General Info
Will Fall in the Field still run in the fall with regards to COVID-19?
We are moving forward with our plans to operate programming; however, due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 actions in place by the state of Oregon, we are developing a contingency plan. We understand COVID-19 presents new challenges for teachers and students, and we want you to know that we will continue our outdoor programming so long as it is safe for our participants. In the event that face-to-face programming is not possible, we are developing alternative opportunities that offer students and schools safe and exciting ways to learn about our beautiful Rogue Valley ecosystems.
Who develops and presents the Fall in the Field Program?
Students of the Master of Science in Environmental Education Program at Southern Oregon University design and implement Fall in the Field as our final project. We spend the entire year developing a cohesive program to deliver to various groups. This year, students will discover and be a part of Nature’s Tales as we hear and explore Stories of Change and Resilience. If you haven’t already, please visit our Meet The Instructors page to get to know the instructors you might be working with.
Do you accommodate students with exceptionalities?
Instructors at Fall in the Field have been trained to differentiate their lesson plans to accommodate students with all learning styles and physical abilities. However, we do encourage teachers to notify instructors about any students’ unique needs as soon as possible through our registration process. On our registration form, there will be a question addressing this topic. Please be as specific as possible when describing your students. An instructor will be in contact prior to the school visit; this will be a great opportunity to update us on students’ special needs.
Please keep in mind, in certain locations such as the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument students will be hiking in rocky terrain with moderate elevation gains. Locations such as Hyatt Lake might be easier to accommodate for students with physical impairments.
What if I need to cancel our trip? Will I be reimbursed?
We do not provide reimbursements for last minute cancellations unless it’s an emergency. Our full cancellation policy can be found on the programs tab under policies.
What happens if there is inclement weather?
Instructors encourage students to dress appropriately for the weather. That means being prepared for rain, wind, snow, or shine by checking the weather report before programming. We will proceed with our programs as long as the weather does not pose an immediate threat or danger to anyone attending Fall in the Field. Lessons will be taking place at high elevations, which means temperatures can be more than 10-15 degrees colder than in Ashland or Medford. It is always a good idea to dress with layers and come prepared for all types of weather. Long pants and close-toed shoes are always a must. However, if extreme weather is predicted ahead of time we will follow our cancellation policy, which states that the Fall in the Field staff will contact the teacher and jointly make the decision to cancel or relocate the program. Teachers are encouraged to ensure that students have rain gear. There is no shelter at the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.
Is there much poison oak around the field sites? Do you have Technu available? Is it common for students to get poison oak?
Unfortunately, poison oak is present at the Rogue River Preserve. Instructors try to keep students from coming into direct contact with poison oak through education and setting boundaries around the premises where poison oak has been spotted. We will have Technu available at our program, in case students come into direct contact with poison oak.
Poison oak is not present at our day-program or residential sites in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.
Is there any financial aid to help teachers pay for costs associated with field trips?
Yes! Read about financial aid opportunities below and let us know if you have any questions.
Bus Transportation Reimbursement:
Classes attending our Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument day and the Crest at Willow-Witt residential programs can apply in advance for reimbursement of their bus transportation costs through the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI). This form must be completed prior to your trip. OFRI provides reimbursements for programs that involve forest education efforts. When describing how the trip will enhance/extend classroom learning, we suggest that you use the following language:
For the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument: “Fall in the Field programs explore a range of forest ecosystems and their associated biodiversities.”
At the Crest at Willow-Witt, “Fall in the Field programs explore how the unique geology of the serpentine soils influences the plant and forest communities.”
Unfortunately, classes attending our hybrid programs through Outdoor School for All funding are not eligible to apply for bus reimbursement.
Outdoor School for All funding:
5th and 6th-grade groups that attend one of our hybrid programs are eligible to receive Outdoor School For All funding. Please visit their website to learn more about the application process.
How many chaperones do I need to recruit for my class?
As a general rule, we ask that teachers recruit 1 chaperone for every 10 students attending a Fall in the Field program. When recruiting chaperones, please keep in mind that they will be expected to hike trails with moderate elevation gain. In order to ensure that students receive the best possible learning experience during Fall in the Field, we kindly ask that pets and younger siblings of the students do not attend the field trip. This is to minimize the likelihood of distractions and safety issues arising during a lesson.
We will require a list of chaperones and evidence that they have received background checks.
As a teacher, what is my role in Fall in the Field?
Instructors appreciate when teachers assist with classroom management and directions. However, the instructors will be responsible for implementing Fall in the Field lessons, not the teachers. Teachers play an important role in preparing students for their field experience and with follow up lessons upon their return to the classroom.
Day Programs: Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
How much will it cost?
The instructional fee for day programs is $45 per class. Maximum class size is 40 students.
What facilities are available at the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument?
At the Monument, since we will be out in the woods, porta-potties will be placed at the trailheads for the entire season. We will have a cooler of water, but there is no running water at the trailheads. Students are encouraged to arrive with full water bottles.
What kinds of lessons will be taught?
The curriculum is currently being developed that explores the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument’s unique biodiversity as well as our theme, Nature’s Tales: Stories of Change and Resilience. Our lessons focus on student-centered, hands-on learning and are aligned to national and state educational standards, including NGSS.
How long are the trips?
Trips at CSNM are from 9:00am-1:30. No overnight programs are available. Please let your trip liaison know if your arrival or departure times must differ from this anticipated schedule.
For programs at CSNM, do all participants need to bring their own food?
Yes; we will not be providing food for any of the participants. Students, teachers, and chaperones are encouraged to bring water, healthy snacks, and a hearty lunch.
What is the difference between Hyatt PCT and Green Springs?
Both Hyatt PCT and Green Springs are located within the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and follow part of the Pacific Crest Trail. Hyatt PCT provides students with the opportunity to explore the habitats surrounding the lake including an old-growth forest. This trail is accessible for a wide range of ages and abilities. There is little elevation gain on the Hyatt PCT trail. Green Springs traverses multiple distinct micro-habitats, showcasing the Monument’s biodiversity, and a portion of the trail offers stunning aerial views of the Rogue Valley.
Can my class visit both sites?
Yes! Provided there is availability, classes are welcome to register for two separate day trips, one at each site.
All of the day trips were booked this year. How did this happen so fast? Is there a wait list?
If all trips are already booked, please add yourself to our waitlist. If space becomes available we will fill vacancies with classes from the waitlist. Due to the number of instructors that are part of this year’s program we are only able to offer ONE day trip per day. Unfortunately, this does not give you the opportunity to share buses but it does allow you to receive the same wonderful, personalized experience you have received in past years. If you haven’t already visited our Meet the Instructors page, please do so to learn more about the individuals that you and your group will get to work with.
Day Programs: Rogue River Preserve
How much will it cost to attend a program at the Rogue River Preserve?
The instructional fee for a day program at Rogue River Preserve is $5 per student. Maximum class size is 40 students.
What facilities are available at the Rogue River Preserve?
Porta-potties will be placed at the bus turn-around within the preserve. We will have a cooler of water, but there is no running water at the preserve. Students are encouraged to arrive with full water bottles.
What kinds of lessons will be taught?
The curriculum is currently being developed that explores the uniqueness of Rogue River Preserve as well as our theme, Nature’s Tales: Stories of Change and Resilience. Our lessons focus on student-centered, hands-on learning with a focus on stewardship and are aligned to national and state educational standards, including NGSS.
How long are the trips?
Trips to Rogue River Preserve are from 9:00am – 1:30pm. Please let your trip liaison know if your arrival or departure times must differ from this anticipated schedule.
For programs at Rogue River Preserve, do all participants need to bring their own food?
Yes; we do not provide food for any of the participants. Students, teachers, and chaperones are encouraged to bring water, healthy snacks, and a hearty lunch.
Residential Programs: The Crest at Willow-Witt
How much will it cost to attend one night at the Crest at Willow-Witt?
Visit our prices page to calculate program costs or contact us with any concerns or further questions.
What facilities are available at the Crest at Willow-Witt?
The Crest at Willow-Witt includes access to heated wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, showers, and dressing room. There are two toilet stalls and one shower available in the separate bathhouses for men and women.
The Crest at Willow-Witt also features a sheltered kitchen area, which serves as our kitchen and meeting area. The kitchen contains modern amenities with a cooking area that includes stoves, ovens, sinks, and food-prep tables as well as a wood stove with a comfortable seating area.
Students will sleep in four heated tents. The tents sleep 10 students each. Students should plan to bring their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and other sleeping essentials. A limited number of sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and wool blankets are available upon request.
What happens if there is inclement weather? Are the tents heated?
We will adjust our programming to ensure the safety of students. In the event of a thunderstorm, we will move to the sheltered kitchen area until the storm has passed. If severe weather is predicted ahead of time, we will follow our cancellation policy.
Yes, a heat source will be provided in each tent.
Additional winter jackets, hats, gloves, socks, and boots are available during the program if student’s need more layers.
Where do teachers and chaperones sleep?
At least one teacher or chaperone is required to sleep in each tent in order to supervise students.
Additional teachers and chaperones may choose to sleep with the students in the heated tents or sleep in their own self-provided tent. Please note that our program prices only cover these types of sleeping accommodations.
Teachers and chaperones are welcome to rent a furnished wall tent at a special rate. If you decide to pursue this option you will be responsible for paying the associated additional fees to Willow-Witt Ranch and you may have to share it with other teachers and chaperones.
I have a student who must participate in a sport or extracurricular activity one evening during FITF. The parent is willing to pick up and bring back the student so they can participate. Is this okay?
In accordance with school policy, parents can pick up and brick back their student to the Crest at Willow-Witt as needed. We ask that you notify staff when this will take place so that we can ensure all students are accounted for. Fall in the Field instructors will not be able to provide transportation. The address is 658 Shale City Rd, Ashland, OR 97520, near Grizzly Peak trailhead.
Do all participants need to bring their own meals for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner or is food provided as part of the fee?
One dinner will be provided alongside a food-based lesson, called Food for Thought, pending a donation. This unit focuses on the benefits of sustainable agriculture and local food systems culminating with the students cooking a delicious and healthy veggie taco meal made from locally grown ingredients. There is no additional fee for this lesson. Ingredients will be provided by Fall in the Field staff, but we are not allowed to assist in meal preparation; this will be the responsibility of teachers, chaperones, and students. Additional meals or snacks will be the responsibility of teachers.
Students and teachers should bring breakfast, lunch, and snacks. If colder weather is expected we encourage teachers and chaperones to bring warm drink ingredients, such as hot chocolate or tea.
How long are the programs?
Teachers have the option of bringing their classes to the Crest at Willow-Witt for a two day, one-night program. Arrival time is 10:00 AM and departure time is 1:30 PM the following day. Please contact us if you have specific questions about modifying the schedule to fit your class’s specific arrival and departure needs.
What do the lessons entail? What sort of activities will be presented?
Curriculum development is currently underway as we are diving into topics that allow us to explore our theme, Nature’s Tales: Stories of Change and Resilience. Lesson topics may include soil science, fire ecology, wetlands, and ethnobotany. Our lessons focus on student-centered, hands-on learning, and are aligned to state and national educational standards, including Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Hybrid Programs
Are these programs only limited to 5th and 6th-grade public school classes?
This program design was developed for 5th or 6th-grade public school groups with access to Outdoor School (ODS) funding from the state of Oregon. This is the only program we offer that fulfills the requirements of state funding and we are excited to provide this option. A hybrid program consists of a one-night residential program at the Crest at Willow-Witt and a day program at CSNM that occur on three consecutive days.
If your class is not a 5th or 6th-grade public school class and you would like to attend both our one-night residential program at the Crest at Willow-Witt and a day program at the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, feel free to sign up for both! Please check out our registration availability, or contact us directly at fallinthefield@sou.edu to discuss options that work for you.
If some of my 6th grade students have attended Outdoor School already in 5th grade and received ODS funding, can they still attend FITF hybrid programming?
Yes, but those students will not be allowed ODS funding, however, the 6th graders in your class who have not received the funding will still be allowed ODS funding.
Our school would like to bring out our entire 5th or 6th grade classes to attend Fall in the Field at one time, is that possible?
Although this may be possible in the future, currently we are only accepting one class per program. This is due to the limited number of instructors and size of the residential facility at this time.
Contact Fall in the Field
SOU Environmental Education Graduate Program
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6876
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