Field Trips

Gilchrist farm experiences

Experience a Field Trip at Gilchrist Farm. Field trips are available Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM -2:00 PM and are approximately 2 1/2 hours long. Along with our “basic” field trip package, we have specialty packages and a variety of add-ons to enhance your farm experience.

All Gilchrist Farm Field Trip experiences are aligned to the California State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards.

Field Trips are offered for all age & grade levels, year around, with special extras in the Spring (March through June-meet the babies) and Fall during the Harvest Festival & Pumpkin Patch in October!  We welcome students with special needs and are happy to provide accommodations when possible.

GOLD RUSH FIELD TRIPS are geared for 4th graders and aligned with the California State Standards for that grade level-but they are fun for anyone! See details below.

Our Gemstone Mining experience, great for all age & grade levels, can be added to any field trip for $10/student and includes a bag of authentic gems along with a guide for each student to take home.

Bring your Summer Camp program to the farm for a memorable day trip during the summer.

Field Trip Options:

Field trips are available Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM -2:00 PM.

20 students minimum, however we are often able to combine smaller groups...just ask! Bring your lunch and take advantage of our picnic tables and shade area. Always bring water along, wear hats and sunscreen!

The Basic Field Trip: Includes

Plan to spend 2.5 hours at the farm for the Basic Field Trip

  • Farm Animal Visit-Guided time in our animals pens to pet the goats, meet the pot belly pigs, sheep, and bunnies. Feed the chickens, turkeys, ducks, peacocks, guinea fowl. This is hands-on, in the animals' enclosures!

  • Goat Milking Demonstration (Seasonal-late summer through November)-Learn how to milk a goat and try your hand at it! Every student gets the chance to milk a goat! Spring field trips enjoy the Butterfly Encounter!

  • Guided Farm & Garden Tour: Meet the Farm Pigs, Horses and Cows and learn about each along the way! Visit the Garden. During the different seasons, the focus changes. In the Spring-Learn how to attract butterflies and hummingbirds in our special native butterfly garden. In the Fall-See pumpkins, sunflowers, corn and other fall favorites growing in our demonstration garden. Includes the Horse & Pony tour! Meet and greet our horses and ponies. Learn about breeds, colors and personalities of horses and ponies.

  • Straw Bale Maze-Find your way through our straw bale maze as a class. Take some great photos and enjoy some time to stretch out and play!

    COST=Basic Field Trip $6 per student. No cost for Teachers, Aides, or School Assigned Helpers. Additional parents/adults cost $5/per person. (Homeschool and preschool/toddler/home based groups have different parameters-please reach out for details).

    Optional Wagon Ride $4 per student. 2 adults included per 12 students. Additional parents/adults $5/per rider.

    OCTOBER-Field Trips include the PUMPKIN PATCH. Add a pumpkin to take home for each student for $4/each.

“The Works” package deal available during October for $13 per student. Includes Basic Field Trip $6, Wagon Ride $4 and Pumpkin $4 (save $1 per student) or

“THE DEAL” package is just $22 per student for the Basic Field Trip $6, Wagon Ride $4, Pumpkin $4 and Gemstone Mining $10 (save $2 per student)

Other Add Ons:

--Pioneer Arts: Learn about life in the pioneer times by engaging in hands-on activities!

Wool Spinning Overview or In depth-Meet the sheep, feel the wool, skirt, clean and card the wool, spin wool into yarn!

Wool Spinning Overview (see, touch and experience) $5/student

Wood Spinning In depth (see, touch, experience and spin) $15/student (add 1/2 hour to visit)

Candle Dipping $5/student

Pioneer Doll Making (best for 7 years old and up) $5

Decorate a horseshoe $5/student

-Horse back riding $15 student ride/$30 horsemanship class to include grooming/safety/instruction

-Archery $15 student

THE GOLD RUSH ON THE FARM

This historic field trip combines the best of our Pioneer Arts and engages the GILCHRIST FARM MINING COMPANY SLUICE to deliver an incredible field trip aligned with the California State Standards!!! Delivered in period costumes, taught from a real historical perspective-and ALIVE with FARM FUN!!!! Pan for gold, spin wool, dip candles, pet donkeys-each student gets REAL GOLD FLAKES to take home.

Catch yourself some GOLD FEVER and be a Forty-Niner! There’s GOLD in them thar hills!

Gold was discovered in California in 1848. Imagine travelling a thousand miles just for a chance to find your fortune. After you arrive, you will be greeted by local miners bearing the news of the MOTHER LODE. Head straight on up to the long tom sluice, the mine and gold fields! Get supplies and start digging and panning!

Throughout your visit you’ll learn about 49er life, including the feuds between the farmers and the miners and how gold was found. You might even learn the hard way about supply and demand. How could someone be charged $100 for a glass of water and $1,500 for rent? Find out how the millionaires ACTUALLY made their money!

You’ll get a break at High Noon for lunch.

COST=Gold RUSH FIELD TRIP cost is $15 per student. No cost for Teachers, Aides, or School Assigned Helpers. Additional parents/adults cost $10/per person. (Homeschool and preschool/toddler/home based groups have different parameters-please reach out for details).

ALL AGES WELCOME. This tour’s educational content is aimed at 4th grade curriculum and aligned with California State Standards in 4.3 and 4.4.

Coming in 2025: