Our Programs > Hikes > Youth Nature Hikes Field Trips

Youth Nature Hikes Field Trips

Friends docents lead nature hikes for kindergarten through fifth grade schoolchildren in Huddart Park, and provide and special outings for groups at Wunderlich Park. The groups wind through the range of our local ecosystems; chaparral, redwood forest, mixed forest, and riparian.

The kids are fascinated by their discoveries along the trail such as coyote scat, woodrat houses, turret spider colonies, mother redwood trees and their offspring, the smell of bay laurel, the feel of hazelnut leaves, the brilliant yellow of banana slugs and the skittish western fence lizards. All this wildlife is a bus-ride away from the busy urban lives of the students. For some of them, this hike is their first time in the woods, and it opens their minds and senses to the natural world. Each year during Fall and Spring some 1,000 students join the docents on these Youth Nature Hikes.

Educators; to book a hike, click here, for educational resources about redwood trees and forests click here, and for field trip registration forms click here. For additional information or to tailor programs to your group needs, please contact us by calling 650.851.2660 or by email.

A group of students on a nature hike field trip at Wunderlich Park in San Mateo County, California.
Kids learning about coyote scat while on a nature hike field trip at Wunderlich Park in San Mateo County, California.
A large group of kids on a nature hike field trip field trip at Wunderlich Park in San Mateo County, California.

Information For Educators

A docent showing kids the flora and fauna at Huddart and Wunderlich park.

Field Trip Registration Information

To schedule a Nature Hike with the Friends please fill out this form.

The Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks and the Hurlbut-Johnson Charitable Trust, Merck Foundation and Sorensen Foundation have partnered to make field trips accessible for schools with a significant portion of low income students. You may apply for transportation reimbursement and field trip fee waivers if you meet our criteria.

A docent leading a field trip at Huddart and Wunderlich park.

What Teachers Say About Us

  • "At the school where I teach, approximately 83% of our families are identified as socioeconomically disadvantaged. On a more personal level, I was surprised to learn that a majority of my first grade students have never been to a forest. Having visited Huddart Park myself, I was eager to find a way to share its beauty with these children. We so appreciate your help in making this experience available to our first grade students!"

    — Susan Weistart, First-grade teacher, Anne Darling Elementary School

  • "After going to Huddart Park on a docent-led field trip with my daughter's kindergarten class, I just had to get my school in on this. The Nature Hike program has been so easy to work with and accommodating for our kindergarten classes. The kids love being outdoors, and teachers love the fact that it's right in line with our science standards."

    — Kristl Wong, Teacher

To learn more and schedule a Field Trip, please contact our Program Manager by calling 650.851.2660 or by email.