School Field Trips
School field trips include fun, age-appropriate activities designed to engage students and their teachers. Our education department, staff and volunteers, would be delighted to share the stories of the world’s 15 crane species with you and your group. We have a variety of field trips and look forward to working with you and your class, youth group, scout troop or club.
Tour Details
Our education department, staff and volunteers have extensive experience teaching youth groups. We strive to provide your students with a tour that is challenging, age-appropriate and enjoyable.
During your tour, your group will have an opportunity to:
- Observe the world’s 15 crane species.
- Learn about crane biology.
- Investigate the current threats to crane survival.
- Discover methods used to conserve endangered species.
- Hear about the International Crane Foundation’s international work and initiatives.
- Learn about how individual action — including your own — makes all the difference!
We would be glad to modify the tour to enhance your group’s experience by aligning our material to your curriculum or your group’s specific needs and interests. Please let our staff know of your specific needs when you request a reservation.
If you would like additional activities taught to meet specific needs, additional fees may apply. Examples of non-standard tours for which additional fees may apply include extended interpretive tours, guided hikes, seed collecting opportunities, radio telemetry demonstrations, discussions with crane care specialists or biologists, and presentations.
Have questions about visiting our site? View our Guest Services and Frequently Asked Questions.
Admission
During September and October of 2024, all K-12 students receive FREE admission. We are grateful to the ACE Network (Advancing Conservation through Empathy) for their support of our school field trip program.
One adult is admitted free of charge for every 10 students. Other adults are admitted at a discounted rate of $10.00 per person.
Payments can be made upon arrival using a credit card (American Express, Mastercard, Visa or Discover), cash or check. Checks may be made out to the “International Crane Foundation.”
We look forward to welcoming you and your students to the flock!
Tour Reservations
Tour reservations are required and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to schedule your tour with us at least two weeks in advance to ensure availability for your group. Note that May and early June are particularly popular months for pre-scheduled tours. If only specific dates and times will work for you during this period, you may want to consider booking your group’s visit several months in advance.
Tours are approximately 1.5 to 2 hours in length and will occur rain or shine. Students, teachers and chaperones should be prepared to spend the entire tour outdoors. Please encourage students to dress appropriately for the weather (i.e., comfortable, closed-toed shoes, raincoats, jackets, hats and gloves).
If you need to cancel your reservation, please provide us with as much advance notice as possible.
If you need additional assistance, contact the Conservation Education Department at 608-356-9462 ext. 108.
Activity Packets
In order to increase the impact of our education programs and tours, we have prepared age-appropriate activity packets for your use. Our intention is for you to use these materials prior to visiting us.
Click here to view and download our activity packets for preschool through 12th grade. We also offer select activities in Spanish.
Whooping Crane Trunk
Enhance your field trip experience and rent a Crane Trunk today!
Using a Crane Trunk in the classroom provides a unique opportunity for students to continue to explore the many aspects of Whooping Crane conservation beyond the once-in-a-lifetime learning experience they will have on a school tour. Learn more about our rentable Crane Trunks.
