Lakeside Learning is a 2.5 hour inquiry-based field trip program for fourth grade students. Aligned with Utah's Science with Engineering Education (SEEd) Standards, students will explore Great Salt Lake's natural phenomena and practice science to learn about the ecosystem and their place within it.
Lakeside Learning Field Trips take place at Antelope Island State Park and Great Salt Lake State Park. Please select your school district below for details and application instructions.
Join our Lakeside Learning mailing list to be notified when applications open each season!
Application Information
Tooele County School District
This field trip program is made possible thanks to the generous support of Cargill Salt. 
This program only serves fourth grade classes. Trip size is limited to 75 students per day.
On this field trip to Great Salt Lake State Park, students will identify the unique physical structures that help plants and animals survive at the Lake, develop a model of the Great Salt Lake watershed, experiment with oolitic sand, and observe stages of the brine shrimp and brine fly life cycles. This hands-on experience includes wading into Great Salt Lake (water level and weather permitting).
Applications for our Fall 2026 field trip season are now CLOSED. Applications for our Spring 2026 field trip season will open in January. To be notified when applications open, subscribe to our email list at the top of this page.
Fall 2026 Field Trip Application - Tooele County School District
All Other School Districts
This program only serves fourth grade classes. Trip size is limited to 75 students per day.
On this field trip, students will identify the unique physical structures that help plants and animals survive at the Lake, develop a model of the Great Salt Lake watershed, experiment with oolitic sand, and observe stages of the brine shrimp and brine fly life cycles. This hands-on experience includes birdwatching with binoculars and wading into Great Salt Lake (water level and weather permitting).
Applications for our Fall 2026 field trip season are now CLOSED. Applications for our Spring 2026 field trip season will open in January. To be notified when applications open, subscribe to our email list at the top of this page.
Field Trip Costs and Transportation Reimbursement
We are pleased to offer financial assistance to public schools by offering FREE field trips PLUS bus reimbursement grants. For private schools and homeschool groups, we charge a small instructional fee and are unable to offer transportation grants at this time.
Public and Charter Schools
- FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake pays state park admission fees
- FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake Instructional Fee — $0
- Transportation Reimbursement for Tooele County School District — Fully reimbursed with support from Cargill
- Transportation Reimbursement for all other districts — Up to $300 per school thanks to USDA Forest Service and National Park Trust’s Every Kid Outdoors Small Grants Program
Private Schools and Homeschools
- FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake pays state park admission fees
- FRIENDS of Great Salt Lake Instructional Fee — $50 for groups of 30 students or less. $150 for groups of 31-75 students.
- No transportation reimbursement available
Lakeside Learning Field Trip Safety Protocols
Thank You to Our Lakeside Learning Sponsors
- Cargill
- Lawrence T. Dee & Janet T. Dee Foundation
- Utah Children's Outdoor Recreation & Education Grant Program
- Enbridge Fueling Futures
