Trips we have enjoyed so far this year:

Legoland

FTF had an amazing time at LEGOLAND Florida this past Friday, enjoying a day full of creativity, excitement, and unforgettable memories.

From thrilling rides to hands-on building experiences, everyone had the chance to explore the park’s colorful attractions and impressive LEGO creations. Smiles were everywhere as the group experienced interactive shows, imaginative play zones, and classic LEGOLAND fun.

The trip was a perfect blend of adventure and teamwork, giving everyone the opportunity to relax, connect, and enjoy a fun-filled day together. It was truly a brick-tastic experience and one more great memory added to the FTF journey!

Vero Beach Landfill

Our kids took another educational field trip to the Vero Beach Landfill, where they learned how trash is managed and why recycling and taking care of our environment are so important.

The experience sparked great questions and conversations, and the kids were excited to see how everyday waste is handled in our community. It was a valuable, real-world learning opportunity that helped connect classroom lessons to everyday life!

Dinosaure Store & Museum

Our students enjoyed an unforgettable field trip to The Dinosaur Store in Cocoa, and it exceeded all expectations! The children were thrilled to explore an impressive collection of dinosaur replicas, rocks, fossils, and gems that brought science and history to life.

We are especially grateful to Linda and Jack, whose caring approach and wealth of knowledge made the experience both educational and engaging. They took the time to answer questions, spark curiosity, and ensure every child felt included and excited to learn.

The joy on the kids’ faces said it all — this was a truly amazing experience and one we will remember for a long time!

Bok Tower Gardens

Our field trip to Bok Tower Gardens was a truly memorable experience. Although the weather was very cold, the beauty of the gardens more than made up for it. From the peaceful walking paths to the stunning seasonal scenery, every corner offered something special to admire.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch at the café, which was the perfect way to warm up, and the highlight of the day was the phenomenal Singing Tower—an awe-inspiring sight that left a lasting impression on everyone. Despite the chilly temperatures, it was a wonderful day filled with nature, learning, and shared experiences.

Brevard Zoo

Our visit to Brevard Zoo was an unforgettable experience filled with up-close wildlife encounters and family fun. From hand-feeding towering giraffes to watching rhinos snoozing peacefully in the shade, every moment was a reminder of how amazing the natural world is. We also observed majestic bald eagles, spotted alligators, and explored so many other incredible habitats throughout the zoo. A perfect day of learning, adventure, and appreciation for wildlife conservation.

Treasure Coast Prosthetics & Orthotics

Our group visited Treasure Coast Prosthetics & Orthotics for an educational field trip that offered an eye-opening look into the world of prosthetics and orthotics.

During our visit, Paul provided a guided tour of the facility and shared in-depth knowledge about the design, creation, and customization of prosthetic and orthotic devices. Participants gained valuable insight into both the technical skill and compassion required in this field, as well as the life-changing impact this work has on individuals every day.

We are sincerely thankful to Paul and the team at Treasure Coast Prosthetics & Orthotics for their time, expertise, and generosity. This experience was both educational and inspiring, and we are grateful for the opportunity to learn from such dedicated professionals.

Fort Christmas Historical Festival

FTF attended the Fort Christmas Historical Festival for an immersive, hands-on learning experience focused on Florida’s pioneer and early settler life. Participants explored authentic historical reenactments, traditional crafts, tools, and daily skills that shaped early Florida communities. Through interactive demonstrations and guided learning, attendees gained a deeper understanding of the challenges, resourcefulness, and resilience of Florida’s early settlers. This experience brought history to life and reinforced the importance of preserving and learning from Florida’s rich cultural heritage.

ELC- Sea to Shore Program

Students participated in the Sea to Shore program at ELC, exploring the connections between coastal habitats and marine life. The day began with an interactive activity where FTF kids pretended to be sea turtle hatchlings, emerging from sand dunes and navigating an obstacle course as they made their way to the ocean. This experience highlighted the challenges sea turtles face and the importance of protecting coastal environments.

Students then did microscope work, examining phytoplankton and learning how these microscopic organisms form the foundation of the ocean food web. By observing phytoplankton up close, students gained a deeper understanding of their role in supporting marine ecosystems.

The program concluded with a squid dissection, offering a hands-on opportunity to explore squid anatomy and adaptations for life in the ocean. Together, these activities provided students with a meaningful, engaging look at marine science from sea to shore.

Orlando Science Center

Field Trip Friends recently enjoyed an enriching and engaging experience at the Orlando Science Center. The day began with an orientation session that prepared students for a full schedule of exploration and discovery. After sharing lunch together, students explored multiple interactive exhibits, including the Kinetic Zone, Dinosaur Dig, space exploration exhibits, and earth landforms displays.

A major highlight of the trip was a one-hour engineering class focused on the principles of engineering and technology. During this session, students were challenged to design, build, test, and improve a trampoline using provided materials. Through this hands-on activity, they applied the engineering design process in real time—brainstorming solutions, collaborating with teammates, testing their designs, and making thoughtful improvements.

This experience not only strengthened their understanding of STEM concepts but also fostered teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills. The Orlando Science Center provided the perfect environment for curiosity, innovation, and collaborative learning.

Valentine's Day Party

Today we hosted our Valentine’s Day party, and it was a wonderful time for everyone involved! The kids enjoyed delicious snacks, creative arts and crafts, and plenty of time to laugh and connect with friends.

Our social parties are a vital part of our program. They provide our kids with a few hours to truly let loose, build friendships, and simply enjoy being together in a fun, supportive environment. These events help strengthen our sense of community and create meaningful memories for everyone.

We are so grateful to everyone who helps make these special celebrations possible! 💕

A week at Riverside Theatre!

Our Field Trip Friends had an unforgettable experience participating in a drop-off program at the beautiful Riverside Theatre!

Throughout the week, students explored the world of theatre — learning about stage presence, movement, music, and what it takes to bring a performance to life. From warm-ups and rehearsals to teamwork and confidence-building exercises, every day was filled with creativity and fun.

Today was the grand finale! Our talented performers took the stage and sang a song from the beloved Broadway musical Annie. With big smiles and even bigger voices, they truly shined under the stage lights. Watching their confidence grow throughout the week has been such a joy!

We are so proud of our Field Trip Friends for their hard work, bravery, and enthusiasm. A huge thank you to the amazing team at Riverside Theatre for creating such a welcoming and inspiring environment for our students.

Kennedy Space Center, Feb 2026

Last week, our students embarked on an exciting and educational field trip to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where science and innovation came to life.

Students explored the Rocket Garden, engaged with immersive 3D interactive displays, and examined a Mars rover model while learning about planetary exploration and robotics. The experience encouraged curiosity, collaboration, and real-world application of STEM concepts.

A highlight of the trip was visiting Space Shuttle Atlantis, where students gained a deeper appreciation for the engineering and teamwork behind space missions. Younger students also enjoyed hands-on discovery at Planet Play and the educational show inspired by Fraggle Rock, which combined entertainment with meaningful lessons.

We are especially thankful for a grant awarded to our nonprofit last year that enabled us to discount ticket costs, making this extraordinary learning opportunity accessible to more of our families. Support like this ensures that all students have access to inspiring, high-quality educational experiences beyond the classroom.

This field trip was more than a visit — it was an opportunity to spark imagination, deepen understanding, and inspire future scientists, engineers, and explorers.

Hobe Sound "Wild by Design"

FTF was proud to attend Wild by Design in Hobe Sound this morning (March 2026) celebrating conservation and thoughtful environmental stewardship.

The event was paid for by a generous grant made to Field Trip Friends and highlighted the importance of protecting Florida’s unique ecosystems while promoting sustainable practices that preserve the character and natural beauty of our region. 

We are grateful to the organizers of Wild by Design and everyone who participated in making this educational field trip a success. FTF remains committed to supporting initiatives that protect and enhance the places we call home.

East Coast Hair Lab

Last week our group had the incredible opportunity to visit East Coast Hair Lab in Vero Beach, and it was truly an unforgettable experience for our students.

The team at East Coast Hair Lab went above and beyond to create an educational and welcoming environment where our kids could learn about the world of hair care and the beauty industry. 

What made the visit even more special was how much care and generosity they showed our group. The students were not only able to learn firsthand about the profession, but they were also treated to an experience that made them feel valued and celebrated.

Field trips like this help expose our kids to new career paths, creative skills, and confidence-building experiences. We are incredibly grateful to East Coast Hair Lab for their time, kindness, and commitment to inspiring the next generation.

Food for Function

A Colorful Day of Learning with Nutrition! 🌈

Today our students enjoyed an amazing Nutrition Field Trip with FTF, led by the wonderful Leigh Ann Salamone with Food for Function! The experience was engaging, educational, and full of hands-on learning.

Students learned how to read and understand food labels, helping them recognize ingredients, and how to make healthier choices. They also explored the concept of “rainbow foods,” discovering how eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables helps nourish their bodies.

The day included several fun and interactive activities:

• A nutrition scavenger hunt

• Creating their own Rainbow Foods books

• Learning about healthy foods vs. “sometimes” foods

• Tasting a variety of fresh rainbow foods and delicious smoothies

Each student proudly received a certificate celebrating what they learned!

Experiences like this help children build lifelong healthy habits while making learning fun and memorable. We are so thankful to Leigh Ann for providing such a meaningful program for our students.

Mosquito Control

Last week, our students had the exciting opportunity to visit Indian River Mosquito Control for a hands-on, educational field trip that brought science to life.

Throughout the visit, students learned about the vital role mosquito control plays in protecting public health in our county. They were especially fascinated by the use of modern technology, including seeing a drone used for monitoring mosquito populations.

One of the most memorable lessons involved the use of chickens in disease surveillance. Students discovered how scientists test chicken blood to detect mosquito-borne illnesses, since chickens do not become sick from these diseases like humans do. This real-world example helped deepen their understanding of how experts track and prevent the spread of viruses.

The trip also included interactive and engaging activities. Students explored the mosquito life cycle, observed specimens under microscopes in a laboratory setting, and created their own mosquito-themed crafts using pipe cleaners. These hands-on experiences made the learning both meaningful and fun.

Overall, the field trip was an enriching experience that strengthened students’ understanding of science, public health, and the environment. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world applications in our own community.

St. Patrick's Day Party

Our homeschool crew had a fantastic St. Patrick's Day celebration!🍀

The day was filled with music, laughter, and lots of movement as the kids enjoyed playtime together at the playground. We added some extra fun with a scavenger hunt that had everyone exploring and working together, plus plenty of tasty treats to keep the energy going and super fun and creative arts and crafts.

It was such a joyful day of connection, play, and celebration—one our group won’t forget anytime soon! 💚✨

Wild Florida

This past week, Field Trip Friends took an exciting trip to Wild Florida, offering students and families a unique opportunity to experience wildlife in an immersive and interactive setting.

The group explored the park’s safari and wildlife exhibits, encountering a diverse range of animals while learning about their habitats, behaviors, and conservation efforts. The experience encouraged curiosity and provided valuable real-world connections to topics in science and nature.

In addition to the educational benefits, the trip fostered strong social connections. Students collaborated, shared discoveries, and built friendships throughout the day, while families enjoyed a memorable experience together.

At Field Trip Friends, we are passionate about creating opportunities that combine learning, exploration, and community. Our visit to Wild Florida was a perfect reflection of that mission.

Gatorland

This past week, Field Trip Friends embarked on an exciting educational adventure to Gatorland, where students and families experienced Florida’s wildlife up close in a fun and engaging environment.

Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to observe alligators and crocodiles in their naturalistic habitats while learning about their behaviors, ecosystems, and the importance of conservation. The trip provided a unique blend of education and entertainment, sparking curiosity and encouraging meaningful conversations among students.

Beyond the educational value, the trip also fostered connection and community. Students built friendships, families shared in the experience together, and the group created lasting memories through shared exploration and discovery.

At Field Trip Friends, our mission is to make learning interactive, social, and memorable—and this visit to Gatorland truly captured that spirit.

Crayola Experience (Orlando)

Our FTF group had an unforgettable time exploring the colorful world of the Crayola Experience Orlando last week. This hands-on adventure gave participants the opportunity to unleash their creativity through interactive exhibits, from creating their own custom crayons to engaging in fun art-based activities.

The day was filled with laughter, imagination, and discovery as everyone explored the many stations designed to inspire creativity and self-expression. Experiences like this not only encourage artistic development but also build confidence and social connections among our group members.

It was truly a vibrant and memorable day for our FTF community!

NCG Movie Theater- Super Mario

Our FTF community came together for a special social meet-up at NCG Cinema, where we enjoyed a private showing of The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

This event provided a fun and relaxed environment for participants to connect, socialize, and share a memorable big-screen experience. From the excitement of having the theater to ourselves to the laughter throughout the film, it was a fantastic way to bring everyone together.

Events like these highlight the importance of community, connection, and creating joyful shared experiences for our FTF families.

Sutton Dairy Farm

Last week, our FTF group enjoyed a wonderful visit to Sutton Dairy Farm, where participants experienced life on a working dairy farm. This hands-on field trip provided a unique opportunity to learn about farming practices, animal care, and where our dairy products come from.

From meeting the cows to exploring the farm environment, the day was both educational and engaging. Participants asked great questions, interacted with the animals, and gained a deeper appreciation for agriculture and the hard work that goes into dairy production.

It was a meaningful and enriching experience that connected learning with real-world understanding.