Class Field Trips Fall 2026

Field Trip FAQs

• What’s the difference between Explorer and Discovery field trips?
  • In an Explorer field trip, groups of Chico State Education students lead hands-on activities they have developed in their class that meet Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Explorer field trips are only offered to 4th through 6th grade students.
  • In a Discovery field trip, Gateway field trip staff lead students through an exploration of each exhibit and present related artifacts that meet NGSS. Discovery field trips are offered to 1st through 8th grade students.
• How much do field trips cost?
  $125 per class
• How do I schedule a field trip?

  Click the link above to schedule the field trip type of your choice (Explorer or Discovery). If there is no active link, sign ups are currently closed.

  You will be able to choose your top three (3) preferred dates.

  Within one week of submitting your field trip request, you will receive an email with your tentative field trip date and time. You must confirm that this field trip date and time works to claim that date.

  Once the date has been confirmed by the teacher, a separate confirmation email will provide the payment deadline and instructions.

• How can I pay for a field trip?

  To secure your field trip date and time, payment must be received by the due date specified on your confirmation email. Field trips are reserved on a first paid basis. If your field trip is not paid by the due date, your field trip date reservation is subject to cancellation and will be made available for booking by another class.

  1. Credit card payments can be completed by phone Wed-Fri 10am-4pm at (530) 898-4119.
  2. Checks should be made out to “Chico State Enterprises – Gateway Science Museum” Please include the teacher’s last name and field trip date on the check and mail to: Gateway Science Museum, Attention: Field Trips, Chico State, 400 W. First St., Chico, CA 95929-0545.
  3. Purchase orders should be emailed to gateway@csuchico.edu. Please include the teacher’s last name and field trip date on the PO. A field trip is considered “paid” on the date a PO is received.
• What if I need to reschedule a field trip I’ve already paid for?

  Rescheduling is subject to availability. If rescheduling occurs less than five (5) business days prior to the original field trip date, a rescheduling fee of $25 will be charged.

• What if I need to cancel a field trip I’ve already paid for?

  A cancellation request must be received by Gateway at least TWO WEEKS prior to the scheduled field trip date to receive a full refund. Missed field trips or field trips cancelled less than 2 weeks prior to scheduled field trip date will be charged 100% of the field trip cost.

• How many chaperones can I bring?

  Minimum number of chaperones per class is three (3) adults (teacher + 2 parents/guardians).

  Maximum number of chaperones per class:

  • Explorer field trip: maximum of 4 adults (teacher + 2 parents/guardians) are accommodated. Please keep in mind that the guides leading your field trip are Chico State education students in their Science Education class learning to be teachers. The professor of this class has set the minimum and maximum numbers of chaperones to facilitate the best opportunities for their students and yours.
  • Discovery field trip: maximum of 8 adults (teacher + 7 parents/guardians) are included in the field trip cost. If there are more than 8 adults, there will be a $5 charge for each additional adult. Payment in CASH will need to be made prior to the end of the field trip. We cannot accept credit cards for extra adults.
• Can chaperones bring other children who are not enrolled in the class?
  No. Our field trips are only for students enrolled in the class.
• Can I schedule a field trip for a kindergarten class?
  At this time, we do not have the resources to provide supplemental instructional content for this grade level.
• Where do we park for a field trip?

  Free parking(opens in new window) during field trips is available for private vehicles in the Gateway parking lot in the spaces with curbs painted green with the words “Gateway Parking.”

  DO NOT PARK AT BIDWELL MANSION. A new fee-based parking system started at Bidwell Mansion in May 2026.

  The Bidwell Mansion parking lot is open to through traffic. Buses can safely make it through the parking lot for drop-off and pick-up.

  Buses must be parked off-site during the field trip. We suggest the Safeway parking lot on Mangrove Ave.

• What happens if we arrive late for our field trip?

  Being late results in students not receiving the full educational experience of the field trip. We ask that you arrive 10 minutes early to ensure a prompt start. Be aware that your field trip will be limited to the remaining time available, as we cannot extend time.

  If something delays your arrival the day of your field trip, please call and let us know.

  • For Explorer field trips, please call (707) 280-5949.
  • For Discovery field trips, please call (530) 898-4119.
• What should I do prior to our field trip?

  Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early to ensure receive the full field trip program. Field trips cannot be extended for late arrivals.

  Give your chaperones the information about where to park.

  For Explorer field trips, please divide the class into three (3) groups with a balanced number of students and chaperones per group.

  For Discovery field trips, please divide the class into two (2) groups with a balanced number of students and chaperones per group.