.

Nestled deep in the Sequoia National Forest with multiple bodies of water and a variety of terrains, Hume Lake is the perfect classroom environment in which students will experience God's creation.

Each of the engaging classes is designed to exceed state science standards and reinforce core values. Energetic instructors make the learning process fun and memorable while continually pointing students back to the Creator. Evening meetings feature speakers who know their Bibles, live out what they teach, and know how to communicate with 5th and 6th graders.



7th & 8th Grade
Rewarding Experiences of a lifetime in Washington D.C.
Imagine walking the same paths as our presidents and congressmen on Capitol Hill. Pretend watching the executive, legislative and judicial branches of our government at work. Imagine and pretend no more--Foothill's 7th and 8th graders experience the powerful history, present in the making and peer into the future of our nation's capital on their bi-annual educational trip.

Hands On Marine Education
Students explore and learn about plankton, touch sharks and invertebrates on this bi-annual science camp adventure. They snorkel in crystal clear waters of Emerald Bay on Catalina Island to view sea life found nowhere else on the island. It is no wonder that this awe inspiring experience stays embedded with them forever. Learn more by clicking here.

Parent Participation
We love for parents to participate in all the fun activities and trips that we do with the children. In fact, these trips would not be possible without all the help from our awesome parent volunteers! 

At Foothill we always put the safety of our children first. For this reason, all parents wishing to join us on field trips need to complete an online background check. Go to the Volunteer section for instructions on what to do.