Field trips
Academy for Environmental Stewardship

field trips for Second Grade- Seventh Grade
The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation's Environmental Stewardship Program provides hands-on classes that stress responsible interaction with our natural surrounding and creates awareness of the environmental impact of day to day activities. Students will break into smaller groups and rotate through stations taught by educators who engage students with interactive activities that bring the lessons to life!
AHLF programs are aligned with Common core, History/Social Science, Next Generations Science Standards and STEAM curriculum.
Cost:
- $17 per student
Student Lessons:
2nd Grade
- Understanding the Earth’s Systems
3rd Grade
- Live the Past
- Experience Today
- Honor the Future
4th Grade:
- Colonization
- Adaptations
- Origins
7th Grade:
- Human Impacts on the Environment
*All programs can be modified for any age group.

field trips for PRE-K & Kindergarten
Join us in-person for a 90-minute interactive field trip. The field trip is composed of two 45-minute lessons with the option of eating lunch or snack on Newell's Terrace!
Cost:
- $5 per student if 10 or more
- $8 per student is less than 10 (6 student minimum)
Student Lessons:
- Animal Interactions
- Nature Hike
- Who Polluted the Lagoon
- Pollinator Perspective

virtual field trips for any age
The Academy for Environmental Stewardship goes virtual! Join us via virtual media for a 90-minute field trip. The field trip is composed of three 30-minute lessons per Academy program. The 90-minute program can be taught over the course of 2 or 3 days (60 minutes one day, and 30 minutes the other day or 30 minutes per day). Field trip programming can be shortened to individual 30-minute lessons too.
For grade levels other than 2nd or 3rd Grade, please email emily.bonds@aguahedionda.org, for customized virtual programming.
Cost:
The field trip is limited to 25 students max.
- 90 minute virtual field trip (3 lessons): $239.99
- 30 minute field trip (1 lesson): $79.99
Student Lessons:
2nd Grade
- Understanding Earth's Systems
- Different Strokes for Different Folks
- Incredible Water Journey
- Seed Design
3rd Grade
- Program 1: Live the Past
- Purpose of Plants
- Rock Art
- Weaving
- Program 2: Experience Today
- Animal Interactions
- Bird Beak Design
- The Times, They are a-Changin’
- Virtual & on-site field trips are offered Monday-Friday (subject to availability)
- EST & PST can be accommodated for virtual field trips
- On-site field trips are offered between 9:30am-2:30pm
- Build your own field trip: a la carte
- Design your own field trip by mixing and matching the offered lessons. Choose only 1 or 2 lessons or 3 lessons (virtual) or 4 lessons (on-site). Each lesson is 30-45 minutes long so your field trip can best accommodate the amount of time you want. Cost will be dependent on length of field trip and number of students participating. Don’t see a lesson you want to learn? Email or call for specialization.
Field Trip Cancellation Policy: Teachers and parent volunteers are free. All fees are to be paid one week prior to your field trip. If your payment is late, a $50 late fee will be applied.
If you need to cancel your program for any reason, please email emily.bonds@aguahedionda.org so that we have it in writing. We will respond via email that we received your cancellation. If you do not receive a response to your email, please call (760) 804-1969 and speak with Emily Bonds.
If cancellations occur at least two weeks before the program, no fees apply. If cancellations occur within two weeks before the date of the program, 50% of the entire trip scheduled will be charged. This applies to student absences (if the student count is less on the field trip day but Agua Hedionda was not notified at least two weeks prior, no refund can be issued).
Our program runs rain or shine; no need for cancellation due to inclement weather.
School Program Interest Form
School Program Interest Form
Meet The Teachers

Emily Bonds, Director of Education
Emily grew up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and her love for the great outdoors developed at a young age. The warm weather and ocean drew Emily to Southern California, where she attended Chapman University. She received her B.A. in Integrated Education Studies with an emphasis in Leadership Studies and a Minor in Environmental Science. She also studied abroad in the Turks and Caicos Islands, where she studied marine science and tourism. Her passion for outdoor education and marine science drew her to the AHLF Discovery Center for their Academy of Environmental Stewardship. Emily is excited to be teaching and learning at the AHLF Discovery Center!
Grant Thompson, Lead School Program Teacher
Grant spent his childhood summers exploring the Sierra Nevada mountains with his family - in fact, he’s named after Grant Lake in the Yosemite National Park! His younger years of bug-collecting and aquarium-keeping would pay off at the University of California Santa Cruz where he graduated with a combined degree in Environmental Studies and Biology. Throughout his educational career, Grant volunteered his time at aquariums and nature centers, sharing his love for the natural world with visitors of all ages. Following his undergrad, Grant pursued a career in classroom science education, eventually moving across the Pacific to Tokyo, Japan where he taught at a small international school from 2018-2023. While living in the biggest city in the world, he also completed a Masters in International Innovative Agriculture Science at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. Grant has now returned to his roots to continue inspiring fascination in the amazing world we all share. (He also collects banana stuff.

Bonnie Di Bacco
Bonnie is a Southern California native that grew up with parent’s that were both educators and has always believed education is critical for success. She first experienced the Agua Hedionda program while attending as a chaperone for one of her three children’s field trips. She has degrees from both Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and San Diego State University. She’s spent her entire career working in adverting as an Art Director and Graphic Designer in New York and California and currently works as a freelance Art Director. Teaching at the lagoon has been a big change and it’s been such an amazing experience. Her favorite part is seeing a child’s face light up when they learn something new. The outdoor learning environment keeps it interesting and fun for both the kids and her! She loves that they are learning about the history of our area in a fun and unique way and she truly believes that the knowledge they take away will motivate them to protect and preserve our local environment.
Emily Gallego
Emily is a San Diego native, with a deep love for the environment and education. She is currently a student at Cal State San Marcos majoring in Liberal Studies and minoring in Spanish, with the hopes of continuing her career in education. Teaching at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon has completely changed the way that she looks at education and is entirely grateful for the opportunity to be an Environmental Stewardship Teacher. Being able to educate students outdoors with hands-on activities is a privilege that Emily is excited to be a part of!
Olivia Rojas
Olivia Rojas is delighted to serve as your teacher at Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation. Having grown up amidst the picturesque landscapes of North Carolina, her fascination with animals and insects blossomed from a young age. Now, she resides with a vibrant pet chameleon and Madagascar hissing cockroaches. Olivia's love for nature has propelled her on adventures as far north as Alaska to the southern parts of Chile. Currently pursuing a BS in environmental studies at Cal State University San Marcos, she aims to intertwine her passion for nature with her dedication to education. With a heartfelt affinity for working with children, Olivia considers it a privilege to share her knowledge about the wonders of the natural world.
Avery Garner Gomez
Hi! My name is Avery Garner Gomez and I grew up not far from here in Northern California. I am currently a senior at San Diego State University and will graduate in May with my Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Development. Working as a field trip educator for an outdoor environmental program has opened my eyes more and has given me great experience. I am very grateful for the opportunity I was given to teach at Agua Hedionda. I love being able to watch children learn and grow through hands on activities and I am excited to continue and grow in my journey at Agua and in my career.
Ava Geasland
Ava is a North County local and grew up attending the same schools as the students she serves today. She has always been inspired by the natural world around her and eager to understand her place in it. Motivated by a love for ecology, she completed her bachelor's degree in Conservation and Resource Studies at UC Berkeley’s College of Natural Resources. Since returning home, Ava has immersed herself in STEM and environmental education through private and in-school classroom tutoring, marine biology education at an AZA accredited aquarium, and teaching diverse science topics at AHLF. Her goal is to continue to foster positive experiences in science education among her community as she furthers her education and pursues a master's degree.