SPECIAL NOTE:  Only students who are part of  our Ames  Home School Assistance program can register for these field trips. 

Important Notes:

• Website: Look for updates here on this website. Things can change last minute due to weather, or other unforeseeable circumstances. Please read every detail carefully. 

• Emails and updates: I will also send emails concerning updates (registration, cancellations or other information). Please check emails and the HSAP field trip site often. Please read every email and detail carefully because things can change at the last minute.

• Newsletter-I will place field trip information in the newsletter which comes out at the beginning of each month. 

• Registration button: Look for and click the registration button below each individual field trip. Make sure after filling out all the information you click "submit." I will send out an email when registration opens up.  If the registration is not open there will be no button and there may be a note with special instructions. 

• Opening up Registration: We are opening registration one or two months at a time.

• Deadlines: You must register by the deadline given in most cases. There are exceptions. The vendors only allow a certain number of participants in order to serve our group well. 

• Last minute openings: In some some cases look for a special note where the registration button should be in case people cancel or there is still openings after the deadline(We have not reached our maxium yet.). 

• Waitlists.- I also keep waitlists in case someone cancels. 

• Fees -Several of our field trips involve no cost for our families. We do have a few exceptions where we pay a partial amount from our progam and include a suggested donation if you are able to assist in the cost for your HSAP student(s). However, adult and non HSAP fees are the responsibility of the family. It is our sincere desire that no HSAP student(s) are excluded from any event due merely to finances. 

• HSAP Staff Contacts: Please put Carrie Pahl and Sarah Johnson's numbers in your cell phones so you know who is calling you. We want to be able to reach you easily for those "just in case " scenarios during field trips.

 Field Trip Supervising teachers numbers: Carrie Pahl (515) 450-4068.  Sarah Johnson (515) 460-4428

• Younger siblings: Please do not bring a younger child to an older child's event unless you talk to me first or it says it is allowed on the website. Babies and pre-schoolers are welcome to join some family events. 

• Non HSAP Students: Are generally only allowed if whole family or it is mentioned as being allowed in the information. 

• Parents Atttendance: Parents are welcome to attend most events with their student, but we may ask for your help if we need extra hands. Some vendors limit the number of adults that can attend...or attend for free. I also have field trips that require volunteers.

• Committment: Please try to make a committment to attending the field trip(s) you registered for.  Look at your calendars before registering. 

• Canceling: Please let me know ASAP if your family or student cannot attend an event they have registered for(Illness, funerals etc..). The places we visit make staffing decisions based on registration numbers. We also want to give other families an opportunity to attend who are on the waiting list. I need to contact those famiies in a timely manner in order for the waitlsit people to attend. 

• Questions: Please email me with any questions(Carrie Pahl). carrie.pahl@ames.k12.ia.us

• WE HAVE STUDENTS WITH SEVERE NUT AND PEANUT ALLERGIES! Please do not include any products with nuts or peanuts in snacks or lunches on field trips.

Special Note: 

ISU Engineering Ambassadors

 I am trying to schedule ISU Engineering Ambassadors who will present STEM programs.  They will not be confirmed until the ISU students come back to the campus and get organized. The programs will either be presented in the fall or the spring. 

Watch for emails and the website for updates. 

Deal's Apple Orchard

Event Details

Grades: Whole Family

Description: Description: 

• Hayride to the apple orchard to pick an apple. 

• 45 minute tour includes touring the sorting and packing rooms. 

• New: For the fee the families can play in Apple Acres all day long. 

• Can bring a sack lunch to eat while there. 

• Pumpkins and other treats can be bought by the families. 

Parent Tip: Bring wet wipes for wiping sticky fingers especially after eating an apple or your lunch. The bees are attracted to sticky fingers. 

Fees: 

CHECKS ONLY:  Written out to "Ames HSAP." (Ames School District Policy) 

HSAP Students: (Full price: $13.00) Suggested donation: $6.00  

Adults and Non-HSAP Students pay full price

Adults $13.00 per person

Non-HSAP Students(age 3 and older)- $13.00 per person

Event Date & Time

• • Registration Deadline: September 13, 2024 @ 9:00 PM(Registration button below)

• Tuesday, September 17, 2024

• Check-in Time: 9:45 AM

• Time: 10:00-till tour is over and you want to leave. 

Location: 

Deals' Apple Orchard

1102 244th Street, Jefferson, Iowa

Website: 

Deal's Apple Orchard

https://dealsorchard.com/

Clothing Requirements: Dress for outdoor weather and for getting dirty. No flipflops. 

The Deal's Apple Orchard is now closed. 

Beyer's Bees

Event Details

Grades: 4th grade and up (No exceptions for younger children)-I am asking that only one adult attend each family or have your children carpool with another family to the event. I want more children to have the opportunity to attend. We have a limit of 20 per session. Only bring non HSAP students if they are part of your family and are of age. 

Description: Mr. Beyer will open a hive and show us the babies(brood) and all the workers tending them. Hopefully, we will see the queen, but is unlikely. He will share the history of bees and other pollinators. He will also include information on some of the problems bees are facing in today's world. He has hands-on materials to show them. The students will wear veils which he will provide for 20 people. 

• Please arrive 15 minutes before the session. This will help with bathroom needs and help us get started on time. 

Warning: We will be around bees. If your children are fearful of bees or allergic this is not the field trip for you. Please note the clothing requirements below. If students are wearing the proper clothing and veil it is rare that they get stung, but it can still happen. 

Tip: 

Mr. Beyer really likes questions from the students so perhaps you can read a book about bees before attending this program so they have some background information from which to ask questions. Or as a family discuss some good questions they might ask. 

Fees: None

Event Date & Time

• • Registration Deadline: September 17, 2024 @5:00 PM(Registration button below)

• Friday, September 20, 2024

• Check-in Time: 15 minutes before each session

• Time: Choose between the 10:00-11:30 AM session or 1:00-2:30 PM session when you register on the Google Form.  

Location: 

Jamie Beyer 

269 U Ave.

Boone, Iowa

Website: 

Beyer's Bees

https://www.beyersbees.com/ 

Clothing Requirements: Long pants, hooded sweatshirt, baseball cap, gloves, closed toe shoes. 

Registration is now closed. 

Tree-rific 

Event Details

Grades: 2nd/3rd

Description: Students learn about the inner workings of trees, their benefit to wildlife, and tree identification. I will need parents to volunteer to be chaperones. (Please sign up on registration form.) Story County Conservation naturalists requires that there is an adult for every five students. This will be at McFarland Park. 

Event Date & Time

• • Registration Deadline: September 23, 2024 @5:00 PM(Registration button below)

• Friday, September 27, 2024

• Check-in Time: 12:45 PM

• Time: 1:00-3:30

Location: 

McFarland Park 

56461 180th St.

Ames, IA 

Clothing Requirements: Dress in clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Requiring students to wear long pants and comfortable closed-toe shoes for walking is best. No flip flops. Bring a hat, marked water bottle, bug spray and sunscreen. 

Registration is closed, but there may still be a couple of openings depending on the number of  chaperones and if anyone cancels.  Contact Carrie @ carrie.pahl@ames.k12.ia.us 

GPS & Geocaching

Event Details

• Grades: 4th grade and up

• Description: Understand how to use a GPS to find a location based on latitude and longitude, find a location using new coordinates, and learn the sport of geocaching. This will be at McFarland Park.

Event Date & Time

• Registration Deadline: Monday, September 23, 2024 (Registration button below): 

• Friday, September 27, 2024

• Check-in Time: 12:45 PM

• Class begins : 1:00-3:30 PM

Location: 

McFarland Park 

56461 180th St.

Ames, IA 

 Fees: None

Clothing Requirements: Dress in clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Requiring students to wear long pants and comfortable closed-toe shoes for walking is best. No flip flops. Bring a hat, marked water bottle, bug spray and sunscreen. 

Registration is closed, but there may still be a couple of openings depending on the number of  chaperones and if anyone cancels.  Contact Carrie @ carrie.pahl@ames.k12.ia.us 

 Scenic City Empress Riverboat

Event Details

Grades: Whole Family-Not a drop off for students. 

Description: The Empress is a double-decker pontoon riverboat. We will cruise down the Iowa River and see the scenery of limestone bluffs, a man-made waterfall, the historic swinging bridge and more. The staff of the river boat and a naturalist from Calkin Nature Center will point out the sites. They will explain state and local history, and teach about the local geological features. 

• Other things to do: Have a picnic lunch at the boat club or Assembly Park, walk across the swinging bridge. 

• Sack lunches and snacks can be eaten on the boat.  

• Check out the Caulkins Nature Area for a hike. 

Warnings: 

• There are no railings by the river so please watch your children carefully. 

• Also, The Empress boat people want students to stay by their guardians. If you go upstairs all of you have to go upstairs etc...

Fees: 

HSAP Students-($5.00 full price per person)-Suggested Donation-$2.00 

Non HSAP Students-$5.00(babies on up. 

Adults-$5.00

Checks only:  Written out to "Ames HSAP" (Ames School District Policy) Include in the check fees for ALL who are attending. 

Event Date and TimeFees: 

HSAP Students-($5.00 full price per person)-Suggested Donation-$2.00 

Non HSAP Students-$5.00 This is for all children.(babies included.) 

Adults-$5.00

Checks only:  Written out to "Ames HSAP" (Ames School District Policy) Include in the check fees for ALL who are attending. 

• Registration deadline: September 30, 2024:

• Friday, October 4, 2024

• Check-in time: Arrive 20 mintues before the start time for bathroom and check-in.

• Time: 2 choices 10:00-11:30 or 12:00-1:30

Location

 Scenic City Empress Boat Club

               1113 Union Street

               Iowa Falls, IA  50126

Parking: There is a small parking lot or you can park along the road above the parking lot. You can only park in the school parking lot if school is out of session. 

Website: Scenic Empress Boat Club

http://www.empressboatclub.org/

Check-in location

Near the boat. 

Clothing: Dress for the weather. 

Note registration change: 

The two boat sessions are full. Please contact me if you want on the waiting list. At this point instead of registering through the form, email Carrie @ carrie.pahl@ames.k12.ia.us 

Fareway Meat & Grocery Store Tour #1

Event Details

Grades: Best suited for pre-school - 2nd grade. (Babies and toddlers are welcome) 

Description: The students will learn more about the behind-the-scenes of running a grocery store. They will be able to help scan a product at the cash register. If there is enough interest I may schedule another session or two at a later date. (This Fareway field trip is now full! I will try to schedule another session at another time. )

Fees: None

Event Date & Time

• • Registration Deadline: October 21, 2024(Registration button below)

• Friday, October 25, 2024

• Check-in Time: 9:50 (Meet right inside the door.)

• Time: 10:00-10:45ish

Location: 

Fareway Meat & Grocery Store

619 Burnett Avenue

Ames, Iowa 50010

This October Fareway field trip is now full. Contact me if you want on the waitlist. Carrie Pahl carrie.pahl@ames.k12.ia.us

Fareway Meat & Grocery Store Tour #2

Event Details

Grades: Best suited for pre-school - 2nd grade. (Babies and toddlers are welcome) 

Description: The students will learn more about the behind-the-scenes of running a grocery store. They will be able to help scan a product at the cash register. If there is enough interest I may schedule another session or two at a later date. 

Fees: None

Event Date & Time

• • Registration Deadline: November 28, 2024(Registration button below)

• Friday, November 1, 2024

• Check-in Time: 9:50 (Meet right inside the door.)

• Time: 10:00-10:45ish

Location: 

Fareway Meat & Grocery Store

619 Burnett Avenue

Ames, Iowa 50010

This November Fareway field trip is now full. Contact me if you want on the waitlist. Carrie Pahl carrie.pahl@ames.k12.ia.us

Iowa State University Engineering Ambassadors

Event Details

Grades: 4th-8th grade

Description:  Structural Engineering: Structural Engineering is about engineering buildings across the world. We discuss what factors we need to consider when designing a building and some situations in which the right asumptions weren't made and a building failed. We teach students about forces and moments at a very basic level and relate it to forces that act on a building like snow, wind, and people. We will close the presentation by walking through the engineering and construction process of buildings. The activity will challenge students to construct their own structure made from spaghetti noodles and marshmallows that can hold a specific "snow" "wind" load that we apply to it. 

Fees: None

Event Date & Time

• • Registration Deadline: Tuesday, November 12, 2024

• Friday, November 15, 2024 

• Check-in Time: 12:45 PM

• Time: 1:00-2:30 PM

Location: 

Ames Center

1323 Northwestern Ave. 

Ames, Iowa 

Registration is closed. You can call Carrie Pahl (515) 450 4068 to check for cancellations. 

Nursing Home Visit/Craft with Residents

Event Details

Grades: Whole Family

Description: This is an opportunity to serve our community. We will visit Accura Healthcare of Ames where the students will work on a craft with a resident. 

NOTE: 

I would like guardians to come to help encourage their students to work with a resident and help supervise. If you have young ones that you do not want to participate you can carpool or have others take your place. 

Fees: None

Event Date & Time

• • Registration Deadline: December 9, 2024 @ 5:00 pm

• Friday, December 13, 2024

• Check-in Time: 1:20 

• Time: 1:30-3:00 PM

Location: 

 Accura Healthcare of Ames

 3440 Grand Ave. 

 Ames, IA 

Registration is closed through the form. We have a lot of families registered. As always as it gets closer to the event there could be cancellations or I might let a couple of families in if they are very interested. Carrie Pahl carrie.pahl@ames.k12.ia.us 

Ice Skating 

Event Details

• Grades: Whole family

Description: 

Ice skating has become a yearly tradition. This is a great opportunity to enjoy old friends and meet new friends. It is also a great time to get some physical activity in! 

Helpful Ice Skating Tips: 

https://www.parentmap.com/article/tips-for-teaching-kids-to-ice-skate

Event Date & Time

• Registration Deadline: No Deadline

• DATE: Friday, January 10, 2025 (No Ames Public School that day for those who are dual enrolled.) 

• Skating Times: 12:00-2:00

Location: 

Ames/ISU Ice Arena

1507 Gateway Hills Park Dr.

Ames, IA

Fees: 

HSAP Students Admission: 

• HSAP pays for admission for HSAP Students. ($4.50) Register at table on day of event. Get mark on hand. 

• HSAP students must pay $2.50 skate rental at the window. 

Non-HSAP(including adults): 

• Skaters pay for their own admission $4.50  AND skate rental $2.50 at the window. 

Clothing Suggestions: Dress in layers. Can peel layers off as you get warm. 

Registration-No pre-registration required. Show up at date and time. Register with a HSAP teacher at the table at the Ames Ice Arena.

Iowa D.O.T Sign Shop #1

Event Details

Grades: (Best for grades 4th grade and under.) No drop off for younger students. 

Description: The D.O.T staff will be explaining and demonstrating the different methods they use to manufacture signs for all Iowa D.O.T. maintained roads. The tour typically lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. The length of time probably depends on the number of questions the students have.

Important Notes :

• I would like the older students who are interested in learning more technical and career information to come to the second field trip on February 18. 

• I realize there may be overlap in larger families. You can have older students carpool or be dropped off. Or if they are driving they can come on their own on February 18. 

• The older students need to sign up below on the February 18(#2) registration form not here. 

• In order to get as many students on this field trip please have only one adult chaperone per family or carpool group. 

• If the numbers are light then we can see about inviting more adults. 

Event Date & Time

• Registration Deadline: January 31, 2025 by 5:00 PM (Registration button below): 

• Tuesday, February 4, 2025(Note day of week.) 

• Check-in Time: 1:15

• Event time: 1:30-2:00ish (about 30 minutes for younger group.)

Location: 

Iowa D.O.T Sign Shop

800 South 4th. 

Ames, IA

We are just west from Hy-Vee. Brick building with a black and white sign that says Sign Shop.

South door has stairs. If anyone needs a ramp entrance, that’s on the west side.

Parking: Parking lot.

 Fees: None

Clothing Requirements: Indoor comfort.

Registration is not yet open.

Iowa D.O.T Sign Shop #2

Event Details

Grades: (Best for grades 5th grade and up.)

Description: The D.O.T staff will be explaining and demonstrating the different methods they use to manufacture signs for all Iowa D.O.T. maintained roads. The tour typically last between 30 and 45 minutes. The length of time probably depends on the number of questions the students have.

Important Notes :

• I would like the older students who are interested in learning more technical and career information to come to the second field trip on February 18. (Register below)

• I realize there may be overlap in larger families. You can have older students carpool or be dropped off. Or if they are driving they can come on their own on February 18. I just want to give the older students an opportuity to ask more technical questions and not be hurried because there are a lot of young ones. 

• The older students need to register below on the February 18(#2 tour). 

• In order to get as many students on this field trip please have only one adult chaperone per family or carpool group. 

• If the numbers are light then you can contact me a couple of days before the event to see if you can invite more adults. 

Event Date & Time

• Registration Deadline: Friday, February 14, 2025 by 5:00 PM (Registration button below): 

• Tuesday, February 18, 2025(Note day of week.) 

• Check-in Time: 1:15

• Event time: 1:30-2:30 (about 45-60 minutes for older students.)

Location: 

Iowa D.O.T Sign Shop

800 South 4th. 

Ames, IA

The Iowa D.O.T Sign Shop is just west from Hy-Vee. Brick building with a black and white sign that says Sign Shop.

South door has stairs. If anyone needs a ramp entrance, that’s on the west side.

Parking: Parking lot.

 Fees: None

Clothing Requirements: Indoor comfort.

Registration is not yet open.

Planting the Seeds

Event Details

Grades: 2nd/3rd

Description: 

Planting the Seeds (1 hour) - Lots of hands-on exploring while learning how seeds move and what a seed needs to grow. Story County Conservation. This can be a drop off though parents are welcome to join us.

Event Date & Time

• Registration Deadline: February 16, 2024 by 5:00 PM (Registration button below): 

• Friday, February 21, 2025

• Check-in Time: 12:45

• Event time: 1:00-2:00

Location: 

Ames Center?

Parking: ?

 Fees: None

Clothing Requirements: Indoor comfort.

Registration is not yet open.

The Wonderful World of Wetlands

Event Details

• Grades: 4th grade-7th 

Description: 

The Wonderful World of Wetlands - Explore the wonderful world of wetlands and learn how these vibrant habitats support biodiversity, filter pollution, and reduce flooding! An interactive game teaches how this Iowa ecosystem became endangered over time, and stories about communities protecting wetlands show solutions for a healthy environment! 

This is a drop off though parents are welcome to join us. 

Event Date & Time

• Registration Deadline: February 16, 2025(Registration button below): 

• Friday, February 21, 2025

• Check-in Time: 12:45

• Event time: 1:00-2:00

Location: 

Ames Center???

 Fees: None

Clothing Requirements: Indoor comfort

Registration not yet open. 

Life in a Log

Event Details

• Grades: Preschool-1st 

Description: *Life in a Log (2 hours) By digging through a composting worm bin and investigating fallen logs, students will determine what plants and animals need in their habitats to survive. Through hands-on discoveries, they will learn how composting can help the local environment. 

Parents/grandparents or other chaperone must attend. This is not a drop off event.

Event Date & Time

• Registration Deadline: May 11, 2025

• DATE: Friday, May 16, 2025

• Check-in Time: 12:45 PM

• Event Time: 1:00-3:00 PM

Location: TBD

Fees: None

Registration not open yet. 

Pond Study

Event Details

• Grades: 2nd grade and up. Most apealing to elementary students. 

Description: A lake is an amazing habitat full of critters. Students will learn about the food chain and use nets to explore and discover pond life. 

• Parents/grandparents or other adult must attend unless you have a student in the Life in a Log. This is not a drop off. 

Event Date & Time

• Registration Deadline: May 11, 2025

• DATE:  May 16, 2025

• Check-in time: 12:45 PM

• Event Time: 1:00-3:00

Location: TBD

Fees: None

Registration not open yet. 

Fossil and Prairie Park Preserve-Rockford, IA

Event Details

• Grades: Whole family with the understanding that students and guardians will be climbing into the clay/gravel pit/ravines to look for fossils after the presentation. Strollers will not work. (Students cannot be dropped off.) 

• Description: The naturalist will give us a 30 presentation in the nature center about the history of the area including the Brick & Tile Company and the Devonian fossils found there. Then the families are welcome to eat lunch and go look for Devonian fossils. You are also welcome to explore the prairie. https://fossilcenter.wordpress.com/

• Families in the past have really enjoyed this field trip. This field trip will be taking place after Iowa Assessments and enrichment classes are over. (Estimate: 2 hour,10 minute drive from south Ames)

• Link to fossils found at the preserve. https://fossilcenter.wordpress.com/fossils/

IMPORTANT:

• Check the weather conditions prior to your visit. Heavy rainfall amounts may make the quarry area slippery & sticky due to the clay soils. 

• Bring something to put your fossils in. Suggestions include: egg cartons, plastic milk jugs or ice cream buckets. Plastic bags tend to rip and may blow away. Tools are not needed as the fossils are lying on the ground.

• Although collecting is allowed, we ask that you take only for a personal collection. Reselling is prohibited.

• Clothing: Wear clothing acccoding to weather condtions and that can get diry. Old tennis shoes or rubber boots(if wet) are suggestions. 

• Parents will be responsible for their children. 

• Event Date & Time

• Registration Deadline: May 16, 2025 (Registration button below): 

• Tuesday, May 20, 2025 (Note day of week: no Fridays were available.) 

• Check-in Time: 11:15 AM

• Tour begins: 11:30 AM-The naturalist will speak with us for a 30 minutes. Depending on the size of the group we may have to divide the group into two groups. 

Fees: TBD-Very low if any. $2.00 per student. 

Location: 

1227 215th Street

Rockford, IA

Note: Estimated drive time:  2 hour, 10 minute drive from south Ames. 

Not open for registration as yet.