Environmental Field Trips

Making Lake Hopatcong a Classroom

The Lake Hopatcong Foundation is proud to provide award-winning environmental field trips in the spring for 4th and 5th grades and the fall for high school students. During their visit, students learn about Lake Hopatcong, lake ecology, and how to protect our water resources through hands-on lessons aboard the Floating Classroom, in the Musconetcong River, and around Hopatcong State Park.

Read about our 2024 spring season HERE!
 


 

 

Field Trip Activities

Students experience four activity sessions led by Lake Hopatcong Foundation staff and volunteers.

  • Hands-on learning aboard the Floating ClassroomStudents are taken aboard the floating classroom for hands-on learning about lake ecology and water quality which will include testing for water quality with Secchi disks; measuring pH levels, dissolved oxygen, and temperature; and viewing water samples through microscopes to see live phytoplankton.
  • Macroinvertebrate sampling in the Musconetcong River: Students explore the Musconetcong River to learn about aquatic macroinvertebrates and how to determine water quality.
  • Discovery hike through Hopatcong State Park: Students are introduced to the role development and forested areas play in the health of the lake environment.
  • Interactive watershed model: Students learn about watersheds and how to keep our water clean through an EnviroScape demonstration.
     
2025 Field Trips 

Field trips are held rain or shine from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm in May and June at Hopatcong State Park in Landing, NJ. Groups of up to 140 (including chaperones) can be accommodated in a day. Schools with less than 105 participants may be scheduled with other schools to fill the day. Each activity session will contain students from only one school. Pricing for 2025 is $20 per person.  
 

Field Trip Inquiry Form 

If interested in participating in our 2025 spring 4th/5th-grade field trip program, please complete the form in its entirety and read all instructions carefully. Students in grades other than 4th or 5th will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Please select ALL possible field trip dates. Schools will be placed according to availability. An email confirmation will be sent when your date is assigned.

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