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The Greenway Foundation

The Greenway Foundation

Revitalizing Rivers. Reconnecting Communities.

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Field Trips

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SPREE third graders travel through history and learn how the South Platte River was central to Denver's development on a field trip.

History and Science Are Real Along the River

Wade into history. Make your own scientific discovery. The Greenway Foundation connects students to the great outdoors right in the city on educational field trips throughout the school year with our South Platte River Environmental Education (SPREE) program. Let SPREE’s expert educators introduce your students to the river through engaging activities that teach science, history, and the importance of the river to the city and its residents. SPREE field trips are immersive experiences that students remember, reinforcing the lessons they are already learning in the classroom.

Sign Up for a Field Trip

Love this field trip. It’s a hit every year and all of the activities are exciting for them!

Fifth Grade Teacher at Grant Ranch
SPREE Field Trip Teacher
 

It was awesome! Thank you so much for having us and putting on such a wonderful and well thought out field trip!

First Grade Teacher from Carson
SPREE Field Trip Teacher
 

The SPREE field trip was a student and teacher favorite!

Assistant Principal
SPREE School Administrator
 

The SPREE instructors were great with the kids. They were fun, the kids had a great time and learned new information. It was great!

Third Grade Teacher from STEM School
SPREE Field Trip Teacher
 

I am as impressed this year as I was last year. It amazes me that these instructors can make us feel like we are out in nature when we are literally downtown in a big city. It’s fun, educational, and healthy. I love the SPREE kindergarten trip! Thank you!

Kindergarten Teacher from Monarch Montessori
SPREE Field Trip Teacher
 

Behavior management is always really good at SPREE. Your teachers are obviously trained to identify kids who might need extra support/jobs and make sure they will be successful, which in return makes the whole group successful.

Third Grade Teacher from Cory
SPREE School Teacher
 

Due to our student population at the school, students often do not gain experiences like this one and we are very grateful for the opportunity. Thank you so much!

Fourth Grade Teacher from McMeen Elementary
SPREE Field Trip Teacher
 

The content was valuable, interesting, and age-appropriate. The activities were fun, useful, and worthwhile. You guys have the best field trip in the city. Nice work. You all deserve an award!

First Grade Teacher from Cory
SPREE School Teacher
 

This is the best field trip I’ve ever had. I never want it to end!

Third Grader from Pinnacle Charter
SPREE Field Trip Student
 

I had the privilege of taking my group of first graders to Commons Park with SPREE. The students participated in 5 different visits and each visit had a different focus which tied into their Animal Adaptation unit. Students were engaged and got so much out of each visit! The staff was incredibly intentional in their approach and made these visits so hands on and enjoyable. Students loved being able to deepen their learning through the use of the South Platte and all Denver’s parks have to offer. Hearing students applying what they learned in SPREE to their learning back at school was incredible and all thanks to their remarkable staff. The staff is passionate about providing students with meaningful learning experiences!

Lizzie Haibt
C3 Teacher
 

This truly was the best guided fieldwork I have experienced in my 10 years of teaching! It was so thoughtfully planned. It definitely allowed me to be able to really jump in the fun and enjoy this experience with my kids.

Second/Third Grade Teacher at Joe Shoemaker School
SPREE School Teacher
 

I thought this was one of the best field trips I’ve ever taken my students on. Each activity was perfect for their age, super engaging, and timed well. It built well on what they’ve learned in science and they truly enjoyed it!

Second Grade Teacher from Rocky Mountain Prep
SPREE Field Trip Teacher
 

Can I rate this trip? I want to give it a 5 out of 5!

Fourth Grade Student at CTD Greenlee
SPREE Field Trip Student
 

The activities were great. They were informative and engaging! The SPREE teachers were prepared, thoughtful and knew how to work with the kids.

Fourth Grade Teacher from C3
SPREE Field Trip Teacher
 

My child had a blast on his 3rd grade field trip to Confluence Park. He came back with so many facts about the area. It was fun for us too!

Parent Chaperone
SPREE Field Trip Chaperone
 

Very cool trip and was extremely pleased with the organization/implementation of the trip! We will be back and appreciate the hard work that goes into planning these trips.

Fourth Grade Teacher from McMeen Elementary
SPREE Field Trip Teacher
 

Grade Level Specific Excursions

Grade-specific field trips are provided for students in preschool through fifth grade. Each has its own activities designed to engage learners actively and support Colorado Academic Standards. Standard trips run from 10:00am – 1:30pm. ECE and Kinder trips have a flexible end time.

  • Preschool (ECE)
  • Kindergarten
  • First Grade
  • Second Grade
  • Third Grade
  • Fourth Grade
  • Fifth Grade

Custom Excursions

SPREE also offers custom excursions for classes with specific interests or needs, middle school groups, scout troops, and other local organizations. For more information on custom programming, contact excursions@greenwayfoundation.org.

River Rapids on the South Platte River
SPREE Students touch the South Platte River on a field trip.
SPREE students learn to boat on the South Platte River on a field trip
SPREE students and staff are on an exploration mission along the South Platte River.
Students from Polaris Elementary School pan for gold on a SPREE field trip.
SPREE Student focuses his attention on ducks along the South Platte River through homemade binoculars.
A SPREE field trip student shows the animal habitat that they found along the South Platte River.

Amazing Adventures Connect Kids to the River

And when kids learn to care about the river, they become engaged in our community’s history and the preservation of ecosystems that support our future. Through meaningful activities like rafting, panning for real gold, interacting with live animals, and learning from SPREE’s dedicated educators, students who participate in SPREE field trips will return to the river again and again.

Donate to Support SPREE

Curriculum Aligned Themes

SPREE’s award-winning field trips are aligned with Colorado Academic Standards and the NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education. 

Sign Up for a Field Trip

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SPREE Events

Apr 1
11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Russell Square Park Grand Opening

Apr 22
9:00 am - 11:00 am

Family South Platte Stewardship Day

Apr 29
10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Spring High School Stewardship Day

May 13
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Art on the River

Jul 8
12:00 pm - 8:30 pm

CROSSCURRENTS

View Calendar

Current News

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The Greenway Foundation reached out to the current 2023 Denver Mayoral Candidates, asking each to respond to three questions concerning the future Denver’s Urban Waterways. As we receive their responses …

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2022 RECAP- The Greenway Leadership Corps (GLC)

Jeff Shoemaker Retires from The Greenway Foundation


The Greenway Foundation

1820 Platte Street, Denver, CO 80202

info@greenwayfoundation.org

303.481.1974

FEIN: 51-0193575

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