PreK - 12th Grade Field Trips
Through interpretive and interactive experiences, the Meadows Center's educational tours engage students in an exploration of interconnections between all living things and water. The curricula for each program support the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Standards for each grade level.
All tours require a two-week advance reservation and 72 hours' notice of cancellation. Tour dates are not guaranteed until your confirmation notice from the Spring Lake Education Office has been processed. Listed group rates apply to any school group of 15 people or more. Prices are subject to change without notice. For information and pricing on all other group tours, visit our private group tours page.
Please click the links below for more information about pricing and activities. To reserve a tour time, please fill out the Tour Reservation Form.
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Prices for K-12th Grade Public Schools and Nonprofit Group Tours
Nonprofit Group Tour: Peak Season (March 1-August 31)
K-12th Grade Public Schools Group Tours Boat Tour Only
1-hour
1.5-hours
2-hours
2.5-hours
Child Price $5.50 $6.50
$7.00
$7.50
$8.00
Adult Price $7.50
$8.50
$9.00
$9.50
$10.00
Other Group Tour Rates Boat Tour Only
1-hour
1.5-hours
2-hours
2.5-hours
Adult Groups $7.50 $8.50 $9.00 $9.50 $10.00 Senior Groups (65+) $7.00 $8.00 $8.50 $9.00 $9.50 Nonprofit Group Tour: Off-Season (September 1-February 28)
K-12th Grade Public Schools Group Tours Boat Tour Only
1-hour
1.5-hours
2-hours
2.5-hours
Child Price $5.00 $6.00
$6.50
$7.00
$7.50
Adult Price $7.00
$8.00
$8.50
$9.00
$9.50
Other Group Tour Rates Boat Tour Only
1-hour
1.5-hours
2-hours
2.5-hours
Adult Groups $7.00 $8.00 $8.50 $9.00 $9.50 Senior Groups (65+) $6.50 $7.50 $8.00 $8.50 $9.00 Discounts
Title 1 Schools $0.25/ person, any tour length, all year San Marcos CISD $0.50/person, any tour length, all year
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Prices for Specialty Group Tour
Specialty Group Tour Pricing
On The Water's Edge
Mindfulness at the Meadows
Climate Explorers
Nature Orienteering
Child Price $10.00 $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
Adult Price $10.00
$10.00
$10.00
$10.00
PreK-12th Grade School Field Trips
30-minute Group Glass-Bottom Boat Tour Only
As students glide across Spring Lake in a glass-bottom boat, they have a rare opportunity to see underwater life from a different perspective. Students will view over 1,000 springs that bubble up 150 million gallons a day of clear water from the Edwards Aquifer to form Spring Lake, the headwaters of the San Marcos River. Declared a Critical Habitat by the Federal Government in 1980, Spring Lake is the home of five endangered species.
1 to 2-Hour General Field Trip (includes boat tour)
This fully guided tour can be customized to 1-hour, 1.5-hours, or 2-hours. It includes a glass-bottom boat tour and other guided activities. Some teachers prefer to pick specific activities rather than just the theme of the tour. Please choose from the activity options listed in the following TEKS curriculum guide to make up your total tour time and email back your choices a minimum of 1 week before your tour.
To reserve a tour time, please fill out the Tour Reservation Form.
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TEKS Curriculum Activity Options
Choose from our TEKS curriculum guide:
- Pre-K Activity Options
- Kindergarten Activity Options
- 1st Grade Activity Options
- 2nd Grade Activity Options
- 3rd Grade Activity Options
- 4th Grade Activity Options
- 5th Grade Activity Options
- 6th Grade Activity Options
- 7th Grade Activity Options
- 8th Grade Activity Options
- 9th - 12th Grade Activity Options
Can’t decide? Tell us a little about your group and how much time you would like to spend here, and we’ll pick the activities for you!
Specialty Field Trip Programs
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2-Hour Nature Orienteering Plant Scavenger Hunt (includes boat ride)
Students will participate in a Nature Orienteering Scavenger Hunt while hiking on the beautiful Spring Lake Preserve adjacent to the Meadows Center. Students will use compasses and an iPad to navigate while identifying plants in the area. It also includes a glass-bottom boat tour. This program can accommodate groups of 15-40 students. Sorry, it is not suitable for larger groups.
- Grade Levels: 6th-12th Grades
- Group Size: 15-40 students
To reserve a tour time, please fill out the Tour Reservation Form.
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*New!* 2-Hour Mindfulness at the Meadows (includes boat ride)
Students will hone their nature observation skills through mindful approaches and techniques in this experiential activity. Slowing down, being fully present, and engaging one's sensory capabilities are cornerstone skills needed for making detailed scientific observations. Students will use mindful techniques to assist them in finding answers to research questions about their environment. Students will use photography, writing, and group discussions to document and describe observations and understandings of nature experiences. This activity includes a glass-bottom boat ride and a wetlands tour.
- Grade Level: 3rd - 7th Grade
- Group Size: 15-30 students
To reserve a tour time, please fill out the Tour Reservation Form.
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*New!* 2.5-Hour Climate Explorers Tour (includes boat tour)
In this fully guided tour, students will participate in hands-on activities that explore how our natural environment interacts with the changing climate. Groups will learn about the role a healthy riparian ecosystem plays in reducing the effects caused by climate change and how we can be solution-based in our thinking about environmental stewardship. Students will also enjoy a ride on a glass-bottom boat while learning about the endangered species that rely on each of us to make a positive impact on the world around us.
- Grade Level: Appropriate for All Ages
- Group Size: 15-60 students
To reserve a tour time, please fill out the Tour Reservation Form.
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2.5 to 3-Hour On the Water's Edge Tour (includes boat tour)
This program includes a visit to the water’s edge at Spring Lake and Sink Creek, where students will get a concrete background in understanding the impact of exotic species on diverse ecosystems and endangered species, as well as the effect of pollution on a habitat. Students will conduct macroinvertebrate testing at a location on Sink Creek or Spring Lake. This program includes a 30-minute glass-bottom boat tour. Program length is flexible, generally lasting 2.5 hours.
Please note: This program is only offered from March through October, weather permitting.
- Grade Level: 9th - 12th Grade
- Group Size: 15-40 students
To reserve a tour, please fill out the Tour Reservation Form.
For more information, please email our educational tours office at springlaketours@txstate.edu or call 512.245.7540.