Junior Pathfinders

The Walk to the Rock Junior Pathfinder Program offers free, hands-on learning opportunities for K-5 students at Chimney Rock. Through outdoor experiences in history, natural sciences, and conservation, the program brings Nebraska’s story to life while supporting classroom learning.

Connecting Nebraska elementary school students with nature and history

The Walk to the Rock Junior Pathfinder Program is a free educational experience that brings classroom learning to life at Chimney Rock. Designed for K-5 students, the program combines hands-on, place-based activities with lessons in Nebraska history, natural sciences, and conservation, creating an unforgettable day of discovery at one of the state’s most iconic landmarks.

Each participating student receives a Junior Pathfinder backpack filled with a workbook, pencils, and learning materials tailored to the class’s curriculum. Whether students are exploring westward expansion, investigating prairie ecosystems, or taking part in a conservation activity such as planting native grasses, every field trip is customized to support the teacher’s educational goals while complementing Nebraska state learning standards.

Students also have the opportunity to learn from Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation staff and, during conservation-focused visits, local Natural Resources District representatives. These real-world experiences help students better understand the importance of stewardship, connect with Nebraska’s natural resources, and see how history and conservation continue to shape the state today.

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Hay Springs 4th Grade_May 11_2026
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Online Field Trip Request Form

Notes and FAQ

  • Field Trips should be requested one month in advance.
  • This program is coordinated by NSHSF and is not part of the Ethel S. and Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center. If teachers want to include a stop at the Visitor Center after leaving the hiking trails, that will need to be arranged separately through the Visitor Center’s process.
  • Students must wear closed-toe shoes
  • In the event of severe inclement weather, including but not limited to winter storms, thunderstorms, or extreme heat or cold, and the field trip must be cancelled, the trip can be rescheduled within 30 days of the originally scheduled date.

Online Field Trip Request Form

Please review all required fields before beginning form.

This field trip includes walking on outdoor trails and exposure to natural environments. Students should wear appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes. While every effort is made to identify and minimize hazards, natural areas may contain uneven ground, insects, plants, changing weather conditions, and wildlife. Students will remain with their assigned group and follow all safety instructions provided by staff and chaperones throughout the visit.

Please provide the phone number you would like us to contact you with in regards to the Junior Pathfinder program
Please describe accommodations needed.

Transportation Information

NSHSF will provide a Junior Pathfinder transportation grant up to $500.
(Sandra will reach out to verify date once all parties (NRD or G &P officials) are lined up)

Parent/Guardian Release Requirement

For the safety of participating students and to protect all organizations involved, a signed Parent/Guardian Release and Waiver Form is required for each child participating in a Foundation-supported field trip or transportation program. The school or participating organization is responsible for distributing the required release form to parents or legal guardians, collecting the completed forms, and confirming that a signed form has been received for each participating student prior to the field trip. Submission of the school’s online application or participation form does not replace the individual Parent/Guardian Release and Waiver Form. Students without a completed and signed Parent/Guardian Release and Waiver Form may not participate in the Foundation-supported field trip or transportation program.
Clear Signature
Photos may be used to promote Jr. Pathfinder program from NSHSF channels.

Administrator Approval