Big River Journey is a premier field trip program that takes place on the Mississippi River within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area! Students view and learn about the river through onboard educational activities while cruising on a modern Padelford riverboat.Students choose to participate in three of five hands-on activity stations. Activities include:

Using mapping skills to navigate locations on the river
Studying river geology using samples of sandstone, limestone, and shale
Checking out river birds using binoculars
Examining different types of mussels
Exploring the habitat of river otters

Each of these interactive stations allow students to connect with the river through science and real-world observations. The program is led by a National Park Service and Mississippi Park Connection partnership education team.

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Grades

3-5

Dates

September 16-17, 19, 23-24, 26; October 1-3

Program Duration

90 minutes
Boats depart at 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM

Cost

Per Student: $12
Adults: Free (limited to a maximum of 10)

Note: Title I Schools receive a 30% Discount Code at the time of registration
Note: Payment is by card on a first come, first serve basis and is due at time of registration
Note: Bus scholarships are available to Title I schools ($250 per bus, up to two buses per trip); more information upon registration

Location
Padelford Riverboats, Harriet Island Regional Park, 205 Dr Justus Ohage Blvd, St Paul, MN 55107

Pre-and-Post Lessons

Contacts

David Kappelhoff, Education Coordinator, Mississippi Park Connection (MPC), dkappelhoff@parkconnection.org
Jim Ford Managing Director, Ranger, National Park Service, jim_ford@nps.gov

Big River Journey is coordinated by the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (National Park Service) and Mississippi Park Connection in cooperation with the Padelford Riverboats. Field trip program presenters include staff from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Padelford Packet Boat Co., Science Museum of Minnesota, Historic Fort Snelling, and Saint Paul Audubon Society.