CBF's one-day and multi-day student field programs offer the opportunity for students and teachers to get outside and learn about the wonders of our Bay region through field investigations.
Open Applications
Spring 2025
The deadline to apply for spring 2025 one-day Student Field Programs passed on November 22, 2024 and deadline to apply for a spring 2025 multi-day Student Field Program passed on May 24, 2024. You can still apply late for either program by clicking the button below. The Education scheduling team will let you know if there are any openings that match your request. Our spring season runs March 19, 2025–June 6, 2025.
School Year 2025-26
The application for fall 2025 one-day and fall 2025/spring 2026 multi-day Student Field Programs will open on April 18, 2025. The priority deadline to apply will be May 23, 2025.
How to Apply for a Student Field Program
Before applying, choose a student field program. When completing your application, please take the following into account:
- Location: Some student field programs run from a variety of locations. After selecting a program, please indicate you preferred location. If you do not select a site, our program staff will select one with you after your date is confirmed. View our Field Program Trip Locator map to find what's closest to you.
- Dates: We ask for preferred dates. Your flexibility allows us to accommodate the many schools who apply. We will make every effort to schedule your top requested dates.
- Time: One-day program timing is based on each school's transportation restrictions (activity bus vs. contract bus, etc.) but should fall within the general 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. school day timeframe.
- Group Size: The number of participants includes students, teachers, and chaperones. Maximum numbers are listed on the application. If your group size exceeds the maximum number allowed for a program, you have two options: apply for two or more programs on the same day or apply for the same program on multiple dates.
- Program Fee: CBF receives private and state funding that allows us to greatly subsidize the program fees for schools since the full cost of our programming is far greater than what we charge. We recognize that even the subsidized rate may still be a barrier to a school’s ability to participate in our programs. We provide the opportunity for schools to request a fee waiver through the program application. The fee waiver requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis each season. Generally, we receive more requests than what we can fulfill so requests are not guaranteed.
Once booked, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on the program(s), date(s), and amount due. You must return your signed confirmation letter and pay for one-day programs at least 30 days in advance and multi-day programs at least 45 days in advance of your scheduled program date(s).
If we are unable to fill your request, you will be placed on a waiting list and may be scheduled later in the season as cancellations occur. We send out waitlist notifications on a rolling basis throughout the season.
Cancellation Policy
If you would like to cancel a scheduled trip, please email us at [email protected] with your trip information and reason for cancellation. We will cancel your trip date(s) and attempt to reschedule or process your refund* according to our policies listed below:
| One-Day Program: 1-4 requested trip dates | |
| 30 days prior to scheduled date | 100% refund |
| 16 to 29 days prior to scheduled date | 50% refund |
| 0 to 15 days prior to scheduled date | No refund |
| One-Day Program: 5 or more requested trip dates | |
| 30 days prior to scheduled date | 100% refund |
| 0 to 30 days prior to scheduled date | No refund |
| Multi-Day Program | |
| 45 days prior to scheduled date | 100% refund |
| 16 to 44 days prior to scheduled date | 50% refund |
| 0 to 15 days prior to scheduled date | No refund |
*Refund balances may not be applied to programs outside the current season.
In the event of unsafe weather conditions, CBF will cancel the program and will attempt to reschedule based on program availability, or a full refund will be issued.
Find more information on the FAQ page. If you have further questions about applying, please contact the scheduling team at 800-445-5572 or [email protected].
