"Pack Your Curiosity, Explore Nature's Beauty!"

​At Expeditions in Education, we believe that learning extends far beyond the classroom walls. That's why we're thrilled to introduce our "Backpack the Parks" initiative, designed to ignite students' curiosity and love for the great outdoors while fostering a deeper understanding of our national parks.

With "Backpack the Parks," educators have the unique opportunity to curate and pack 8 engaging activities into backpacks, making it easier than ever for students to check out and explore the wonders of our national parks. From hands-on science experiments to wildlife scavenger hunt to historical simulations, each activity is carefully crafted to immerse students in the beauty, history, and natural wonders of these treasured landscapes.

Join us in empowering the next generation of park enthusiasts and conservationists as they embark on unforgettable learning adventures in our nation's most cherished natural spaces. With "Backpack the Parks," the journey to discovery begins with the turn of a backpack strap, and the possibilities for educational exploration are endless.

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Step 1: Ask for Donations of Backpacks and Clean Them Up

• Reach out to parents, local businesses, or the school community to request donations of gently used backpacks.
• Inspect the donated backpacks for any damage or excessive wear.

Step 2: Print the Activity Cards and Laminate

• Prepare activity cards that detail each of the educational activities you plan to include in the backpacks.
• Print these activity cards on durable cardstock paper.
• Laminate the activity cards to protect them from wear and tear during use.

​Step 3: Put Cards on Rings

• Hole punch each laminated activity card.
• Use rings or zip ties to secure the cards together, creating a set of instructions for each activity.​

Step 4: Purchase or Collect the Materials Needed for the Activities

• Create a list of materials required for each activity, as outlined in your activity plan.
• Gather all the necessary materials for each activity. This may include items such as magnifying glasses, sketchbooks, rocks, clay, flashlights, and more.

Step 5: Put Materials in Ziplock Bags

• Organize the materials for each activity into separate ziplock bags.
• Ensure that each bag contains all the necessary materials, making it easy for students to access and use them.

​Step 6: Attach the National Park Tag to the Outside of the Bag

• Create or print a National Park-themed tag that identifies the backpack as part of the Backpack the Park program.
• Attach this tag securely to the outside of the ziplock bag or backpack.

Check back each week for more parks!

Click on bag tags to download PDF's