Frequently Asked Questions

In-Person Field Trips

Scheduling & Group Logistics

When are field trips available?

Field trips are two hours long and are available Monday through Friday from 9:30-11:30am. Small group programs (10-20 participants) have weekend availability.

What time do field trips start?

Field trips take place from 9:30-11:30am. Please indicated on your field trip request if you are interested in an earlier or later start time – we will do our best to accommodate.

What is your maximum group size?

In order to provide the best learning experience and maintain effective student to staff ratios, we can accommodate a maximum of 35 students per program. Field trips for students with special needs are a maximum of 20 students.

How many chaperones are required? Is there an admission fee for chaperones?

We require at least 1 chaperone per 8 students; more are welcome. There are no admission fees for chaperones.

How are the field trips structured? Do I need to split my class into groups?

We begin as a large group for an introduction to the park and an overview of our program. Before arriving, please split your students into 3  equal groups to rotate through our 3 30-minute stations. Each group must have at least one dedicated adult chaperone; our chaperone to student ratio is 1:8. All groups come back together again for a conclusion at the end of our adventure.

How much do field trips cost?

Field trips cost $500 for up to 30 students with a $20 charge for each additional student up to a maximum of 35 students. In order to provide the best learning experience, and best support California State Standards (NGSS & Common Core), we cannot accommodate more than 35 students per field trip. Limited scholarships are available for Title I schools and special needs groups! Please note: scholarship availability has changed for the 2023-2024 academic year. We encourage eligible schools to apply by indicating your interest on your Field Trip Request Form.

Payment is due 2 weeks before your field trip date; if payment is not received by the due date, your trip will be cancelled. Please note: Field trip cancellations and/or modifications must be requested 30 days prior to the field trip date.

Groups with more than 35 students (chaperones do not count towards your total) should separate into groups of less than 35 to attend separate field trips on different days or request up to two simultaneous field trips on the same day. In order to more equitably distribute scholarship funds, we request that multiple classes from the same school attend field trips on the same day, when possible.

Field trips for people with special needs are a maximum of 20 students.

Note: Double Field Trips are charged the price of two field trips.

Payment, Scholarships, & Cancellations

How much do field trips cost?

Field trips cost $500 for up to 30 students with a $20 charge for each additional student up to a maximum of 35 students. In order to provide the best learning experience, and best support California State Standards (NGSS & Common Core), we cannot accommodate more than 35 students per field trip. Limited scholarships are available for Title I schools and special needs groups! Please note: scholarship availability has changed for the 2023-2024 academic year. We encourage eligible schools to apply by indicating your interest on your Field Trip Request Form.

Payment is due 2 weeks before your field trip date; if payment is not received by the due date, your trip will be cancelled. Please note: Field trip cancellations and/or modifications must be requested 30 days prior to the field trip date.

Groups with more than 35 students (chaperones do not count towards your total) should separate into groups of less than 35 to attend separate field trips on different days or request up to two simultaneous field trips on the same day. In order to more equitably distribute scholarship funds, we request that multiple classes from the same school attend field trips on the same day, when possible.

Note: Double Field Trips are charged the price of two field trips.

How can I pay?

After you submit your Field Trip Request Form, payment information will be sent in the response email from the Education Department. Payment is due 2 weeks before your field trip date; if payment is not received by the due date, your trip will be cancelled.

How can I cancel my registration?

Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel your registration so that another class may attend. Emails can be sent to: education@grpg.org

In order to receive a refund, you must notify us at least 30 days in advance of the field trip date; no refunds will be given after this time. Failure to notify us in a timely manner may also affect your eligibility for future programs and/or scholarships. If you cancel your field trip 30 days or more in advance, you can choose to reschedule to another date at no cost, or to cancel your trip and receive a full refund, minus a $30 administrative fee.

Please note: Field trip cancellations and/or modifications must be requested 30 days prior to the field trip date.

Are scholarships available? How can I request a scholarship?

A limited number of program and transportation scholarships are available to Title 1 schools and special needs groups. If you are eligible and would like to request a scholarship, please mark your interest on the Field Trip Request Form.

Transportation

Does GRPC provide transportation scholarships?

Guadalupe River Park Conservancy has limited $300 transportation scholarships for Title I schools and special needs groups. If you are eligible, please indicate your interest on the Field Trip Request Form.

What other organizations provide transportation assistance?

Our friends at Environmental Volunteers have established a transportation fund to provide financial assistance to Bay Area schools attending science-based field trips. To apply, please register through Environmental Volunteers – Transportation Fund.

The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) offers Santa Clara County teachers up to two “class passes” every school year, redeemable for free fare for students on field trips traveling on VTA buses and light rail. Interested teachers must complete an application at least three weeks prior to the scheduled trip. Click here for more information.

I’m planning to take VTA. Where are the nearest VTA stops?

Guadalupe Gardens is served by VTA lines 61 & 62. The St. James and Japantown/Ayer light rail stations are nearest the Visitor & Education Center; Civic Center station is nearest the Heritage Rose Garden. Use VTA’s online trip planner or call 408-321-2300 for more information.

Before, During, & After the Field Trip

Where does my field trip meet?

Garden Field Trips should arrange to be dropped off at the Heritage Rose Garden parking lot at 412 Seymour Street, San Jose, CA 95110.

Physics in Nature Field Trips should arrange to meet inside the Rotary PlayGarden located at 438 Coleman Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110

River & Trail Tour Field Trips start at the bus loading zone on Autumn Parkway, next to our Visitor Center located at 438 Coleman Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110.

For your convenience, here is a map of field trip meeting locations, as well as lunch seating options.

Is there a place I can have lunch after the program?

Guadalupe Gardens has a designated picnic area available on a first-come, first-serve basis near the Heritage Rose Garden that seats about 40. There are also picnic tables spread along the trails just north of the Visitor Center that seat about 40 combined. The Rotary PlayGarden, located about a minute’s walk from the Visitor Center, also has a shaded picnic area. Please reference the last page of this document for a map of lunch seating options.

Please be aware that the Rotary PlayGarden is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

Are there restrooms near the field trip site?

There are two restrooms at the Visitor & Education Center and at the Rotary PlayGarden, a three minute walk for River Field Trips and a five minute walk for Garden Field Trips. We recommend that students use the restroom before leaving school, or after the conclusion of the field trip, in order to minimize interruptions during the program.

Are there drinking fountains nearby?

There are drinking fountains at the Rotary PlayGarden, near the Heritage Rose Garden, and at the Visitor & Education Center. We encourage participants to bring a full water bottle.

Are there other areas I can explore after the field trip?

Check out our Walking Map on this page for other points of interest accessible via the park’s trails.

What if I still have questions?

Email education@grpg.org or call 408.298.7657.