Why Outdoor Field Trips Are the Perfect Blend of Fun and STEAM Learning
Thursday March 27, 2025
Field trips aren’t just a break from the classroom—they’re a chance to bring learning to life in exciting and unexpected ways. When students step outside and engage in hands-on, real-world experiences, they retain information better, develop problem-solving skills, and build confidence. That’s why STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education thrives in outdoor adventure settings like Go Ape!
The Power of Outdoor Learning for Students
Traditional classroom learning is essential, but active, experiential learning reinforces key STEAM concepts in ways textbooks can’t. Studies show that students who participate in outdoor educational experiences demonstrate higher engagement, better critical thinking skills, and improved teamwork abilities. Plus, they have a whole lot of fun while learning!
Go Ape field trips are designed to combine the excitement of adventure with STEAM-based learning opportunities, ensuring students leave not only with great memories but also with valuable educational takeaways.
How Go Ape’s Field Trips Incorporate STEAM Learning
- Physics in Action: The Science of Ziplining
Ever wondered how ziplines work? Students will see physics in motion as they experience concepts like gravity, velocity, and friction firsthand. Understanding the science behind movement makes learning more engaging and memorable.
- Engineering Challenges: Navigating Ropes Courses
From suspended bridges to high-ropes obstacles, our aerial courses demonstrate principles of engineering and structural design. Students can discuss how different materials, forces, and angles contribute to a safe and thrilling experience—a perfect tie-in to real-world problem-solving.
- Technology & Innovation: Safety Systems in Adventure Parks
Go Ape uses advanced safety equipment and technology to ensure a secure experience. Field trips can include discussions on how innovations in harnesses, cables, and pulleys make outdoor adventure both safe and exciting, as well as how the equipment interacts with each other.
- Art & Creativity: Observing Nature Through a New Lens
The “A” in STEAM—Art—comes to life in the natural beauty surrounding Go Ape courses. Whether sketching the various intricacies of local leaves and flower petals, discussing nature-inspired architecture, like the Go Ape cabins, or capturing the adventure in creative storytelling, students will connect outdoor experiences to artistic expression.
- Math in Motion: Problem-Solving Through Adventure
From calculating angles and distances to estimating speed on a zipline, math plays a huge role in outdoor adventure. Field trips to Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park help students apply real-world math skills in ways that are both interactive and rewarding.
The Ultimate Field Trip: Learning, Adventure, and Teamwork
Beyond STEAM education, Go Ape field trips help students develop empathy, teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. As they navigate obstacles, encourage each other, and problem-solve together, they build confidence and resilience—skills that are just as valuable as academic knowledge.
Plan Your Next Unforgettable Field Trip
Whether you’re looking to reinforce STEAM concepts, promote class engagement and collaboration, or just give students a thrilling outdoor experience, Go Ape offers an educational adventure for school field trips that goes beyond the classroom.
What Does a Field Trip at Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park Include?
What does the day’s itinerary look like? What’s included? Here’s what you’ll get with our standard school trip/field trip packages:
- Tree Climbing & Ziplining
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- Options for 1, 2, or 3 hours of climbing and ziplining through your local park with options for all skill levels, ages, and abilities
- All safety and climbing gear, including harnesses, lanyards, pulleys, and carabiners. No need to bring your own!
- A full safety briefing plus practice time. Beginners will feel welcome and encouraged; no previous climbing experience needed.
- Ground-based Adventures
- Outdoor Forest Escape Room experiences available to further strengthen critical thinking skills, collaboration, and communication.
- At many Go Ape locations, outdoor Axe Throwing is available to encourage friendly competition and have students cheering each other on.
- Unique scavenger hunts that are created to maximize our local parks’ flora and fauna.
- Team building and bonding activities facilitated by Go Ape’s Primal Dynamix staff available on request.
- Free bus parking
- No charge for non-climbing participants or supervisors. Anyone can come along to watch, take pictures, and enjoy the park trails that run under our high ropes obstacle courses!
- Options to add pizza to your field trip from a local pizza joint. Don’t worry – we’ll take care of the ordering and delivery. Just contact us in advance and we’ll make it happen.
We suggest you start planning your field trip ideas as soon as possible! Reach out to our team to pick your perfect slot before it’s gone because they sure book up fast!
If the weather isn’t cooperating on the day of your field trip, don’t worry: Go Ape still operates, rain or shine! If thunderstorms are imminent, the cancellation policy will cover you should you want to postpone for another day.
Ready to take learning to new heights? Book your school field trip today and give students an unforgettable hands-on STEAM experience!
Go Ape believes in creating spaces where people of all ages and abilities can escape the ordinary, rediscover their courage, and embrace the thrill of discovery. Here, in the treetops or along scenic paths, lifelong bonds are forged, confidence is renewed, and laughter echoes through the canopy. Go Ape isn’t just an activity; it’s a movement to reconnect with what truly matters: people, place, and purpose.
Our locations are taking 2025 reservations now:
- Arlington-Dallas, Texas
- Plano, Texas
- Houston-Sugarland, Texas
- Williamsburg, Virginia
- Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Bear, Delaware
- Chicago, Illinois
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Ocean City, Maryland
- Rockville, Maryland
- Kansas City, Missouri
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Omaha-Lincoln, Nebraska
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Springfield, Virginia (Washington DC)
About Go Ape
In a world dominated by screens and fleeting connections, Go Ape offers an antidote: a place where joy is tangible, adventure is primal, and connections are authentic.
Whether you’re a parent wanting to create meaningful family memories, a thrill seeking adult, a leader building stronger teams, or an educator inspiring growth outside the classroom, we provide an unparalleled experience that blends physical challenge, emotional connection, and the beauty of nature. We believe in creating spaces where people of all ages can escape the ordinary, rediscover their courage, and embrace the thrill of discovery. Here, in the treetops or along scenic paths, lifelong bonds are forged, confidence is renewed, and laughter echoes through the canopy.
Go Ape isn’t just an activity—it’s a movement to reconnect with what truly matters: people, place, and purpose. Let’s rise above together. Visit goape.com.
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