Student Field Trip

Give your fourth-grade students a free, standards-aligned field trip that brings classroom science to life. Through hands-on investigations, interactive demonstrations, and a behinds-the-scenes tour of our Operations Center, students explore electricity, water, safety, and environmental stewardship while connecting classroom learning to real-world utility operations.

Teacher guides are available at the bottom of this page.

Program Details

• Available October through June
• Tuesday through Friday
• Two-hour program
• Public and private schools in Clark County, Washington
• Start times: 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m.
• Location: Operations Center, 8600 NE 117^th Avenue, Vancouver

Registration opens Wednesday, September 2. Field trips are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis until all dates are filled. A waitlist is available for cancellations.

Field Trip Logistics

Your classes will be visiting an active workplace. As Clark Public Utilities provides essential utility services, safety and daily operations remain our highest priority. To help ensure a safe and successful visit for students, staff, and customers, please review the following guidelines before your trip.

Failure to follow these guidelines may result in the field trip being canceled.

Eligibility Requirements

• Fourth grade
• Fourth-grade blended class
• 15 to 60 students
• Maximum two classes

Required Supervision Ratio: 1 adult per 6 students.

• 60 students require 2 teachers and 6 chaperones (8 adults total)
• One-to-one paraeducators do not count toward the ratio
• Chaperones must arrive and depart with the class by bus
• Additional adults cannot be accommodated

Security Requirements:

• Register all teachers, chaperones, and paraeducators at least three days before the visit
• Complete the Chaperone Submission Form emailed one week before the visit
• All educators, chaperones, and paraeducators must arrive and depart with the class on the school bus
• Adults who are not pre-registered or who arrive separately cannot participate
• Siblings and children who are not part of the registered class may not attend

Accessibility

Please share any physical, behavioral, sensory, or communication needs before your visit so we can prepare appropriate accommodations.  Because the Operations Center is an active workplace, we are unable to provide dedicated quiet rooms, behavioral support spaces, or specialized support services that may be available at museums or other public attractions. While our facility meets ADA requirements for our workplace, it may not include all of the accessibility resources available in a school setting. If you have questions about whether this experience can accommodate your students’ needs, please contact us before submitting your field trip request.

Prepare For Your Visit 

Before Your Visit

• Review the Teacher’s Guide to introduce key concepts and vocabulary
• Have students wear name tags with their first name clearly visible
• Students should bring a reusable water bottle (no glass containers). Water fountains are not available to guests
• Save snacks for the bus. Gum is not permitted. Students with medical needs may eat as required.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to:

• Walk at all times. Running and horseplay are not permitted
• Follow directions from Clark Public Utilities staff, including instructions about voice levels, lining up, and using equipment safely
• Treat presenters, classmates, and facilities with respect

Teachers & Chaperone Responsibilities

Teachers and chaperones are expected to:

• Actively supervise students and support positive behavior through out the visit
• Accompany students to the restroom
• Coordinate bathroom breaks during hands-on time rather than waiting until the end of the visit
• Refrain from using cell phones or taking photos outside of the Student Education Room

Supervision Expectations

Maintaining the required student-to-chaperone ratio helps create a safe and productive experience in our active workplace. Teachers and chaperones are responsible for supervising student behavior throughout the visit, while Clark Public Utilities staff focus on leading the educational program. If student behavior becomes disruptive or safety expectations are not met, the visit may be ended early. Please review these expectations with all accompanying adults before the visit.

Class Changes

For security reasons, changes to your registered classes require advance approval. This includes combining classes or swapping field trip dates with another class from the same school.

Unapproved class changes, unregistered adults, or last-minute substitutions may result in the visit being canceled.

Visit Length & Arrival Times:

Field trips are two hours in length. Please confirm your class is available for the full program before registering, as abbreviated visits are not available.

If a class arrives late, the visit will still end at the scheduled time. Classes arriving more than 20 minutes after their scheduled arrival time may have their visit canceled.

If a class arrives early, the visit will begin as scheduled.

Bus Arrival & Transportation

Enter through the secured gate on NE 87th Street and follow the Field Trip signs. If the gate is closed, press the call button and provide the school name.

• Bus drivers may leave after dropping off students
• Drivers returning for pickup should arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled end of the visit
• Drivers who remain on-site must remain inside their bus, in the designated parking area

Clark Public Utilities provides free field trips for eligible fourth-grade classes within our service territory. Please ensure your transportation arrangements accommodate all students, teachers, and chaperones.

Transportation Reimbursement

To request transportation reimbursement:

• Email the bus invoice to [email protected]
• Include the school name and field trip date
• Incomplete invoices may delay reimbursement

Ready to Schedule?

Thank you for helping your students, staff, and chaperones prepare for their visit. Your partnership helps create a safe, engaging, and successful experience for everyone.

All field trip requests are reviewed before they are confirmed. Complete and accurate information is required before a date can be confirmed. Requests containing incomplete or inaccurate information will require a new submission.

View the calendar and submit your field trip request HERE

Questions?

Amber Hall

Education Engagement Specialist

360-992-3550

[email protected].