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CREATION FIELD STUDIES Day Trips and Overnighters |
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Join Bill and Merilee Clifton, creationists, Florida Master Naturalists, and science educators as you explore the great Florida outdoors. The Cliftons will personally escort your group on each adventure, providing a unique and fascinating perspective of God’s great design in Creation. Descriptions and costs for field trips are below. Most groups carpool. Mr. Clifton is licensed and available to drive your school or church bus for your Creation Adventure field trip at no additional charge. (Please check with your school or church to see what requirements they might have.)
At the end of this page, you will also find information on "Workshops - Descriptions and Costs" and "How to Schedule an Activity for Your Group."
CLICK HERE for Creation Adventures Calendar and Registration Forms.
DAY TRIP DESCRIPTIONS:
CENTRAL FLORIDA HABITATS
Come explore Central Florida Habitats, observing plants and animals that were specifically designed to live in them. Your first stop is Blue Spring State Park, home to several habitats including hammock, marsh, swamp, and flatwoods. You will cruise the St. Johns River aboard a hands-on, floating science laboratory! You’ll test the river water for temperature, salinity, and turbidity. You’ll dip, collect, and identify marine specimens. And, our boat captain will give you a fully narrated introduction to the wildlife and vegetation of this fragile ecosystem. Keep a look out for manatees, alligators, otters, snakes, deer, turtles, birds, and more. You’ll have the opportunity to earn a birding certificate in the “Wings Over Florida” program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. On a boardwalk hike through the lush hammock along Blue Spring Run, you’ll discover the springhead as you look for endangered manatees. A park ranger or volunteer will give you an interpretive program about this unique environment and its vital role in the manatee’s survival. After lunch, you’re off to Lyonia Preserve where you will take a short hike into a scrub habitat looking for one of Florida’s most threatened birds, the Florida scrub jay. You’ll learn about other plants and animals created specially for the scrub and contrast them with plants and animals of other habitats.
*PLEASE NOTE: This adventure should be scheduled in January or February for best manatee viewing.
Minimum number: 35. Maximum number: 47 (boat capacity).
Minimum age: 3 years because of Coast Guard / life vest regulations.
Cost: $20 for 3-12 years and $22 for 13 years and over.
CREATIONIST GUIDE TO SEAWORLD
Did you ever wonder why marine mammals have tails that move up and down instead of side to side like fish? Or why they are born tail first instead of head first like land mammals? Learn answers to these and other questions as you explore SeaWorld’s plant and animal life from a creationist’s perspective. Mr. Bill Clifton, science educator and creationist, was head of SeaWorld's Education Department in Florida for seven years. His experience in the park and his creation perspective will provide you with a one-of-a-kind tour, explaining how these unique life forms were created to live in a marine environment.
Minimum number: 35. Maximum number: 50.
Minimum age: 4 years.
Cost for School Day (9:00 AM - 2:00 PM): $30 for 4-18 years; $35 for adults.
Cost for All Day (9:00 AM until closing): Add $15 to School Day price.
Cost for SeaWorld Passholders: $12 for either School Day or All Day.
Parking is $10 per car, $12 per RV.
CREATIONIST GUIDE TO SILVER SPRINGS
Come along and look for evidence of the Creator at Silver Springs, “Nature’s Theme Park.” See for yourself why countless movies and TV shows have been filmed here in one of the most beautiful wetlands and clear-water springs in the world! Aboard the world-famous Glass Bottom Boats, you’ll view the abundant Florida wildlife of the Silver River Ecosystem including fish, turtles, alligators, and birds, not to mention the largest artesian spring on the planet! Back on land, you’ll observe the endangered Florida panther, rare species of bears, exotic crocodiles, alligators, and more in their natural habitats. At the Live Animal Shows, you’ll learn more about a variety of amazing creatures. You’ll also see the “Wings of the Springs” Bird Program and maybe even pet a giraffe! Your day as a group will end around 3:30 PM. The park is open until 5:00 PM, so you may want to stay and enjoy other activities such as the Lighthouse Ride, Lost River Voyage, Jeep Safari, Historical Showcase, Petting Zoo, Fantastic Fountains Water Show, Endangered Species Carousel, and shopping. (Silver Springs is approximately 1½ hours from the Orlando area.)
Minimum number: 35. Maximum number: 60.
Cost: Free for 2 years and under; $18 for 3-18 years; and $20 for adults.
Parking is $7 per car, truck, or camper.
Possible tolls depending on departure site.
DAY OF THE DINOSAURS
Journey back in time to the days when dinosaurs walked with man. At the world’s largest dinosaur attraction, you will see over a 150 life-sized models of dinosaurs representing more than 60 species. This lush, shaded semi-tropical setting also has a museum, an outdoor classroom, and a gift shop. You’ll spend the morning with the dinosaurs, discover dinosaurs in the Bible, and even see real fossils! Be sure to bring your camera for some great photo opportunities! Then you’ll travel to a phosphate museum, where you can see how the worldwide flood affected Florida’s past by preserving the fossilized remains of sea and land animals and plants. Bring along a small spade since you will spend time on a fossil dig where you will search for shark’s teeth and other small fossils to take home! CLICK HERE to read an "eye-witness report" from the Florida Parent-Educators Association's ALMANAC.
Minimum number: 35. Maximum number: 75.
Cost: Free for 2 years and under; $16 for 3-18 years; and $18 for adults.
Tolls are $3.00 round trip from Orlando area (or less depending on how you travel home).
FLORIDA'S WATER SYSTEMS
On this adventure, you will travel from Canaveral National Seashore (CNS) to Indian River Lagoon to the St. Johns River, exploring Florida’s Water Systems from a creationist perspective. At Canaveral National Seashore, you will begin with an orientation, beach walk, and sea bean hunt at this saltwater ecosystem. Then you’re off to the Visitor Center at either CNS Visitor Center or Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center where you’ll look at the educational video, displays, bookstore, and gift shop. Next, you'll go to Indian River Lagoon, a brackish water environment, where you will wade into the water with seining nets. Science Partners' "Capture and Release Permit" allows you to study the marine specimens you catch in your nets and then return them to the water. You never know what you might find, but others have caught fish, shrimp, crabs, seahorses, jellyfish, puffer fish, horseshoe crabs, and more! Sometimes you'll see dolphins and manatees. Your last stop is the St. Johns River floodplain where you’ll study the plant and animal life of this freshwater habitat from an airboat. Watch for alligators and bald eagles. You may also have an opportunity to hold a small alligator after the airboat ride!
Minimum number: 35. Maximum number: 70.
Minimum age: 4 years.
Cost: $26 for 4-18 years and $32 for adults. (Rise in registration fee is due to increased airboat cost because of gasoline prices.)
CNS Entrance Fee: If group can not get a fee waiver, entrance fee is free for ages 15 and under, $3 for ages 16 and up.
MANATEE SNORKEL ENCOUNTER
Come along for an exciting day as you focus on Florida’s Gentle Giant, the West Indian Manatee. Your destination is Citrus County, “The Nature Coast.” In the morning, outfitted with wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and fins, you will take a pontoon boat to the manatee site where you’ll enter the cool, spring-fed waters. During your manatee encounter, you’ll observe first-hand these sociable, endangered mammals. You’ll study them in their natural habitat and discover what they look like, how they breathe, and what they eat. You’ll also learn why they’re endangered, what threatens the manatee’s survival, and what you can do to help. You’ll spend time in the afternoon at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park, a showcase for native Florida wildlife. At this 166-acre park located at the headwater of the Homosassa River, you’ll visit the Children’s Education Center and see many examples of Florida wildlife (some endangered or threatened) such as gators, crocodiles, snakes, deer, Florida black bear, bobcats, otter, Florida panthers, manatees (underwater viewing), and a variety of birds (including endangered whooping cranes) in natural settings. Cost includes pontoon boat ride, rental of wet suits, masks, snorkel, and fins as well as entrance to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. Departure time is very early so you can get out on the water to see more manatees. Your day as a group will end at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park at approximately 4:00 PM. The park closes at 5:30 PM.
Minimum number: 30. Maximum number: 50.
Minimum age: 6 years.
Cost for snorkelers: $60 for 6-12 years and $65 for 13 years and up.
Cost for “riders” (participants who do not go into the water): $50 for 6-12 years and $55 for 13 years and up.
Possible tolls depending on departure site.
ST. AUGUSTINE - FLORIDA HISTORY TOUR
(*Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday)Your Florida History Tour begins in St. Augustine at the Fountain of Youth. Your group will be led by a guide through the Springhouse. You may drink water from the FOY and see the actual stone cross that Ponce de Leon’s men placed on the ground in 1513 claiming all of North America for Spain. Then you'll see Explorer’s Discovery Globe Show, Navigator’s Planetarium, exhibits, grounds, and more. Then we're off for the Old Florida Museum. Students will be divided into Pioneers, Indians, and Spanish as they enjoy an entertaining and educational experience designed to expose them to daily living skills of the Timucuan Indians, the Spanish Fort Mose inhabitants, and the Florida pioneer children. After lunch, we'll divide into two groups in the old historic district. Mr. Clifton will take one group to Castillo de San Marcos, give them a short history of the fort, and instruct them on taking a self-guided tour of the buildings. Mrs. Clifton will lead the other group to St. George Street where they will have an opportunity to see the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse in the USA, the City Gates, Huguenot Cemetery, and more. Then the two groups will switch off. Our day as a group ends at approximately 3:00 PM.
*PLEASE NOTE: Because of restrictions at Castillo de San Marcos, this trip must be scheduled on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.
Minimum number: 40. Maximum number: 80.
Minimum age: 4 years.
Cost: $20 for 4-12 years and $24 for 13 years and up.
Possible tolls depending on departure site.
OVERNIGHTER DESCRIPTIONS:
FLORIDA KEYS AND EVERGLADES - A Creationist Perspective
On the first day, you’ll spend the afternoon in the Everglades. After stopping at "Robert is Here" for world-famous exotic milkshakes, you'll ride an airboat across the Everglades' sawgrass observing alligators, turtles, and other wildlife. Then we're off to Everglades National Park - the largest protected sub-tropical wilderness in the continental US. You’ll stop at the ENP Visitor Center to see the educational displays and bookstore/gift shop. You’ll also hike the Anhinga Trail looking for native plants and animals (usually lots of birds and alligators!). The next morning, you’ll leave early for John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first undersea park in the US. As you snorkel on the coral reef, you will gain great insight into the intricate workings of the Creator, Who specifically designed the many life forms to live symbiotically on this "city" beneath the sea. While you do need to be a good swimmer, you do not need snorkeling experience. Our dive master will give snorkeling instructions on the boat as you head for the coral reef. You'll also tour the park's visitor center that features a 30, 000 gallon saltwater aquarium and other exhibits interpreting the park's unique marine environment. We’ll stop at Shell World for souvenirs on the way home.
Minimum number: 25. Maximum number: 47 (boat capacity).
Cost varies for children and adults, depending on number in room (see registration form). Cost includes hotel accommodations, luxury motor coach, bus driver and tips, meals from Day 1 lunch through Day 2 dinner, snacks, entrance fees, boat fares, snorkeling equipment rental, instruction, and handouts.
FLORIDA PANHANDLE CREATION TOUR - Cool Caves & Migrating Monarchs
This tour focuses on the Florida Panhandle looking for evidence of our Creator. On the first day, we’ll spend the afternoon at Florida Caverns State Park. We’ll take a guided tour of Florida Cavern, the main tour cave in this cave system and the only one open for public tours in Florida. We’ll see such cave formations as stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and rimstone pools. We’ll learn how these formations develop. (Hint: It doesn’t take millions of years!) We’ll look through the Visitor Center exhibits to learn about the park’s history and the unique plants and animals of the area. We’ll also hike the Floodplain Trail that goes through a tunnel cave. Then we’re off to spend the night in Tallahassee. The next morning, we’ll leave early for St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Our focus is the migrating monarch butterfly. Monarchs from across the eastern United States gather at SMNWR in October before crossing the Gulf of Mexico on their migration route to Mexico for the winter. We’ll participate in field activities near the St. Marks lighthouse, observing butterflies on the Levee Trail and also learning about marine specimens we gather seining in the Gulf. After the field activities, we’ll head back to the Visitor Center to learn more about the refuge from the educational exhibits. We’ll also look in the nature-oriented gift shop/book store before leaving for home. Please note: This field trip should be scheduled in October or early November when monarch butterflies are migrating through the refuge.
Minimum number: 25. Maximum number: 50.
Cost varies for children and adults, depending on number in room (see registration form). Cost includes hotel accommodations, luxury motor coach, bus driver and tips, meals from Day 1 lunch through Day 2 dinner, snacks, entrance fees, programs, cave tour, instruction, and handouts.
GRAND ARIZONA CREATION TOUR
On this tour, we will investigate the truly awesome handiwork of God in northern Arizona, interpreting from a biblical creationist and catastrophist viewpoint. We will be studying the archaeology, biology, geology, paleontology, and human culture of the area from the perspective of the Genesis account of Creation and the judgment of the Flood of Noah.
Day 1: Our adventure begins as we fly from Orlando to Phoenix, AZ. A luxury motor coach will pick us up at the airport and take us to our base, Flagstaff, a beautiful mountain community nestled at the bottom of the San Francisco Peaks. We will stay at Day’s Inn on Historic Route 66. Time and weather permitting, we will attend an evening program at Lowell Observatory and view the moon through the telescope used to discover the planet Pluto.
Day 2: Meteor Crater is our first stop. A park guide will lead our hike along the rim of this meteorite impact site, a giant bowl-shaped cavity that is nearly a mile across and over 550 feet deep! After a visit to the Meteor Crater Museum we’re off to Petrified Forest National Park. We’ll stop at the Painted Desert Visitor Center and then continue on the 28-mile road through the park. We will stop at overlooks and short trails as we enjoy long-distance vistas of the Painted Desert’s layers of blues, purples, and grays that were created by iron, carbon, manganese, and other minerals. Some sites along the road offer unbelievable views of petroglyphs etched in stone. We’ll hike the Crystal Forest Trail through countless huge petrified logs that hold amethyst and quartz crystals. Our last stop is the Rainbow Forest Museum.
Day 3: Activities begin at the Walnut Canyon Visitor Center. We’ll hike the Island Trail that takes us along the overhanging cliffs past rooms that were dwelling places of the Sinagua Indians (“people without water”) over 800 years ago. Then we’ll head for Wupatki and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monuments where we’ll take the 35-mile loop road observing the dramatic geological changes that were caused by volcanic and tectonic activity, transforming the landscape from desert to mountain in such a short distance and creating great biological diversity in the area. We’ll stop at the visitor centers, hike across lava flows, climb up a cinder cone, and see ancient ruins of the puebloan people.
Day 4: We will spend the day at the Grand Canyon, the most magnificent of the seven natural wonders of the world. The overwhelming views we will see are a testimony of the mighty power of our Lord and Creator! On the way we’ll stop at a Native American trading post and see a spectacular view of the Little Colorado River Gorge. In Grand Canyon National Park, our coach will take the South Rim Drive, stopping at breathtaking overlooks and fascinating places such as Desert View, Tuscayan Ruin and Museum, Grandview Point, Mather Point, and Yavapai Point Observation Station. We’ll also explore Grand Canyon Village with its historic buildings and points of interest best seen by walking, and we’ll look for the California condor, one of North America’s largest and rarest birds.
Day 5: We will return to Phoenix by motorcoach for our flight back to Orlando, driving through Sedona, AZ, considered by many to be "the most beautiful city in America.".
Minimum number: 20. Maximum number: 30.
Minimum age: 9 years.
Cost varies for children and adults, depending on number in room. (See registration for
m.) Tour cost includes airfare, hotel accommodations, luxury motor coach, bus driver and tips, most meals, snacks, entrance fees, instruction, and handouts.
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for more Creation Adventures Information:
Questions? Contact Bill or Merilee Clifton at 407-331-3427 or CLICK HERE to email.
"Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land." -
Aldo Leopold