Nature connection in Gwynns Falls Leakin Park
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS
Virtual field trips about the Gwynns Falls stream valley and wildlife adaptations bring classroom content to life!
FREE virtual visits for 4th graders at all Baltimore City Public Schools and Title I schools across Maryland, provided through funding from the National Park Foundation's Open Outdoors for Kids program. To learn more about OOK, click here.
Other grades can request a trip for $40 per class.
VIRTUAL TRIPS & PRE-VISITS
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Virtual visits may be scheduled for 30minutes - 1 hour. We may end early or go a little over based on student engagement and class time.
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Pre-made videos on the Gwynns Falls stream valley and animal adaptations can be watched ahead of time or during the virtual visit. These videos average about 10 minutes. If played during the virtual visit, we will stop throughout the video for discussion with the class.
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Animal ambassador meet-and-greets are optional and may be included in virtual trips and pre-visits.
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A virtual pre-visit allows us to engage students before their in-person trip. We go over the park background, student curiosities, and flow of the trip.
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Optional classroom activities are provided on the links below. These related student activities and resources can be used to continue making connections in your classroom.
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP OFFERINGS
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Stream Valley Habitats. Explores the interrelationship of humans and wildlife with the land at Gwynns Falls Park. An emphasis on the concepts of habitat (food, water, shelter, space). This includes foraging for food, household needs, and drawing on the energy of the land and water for survival. Tour the Orianda Mansion, a waterwheel, a stone root cellar, and a community green space for honoring indigenous peoples. Access our Stream Valley Habitat videos and resources here.
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Animal Adaptations. Explores reptiles and birds that are found in the park and their adaptations for survival. You’ll get to meet some of the animal ambassadors of Carrie Murray Nature Center and learn about how they got here, their habitat needs, and their survival superpowers. Access our Animal Adaptation videos and resources here.
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Collaborative Program. An opportunity for a teacher to work with park staff on a project of the teacher’s choosing, following the same format of pre-trip materials, conducting 1-2 virtual or on-site visits for research/inspiration, and follow up materials and/or sharing of student work.
Please check out the OOK virtual tours from our partners: Fort McHenry and Hampton National Historic Site. Visit tours here. This year, schools are allowed to participate in free trips at multiple sites.