Riverbend on the Road Overview
Riverbend opens the door to nature for children across the Delaware Valley, and sometimes that means bringing nature to them. Our educators visit schools, daycare centers, libraries, community centers, and preserves with hands-on, nature-based science programs that support your curriculum and learning goals.
Depending on the program, students explore with live animal ambassadors and natural objects, and some programs include outdoor learning. Programs are available for preschool through 7th grade and last 30 to 45 minutes. Book a one-time visit, a series, or a lesson paired with a Riverbend field trip.
Programs by Grade Level
All programs support the STEELS standards and build critical thinking skills.
PreK–2nd Grade
Water on the Move: Watersheds
Students investigate how water moves through a watershed, learn the difference between pervious and impervious surfaces, and see how human activity affects water flow and quality. The program includes a stream investigation, water sampling, and a hike along a watershed trail.
3rd-5th Grade
Ecosystem Interactions
Students explore how living and nonliving things interact across Riverbend's forest, stream, meadow, and pond, building observation, data collection, modeling, and discussion skills.
Riverbend's Amazing Race
Small teams compete across the preserve to complete six educator-led challenges built around grade-appropriate science: water quality testing, aquatic macroinvertebrate surveys, cycles of matter, aquaponics, and plant identification. A high-energy way to kick off the year or review key concepts. Want a custom station added to the day? See custom station options.
6th-8th Grade
Service Learning Field Trip
Students spend the morning on a traditional field trip, then break for lunch before meeting with Riverbend's Habitat Manager for a hands-on service project. Projects change with the season and the needs of the preserve. Runs 9am–2pm and can be adjusted to fit your group.
Service Learning Field Trip
Meet with Riverbend's Habitat Manager to learn about the ecological restoration work happening at Riverbend and then get your service learning assignments. The service projects will vary depending on the time of the year and the needs of the preserve. This field trip runs from 10am-1pm, but can be customized to suit the needs of your group.
High School
A Winter Walk in the Woods
Students rotate through three stations: an outdoor winter hike, winter tree identification, and one custom station of your choice.
Winter Field Trips
Available December through Mid-March
More Ways to Get Riverbend on the Road
Bringing a regular dose of nature to your classroom. Our education team can design a custom series around your curriculum, or you can choose an established series:
Series Programs
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Animal Ambassadors Series: You choose the number of visits and the programs.
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Habitats Series (Pre-K to 2nd grade): Four classroom visits and a field trip to Riverbend.
Series can include three or four visits, scheduled weekly or monthly during the school year.
Summer Riverbend on the Road
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Looking for a fun, hands-on activity for your camp or youth group this summer? We offer programs for elementary and middle school groups June through August.
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Pre-K to 2nd grade (30 to 45 minutes): Insect Exploration; Where Should Turtle Be? Turtle Habitats and Adaptations
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2nd to 8th grade (60 minutes): Nature Scavenger Hunt at Saunders Woods Nature Preserve, 1020 Waverly Rd, Gladwyne
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4th to 8th grade (60 to 90 minutes): Hiking Safety and Leave No Trace at Saunders Woods Nature Preserve or another local preserve
Series Programs
-
Animal Ambassadors Series: You choose the number of visits and the programs.
-
Habitats Series (Pre-K to 2nd grade): Four classroom visits and a field trip to Riverbend.
Series can include three or four visits, scheduled weekly or monthly during the school year.
Summer Riverbend on the Road
-
Looking for a fun, hands-on activity for your camp or youth group this summer? We offer programs for elementary and middle school groups June through August.
-
Pre-K to 2nd grade (30 to 45 minutes): Insect Exploration; Where Should Turtle Be? Turtle Habitats and Adaptations
-
2nd to 8th grade (60 minutes): Nature Scavenger Hunt at Saunders Woods Nature Preserve, 1020 Waverly Rd, Gladwyne
-
4th to 8th grade (60 to 90 minutes): Hiking Safety and Leave No Trace at Saunders Woods Nature Preserve or another local preserve
Series Programs
-
Animal Ambassadors Series: You choose the number of visits and the programs.
-
Habitats Series (Pre-K to 2nd grade): Four classroom visits and a field trip to Riverbend.
Series can include three or four visits, scheduled weekly or monthly during the school year.
Summer Riverbend on the Road
-
Looking for a fun, hands-on activity for your camp or youth group this summer? We offer programs for elementary and middle school groups June through August.
-
Pre-K to 2nd grade (30 to 45 minutes): Insect Exploration; Where Should Turtle Be? Turtle Habitats and Adaptations
-
2nd to 8th grade (60 minutes): Nature Scavenger Hunt at Saunders Woods Nature Preserve, 1020 Waverly Rd, Gladwyne
-
4th to 8th grade (60 to 90 minutes): Hiking Safety and Leave No Trace at Saunders Woods Nature Preserve or another local preserve
Pricing
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Classroom programs (up to 30 students): $300 per program, plus $75 for each additional program at the same site on the same day
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Summer Nature Scavenger Hunt and Hiking Safety and Leave No Trace (up to 40 students): $450 per program
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For larger groups and custom, series, or other summer programs, contact Suzanne Safran.
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Programs within 10 miles of Riverbend have no travel fee. Programs 10 to 25 miles away include a $30 surcharge, and we travel up to 25 miles. If you book back-to-back programs, gaps of 30 to 45 minutes between them carry a $25 fee, and gaps can't exceed 45 minutes.
-
Classroom programs (up to 30 students): $300 per program, plus $75 for each additional program at the same site on the same day
-
Summer Nature Scavenger Hunt and Hiking Safety and Leave No Trace (up to 40 students): $450 per program
-
For larger groups and custom, series, or other summer programs, contact Suzanne Safran.
-
Programs within 10 miles of Riverbend have no travel fee. Programs 10 to 25 miles away include a $30 surcharge, and we travel up to 25 miles. If you book back-to-back programs, gaps of 30 to 45 minutes between them carry a $25 fee, and gaps can't exceed 45 minutes.
-
Classroom programs (up to 30 students): $300 per program, plus $75 for each additional program at the same site on the same day
-
Summer Nature Scavenger Hunt and Hiking Safety and Leave No Trace (up to 40 students): $450 per program
-
For larger groups and custom, series, or other summer programs, contact Suzanne Safran.
-
Programs within 10 miles of Riverbend have no travel fee. Programs 10 to 25 miles away include a $30 surcharge, and we travel up to 25 miles. If you book back-to-back programs, gaps of 30 to 45 minutes between them carry a $25 fee, and gaps can't exceed 45 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages do your programs serve?
School-year programs serve preschool through 7th grade. Summer programs serve Pre-K through 8th grade.
Do you offer programs about water and watersheds?
Yes. Where Does My Water Come From?, for grades 5 to 7, helps students trace their drinking water to its source and learn how to protect it.
How much does a program cost?
Classroom programs are $300 each, with a $75 fee for each additional same-day, same-site program. Travel fees may apply.
For more information
Suzanne Safran
Director of Education
ssafran@riverbendeec.org
610.527.5234
