At the River’s Edge is FOR’s outdoor environmental education program that enables students to gain an understanding and appreciation of the unique Rappahannock River ecosystem. Our goal is to give the teachers and students a safe, enjoyable, hands-on educational experience that will promote respect and stewardship of the river and its watershed.
The curriculum includes programs suitable for children grades preK-high school. All programs are developmentally appropriate and aligned with the Virginia SOL and National Science Standards.
Attendance History
Number of students attending programs: 3516
Localities served: Fredericksburg City, Caroline, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Westmoreland, King George, Manassas, Fairfax Counties
Number of schools served: 48
Contact Information:
Friends of the Rappahannock
Box 7254, Fredericksburg, VA 22404
Tel: 540-373-3448
Fax: (540) 373-8111
www.riverfriends.org
education@riverfriends.org
Field Trip Locations:
Virginia Outdoor Center
3219 Fall Hill Avenue, Fredericksburg
Westmoreland Berry Farm
1235 Berry Farm Road, Colonial Beach
Haymount
22121 Ware Creek Road
Rappahannock Academy
Caroline County
At the River’s Edge Programs
Preschool Ages 4-5 (Fall only)
Walk like the Animals
Use your senses to discover how the forest and the river provide a good place for animals to live.
Walk the Path of the American Indian
Discover how American Indians used nature to provide all their food, shelter, and water. Make pottery and experience the American Indian oral tradition with a story that still applies today.
Kindergarten-1st Grades
Science SOLs K.1, K.2, K.4 - K.6, K.8, K.10, 1.1,1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7,1.8
The River Investigation Hike
Investigate the river habitat with four of our senses; observing, describing and charting.
Life in the River Habitat
Explore the many different plants and animals along the river and discover why they live next to the river.
Second and Third Grades
Science SOLs 2.1, 2.4-2.8, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5-3.10
Just Around the River Bend
Explore the diversity of plant and animal life, their inter-dependency and their relationship with the river.
Wetlands: Snowden and Beyond
Hike to a wetland ecosystem noting the plants, signs of animals and seasonal changes. We will deduce how wetlands help rivers and wildlife.
Bonus Activity: “The Water Cycle” Game
The Rappahannock Connection
Can be adapted for the second grade. Please see description under Fourth and Fifth Grades. History & Social Science SOLs 2.2, 2.4, 2.6
Third grade SOL Review: Students review science concepts and vocabulary with hands-on activities as they attend Just Around the River Bend and the wetlands programs.
Fourth and Fifth Grades
Science SOLs 4.4, 4.5, 4.8, 5.5, 5.7, History & Social Science SOLs VS.1-4, VS.6 Science SOLs 4.8, USI.1-USI.3.
We All Live Downstream
Deduce the benefits of riparian buffer zones along our river, discuss erosion and pollution’s impact, and propose solutions.
The Rappahannock Connection
Discover how the Rappahannocks, an American Indian Tribe of the Eastern Woodlands, adapted to their environment. Investigate their respect for nature, pottery, artifacts and oral tradition.
Survivor: John Smith
Visit the northwest extent of John Smith’s exploration of the Rappahannock comparing Virginia resources now and then. Through role playing and tasks simulate the Jamestown settlers’ effort to survive and fulfill responsibilities to the Virginia Company and the King.
Fifth Grade SOL review: Review fourth and fifth grade concepts and vocabulary with hands on activities. Students will participate in the We All Live Downstream program as well as a vocabulary scavenger hunt, food web game and watershed activities.
Middle and High School
Science SOLs 6.1, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, LS.1, LS.4, LS.6, LS7, LS.10, LS.11, LS.12; Environmental Science, Marine
Biology, and Ecology
Water Quality and Protection (approximately 3 hours) Use chemical and biological indicators to assess river water quality, investigate sources and impacts of pollution, and brain-storm ways to protect water resources.
Land Planning: Low Impact Development
Visit Haymount, an environmentally innovative planned community now under construction. See Low Impact Development (LID) in action and use LID techniques to plan your own development for a tract of land. Classroom preactivities supplied for field trip.
Special Programs
Living Along the Rapphannock: River Safety
Health SOLs 6.1-5, 7.1-2, 8.1; appropriate for grades 3-8. Learn to evaluate river safety conditions and to enjoy the river safely; interactive hands-on activities, but all on dry land.
Nature Journaling
Appropriate for grades 2-8. Discover the value of natural places using science, history and art. Hone your observation skills and record nature along the scenic Rappahannock River.
Program fees:
$6 per child/student
$50 registration fee (will be applied to the $6/child fee for the program)
Payment balance due the day of the program unless prior arrangements have been made
Minimum group visit $60
Adult chaperones are free
Special arrangements may be possible for groups where cost would otherwise prevent participation
Please Note…
You will receive a confirmation letter when scheduled
Please let us know of special needs and we will try to accommodate them
Each program is approximately 1 1/4 hours unless otherwise indicated
All programs include river and trail safety instruction
Programs may be altered during inclement weather
Adults Required
Grade # of Adults
PreK 1 per 4 students
K-3 1 per 5 students
4-8 1 per 7 students
High School 1 per 10 students
Adult chaperones are free, Please limit chaperones to no more than 1 per 3 children. Exceptions to the maximum chaperone limit are special needs children, home school, small preK and scout groups. No siblings, please.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Classes are conducted rain or shine unless weather is a safety issue. We will contact you as soon as possible to notify you of cancellation.
If you wish to cancel a program, please do so at least 4 weeks prior to your scheduled program in order to receive a registration fee refund.
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Directions to field trip sites:
Virginia Outdoor Center
3219 Fall Hill Avenue, Fredericksburg
From I95: Exit at 133A- Falmouth. Follow road to RT1-right at light onto Rt 1 S. Go over the bridge (look at the great view of the river), to second light, right on Fall Hill Ave., past houses, past bend in river, right into Outdoor Education Center.
Westmoreland Berry Farm
1235 Berry Farm Road, Colonial Beach
Exit I-95 to Route 3 East
The farm is approximately 35 miles East of Fredericksburg
Follow Route 3 East to the Intersection on Route 3 and Route 301
Continue on Route 3 for approximately 7.5 miles, enter Westmoreland County
Turn right onto Claymont Road (Rt. 634)
Follow Claymont Road (Rt. 634) for approximately 1 mile
Turn Right on to Rappahannock Road (Rt. 637)
Follow Rappahannock Road (Rt. 637) for approximately 2.5 miles
Will see a Berry Farm sign on the right next to Berry Farm Lane
Turn right on to Berry Farm Lane
Follow the road back to the Farm Market
Haymount
22121 Ware Creek Road
Rappahannock Academy, Caroline County
FROM WASHINGTON: 95 South to Massaponax exit. At the exit bear right onto Rt. 1. Keep straight to Rt. 17 and turn left on Rt. 17. Continue on Rt. 17 for approximately 13 miles. Turn left on Rt. 615, Buckner Rd., go straight across Ware Creek Rd. to the bottom of the hill.
FROM DOWNTOWN FREDERICKSBURG: Take Princess Ann Street all the way under the train tracks, follow the signs to Rt. 2 and Rt. 17 which is a right turn at the top of Princess Ann St. At the light turn left onto Rt. 2. Continue on Rt. 2 to Rt. 17. Turn left on Rt. 17. Continue on Rt. 17 6 miles past the Belvedere Plantation entrance to Rt. 615, Buckner Rd., go straight across Ware Creek Rd. to the bottom of the hill.
FROM RT. 3 / PLANK RD. FREDERICKSBURG: Go East on Rt. 3 toward the Blue Grey Parkway. Take the Rt. 2 and Rt. 17 exit toward Tappahannock. Continue on Rt. 2 to Rt. 17. Turn left on Rt. 17. Continue on Rt. 17 6 miles past the Belvedere Plantation entrance to Rt. 615, Buckner Rd., go straight across Ware Creek Rd. to the bottom of the hill.