VIRGINIA
Field Trips

The Northern Virginia 4-H Educational and Conference Center offers experiential learning programs that educate, inspire and connect visitors with the natural world.

Discover the skies at the NSU Planetarium. From the facility, Dr. Carlos Salgado controls the observatory’s Rapid Response Robotic Telescope. Regularly scheduled planetarium shows are offered during the academic year.

Cape Henry Lighthouse is the first federally funded public works project of the newly formed United States government. Visitors can climb the tower, explore historic Cape Henry or enjoy Dune Talks.

Owen Farm Tours offers a view of a full-service operating farm, pumpkin picking, corn mazes and much more. The Farm hosts school, scout and homeschool groups for education hands-on experiences.

Paradise Creek Nature Park is a national model for urban river restoration, showing how industry, nature, and art can co-exist in harmony.

Scotchtown is the home of Patrick Henry, patriot and orator of the American Revolution. Henry conceived his most influential revolutionary ideas at the home, including the ideas for his famous “Liberty or Death” speech.

With its mix of emerging artwork and exhibits that explore cross-disciplinary topics, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center encourages critical thinking in art. The Center features gallery games, writing, and touchable materials.

Pentagon Tours offers a first-hand look at the Headquarters of the Department of Defense, the Pentagon is one of the world’s largest office buildings.

The Phoebe Hall Knipling Outdoor Lab is a 225-acre facility that provides science and outdoor education to the students of Arlington County Public Schools. The Lab provides hands-on outdoor and environmental education.

Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine & Museum is an inactive coal mine in western Virginia. Visitors can tour the world’s first Exhibition Coal Mine, a National Historic Landmark. See a spectacular 13-foot-tall coal seams, step into the Old Power House, which has been converted into a Museum and Educational Center, and see many exhibits of our rich coal mining heritage.

During the regular semester groups of 20 or more can schedule a visit to the Radford University Planetarium. The planetarium features a state-of-the-art Digistar 5 system in a 10-meter diameter dome.

Experience the world of ballet with the Richmond Ballet’s Carpenter Theater or Studio Theater. Past and current performances include Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Echoing Past, and The Rite of Spring. Richmond Ballet also offers special youth performances in which younger learners can enjoy the ballet experience