Book a Curiosity Crate, a mind-nificent addition!

We know that Covid-19 has resulted in challenges for all of us, especially educators. We want to help! The City of Gainesville’s Nature Operation Division is offering Curiosity Crates to assist with planning and implementing education. These curriculum-based education programs can be rented for up to 2 weeks for $25.
These crates will make a mind-nificent addition to your classroom or home!

Current Selection of Curiosity Crates

Timucua Times: Go native and explore the culture of the Timucua speaking Potano people, an early Native American group of North Central Florida. Students rotate through activities that reveal the technology, food ways and other cultural practices of a vanished people.

Wetland Wonders: Wetlands were once thought of as wastelands. Not anymore! Through hands-on activities and experiments, students will discover the wonder of wetlands in our community.

Stream Scene: Become an aquatic insect in a stream and experience both the tragedies of pollution and the benefits of restoration efforts. Participants learn about aquatic systems, macro-invertebrates, environmental indicators, types of pollution and pollution solutions.

Rent a Curiosity Crate

Contact us at 352-393-8240 or EEprograms@cityofgainesville.org for information about these crates and how we can help your educational needs.

Field Trip and Outreach Programs

Thank you for your interest in the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department environmental science and cultural history programs! We offer a variety of curriculum-enhancing field trip and outreach programs that can be led in one of our city parks or at your location.

Requesting a Program
When you are ready to book a program, please complete a program request form.

• Reservations for programs are on a first come, first served basis, and must be made at least two weeks in advance.
• We will let you know we’ve received your request and will work to confirm our availability as quickly as possible. If we are available, we will also send a confirmation email with more information about your upcoming program.

Payments and Funding
Payment is accepted in several ways:

• In advance of the program by credit card over the phone.
• The day of the program by cash in exact change or by check. Please make checks payable to “City of Gainesville.”
• After the program by invoice.

Scholarship Opportunities: If budget constraints limit trips and programs your group is able to experience, consider applying for a Friends of Nature Parks Scholarship. The friends are our non-profit support group.

• Program scholarship application
• Transportation scholarship request form (Alachua County only)

Cancellation Policy: There is no charge for programs cancelled more than 48 hours in advance.  If programs are cancelled less than 48 hours in advance, a $25 fee will be charged.  We do not charge for cancellations due to school closings.  All weekday programs will be cancelled if Alachua County schools are closed due to weather. 

Questions? Have a question about a program? Want to check a date? For program information, please contact us at Morningside Nature Center main number 352-393-8242 or at EEPrograms@cityofgainesville.org.

Programs at a Glance

Field Trip Programs 

Field Trips programs most often take place at Morningside Nature Center, but are also offered at a number of Gainesville’s nature parks.  They are mainly offered September through May, with limited summer availability. Click here for descriptions of the field trip programs.

*Location abbreviations: BA=Bivens Arm Nature Park, BS=Boulware Springs Nature Park, C=Cofrin Nature Park, LEF=Loblolly Environmental Facility, MNC=Morningside Nature Center, RP=Ring Park, SWP=Sweetwater Wetlands Park

** Per person, with a 15 person minimum

Large Group Field Trip Programs

Large group trips are designed for groups of between 30 and 80 people. These programs work well for homeschool groups of mixed ages. They offer an overview of several areas of the park and are typically offered September through May with limited summer availability. Click here for descriptions of large group field trip programs.

Outreach Programs

Outreach programs are great for schools, extended day programs, libraries, senior centers, scout groups, etc! Of course, if travel isn’t a hassle, these outreach programs can also be booked at Morningside Nature Center. Click here for descriptions of our outreach programs.

Fees: Outreach programs are priced by distance from MNC:
0-15 miles: $84.50      16-30 miles: $98.50     31-45 miles: $113.25     45-60 miles: $126.75
Additional programs on the same day at the same site are $35.25 each.

Time: All outreach programs are about one hour long.