Wandering the Watershed Menu 4: Hybrid A: Snowshoe Visit & Design Challenge

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Science

Brief Outline of the Menu: Additional details provided after application period. 

Each box below is a separate lesson or activity that will be completed sequentially. If this menu does not meet your school’s needs, please check out the other offerings. 
 

Discover the characteristics of a watershed. Find out how to prepare for your snowshoe visit. (Video pre-visit in classroom)
In-park snowshoe to walk the winter watershed (bus transportation funding available)
Design challenge – There is a big but TINY problem facing the Great Lakes watershed. Use park provided design kits to help! (In Classroom)
Design challenge reflection and revision (In Classroom) *Optional Live chat with Ranger

The safety of students, staff, and visitors is priority. 

As of November 3rd, 2021 the following expectations apply for in-park field-trips. 

  • Programs will be rescheduled if the county of the school or park counties are listed as “high” for community spread of covid-19. Schools are still encouraged to apply if counties are listed as “high” during the application period as conditions may change. 

  • Masks are required in all federal buildings except when eating or drinking. 

  • Students and chaperones eating lunch indoors will have eating spaces 6 feet apart. 

  • The maximum group size for 2022 is 30 students/1 class. If multiple classes from your school will be visiting, please submit a separate application for each class and plan to attend on different days. Bus funding is available to compensate for the additional transportation costs. 

  • Indoor activities will be limited to lunch.  

 The open period for submitting an application for 3rd-5th grade classes who are requesting bus funding or design challenge activity kits is Nov. 3rd to November 28th, 2021. Grant recipients will be notified by Dec. 4th, 2021. 
 
All other snowshoe field trip requests will be scheduled starting Dec. 4th on a first-come, first served basis.  

Questionnaire submission period extended thru Sunday, Nov. 28th, 2021. 


To Apply:
Pease answer the following questions by copying the below text into an email or word document, inserting your school's information, and then emailing or postal mailing your responses. If you would prefer a PDF version of the forms you can request those via email or phone. 
 
Email: e-mail us
or postal mail:  
Attn: Education Technician 
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore 
9922 West Front Street 
Empire, MI, 49630. 

  1. Today’s Date: 

  1. Name of School: 

  1. School Address: 

  1. Name(s) of teacher(s) attending the field trip: 

  1. Teacher's School Phone Number: 

  1. Teacher's School Email: 

  1. Grade(s): 

  1. Number of Students Per Grade: 

  1. Total number of students: If multiple classes from your school will be visiting, please submit a separate application for each class and plan to attend on different days.

  1. Estimated number of chaperones: 

  1. Have you brought students to the Lakeshore before? If so, which program did you attend? 

  1. Is your school Title 1? 

  1. Is your school a Tribal school? 

  1. What percent of students receive free/reduced lunch? 

  1. What percent of students are ESL/ELL students? 

  1. Wandering the Watershed Menu Choice (title of this page) 

  1. Number of Design Kits requested. (1 kit per 5 students). Students will work in groups. 

  1. Snowshoe Field Trip Requests Dates: (Snowshoes Field Trips are available Monday-Friday, January-March.) 
    1st Choice: 
    2nd choice: 
    3rd choice: 

  1. Preferred arrival time: 

  1. Departure time: 

  1. Special needs or requests: 
     

  1. If you are also applying for bus transportation  

  1. Please include the following and review the Bus Transportation Information below:  

  1. Total dollar amount requested: (see transportation information below) 

 

Bus Transportation Information 

Due to school busing schedules, many schools opt to schedule with a private bus company. Funding is available for these requests. 

Funds are administered by the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, a non-profit, charitable organization supporting Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The grants awarded may not cover all of your transportation costs. Money from your school, PTA, or your own fundraising efforts may be needed to make up the difference. Please communicate directly with your bus company in order to provide us with the most accurate cost estimate. 
 
Grant Criteria 
Criteria may vary based on the field trip. Transportation grants will be awarded competitively based on your answers to the above questions. Due to the nature of the grant, priority is given to 4th grade classes at Title 1 schools. 

 
Transportation Estimate 
When calculating the bus transportation estimate, please use the address. Please also note that the bus(es) will drive an additional 6-10 miles during the field trip. 
Philip A. Hart Visitor Center 
9922 West Front Street 
Empire, MI, 49630 
 
Grant recipients will be notified by Dec. 4th, 2021. Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes will only pay the amount agreed upon in the grant award. If bus invoices exceed this amount, schools will be responsible for making up the difference. To receive the funds, you must send an invoice AFTER the trip has been completed to: 

Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, Inc. 
Attn: Don McNew, 
P.O. Box 545 
Empire, MI, 49630 

Last updated: November 22, 2021