Field Study

 
 

There are  few learning experiences more valuable than the hands-on, experiential learning provided by field study trips. Museums, zoos, aquaria, science centers, and natural areas offer resources that are simply not available in the classroom. Field study trips offer real artifacts, original sources, and more up-to-date information than textbooks or even web-based resources. Well-designed field study trips result in higher student academic performance in all subject areas and students who are motivated for classroom learning by real world application of what they are learning.

At St. Bonaventure Catholic School, we do our best to provide many local hands-on learning experiences for students at every grade level. In upper grades, we provide off-campus, lengthy, academically-oriented experiential field study that instill knowledge and real world life skills. These trips include 6th grade’s Science Camp, 7th grade’s Science Exploration, and 8th grade’s East Coast Discovery, where students travel to Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Gettysburg.

A Sampling of Field Study Experiences

 

First Grade

Shipley Nature Center and Orange County Zoo at Irvine Park

Second Grade

Aquarium of the Pacific and the OC Center for the Arts’ Philharmonic Society (Disneyland Band)

Third Grade

Knott’s Berry Farm Indian Trails Tour, and Discovery Cube’s Ocean Quest in Newport Beach

Fourth Grade

Ocean Institute & Mission San Juan Capistrano, and Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum

 

Fifth Grade

Modjeska Canyon and the OC Center for the Arts’ Philharmonic Society (Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra)

Sixth Grade

Outdoor Science Camp in the San Bernardino Mountains (enhanced field study)

Seventh Grade

Marine Science Exploration Trip at the Catalina Island Marine Institute (enhanced field study) and Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Eighth Grade

East Coast Discovery Trip to Washington D.C., Gettysburg, and Philadelphia (enhanced field study) and Museum of Tolerance

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Junior High Enhanced Field Study

 

Cost Breakdown

Sixth Grade: Outdoor Science Camp in the San Bernardino Mountains
Cost: Approximately $400

Seventh Grade: Marine Science Exploration Trip at the Catalina Island Marine Institute
Cost: Approximately $400

Eighth Grade: East Coast Discovery Trip to Washington D.C., Gettysburg, and Philadelphia.
Cost: Approximately $3,000

*Note that pricing is dependent on the companies who provide trip-related services and therefore total costs are subject to change on a year-to-year basis.

We understand that the financial obligation for these trips can represent a significant sacrifice for families, but hope that, with adequate planning and student participation in raising and earning funds well in advance, most students will be able to participate.

We are proud of our commitment to offering high quality field student experiences for our students and we are proud of their commitment to doing what they can to assist their families in financing the trips. We encourage families to plan well in advance of the years in which the trips occur to budget accordingly.