In Part I of the Rochester New York Field Trip Ideas we covered Museums, Historical Locations, Environmental Sites, Local Theater Opportunities, Indoor Physical Activities, and Community Resources.

Welcome to Part II of my homeschool field trips series. In this part we continue with the Rochester New York Field Trips, and I will cover Nature Centers, Farm/Animal Related, Berry Picking, Outdoor Fun, and Local Sports Teams. Many of the activities listed in a category may very well fit into another category as well. My goal was to try and break it down as best as possible to make it easier to find what you are looking for.

Rochester New York Field Trip Ideas – Part II:

Nature Centers:

• Helmer Nature Center

  We have had the pleasure of participating in many activities that are held here. From maple sugaring, to kite making, snow shoeing, and bug classes we have enjoyed our time spent at the nature center.

• Cummings Nature Center

  The RMSC Cumming Nature Center is a 900-acre preserve located 40 minutes south of Rochester, New York in the Finger Lakes region near the village of Naples.  The center features groomed trails for hiking in spring, summer, and fall, and for snowshoeing and classic cross-country skiing in the winter months.

• Tinker Nature Park

  The Tinker Nature Park is a 68 acre park owned by the Town of Henrietta. The park features the Tinker Homestead Museum, which has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, approximately two miles of hiking trails, and the Hansen Nature Center. Hiking trails are open from dawn to dusk. Admission is free.

Farm/Animal Related:

• Springdale Farm

  Springdale Farm is operated by Heritage Christian Services and owned by Monroe County. Springdale is a premiere agricultural education facility open to the public, and serves as a day program site for adults with developmental disabilities, who care for the plants and animals, maintain the beautiful farm grounds and welcome over 40,000 visitors each year! See Santa during the winter, check out the petting zoo (where our children loved holding the baby chicks) or tour the grounds and see the robotic milking process! I highly recommend seeing the robotic milking process, while the smell can be a little strong it was truly interesting and educational!

• Seneca Park Zoo

  Not only have we spent days wandering the zoo but we have attended classes and special events as well. Consider buying a membership as just a handful of trips per year will pay for it! Check out the Critters in the Coldclass we took and check out some of the books we used to enhance our studies!

• Lollypop Farm

  Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, is committed to building lifelong bonds between people and animals through education, community outreach programs and the prevention of cruelty. Adopt an animal, volunteer to help at the shelter, tour the facility and so much more at Lollypop Farm.

• Wickham Farms

  Join the CSA Harvest Share program for your fruit and veggie needs. A community-supported agriculture (CSA) program is a special relationship between a farmer and its members. Members purchase a share of a farm’s harvest, and in doing so, they share with the farmer the risks and benefits of food production. Throughout harvest season, members get local produce straight from the farm. The amount varies depending on the weather and other vagaries of nature, but a full share is usually about right for a family of four or two vegetarians. Open April through October enjoy things like mini-golf, corn maze, tractor rides and more! In May the animals arrive for petting and feeding!

• Long Acre

  Long Acre Farms is Western New York’s premier agri-tourism destination. For 20 years the Allen family has been committed to offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy new experiences in an entertaining, wholesome, challenging and educational way. Long Acre Farms is home to the Amazing Maize Maze 5 acre corn maze open September -October. The corn maze is an experience with a new theme every year. They also have a smaller corn maze for the little ones! From birthday parties to school outings and even wine tasting at the associated JD Wine Cellars, there is something for everyone at this fantastic local farm!

• Powder Mill Park Fish Hatchery

  The primary goal of the Hatchery is to provide a quality angling experience for area fisherman by ensuring an ample population of native species of fish. The Hatchery operates year-round. Kids of all ages are encouraged to come enjoy the outdoors, feed the fish and learn about the various species raised. Staff members are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. most weekends to assist with educational initiatives ranging from the occasional visitor questions to more formal field trips for local schools and non-profit groups.

Berry Picking Places:

• Brown’s Berry Patch

  At Brown’s Berry Patch located in Waterport, NY you can spend your spring, summer and fall picking a variety of fresh fruits including strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, apples and pumpkins! Also kids can enjoy many fun activities, rides and attractions in their “Barnyard Adventure“

• Stokoe Farms

  Pumpkins, trees, heifers and more! Head out to Stokoe Farms for harvest and winter fun! Food, gift shop, corn maze, kids fun, wagon rides, tree cutting, animals and more!

• Green Acre

  At Green Acre there are over 10,000 fruit trees, 75,000 strawberry plants, 5,000 raspberry canes and 2,500 blueberry bushes producing fruit on their two farms. You can pick raspberries, strawberries, 22 varieties of apples, blueberries, peaches plums, pumpkins and more! Each fruit tree is pruned (trimmed) twice each year. All of the apple trees on the farm are on dwarf root stock to keep the size of the tree small. These trees have a production life of 25 – 30 years. Each spring during bloom in mid-May, bee hives are brought in for pollination.

• Zarpentine Farms

  Zarpentine’s has been a family owned and operated working farm since the mid 1800’s and most likely before that time. The boast fresh fruits, produce, baked goods and Home of the Market Worlds Largest Cornfield Maze.

• Gro-Moore

  At Gro-Moore you can buy locally grown produce, pick your own strawberries, buy gourmet treats and gifts, enjoy Halloween fun and even get a Christmas tree! Check out their extensive, climate controlled greenhouse which will let you start your spring early with beautiful annuals, perennials, bulbs, and vegetable plants. You’ll also want to restock on your favorite farm products, like honey, real maple syrup, dressings, mixes, jams, jellies, and pickled vegetables.

Outdoor Activities:

• Canoe/ Kayak

  Oak Orchard, Bay Creek Paddling Center, Genesee Waterways Center, Bayside Boat & Tackle, Erie Canal Boat Company

• Horseback Riding

  TrueNorth Equestrian Riding Center, Heberle Stables, Manitou Hill Farms

Sports Teams:

• Red Wings Baseball

• Rochester Rhinos Soccer

• Western NY Flash Soccer

• Rochester Americans Hockey

• Knighthawks Lacrosse

• Buffalo Bills Football

• Buffalo Sabres Hockey

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While this is not at a complete representation of the so many wonderful places and things to visit and see in the Rochester, New York area, this is a fairly comprehensive highlight of field trips for you to begin with. I highly recommend checking out Kids Out and About.com – Rochester, NY for more ideas and information.

Also look for:

• Part I – Rochester New York Field Trip Ideas – This Part I post covers Museums, Historical Locations, Environmental Sites,  Local Theater Opportunities, Indoor Physical Activities, and Community Resources.

• Part II – Rochester New York Field Trip Ideas Part II {This Post}

• Part III – Homeschool Field Trip Ideas & Tips (Including an iHomeschool Network G+ Hangout on the subject)

• Part IV – Advantages of Virtual Field Trips – Talks about the positives of using virtual field trips in your homeschool, especially for older kids.

Finally if there are great sites to see or things to do that you would like to add, please leave a comment and share with us!

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The Big Book of Homeschooling

To get tons of great advice, and move beyond the basics of academics, pick up a copy of The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas. Some topics included are things like active learning, learning with video games, helping teens/tween become independent learners (one of my chapters), teaching on the road, learning with movies, high school literature (one of my chapters), and gardening.

This book can carry you through all your years of homeschooling, covering the stages your children will mature through: preschoolers, elementary grades, middle school, and high school. As your life situation changes, you will find new chapters that apply to you. You can view the full table of contents to see all 103 topics!

If you would like to purchase a PRINT Copy that option is now available via Amazon!! The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas – Print Copy