Nocturnal Field Trips

Reprinted from The Wild Times Teacher Connection v3n3, Spring 1998.

This is the first in a series of articles that appeared in The Teacher Connection on ideas, tips, and techniques for planning and carrying out field trips to related topics in The Wild Times.

Part I: Wetland Field Trips
Part II: Winter Field Trips
Part III: Nocturnal Field Trips

Field trips do not have to be limited to the school day, for that matter, the day at all. Night field trips are a unique and wonderful way to observe nature in an entirely new, albeit, dim light.

Choosing a destination for your night field trip need not be a difficult undertaking. Start with your local, state, or national parks. There may already be night hikes scheduled at these locations, complete with park ranger or naturalist guides. Other resources might include Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, or other outdoor groups and camps. It is important to choose a location with well-marked and maintained paths, because even familiar landmarks will look different in the dark.

A hike that follows the path of a river or stream, or the edge of a lake or ocean should eliminate any fear you might have of losing your way. It is usually best to arrange night fieldtrips to coincide with a full moon. As long as the path you have chosen is not under a thick canopy, the moonlight will provide a surprising amount of illumination.

Remember that it is almost always cooler in the evening so it is important to dress appropriately. Include sneakers or other closed-toe shoes to eliminate the possibility of tripping and stubbing a toe. If your trip is to take place during Òbug seasonÓ, Do Not Forget Your Insect Repellant!! Otherwise, clouds of very hungry mosquitos or other biting insects will put a quick end to your field trip. It is a good idea for an adult to supervise the application of the insect repellant to ensure proper coverage. The use of long sleeves and trouser legs will limit the amount of skin surface vulnerable to biting insects. The good news is that you can leave your sunscreen at home.

Unlike most field trips, night hikes offer the opportunity to use senses like hearing, touch and smell instead of relying sight. Night hike activities are almost limitless. For example, the identification of calls of night birds and frogs is a unique experience for many students (parents and teachers, too!).

A nocturnal sounds activity is fairly easy to do. It starts with finding out what types of nocturnal birds and frogs are in your area. The next step is to locate a recording of the calls of these creatures. There are a number of audio recordings available with the Audubon Society and Peterson Guides being just two. Internet sites, including The Wild Ones (www.thewildones.org), complete with sound clips, are another great source.

Other nighttime activities can include locating and identifying, with the help of field guides:

Animal tracks of nocturnal mammals such as raccoons and skunks.
Moths - there are many that are very colorful and quite large. A flashlight or two can be used to attract them to a particular area.
Constellations and Planets - use your parents as resources. It is amazing how many amateur astronomers you will find. Many stargazers have telescopes they may bring along to point out certain stellar features to the students.
Night smells such as night-blooming flowers or a surprised skunk.

A memorable end to a night field trip would be a ÒcampfireÓ complete with toasted marshmallows. Be sure to check with local authorities to ensure you obtain all necessary permits. It would be wise to have the wood and tinder already set up so all you have to do is strike a match. Students or parents with scouting or woods skills can help with this. And what is a campfire without ghost stories. Keep in mind the age and emotional level of the students when planning and telling the stories.

This trip is sure to be memorable for you and your students. This actually may be the first time your students (and you) have been in the ÒwildernessÓ at night. Relax and enjoy nature, your students, and yourself by moonlight. It is well worth the trip.

Pat is a member of The Wild Ones Advisory Council and teaches science at Indian Mills Memorial School, Shamong, NJ.

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