Winter Information

Thank you for your willingness to help with the upcoming field trip to the Swanson’s North Fork Discovery Center! 

We have just a few things for you so you are prepared for a great day in the snow.

Locations and Directions: The map apps sometimes struggle to get you to the right location. Historically Apple Maps has taken people to the wrong place, Google Maps typically works but we have had a few reports of it also struggling. Please familiarize yourselves with the directions before leaving, we have written directions and maps at this link. Directions to the Center.

Parking: The large parking lot is just beyond the large black arch gate, do not drive up the narrow one lane road past the parking lot even though your navigation may be telling you to. Please park in this lot around the perimeter, we leave the middle open for the school bus. Please back in so if it snows while you are here you have a better chance of getting out without getting stuck.

Clothing Recommendations: The Center is generally 15-20 degrees colder than the Ogden area, but things can change in inversions (we’re warmer) and with other weather events. We recommend layers so that kids and parents can regulate their temperature. Make sure everything sent with a child has their name and school written on it. That way in the event it is left behind we can get it back to the proper place. Anything left behind that doesn’t have a name or school will be considered a donation to the Center.

What to Expect Physically: Students and parents will need to walk to the Center from the large parking lot. The walk is 0.5 miles and gains about 200’. If you or your student cannot make the walk please coordinate with your teacher as we can arrange transportation if the walk cannot be made due to physical disabilities or limitations. The road is generally snow covered in the winter and can be a little icy at times. Once at the Center the activities for the day will be snowshoeing and XC skiing. The snowshoe will be about ½ to 1 mile (or shorter depending on depth of snow and age of students). The snowshoe will go up and down steep grades. The XC consists of a loop that is about ⅓ of a mile. Students can go around the loop as many times as they want within the time frame. As a parent, expect to be helping students get up when they fall and encouraging them if they are struggling. Some parents elect not to put skis on and just walk to help students. That is up to you as a parent, we have plenty of equipment for adults to ski but there is certainly a learning curve if you haven’t done it before and there is a very good chance you will fall (probably several times).

How to Help: We have a small staff up here and we greatly depend on adult volunteers to help pull off a successful day. Please plan on helping students switch boots, put on snowshoes, and put on skis. We will show you how to do this when you arrive. We also will need your help with putting all equipment away at the end of the day.

Non Winter Information

Thank you for your willingness to help with the upcoming field trip to the Swanson’s North Fork Discovery Center! 

We have just a few things for you so you are prepared for a great day outdoors.

Locations and Directions: The map apps sometimes struggle to get you to the right location. Historically Apple Maps has taken people to the wrong place, Google Maps typically works but we have had a few reports of it also struggling. Please familiarize yourselves with the directions before leaving, we have written directions and maps at this link. Directions to the Center.

Parking: The large parking lot is just beyond the large black arch gate, do not drive up the narrow one lane road past the parking lot even though your navigation may be telling you to. Please park in this lot around the perimeter, we leave the middle open for the school bus. 

Clothing Recommendations: In the Spring, Fall and Summer the Center is generally 8-12 degrees colder than the Ogden area, but that difference increases in the morning and evenings. We recommend checking the forecast before coming as conditions can change dramatically from day to day. A light jacket is a good idea, even in the summer. Make sure everything sent with a child has their name and school written on it. That way in the event it is left behind we can get it back to the proper place. Anything left behind that doesn’t have a name or school will be considered a donation to the Center.

What to Expect Physically: Every trip to the Center in the Non Winter is unique and created with feedback from your students teachers. However, a typical day will consist of a 1/2 mile walk from the parking lot to the Center on a dirt road with a gradual slope (you gain