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school field trips & group visits

Forest Experiences for All 

Programs & Events   |   School Field Trips & Group Visit Information 

There is a lot to see and do at the Tillamook Forest Center, and we offer programs, and group visit options for all ages!

The Tillamook Forest Center offers K-12 students an opportunity to connect to a dynamic forest. There are also self-guided opportunities for homeschools, scouts, and summer camps looking to visit the center.     The Center and its exhibits, coupled with experienced guides and the scenic Oregon Coast Range, offer unique, meaningful, and enriching learning experiences.

With a hands-on, student-centric approach to forest learning that is directly tied to Oregon’s state curriculum and benchmark standards, the Tillamook Forest Center’s education programs are highly regarded and in demand. We provide quality guided learning opportunities, with both pre-site and post-site activities included for trip leaders.

Book a Visit

To book a trip, you must review all youth field trips and group visit information and requirements below.

 

After you have reviewed all the required information, use the Submit Registration Request button in the Program Registration section to process your request. Be sure to review preparation materials and other resources while planning your trip as well.

Group Visit Information & Requirements

  • At the Tillamook Forest Center, forest education field trips and youth visits are offered Wednesday – Friday from September – November and March – June from 10 am – 3 pm. The center is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and throughout December, January, and February. Other group visits are available upon request during operating hours.

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    In-class programs are available for Preschool-6th grade during the months of December, January, and February. Preference is given to Tillamook and Washington county, and schools must be within 1.5 hours of Forest Grove.

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    Programs are tied to state curriculum requirements and academic standards, and are aligned with Oregon Environmental Literacy, and Oregon Forest Literacy Programs. Most programs also include pre-visit and post-visit activities.

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    Pre-site visits are available to learn field trip planning logistics and to find out how center resources can support your curriculum. Large group leaders may be required to do a pre-site visit prior to their visit. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.

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    Any group* comprised of 10 or more individuals (includes children and adults) MUST schedule their visit in advance of their arrival. *This does not include families. It includes all groups wanting to visit the inside of the Tillamook Forest Center.

  • Tillamook Forest Center Field Trips​
    All groups will be charged $5 / person (including children). Teachers, aids, and bus drivers are admitted free for school field trips. One adult chaperone is admitted free for every five students/campers. Additional chaperones and siblings are $5 each (please bring no more than one chaperone for every three students for school groups)

    In-Class Programs
    All groups will be charged $5 / student, with discounts for multiple classes.
     

    • Cancellations prior to one month before the program date are refundable, minus a $50 administration fee. Cancellations made less than one month before the program date are not refundable.

    • On the day of the program, additional children or chaperones must be paid for upon arrival.

    • There is no refund for scheduled children/chaperones who do not attend the program.

    • A limited amount of scholarship funds is available to support schools and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.      Nonprofit organizations may apply. Please note funds are limited and requests are processed as they are received.
       

    Payment Options
    Preferred payment method is credit card or cash. Advance payment is required. Registration is not confirmed until full payment is received. Please call (503) 815-6803 to submit payment by credit cards.

  • Formally guided programs must have a minimum of 30 students. Resources are available for smaller groups. All groups must read, agree, and adhere to field trip/visit requirements. 

    Teacher / Group Leader Requirements

    • Read the field trip preparation materials and all expectations well in advance of the scheduled field trip and be prepared.

    • Ensure students are prepared and divided into appropriate groups.

    • Ensure transportation will be available for the entire duration of the field trip.

    • Provide advance notice of special needs that may affect programming.

    • Acquire minimum requirement of chaperones and set expectations for chaperones.
       

    Chaperone and Exhibit Hall Requirements

    • We require one adult chaperone (18 years or older) for every five youth. The Tillamook Forest Center reserves the right to refuse admittance to groups with too few or too many adults.

    • Youth under 16 must be accompanied by a chaperone at all times.

    • Chaperones must provide appropriate supervision, be actively engaged, and facilitate exploration in the exhibit hall with provided scavenger hunt booklets. Chaperones are responsible for maintaining the behavior of their student/youth group.

    • In order to ensure a pleasant experience for all visitors, increase learning, reduce congestion in our narrow exhibit hall, and comply with our maximum occupancy we require groups to rotate through stations both indoors and outdoors (i.e. lookout tower, trails, exhibit hall and movie) and use scavenger hunt sheets/booklets to focus exploration when inside.

    • When traveling to and from the lobby/restroom area, please take groups of youth around the outside rather than through the exhibit hall.

    • Chaperones must manage groups to ensure all doorways, access points, and the lobby/restroom area are not blocked for general visitor use. This includes minimizing the number of youths waiting to use the restroom.

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  • Below you will find descriptions and information for each field trip and in-class program. If you have registered for a field trip, please download the appropriate program packet below. Each program packet contains planning information (agendas, check lists, maps, etc.) as well as a pre-site, on-site, and post site activities. Scavenger hunt booklets will be provided when you arrive onsite. For in-class programs, pre-visit activities will be emailed to you after registration is confirmed.

    All Education Programs | Field Trip Preparation Materials

     
    Tillamook Forest Center Field Trips
     
    Seasons of an Apple Tree | Pre-K & Kindergarten
    In-Class Program offered Dec-Feb
    1 hour program for each class, one class at a time | Up to four classes
    All trees experience changes throughout the seasons.  Although apple trees do not dominate the Tillamook State Forest landscape, they are found in its historic homestead sites. The apple tree’s changing appearance throughout the seasons and is a relatable tree for young students. Staff will assist students in constructing a felt board picture of a changing apple tree through the four seasons, read a story, and assist students with their own apple tree craft. 

    Homes and Habitats | Kindergarten & 1st
    Field Trip: 2-hour program | Up to 60 students 
    Students take a “shrew’s-eye-view” of life in the woods to gain an appreciation for the variety of living things that make forests their homes. Students explore a variety of habitats within the forest on a walk and during a habitat scavenger hunt. 


    ​What's a Forest? Field Trip | 1st – 2nd Grade
    In Class Program offered Dec - Feb
    Field Trip: 2.5-hour program | Up to 60 students
    In Class: 1 hour program for each class, one class at a time | Up to four classes
    Students participate in a fun, short, safety hike and a forest products game. At the center, students will explore a forest scavenger hunt in various habitats.

    Past and Present | 3rd & 4th Grade
    In Class Program offered Dec - Feb
    Field trip: 3-hour program | Up to 60 students
    In-Class: 1 hour program for each class, one class at a time | Up to four classes
    Students perform skits about the history of the forest while integrating science and Oregon history, and search for evidence of past events during a history scavenger hunt. 

    Salmon in our Streams | 3rd & 4th Grade
    Field Trip: 3-hour program | Up to 120 students
    Integrate science as your students are submerged in the world of salmon! Students simulate Pacific salmon migration and the connection to forests, learn about salmon life cycles, habitat requirements, and how to protect our salmon populations during a guided walk, and explore the exhibit hall with a salmon scavenger hunt.

    Fresh Water and Forests | 5th & 6th Grade
    Field Trip: 3-hour program | Up to 120 students
    Students play a game to simulate the water cycle and how forests provide clean drinking water, explore the importance of riparian zones during a guided walk, and explore the exhibit hall with a freshwater scavenger hunt.

    Trees of the Tillamook | 5th – 6th Grade
    Field Trip: 3-3.5-hour program | Up to 120 students
    In-Class: 2-hour program (for each class) | Up to two classes
    ​Students identify trees, deliver a short presentation, play a game, and participate in a tree scavenger hunt. 

    Forest Carbon and Climate | 7th – 8th Grade
    Field Trip: 3-hour program | Up to 120 students
    Students play a game to simulate the forest carbon cycle, measure trees to learn the role forests play in storing carbon and discover the impact of wildfires. Students also discover the forest’s role in the global carbon cycle and the temperate rainforest climate while exploring the exhibit hall.


    Self-guided visits | Special program requests | All ages | Size varies
    Modified programs, self-guided visits, and other opportunities may be available.


     

  • Theater | Legacy of Fire Movie 
    The award-winning movie Legacy of Fire plays on the hour and half hour beginning at 10:30 am*. Please exit the movie out the door to the left of the movie screen to reduce congestion in the exhibit hall. Not all field trips will include a visit to the movie theater. The movie is available online on our YouTube channel. Click here to watch the movie. 
    *There are times when the movie will not play automatically and may be on a different schedule.
    **The Legacy of Fire film may be trauma inducing for those who have been impacted by wildfire**
     
    Gift Shop | Not Recommended for Programs with more than One Class
    The gift shop at the Tillamook Forest Center features a variety of distinctive forest-related gift items. During formally guided programs, the goal is to focus on learning and the forest. Most often there is little or no time to visit the gift shop depending on the program agenda. If there is time, and group leaders decide to allow students to visit the gift shop, please notify parents that $7 - $10 in spending money will provide students with a wealth of choices. On the day of the visit please notify the staff if students are allowed in the gift shop. Please communicate to parent chaperones that only small groups (1 adult and 5 students) are allowed in the gift shop at one time, groups will need to rotate, students must be accompanied by adults, and no lines are allowed to avoid congestion in and around the gift shop area. Also, please note that all student sales are final to avoid numerous returns.
     
    Fire Lookout Tower
    Many of our guided field trips include a scavenger hunt to the top of the fire lookout tower. This 1955 replica showcases a real Osborne Fire Finder, bed, insulted stool, authentic radio and a plethora of stories and images. The maximum occupancy of the tower is 27, so if there is already a group of visitors in the cabin, please wait and rotate through.
     
    On-Site Trails | River View Trail and Look Out Loop Trail
    Regardless of the weather, we strongly encourage groups to spend time in the forest. That’s where the magic is! Depending on the type of education program, staff may be leading guided hikes along the trails, and you may be asked to avoid certain trails. There are two ADA accessible trails leading from the center. The River View Trail (0.5 mile) and the Lookout Loop (0.2 mile).
     
    Wilson River Trail | Across the Suspension Bridge
    The 22-mile linear Wilson River Trail crosses near the far end of the suspension bridge spanning the Wilson River. The center, Smith Homestead Day Use Area, Jones Creek Campground and trails are maintained by correctional inmates from the South Fork Forest Camp. These crews may be in the vicinity performing routine maintenance. Crews are closely supervised and signs indicating their presence are placed in the area of their work. For this reason, we ask youth groups to stay on the south side of the river near the center to avoid conflicts. If you are interested in accessing the Wilson River Trail during your visit, please communicate this when submitting your request.

  • When scheduling a bus, please make sure that drivers do not have to leave early for a route back at school, and provide directions from the Tillamook Forest Center website (cell phones and GPS systems are rarely accurate). It is very important to clearly communicate to the bus driver the ENTIRE duration of the field trip and allow sufficient travel time with traffic and communicate loading and parking procedures (see arrival procedure section).  

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    Late arrivals or early departures of 15 minutes or more will result in a program modification which will require cutting part of the program (shortening lunch is not an option for staff). The inability to participate for the entire duration of the field trip will jeopardize the ability for teachers/group leaders to schedule future field trips.

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    In addition, the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) may reimburse transportation costs for teachers who register for a guided school program and have financial need. The online form is located on OFRI's website. OFRI must receive your request prior to your scheduled field trip. Please note the Oregon Department of Forestry/Tillamook Forest Center does not process any transportation reimbursement.

  • For safety and order, please drop off and pick up your group at the bus stop near the flag pole to reduce pedestrian crossing traffic in the parking lot. Pull through RV/Bus parking is available. Buses are to park after unloading and pull back around to the loading zone 10 minutes before departure. Bus drivers must remain onsite and accessible in the event of an emergency or need to relocate buses.

     

    Groups are required to check in at the information desk located just past the lobby upon arrival if staff are not immediately visible in the entry plaza. Staff will meet your group and provide orientation to prepare everyone for a day of forest fun!​ Upon arrival, please be prepared to meet staff with a headcount of both students and adults and plans regarding the gift shop. Groups will unload the buses, quickly use the restrooms and return to the flagpole to await staff orientation.

  • Formally guided programs will have a designated area reserved for lunch. Please have adult chaperones transport lunches on provided carts. Due to the remote location, we ask all groups practice Leave No Trace ethics and take all lunch waste back to school. Please come prepared with large garbage bags to haul garbage.
     

    In order to accommodate visitors with disabilities and be respectful of facility renters, field trips/camp groups that are not attending a formally guided program are asked to eat lunch at the TFC picnic area, located adjacent to the south side of the parking lot, rather than on the bridge.
     

    Please remember that food and drinks are not allowed in the exhibit hall, theater, or lookout tower.

  • Cell phone service is not available throughout the forest and is extremely limited at the Tillamook Forest Center. The Center does have an office phone, in case of an emergency. Please use the directions on our website. Navigation systems often take visitors on forest roads or indirect routes. 
     

    Be alert to road conditions and road closures in the forest the day of your trip (the summit of Highway 6 is at 1586’). In cases where conditions are judged to be unsafe due to high winds or other factors such as power outages or flooding, we will contact you as early as possible.
     

    Please come prepared to be outdoors. The Tillamook State Forest weather is generally colder and wetter than surrounding areas. On average, the forest receives 120” of rain each year! We encourage everyone to dress in layers, bring raincoats, sturdy closed-toed shoes, and long pants. No flip-flops, sandals, heels, etc. Ponchos will be available for formal guided programs. All programs may be modified in the event of inclement weather. Cancellations due to extreme weather may be rescheduled as space permits.
     

    The center, Smith Homestead Day Use Area, Jones Creek Campground and trails are maintained by correctional inmates from the South Fork Forest Camp. These crews may be in the vicinity performing routine maintenance. Crews are closely supervised and signs indicating their presence are placed in the area of their work. Forest field trips are scheduled to provide adequate separation from these activities.

  • All groups of 10 or more (not including families) MUST register, even if a formal guided program is not requested.  Formally guided programs must have a minimum of 30 students. Resources are available for smaller groups. All groups must read, agree, and adhere to field trip/visit requirements. Submission of registration confirms that all requirements are understood and will be followed.
     
    Registration is required at least four weeks in advance, with registration opening each year in August for school groups. Submit an online request and submit payment to begin the process of booking your visit, after reading all required information. Requested dates and times are subject to availability and facility capacity. The visitor center cannot guarantee access at all times.

    Requests will be processed beginning mid to late August for the upcoming school year. There are limited opportunities available and space fills up fast, so make sure to register early. Requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis as they are received in our online system. Requests are finalized as payments are received.
     
    Schools wanting to bring more than one class of the same/similar grade must register multiple classes on the same day. This allows us to serve more communities and students and maximize OFRI’s bus funding.
     
    The Oregon Department of Forestry protects approximately 16 million acres of private and public forest lands. In the event of wildfires, processing of education program requests may be delayed due to reduced staffing.

    Once you have read all the required information in the sections above, use the buttons below to submit your request. 

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