CBI Forest School Field Trips 2026-27

CBI FOREST SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS 2026-27 School Year

Connecting Children with Nature in their Community!

The Nature Bus and CBI Forest School is partnering to create meaningful, place-based learning experiences that deepen children’s connection to nature, their community and Jewish life.

*Sixteen (16) seats available for ages 4+ accompanied by their teachers for these extra special nature opportunities. The teachers remain responsible for their students when adventuring out into the community with The Nature Bus.

Dates: Beginning September 1st through May 31st, up to THREE trips per week. The Nature Bus will support the educational programming of CBI Forest School. The anticipated schedule is approximately three days per week; however, the exact number of days may vary depending on enrollment, programming needs, weather, and educational opportunities. A detailed schedule, nature field trips, and educational programming will be finalized prior to the beginning of the school year.

TIME: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm (Nature field trips will depart and return during regular school hours)

PRICE: Regular price for our tours = $140/hour x 7 hours (8:30am-3:30pm) = $980 for full day trip + 2.9% online card payment fee. ALL SALES FINAL/NO REFUNDS.

CBI special discounted rate > $4,600 (August 10 – June 2) paid in 9 installments ($511/month) beginning on Sept.1, 2026 (last payment May 1st, 2027). BREAKDOWN: $511/month = $127.75/week. Three (3) trips/week = $42.58 per field trip. Plus 2.9% online card payment fee (not applicable if paid by check). This arrangement will be based on a contract for the entire school year.

DESCRIPTION: Field trips designed with your nature-loving child in mind! Students will become “nature experts” using the tools naturalists use in the field. Hop-on-board The Nature Bus! Each day will be filled with outdoor nature activities and adventures. Activities may include: visits to different outdoor parks an nature preserves; flora an fauna observation + identification; exploring different ecosystems, nature journaling; watercolor painting; environmental stewardship; nature meditations; eco arts; fun and games; naturalist challenges;  and much, much more! When children quiet down in nature, they can tap into their natural curiosity. On our field trips we will slow down and use all of the senses to experience the energies of the natural world. By practicing mindfulness, students will learn to cultivate a sense of peace, awe and wonder.

CLICK HERE for VIDEO & BLOG of a nature experiences at our Nature Quest Camps. Then, check out reviews from parents! “Favorite nature outings EVER!” TheNatureBus.com > Reviews tab.

IMPORTANT NOTES: 1. Included in our partnership, The Nature Bus will have year round free parking at CBI; we depart and return from CBI Forest School. 2. We may have The Nature Bus Therapy Dog on board for some of our field trips. 3. ALL participants (adults, teachers, and every child) must have a signed Assumption of Risk and Waiver form to board the bus and to participate in the nature activities. Children participating without their parent will also need a “consent to treat minor child” form. 4. CBI Forest School will actively promote any weekend Family Nature Tours that may occur.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:
– Nature activities, visits to a variety of local natural areas, naturalist learning
– Transportation on air conditioned/heated relatively new vehicle with seat belts
– On some tours – use of a nature backpack (on loan) filled with naturalist supplies (binoculars, magnifying glass, insect collector, journaling tools, and more!
– Expert pre-planning services in conjunction with the school teachers’ learning goals

EXCLUDED – Any extra costs & fees: gasoline, tolls, parking, special use permits; entrance fees when required by destination, food/drink, Friday interior vehicle cleaning, once-a-month exterior vehicle cleaning, tolls, and OPTIONAL extra costs such as:  consumable student materials if recommended by destination, and/or special speaker or tour guide fees.

THINGS TO BRING/WEAR on each field trip:
– Pack a picnic lunch + snacks each day in a SMALL insulated lunchbox with an icepack; we provide picnic blankets (Allergy List will be sent to you by the teachers; please don’t pack items on the list)
– All registration forms and waiver forms completed; required to board the bus.
– Refillable water bottle with ICE cubes; it needs to fit into a backpack side pocket (for hands-free hiking). Students can refill their water bottle all day long.
– Rain jacket; rain boots. We will enjoy the rain and mud! Every child needs a “mud bag” and change of clothing and shoes to re-board the bus.
– Closed-toed/tennis shoes (no open-toed shoes)
– Appropriate clothing for the day’s weather forcast
– Other supplies to keep your nature explorer safe and comfortable

• We look forward to seeing your child on our fieldtrips! Check out all of the 5-star reviews, so you will be super confident that your child will have an amazing experience! You can read these reviews at TheNatureBus.com > click the REVIEWS tab. See you soon!
• If you have any questions, please text/call the owner. Suzanne 757-288-9595

*We go “light rain” or shine. See our weather policy FAQs  page. In the case of light rain, we simply take cover and wait it out. Intermittent rain won’t stop the fun. No matter the weather, we will hold go on the trip. We find picnic shelters and/or some possible local indoor places where we can take temporary cover.

*ALL OF OUR TOURS INVOLVE WALKING; CHILDREN SHOULD EXPECT VARYING DEGREES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

SAFETY MEASURES: We care about the health and safety of those participating in our nature experiences. The bus is sanitized between each tour. We often ride with windows partially cracked open for some airflow, like an open-air tram (weather permitting). Regarding our sick policy, please stay away if your child is not feeling well or has a fever. Do not bring sick children on a field trip. Children will be required to wear cross-the-shoulder seat belts at all times while the bus is moving.

See your children soon on board The Nature Bus!