Trips we have enjoyed so far this year:

Fort Christmas Historical Society

Our visit to the Fort Christmas Historical Society was a journey back in time! Students explored a full-scale replica of the 1837 Fort Christmas, originally built during the Second Seminole War.

Throughout the day, we toured authentic Cracker-style homes, a historic schoolhouse, and exhibits filled with artifacts from early Florida settlers. We also learned about the Seminole people and their interactions with pioneers.

This hands-on experience gave students a deeper understanding of Florida’s rich history, making it both an educational and memorable adventure!

Andretti Theme Park

Andretti Theme Park was a blast! What was educational about a theme park?

• Engaging and Fun Activities – The park offers a mix of high-energy attractions like go-kart racing, arcade games, laser tag, and mini-golf, which kept the kids excited and engaged.

• Leadership Experience – It gave our student leader a great opportunity to greet our members and collect Andretti waivers.

• Team Building – Activities like racing and laser tag encouraged teamwork, friendly competition, and social interaction among the kids.

• Physical Activity – Unlike a museum or classroom setting, the park allowed the kids to move around, stay active, and burn off energy in a structured way.

Valentines Day Party

• Our Valentines party was held a local farm and offered plenty of social Interaction!  Homeschoolers don’t always get traditional classroom holiday parties, so this gave the kiddos a chance to celebrate together, make friends, and strengthen their community.

• Creative Activities – Whether it included card exchanges, crafts, or games, the party encouraged creativity and hands-on fun.

• Inclusive for All Ages – Unlike some field trips that might be geared toward a specific age group, our social parties are geared towards all ages.

Vero Beach Airport Tour

Our visit to Vero Beach Airport offered an exciting behind-the-scenes look at aviation! Students toured the facilities, fired a fire truck hose, and saw planes up close. They learned about air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, and airport operations, while aviation professionals shared their experiences.

This hands-on tour provided a fascinating glimpse into the world of aviation and its many career opportunities!

GATORLAND!

Gatorland was a fantastic field trip! It provided a unique blend of education, interaction, and fun. It offered an up-close look at Florida’s native wildlife, including alligators, snakes, and birds, making it an excellent learning experience in ecosystems, conservation, and animal behavior. The interactive experiences, such as feeding alligators and watching live shows, kept the kids engaged while reinforcing zoology and biology concepts. The trip also encouraged physical activity as the group explored the park’s trails and exhibits. 

Coastal Connections: Simply Sea Turtles

Field Trip Friends had an exciting and educational experience during our Simply Sea Turtles trip! The adventure kicked off with a hands-on life cycle puzzle, where kids pieced together the incredible journey of a sea turtle from hatchling to adult. They also enjoyed a creative coloring activity, where they identified and colored in key anatomical features of sea turtles. To deepen their understanding, participants explored the different sea turtle breeds, graphing the most popular species and learning about their unique characteristics. The day was a wonderful mix of interactive learning, environmental education, and fun!

Photography at the beach

Today, we welcomed new and current members of Field Trip Friends for a special open house at the beach! It was the perfect setting for families to connect, kids to explore, and everyone to enjoy the fresh ocean air.

Participants had the option to follow a fun photography scavenger hunt, capturing creative shots of seashells, footprints in the sand, and the waves rolling in. Others spent their time building sandcastles, digging moats, and creating their own little worlds along the shoreline.

It was a fantastic day of friendship, creativity, and beachside fun—exactly what Field Trip Friends is all about! 🌊📸🏖️

Nourishing Food for Thought (2 tours!)

🐄🥛 Field Trip Recap: Nourishing Food for Thought & Jupiter Creamery! 🥛🐄

Our Field Trip Friends families had an amazing hands-on experience at Nourishing Food for Thought/Jupiter Creamery! 🌿 We learned about sustainable farming, met the friendly cows 🐄, and even got to see how dairy is produced. The kids loved exploring the farm, asking great questions, and seeing firsthand where their food comes from! 🍶🌱

A huge thank you to Nourishing Food for Thought for hosting us and sharing their passion for healthy, sustainable living. We had a blast! 💚

St. Patrick's Day Party

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🍀🌈 St. Patrick’s Day Party Recap! 🌈🍀

Our Field Trip Friends had a fantastic time celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with hands-on learning, creativity, and a little leprechaun mischief! 🎉

🍀 History Station – We explored the legend of St. Patrick, Irish traditions, and why we wear green! 📜🇮🇪
🎨 Craft Station – The kids got creative making leprechaun paper plate masks and beautiful stained "glass" shamrocks and rainbows! ✂️🎭🌈
🧪 STEM Table – We engineered mini catapults and had a blast flinging Lucky Charms into cups—a perfect mix of physics and fun! 🎯🍀
🌮 Food & Fun – Delicious treats, laughter, and plenty of green-filled the day! 💚🍪

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined in the fun—we love celebrating and learning together! 💫

Wild Florida!

🦅🐊 Wild Florida Field Trip Recap! 🐊🦅

Our Field Trip Friends had an unforgettable adventure at Wild Florida! 🌿 From soaring birds to massive alligators, we explored Florida’s incredible wildlife up close. The airboat ride was a thrill, taking us through the beautiful swampy landscapes and spotting native wildlife along the way! 🚤🌊

The kids had a blast feeding the animals, learning about conservation efforts, and even getting to see some incredible up-close animal encounters! 🦉🐍 A huge thank you to Wild Florida for an educational and exciting experience—we can’t wait to come back!

Oxbow Eco Center

Today, Field Trip Friends had an unforgettable adventure at Oxbow Eco-Center! 🌿🐍 We explored the beautiful preserve, learned about Florida’s unique ecosystems, and got up close with some amazing wildlife. The highlight? We got to hold a snake and hang out with a friendly box turtle! 🐢✨

From exploring the local preserve to discovering the importance of conservation, this trip was packed with hands-on learning and outdoor fun. Huge thanks to the Oxbow team for an awesome experience! Can’t wait for our next adventure! 🚀🌎

Indian River Sheriffs Department

Field Trip Friends had an exciting and educational visit to the Indian River County Sheriff's Department! We began with an informative PowerPoint presentation about law enforcement roles before touring key facilities.

At the 911 Call Center, we saw how emergency calls are handled, and in the Analyst Center, we learned how crime data is studied to solve cases. A highlight was visiting the helicopter unit, where the kids got to sit in the helicopters for a photo op.

We also explored the Sheriff’s farm, where trustees care for animals and a garden that provides fresh produce for the local food pantry. It was a fantastic experience that gave us a deeper appreciation for law enforcement and their community impact.

Daytona International Speedway

Our adventure began with a one-hour tram ride around the legendary track, giving us an up-close look at the Speedway’s massive scale. Along the way, we learned about the history and significance of this world-famous racing venue.

A highlight of the trip was getting to watch some high-end sports cars—Porsches and Lamborghinis—tear up the track. These weren’t part of an official race, but rather, car enthusiasts who had rented out the track for a day of high-speed fun. Seeing and hearing these incredible machines in action was an unforgettable experience!

We also had the chance to sit in the grandstands, taking in the view from a spectator’s perspective and imagining the excitement of a real race day.

After that, we explored the museum, where we got to see historic cars, trophies, and memorabilia that showcased Daytona’s rich racing history. The kids especially loved getting their picture taken inside one of the race cars—a fun keepsake from an amazing day!

Overall, it was a fantastic trip full of speed, history, and hands-on experiences. Another great adventure with Field Trip Friends! 🚗🏁

Busch Wildlife Tour (offsite)

Our off-site field trip with Busch Wildlife Center was full of hands-on learning and up-close animal encounters! The students were thrilled to meet a variety of Florida native wildlife, including a box turtle, a sweet opossum, a one-month-old alligator, a grouchy owl, and a friendly corn snake. Each animal ambassador gave us a unique opportunity to learn about their habitats, behaviors, and the important roles they play in the ecosystem. The educators from Busch Wildlife were engaging and informative, answering lots of great questions from the kids. It was a memorable experience that brought science and nature to life in a fun and interactive way!

Naval Seal Museum

Our visit to the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce was a powerful and inspiring experience for our group. Students explored the history and heroism of the U.S. Navy SEALs through interactive exhibits, real equipment, and incredible stories of courage and dedication. From climbing aboard a real SEAL delivery vehicle to viewing artifacts from past missions, everyone gained a deeper appreciation for the training, teamwork, and bravery these elite forces embody. The museum brought military history to life in a way that was both educational and meaningful, leaving our group with a lasting respect for those who serve.

Valiant Air Command

✈️ Field Trip to the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum 🇺🇸

Our group had an incredible day exploring history at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville, FL! Surrounded by vintage aircraft, our students had the chance to learn about aviation history up close—walking through hangars filled with beautifully preserved military planes from WWII to the present day.

We were guided by knowledgeable docents who shared fascinating stories about the pilots, the missions, and the evolution of flight. One of the highlights was stepping inside a fully restored C-47 that actually flew on D-Day!

This hands-on, immersive experience gave us a powerful appreciation for both aviation and the heroes who helped shape history. It was a perfect blend of education and inspiration—and a total hit with our future leaders!

FL State Park Jr Ranger

Field Trip Friends enjoyed visiting the fishing museum at the Sebastian Inlet State Park and completing the Junior Ranger program. We learned about Florida’s unique coastal environment, completed our Jr. Ranger booklets, and even earned our official badges. Afterward, we gave back to the beach with a cleanup and then cooled off by dipping our toes in the water. It was a perfect mix of learning, helping, and having fun in the sun!

Medieval Times

Our adventure to Medieval Times was truly a journey back in time! Families from Field Trip Friends gathered for an exciting and immersive experience at the Orlando castle. Students watched in awe as knights battled in a live jousting tournament, showcasing incredible horsemanship and swordplay. The royal court kept us entertained with storytelling and pageantry, while we enjoyed a hearty medieval-style feast—no utensils required!

This trip offered a unique blend of history, entertainment, and fun, giving our homeschoolers a chance to explore medieval culture in a dynamic and memorable way. It was more than just a show—it was a full sensory experience that sparked curiosity and inspired imagination.

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Center

In early May 2025, Field Trip Friends explored the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Visitors Center! Our group enjoyed a short educational film that introduced us to the fascinating world of marine science, from coral reefs to deep-sea exploration. After the film, students took part in an interactive scavenger hunt through the exhibits, where they discovered marine animals, ocean research vessels, and learned how scientists protect our ocean ecosystems. It was a fun and informative morning that sparked curiosity and appreciation for the wonders beneath the waves!