Hands-On Discovery
The Amigos offers a range of private, Naturalist-led field trips for students and scouts of all grade levels to promote hands-on discovery and cultivate a positive relationship with our local environment.
The Amigos Wetland Tour
Our Wetland Tour provides participants with an in-depth exploration of the Bolsa Chica, learning the history, ecology, biodiversity, and ecological importance of the Reserve. An Amigos Wetland Tour can help educators with Next Generation Science Standard requirements. Please allow a minimum of two weeks to process your wetland tour request. Organizers can choose between 2 tours:
Footbridge to 1st Overlook — 0.75 mile
Inner Bolsa Bay to Mesa — 1.5 mile
Download our Educator’s Guide to learn about various topics addressed on our Field Trips and the Next Generation Science Standards they meet.
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Learn from trained Naturalists about the following topics: the history of Bolsa Chica, its restoration process, biodiversity including plants and birds, endangered species, and tidal zones. All topics include Next Generation Science Standards talking points.
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60 participants maximum. One adult chaperone is required for every 10 children attending.
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Mid-elementary to Adult
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Park at the Reserve’s South Parking Lot off of Pacific Coast Highway. There are two parking spots available for buses.
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One portable restroom is located at the South Parking Lot.
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For Title 1 schools only, the Amigos can assist with up to $700 for the cost of one bus for one field trip per school. Request assistance when you book your Wetland Tour.
Our FLOW Field Trip
Our FLOW Field Trip allows students to experience a coastal wetland ecosystem through its most fundamental elements, phytoplankton and water quality. Overview Bolsa Chica’s ecology, tow for phytoplankton, practice microscopy, and learn the environmental impacts of water chemistry. A FLOW Field Trip can help educators with Next Generation Science Standard requirements. Please allow a minimum of two weeks to process your field trip request.
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Learn from trained Naturalists and community scientists on following topics: water quality & chemical analysis, food webs, species identification, data collection, community science, human impact, and phytoplankton and their relationship to the health of the ocean and the wetlands.
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60 participants maximum. One adult chaperone is required for every 10 children attending.
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Middle School to Community College. A modified version of the FLOW Field Trip can be arranged for Elementary School groups upon request.
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Students will participate in activities both at the Reserve and across the street at the Bolsa Chica State Beach Visitor’s Center. Bus parking is available at both locations (for the Reserve, it is the South Parking Lot off of Pacific Coast Highway). More details will be provided upon registering.
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For Title 1 schools only, the Amigos can assist with up to $400 for the cost of one bus for one field trip per school.
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One portable restroom is available in the south parking lot, and restrooms are available at the Bolsa Chica State Beach Visitor Center.
Girl Scout Badge Assistance
The Amigos de Bolsa Chica can provide special wetland tours that assist with requirements for the Daisy Eco-Learner Badge, Brownie Outdoor Adventurer Badge, Junior Animal Habitats Badge, Cadette Eco-Trekker Badge and Senior Eco-Explorer Badge. Please allow a minimum of two weeks to process your badge assistance request. Please note: we do not supply the badges but help the girls meet the requirements. Badges can be purchased through the Girl Scout Shop.
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60 participants maximum. One adult chaperone is required for every 10 children attending.
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Park at the Reserve’s South Parking Lot off of Pacific Coast Highway. There are two parking spots available for buses.
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One portable restroom is located at the south parking lot.
What will they discover?
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Bolsa Chica houses seabird nesting islands, coastal dunes, fresh and saltwater marsh, mudflats, and active riparian river banks.
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Over 200 species of birds have been spotted here, including the Ridgway’s Rail, Western Snowy Plover, California Least Tern, Black Skimmer, Belding’s Savannah Sparrow, Blue Heron, Snowy and Reddish Egrets, Brown Pelican, Belted Kingfisher, Osprey, and Peregrine Falcon.
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Look closely and you might spot one of the 60 species of fish, marine invertebrates, green sea turtles, sting rays, and California sea lions that call Bolsa Chica home.
Frequently Asked Questions
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To reserve a Amigos Wetland Tour or a FLOW Field Trip for your class or group, carefully fill out our Scheduling Form.
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We can accommodate a maximum of 60 students on a single Field Trip. For groups or classes larger than 60, we recommend booking two field trips on separate days and splitting the group in two.
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All Amigos tours and field trips are free of charge, though a suggested donation of $1 per student or $25 minimum is graciously appreciated. Note that schools are expected to fund their own transportation costs. Financial aid for bus transportation is available for a limited number of qualifying underserved schools each year.
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Educators, in collaboration with their school, are expected to coordinate with a transportation company and make the necessary payments. For qualifying Title 1 schools, a Bus Cost Assistance Application will be sent to educators upon request. Upon review of the application, the Amigos may reimburse up to $700 for transportation costs.
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Educators are encouraged to apply as far in advance as possible, particularly those interested in a FLOW Field Trip, as these are limited in number.
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For a FLOW Field Trip, the bus driver will drop off half of the class at the Bolsa Chica State Beach at the turn-around in front of the Visitor’s Center, and will shuttle students back and forth across Pacific Coast Highway between the State Beach and the Ecological Reserve.
All Wetland Tours begin at the south parking lot at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. While there are spaces for bus parking, space for car parking is limited.
A map with clear instructions will be sent to the teacher/educator after the application packet is received.
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For the enjoyment and safety of your group, we request a minimum of one adult for every 10 children. A minimum of one adult for every 5 children is requested for children with special needs. Our Naturalists are not responsible for ensuring every student follows the Reserve’s safety precautions.
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All our Field Trips and Wetland Tours meet Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). See the Scheduling Form for more details.