Field Trip Checklist
This checklist is designed to help educators navigate their field trip.
If you have been directed to this page, that means you have registered for a field trip to Governor's Island and are confirmed by GrowNYC.
Please ensure all of these items have been completed before your trip to avoid cancellations or delays.
If at anytime you have questions, please contact our Education Coordinator Aubrey Santistevan at asantistevan@grownyc.org
646-740-1365
Agreement
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Please review our Field Trip Policies before your trip. By booking this trip you acknowledge that you understand and agree to our policies.
Confirmation & Day of Contact
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Ensure you have replied to confirmation emails sent by the Education Coordinator confirming your trip. If we have not heard from you two weeks before your trip, we will have to cancel your booking to provide the opportunity to other schools. We try to accommodate as many schools during the school year as we can.
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Additionally, please make sure we have the cell phone number for the teacher attending the trip. In the case that we are unable to find you, or you miss the ferry, we need to be able to contact you.
Change or Cancel Trip
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You must change or cancel your booking at least 2 weeks prior to your trip.
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Requests to reschedule field trip time or date are generally unable to be accommodated, as we maintain a long waitlist of field trip requests.
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Please read our Field Trip Policies for inclement weather information.
Liabilities & Release Waiver
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Make sure every student has signed a Liabilities & Release Waiver (English).
Please print and bring them with you the day of your field trip. Alternatively, you can email them.
If you do not bring them on the day of your trip, unfortunately we will have to cancel your trip.
Preparation for Students
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Remind students to wear weather appropriate clothing and closed toed shoes.
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Students must bring a packed lunch and a water bottle. Drinking water is available on site to refill bottles but we do not have cups available.
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Important Note: It is a 15-20-minute walk from the ferry to the garden. Ensure your students and chaperones will be able to walk 15-20 minutes each way in addition to the hour moving around the garden in all kinds of weather.
*Please let us know your ADA needs so we can work to accommodate you.
Chaperones
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Please inform teachers and chaperones attending the trip that they may be asked to assist students with certain tasks and behavior management.
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Additionally, if there are too many chaperones, we will ask that them to sit aside.
Itinerary
10am Field Trip
10:00-10:10am Ferry ride from Manhattan
10:10-10:30am Walk to the Teaching Garden
10:30-11:30am Programming
11:30am-12:00pm Lunch
12:00-12:20pm Walk to Ferry
12:45-1:00pm Ferry ride from Governors Island to Manhattan
11am Field Trip
11:00-11:10am Ferry ride from Manhattan
11:10-11:30am Walk to the Teaching Garden
11:30-12:00pm Lunch
12:00am-1:00pm Programming
1:00-1:20pm Walk to Ferry
1:45-2:00pm Ferry ride from Governors Island to Manhattan
*Classes may choose to take an earlier ferry to explore the island and maximize their experience. The ferry time back to Manhattan is flexible and classes can choose to stay longer after their programming as well. Please plan your visit by visiting Govisland/planyourvisit.
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Be sure to double-check your registration prior to your trip to ensure you arrive in time for the correct ferry. You will either take the 10am or the 11am ferry.
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Unfortunately, if you are late we are not able to extend your class time as we will have classes beginning promptly after your class.
Ferry Information
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Classes should arrive at the ferry terminal no later than 15 minutes prior to the ferry departure time (9:45am or 10:45am). Teachers assume full responsibility for missing the ferry or arriving after the ferry is at capacity.
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We will send you a ferry reservation a week before your trip. This is for the Governors Island Ferry located at 10 South St. New York, NY.
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Once you arrive to Governors Island, please wait for our staff to walk you to the garden. Look for the GrowNYC logo and check your phone regularly.
Brooklyn Ferry
Please note, tickets for this ferry are not covered by GrowNYC. You will have to purchase them before or on the day of your trip. The ferry times for this service are different. Please notify the Education Coordinator if you are using this ferry. Visit NYCFerry to plan accordingly.
Pre-Visit Material
We have many resources and curricula available for educators to use pre/post visit or on the day of your field trip. Please view those resources here.
Staying on the Island
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Governors Island is open to the public daily, year- round. Classes may choose to stay longer on the island to enjoy the playground, forts, hammocks, and more. Please let the Education Coordinator know if your class will be taking an early ferry and getting to the garden independently.
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Follow these directions to the teaching garden if you are arriving independently and notify the Education Coordinator of your itinerary.