We are now accepting field trip reservations for the 2026/2027 school year!

Trips to our adventure playground on Governors Island are facilitated by our playworkers who support children in their play with loose parts materials, building structures, and independent activities. These visits let young people design their own outcomes in an environment that is meant for exploration, experimentation, contemplation, and all the other wonderful facets of play.

Field trips are best suited for children who are 6 to 12 years old but we welcome students of all ages. Most trips take place during the week. We align the times of the visit on the ferry schedule; for example, most groups take the 9:30am ferry from lower Manhattan and join The Yard from 9:50am to 11:50am.

All participants need a signed waiver prior to the visit and we require closed-toe shoes.

Field Trip FAQs

What is a field trip to The Yard?

Field trips at The Yard offer students a unique opportunity to engage in open-ended, child-directed play. Sessions are led by trained Playworkers who support exploration using loose parts, building materials, tools, art supplies, and plenty of space to imagine, create, and collaborate.

Rather than following a structured program, students are encouraged to take the lead in their own play and learning. The experience promotes creativity, problem-solving, confidence, and social development.

Field trips include 2 hours of private play at The Yard and are offered on weekday mornings during the school year.
Please note that the 2-hour field trip session begins when your scheduled play time starts at The Yard and does not include travel time to or from Governors Island. Schools should plan additional time for ferry travel, walking to The Yard, lunch, and any other activities they wish to enjoy on the island.
Sample Schedule (10:00 AM–12:00 PM Play Session)
9:25 AM – Board Governors Island Ferry
9:30 AM – Ferry departs Lower Manhattan
9:40 AM – Arrive at Soissons Landing and begin the walk to The Yard
9:50 AM – Arrive at The Yard
10:00 AM – Play session begins
12:00 PM – Play session ends
After your session, schools are welcome to enjoy lunch or continue exploring Governors Island for the remainder of the day. Please note that late arrivals may result in shortened play time, as we cannot always extend sessions.
Students inside The Yard are supervised by our trained Playworkers.
We maintain a Playworker-to-student ratio of approximately:
- 1:8 for smaller groups
- 1:10 for larger groups
Playworkers continually monitor the playground, remove hazards, and support safe play.
For students who are not actively participating in a play session during a rotation schedule, teachers and chaperones are responsible for supervision.
Most schools use this time to:
- Eat lunch
- Explore Governors Island
- Participate in self-directed activities planned by school staff
Teachers and chaperones are generally not permitted inside The Yard during field trips.
We do make accommodations for:
- Paraprofessionals
- SETSS providers
- Other approved support staff as needed
Please let us know about any accommodation needs when booking.
Our Playworkers continuously monitor the environment, remove physical hazards, and intervene/redirect when behavior becomes unsafe. However, active outdoor play naturally involves risk. Scrapes, bumps, bruises, and minor injuries can occur as part of children's exploration and play.

Field trip rates vary based on group size and school type. We offer reduced pricing for Title I schools and work to keep our programs accessible to as many students as possible.
Field trip pricing is available for the following group sizes:
- Up to 8 students
- 9–20 students
- 21–30 students
For groups larger than 30 students, we can often accommodate rotating play sessions or extended visits. Please contact us to discuss options.
Payment can be made via credit card, check, EFT, or DOE POLARIS.
We are currently accepting reservations for the 2026–2027 school year. Our field trips run from September through the middle of November and April through early June.
Please contact us to discuss available dates.
Students should come prepared for active outdoor play. Students will get muddy, wet, paint-stained, or otherwise messy during play.
Required:
- Closed-toe shoes
Recommended:
- Rain boots
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Refillable water bottle
- A complete change of clothes
Students should wear clothing that can get dirty.
The health and safety of your students is our top priority. If temperatures are below freezing, severe weather conditions (including tropical storms, dangerous winds, flooding, or other conditions that may impact ferry service or safe access to Governors Island), or unhealthy air quality make it unsafe to host your school, we will work with you to reschedule your field trip.
If weather and air quality conditions are considered safe and you choose to reschedule your trip, rescheduling within 3 days of the field trip date will incur a fee equal to 25% of the total trip cost. Rescheduling after this period will incur a fee equal to 50% of the total trip cost.
All young people who enter The Yard must first have a waiver on file, signed by their parent or guardian.
We have copies of our waiver available in Spanish and Mandarin if preferred.

How do we get to Governors Island?

Schools are ultimately responsible for arranging transportation to and from Governors Island.

Governors Island Ferry (Lower Manhattan)

Most groups use the free Governors Island Ferry departing from 10 South Street in Manhattan.

Children under 12 ride free.
We can assist schools in securing complimentary ferry tickets for adult chaperones and older students.
Ferries depart every 30 minutes beginning at 7:00 AM.
The Yard is approximately a 10-minute walk from Soissons Landing.

NYC Ferry (Brooklyn)

Schools may also arrive via NYC Ferry.

Schools are responsible for purchasing tickets.
The Yard is approximately a 5-minute walk from Yankee Pier.

What is required to reserve a field trip?

To confirm a reservation:

A 50% deposit is required.
The remaining balance is due two weeks before your visit.
Electronic waivers are required for all participants. We will provide a custom waiver link after booking.