Merry Lea field trips are divided into seasons: Spring, Fall, Summer, and Winter. Because Spring and Fall schedules are quickly filled, no school can sign up for these programs prior to a set opening date. Field trips are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis after the opening dates. To schedule a field trip you may fill out an online registration form after the appropriate opening date.
Registration opens August 20, 2018 for programs occurring Spring 2019
Registration opens April 1, 2018 for programs occurring Fall 2018
Registration is open any time for programs occurring in Winter/Summer
We have developed a new online registration form to make scheduling field trips with us even easier! Use the link above to schedule a field trip. Please do not hesitate to contact Katie Stoltzfus at kcstoltzfus@goshen.edu or 260-799-5869 with any questions or issues that arise when using the new form. We appreciate your patience and understanding!
On the opening days of registration periods, you may fill out our online registration form. We will process the requests in the order in which they arrive. After you have registered, we will contact you to confirm the dates.
We cannot schedule rain dates for programs, due to the demand for our programs. If your program needs to be cancelled due to dangerous or inclement weather, we will do our best to reschedule your program.
If you would like to schedule a program for the summer or winter, please contact Katie Stoltzfus at kcstoltzfus@goshen.edu or 260-799-5869
Listed below is the fee structure for our On-Site Programs and In School Programs. Please provide payment (cash or check) on the day of your program. If you require an invoice, please contact us ahead of time. Additionally, be sure to note the chaperone and cancellation policies below.
We also offer custom programs with separate pricing. Contact us for more information.
Fall field trips: $6.00 – $6.50 per student
Spring field trips: $6.00 per student
Winter field trips: $5.00 per student
Summer field trips: $3.50 per student
| 1 hour program | 1.5 hour program | |
| 30 miles from ML | $80 | $100 |
| 31-45 miles from ML | $110 | $130 |
| 46-60 miles from ML | $140 | $190 |
| 60+ miles from ML | $170+$0.33/mile | $190+ $0.33/mile |
| Additional Program | $45 | $60 |
A pricing example:
A school 14 miles from Merry Lea schedules a 1 hour program for a class of 28 students. The cost of $80 is equal to $2.86/student. If Merry Lea presents the same program to a second class of 30 students on the same day, the total cost of $100 is equal to $1.72/student.
Each year, Merry Lea sponsors a series of class sessions for homeschooled students covering a range of natural history and environmental topics. For details about Homeschool Programs, policies, and pricing see the Homeschool Series Page.
If you belong to a homeschool co-op and would like to schedule a program for your group, please contact Katie Stoltzfus at kcstoltzfus@goshen.edu. We will need specific information about your group a week prior to the scheduled program including number of students and their ages.
Note: We require 1 adult (teachers, aides, chaperones) for every 10 students.
*If you have special circumstances that require your group to arrive using personal vehicles (thereby requiring additional chaperones), we will waive the additional chaperone fee. In this case, please contact us prior to your visit and submit a (one-time) letter from your school stating that they are unable to provide bus transportation.
Reservations for some of Merry Lea’s programs fill quickly, and quality experiences require the help of volunteers and advance preparation. Last minute cancellation is disruptive to us and it may prevent a wait-listed group from coming. Therefore, if you cancel a program that involves Merry Lea’s staff or volunteers, you may incur cancellation fees.
Cancellation less than 48 hours before scheduled date: 100% of scheduled fee
Cancellation 48 hours to 1 week before scheduled date: 50% of scheduled fee
Cancellation 1 to 3 weeks before scheduled date: 25% of scheduled fee
Cancellations more than 3 weeks before the scheduled date will not incur a cancellation fee.
This cancellation policy will not apply to cancellations due to dangerous weather, unscheduled school closings, or unforeseen emergencies.
Please double-check your master calendar and transportation reservations well in advance of your visit to Merry Lea.
