Where the Classroom Meets the Coast
Half-day experiential science at Elkhorn Slough — a UN-designated Wetland of International Importance on the Monterey Bay coast. Sea otters, harbor seals, tidal ecosystems, and 20 NGSS standards.
All equipment and classroom packets included.
NGSS-Aligned Kayak & Coastal Science Field Trips for Grades 5–12
Grades 5–12
Three grade bands: 5th · 6–8th · 9–12th
20–90 Students
Flexible group sizing
20 NGSS Standards
Aligned to state science standards
ACA-Certified Guides
CPR · First Aid · Naturalist Trained
THE PROGRAM
What Your Students Experience
Every student participates in a guide-led naturalist kayak paddle during a half-day visit:
90-MINUTE NATURALIST KAYAK PADDLE
Students explore the slough’s tidal channels in stable sit-on-top tandem kayaks. Trained naturalist guides lead interpretive stops covering estuary ecology, tidal dynamics, food webs, marine mammal biology, and Indigenous history. Wildlife encounters — sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, shorebirds, bat rays — are virtually guaranteed year-round.
90-MINUTE COASTAL NATURE HIKE
ACADEMIC RIGOR
This Is Not a Recreational Outing.
This field trip is designed to function as a capstone field experience — not a day off. All interpretive content is delivered by trained naturalist guides, tailored to your grade level, and aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the California Science Framework.
Teachers receive a comprehensive Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Classroom Packet so the field trip integrates seamlessly into your existing instructional sequence. A detailed standards alignment table is provided for district approval documentation.
20 NGSS Standards Addressed
4 at Grade 5 · 8 at Middle School · 8 at High School · 7 of 8 Science & Engineering Practices · All 7 Crosscutting Concepts
Classroom Packets Included
Differentiated readings, vocabulary, map activities, field journals, data analysis, reflection prompts, and extension projects — pre-trip and post-trip.
Indigenous History Woven In
Ohlone land stewardship, shell middens, and connections to contemporary restoration — integrated at every interpretive stop on both paddle and hike.
FUNDING RESOURCES
Funding Your Field Trip
We believe every student deserves access to outdoor science education regardless of school funding levels. Below are real, proven funding sources that schools use to pay for field trips like ours. We’ve included direct links, tips, and even a ready-to-use DonorsChoose template.
🏫 Title I Funds
Title I, Part A funds can be used for field trips that are directly tied to academic standards and supplement classroom instruction. Our program is fully NGSS-aligned with documented standards connections — exactly what Title I requires.
How to use it:
- Field trips must connect to specific academic standards (✅ we provide this)
- Must supplement, not replace, classroom instruction (✅ our pre/post packets do this)
- Your Title I coordinator or principal approves the expenditure
- Works for schoolwide Title I programs or targeted assistance
🌿 ASES & Expanded Learning Grants
California’s After School Education and Safety (ASES) program and the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) fund enrichment activities that complement the school day — including science-based field trips.
How to use it:
- ASES and ELO-P funds cover field trips during expanded learning hours
- Our program qualifies as STEM enrichment
- Talk to your school’s expanded learning or after-school program coordinator
- Some districts run Saturday or intersession field trips using these funds
🤝 PTA Fundraising & Parent Contributions
Many schools fund field trips partly or fully through PTA/PTO contributions, parent donations, or targeted fundraising campaigns. Here are strategies that have worked for schools booking with us:
- PTA line-item budget: Ask your PTA to include field trips as a budget category at the start of the year
- Family contribution model: Families pay what they can; PTA covers the gap (no student excluded)
- Fundraiser earmarking: Run a specific bake sale, car wash, or online campaign designated for this trip
- Corporate sponsors: Local businesses sometimes sponsor educational outings in exchange for a thank-you mention
- Sliding scale: We offer Title I/high-need school pricing
→ National PTA: Budgeting Resources
💚 DonorsChoose
DonorsChoose.org lets teachers create project requests that are funded by individual donors nationwide. Field trip experiences are one of the most-funded categories on the platform. Here’s a template to get you started:
Suggested project title:
“Kayaking Through Science: An Elkhorn Slough Wetland Expedition”
Template description you can copy and paste:
Not sure which funding source works for your school?
We’ve helped dozens of schools navigate field trip funding.
Email us at fieldtrips@kayakconnection.com and we’ll help you figure out the best path
— including writing a justification letter for your administrator if needed.
YOUR PEACE OF MIND
Safety Is Our Foundation
ACA-certified kayak instructors — every paddle guide holds current certification, CPR/First Aid, and naturalist training
US Coast Guard–approved PFDs fitted to every student; stable sit-on-top tandem kayaks
No swimming involved or required — students stay in the kayak at all times
Maximum 14:1 student-to-guide ratio — lead and sweep guides bracket each group
Emergency equipped — VHF radios, first aid kits, tow lines, and signaling equipment on every trip
Written emergency action plan available upon request for your district’s records
20+ years of safe operation with school groups
Accessibility & Inclusion
We work with teachers to accommodate students with physical disabilities, sensory needs, water anxiety, and other requirements. Adaptive equipment and alternative participation options are available.
No student is excluded.
Contact us during booking to discuss specific needs — we’ve worked with a wide range of accommodations and are committed to making this experience available to every student in your group.
For Administrators:
We’re happy to provide documentation for district risk management review, including our emergency action plan, guide certifications, insurance certificates, and equipment safety specifications. Just ask.
NEXT STEPS
Ready to Book? Start Here.
We invite you to schedule a complimentary administrator or teacher preview paddle so you can experience the program firsthand before committing your students. Or request a formal quote — we’ll respond within one business day.
When you contact us, it helps to include:
- Your school name and district
- Grade level(s) and approximate number of students
- Preferred date range (we book around tides, so flexibility helps)
- Any accessibility or accommodation needs
- Whether you’re interested in a preview paddle first
District Partnerships Welcome
We welcome ongoing relationships with school districts.
“Our school field trip to Kayak Connection was an absolutely amazing experience! Everything was well organized, engaging, and fun for our students. Our guides were knowledgeable, professional, and made learning interactive while keeping everyone safe and confident on the water. It was the perfect mix of education and adventure – we will definitely be back! Highly recommend Kayak Connection for school groups and field trips!”
Eva A. · Middle school teacher