WYSE FIELD VISITS
National Youth Delegates select preferences from the following field visits to choose their small group site visit. Students get behind-the-scenes at their field visit and
2026 CONFIRMED FIELD VISIT LOCATIONS
GREAT COUNTRY FARMS
Explore food production, sustainable farming practices, and different approaches to farm business at Potomac Vegetable Farms (PVF) and Great Country Farms. Students will get their hands dirty at PVF as they learn about “ecoganic” farming practices, food production, and food distribution by small-scale farms. They will then visit Great Country Farms, an “agrotourism” site that includes pick-your-own fruit, a traveling chicken coop, ethical farm animal practices, and direct-to-consumer products. Students will explore these two sites and understand how food production can be profitable, sustainable, and even fun!
Delegate Experiences:
“I liked the tractor tour around the farm, and the whole facility was very cool. Also interactive (pumpkin seeds + transporting chickens) and good cider”
“I liked them a lot! I was excited to see animals which was what I was hoping for, I liked our task of wrangling the younger chickens. I also learned about the concept of agritourism and I think it’s really cool!”
SMITHSONIAN CONSERVATION BIOLOGY INSTITUTE
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia is the home of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC), where students will come face-to-face with some of the most endangered species in the world. During this field visit, students will explore the career of a Smithsonian scientist as they tour this magnificent research facility, have conversations with Smithsonian researchers, and participate in field activities like camera trap deployment, bird observation, and insect collection and observation. SMSC seeks to sustain global biodiversity by advancing the theory and practice of conservation biology with transformative, hands-on education.
Delegate Experiences:
“I loved getting to know about the behind the scenes scbi does for the zoo and how they conduct their research!”
“It was truly amazing not only was I amazed by the knowledge around me and the research being conducted but also insanely inspired by the people around me”
FRIENDS OF THE RAPPAHNNOCK
Friends of the Rappahannock: Water Quality Assessment & Canoeing takes students to Fredericksburg, VA, where they will become water quality specialists and complete sampling and assessment activities to determine the biological and chemical health of the Rappahannock River.
After their assessments, they can enjoy nature through a guided tour and a canoe trip on the river. Bring a bathing suit and a towel if you want to cool off in the river on your trip!
Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) is a citizen organization with a mission to be the voice and active force for a healthy and scenic Rappahannock River. This river dumps directly into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States.
Delegate Experiences:
“Best thing ever! Got to explore my intrest in water quality while experiencing what rivers are like since I dont really have them where I’m from.”
“The visit was great! it was super fun to go kayaking, and getting to test the water quality was super interesting!”
NATIONAL AQUARIUM IN BALTIMORE
The National Aquarium in Baltimore is one of the top aquariums in the nation that works at a regional and global level on conservation initiatives that provide real solutions for protecting marine and aquatic life alongside human communities. Students who attend this trip will get special access to the “behind the scenes” non-public areas of the aquarium. Students can expect to learn about the important conservation work this organization is doing to support our marine environments around the world.
Delegate Experiences:
“I loved it!! it was so much fun to pet the jellyfish and see layers of the rainforest”
“I really liked it!! Hearing from the aquarium staff was very memorable and it made me want to work there”
SKYLINE CAVERNS/WETLAND STUDIES AND SOLUTIONS
The Water Flow through Earth’s Surface field visit takes students to the Skyline Caverns, a series of 50 million year old caverns in the Shenandoah Valley, and then to Wetland Studies and Solutions, a leading natural resources consulting company focused on wetlands. During their time at Skyline Caverns, students will learn about the role of water in forming these enormous underground ecosystems and see anthrodite formations unique to these caverns. They will then travel to Wetland Studies and Solutions, where they will tour their LEED-gold offices and learn about their work to protect wetlands. At WSS, students will see the importance of wetlands in protecting the balance of water on earth.
Delegate Experiences:
“So gorgeous and an amazing tour with so much to see and learn. Definitely a great option for this hot summer time.”
“I found it fun and interesting to learn about gave me a new interest/perspective on environmental science and engineering that I would enjoy doing!”
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK/BLUE RIDGE WILDLIFE CENTER
Shenandoah National Park extends along the Blue Ridge Mountains in the U.S. state of Virginia. The Skyline Drive runs its length, and a vast network of trails includes a section of the long-distance Appalachian Trail. Mostly forested, the park features wetlands, waterfalls and rocky peaks like Hawksbill and Old Rag mountains. Shenandoah is home to many bird species, plus deer, squirrels and the elusive black bear. Students at this site visit will go on a hike and learn about park systems and habitat protection and capacities.
At Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, students will meet a variety of rehabilitated “animal ambassadors” and see what it looks like to intake injured wildlife. They will speak with vet techs about how veterinary medicine can expand to wild animals and help protect native species!
Delegate Experiences:
“I loved hiking through the forest of Shenandoah National Park, and the career panel afterwards with the rangers was very informative.”
“Blue Ridge Wildlife Center was awesome and so educational. I learned so much from the vet tech and the different animal ambassadors they have!”
MASON NECK STATE PARK
Mason Neck is a Virginia State Park located along the Potomac River and Pohick Bay. During this field visit, you will have opportunity to canoe or kayak on Belmont Bay or Kane’s Creek with Visitor Experience Rangers. You also get to study macroinvertebrates while using dip nets and seine nets! Finally, hike a trail while learning about the raptors that call Mason Neck State Park home, like bald eagles and ospreys.
Delegate Experiences:
“I really liked it! The hike wasnt hard or tiring, the turtle pond activity was fun to do, I got to learn more about the Park and the state I live in that I didn’t know… My favorite part was the guest people that came to the park with a American kestrel and the barred owl I learned so much and I’m so happy to see them face to face.”
“I really enjoyed the learning aspects. I particularly liked the bird speakers, they were really knowledgeable and easily answered all types of questions.”
MARYLAND ZOO
The Zoo’s mission is to engage people in the wonders of the living world through personal encounters with animals, fostering empathy and lifelong support for conservation of wildlife and wild places. Take a look behind the scenes and get to know the work at the zoo during this field visit! Learn about animal training techniques and careers at the zoo as well as animal behavior in the wild versus activity. Then, take time to explore the many endangered species at the zoo!
Delegate Experiences:
“It was really fun and cool to learn more about the animals!”
“I enjoyed all of the aspects of the zoo and how informative it was!”
WYSE FIELD VISITS
National Youth Delegates select preferences from the following field visits to choose their small group site visit. Students get behind-the-scenes at their field visit and
2026 CONFIRMED FIELD VISIT LOCATIONS
GREAT COUNTRY FARMS
Explore food production, sustainable farming practices, and different approaches to farm business at Potomac Vegetable Farms (PVF) and Great Country Farms. Students will get their hands dirty at PVF as they learn about “ecoganic” farming practices, food production, and food distribution by small-scale farms. They will then visit Great Country Farms, an “agrotourism” site that includes pick-your-own fruit, a traveling chicken coop, ethical farm animal practices, and direct-to-consumer products. Students will explore these two sites and understand how food production can be profitable, sustainable, and even fun!
Delegate Experiences:
“I liked the tractor tour around the farm, and the whole facility was very cool. Also interactive (pumpkin seeds + transporting chickens) and good cider”
“I liked them a lot! I was excited to see animals which was what I was hoping for, I liked our task of wrangling the younger chickens. I also learned about the concept of agritourism and I think it’s really cool!”
SMITHSONIAN CONSERVATION BIOLOGY INSTITUTE
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia is the home of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC), where students will come face-to-face with some of the most endangered species in the world. During this field visit, students will explore the career of a Smithsonian scientist as they tour this magnificent research facility, have conversations with Smithsonian researchers, and participate in field activities like camera trap deployment, bird observation, and insect collection and observation. SMSC seeks to sustain global biodiversity by advancing the theory and practice of conservation biology with transformative, hands-on education.
Delegate Experiences:
“I loved getting to know about the behind the scenes scbi does for the zoo and how they conduct their research!”
“It was truly amazing not only was I amazed by the knowledge around me and the research being conducted but also insanely inspired by the people around me”
FRIENDS OF THE RAPPAHNNOCK
Friends of the Rappahannock: Water Quality Assessment & Canoeing takes students to Fredericksburg, VA, where they will become water quality specialists and complete sampling and assessment activities to determine the biological and chemical health of the Rappahannock River.
After their assessments, they can enjoy nature through a guided tour and a canoe trip on the river. Bring a bathing suit and a towel if you want to cool off in the river on your trip!
Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) is a citizen organization with a mission to be the voice and active force for a healthy and scenic Rappahannock River. This river dumps directly into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States.
Delegate Experiences:
“Best thing ever! Got to explore my intrest in water quality while experiencing what rivers are like since I dont really have them where I’m from.”
“The visit was great! it was super fun to go kayaking, and getting to test the water quality was super interesting!”
NATIONAL AQUARIUM IN BALTIMORE
The National Aquarium in Baltimore is one of the top aquariums in the nation that works at a regional and global level on conservation initiatives that provide real solutions for protecting marine and aquatic life alongside human communities. Students who attend this trip will get special access to the “behind the scenes” non-public areas of the aquarium. Students can expect to learn about the important conservation work this organization is doing to support our marine environments around the world.
Delegate Experiences:
“I loved it!! it was so much fun to pet the jellyfish and see layers of the rainforest”
“I really liked it!! Hearing from the aquarium staff was very memorable and it made me want to work there”
SKYLINE CAVERNS/WETLAND STUDIES AND SOLUTIONS
The Water Flow through Earth’s Surface field visit takes students to the Skyline Caverns, a series of 50 million year old caverns in the Shenandoah Valley, and then to Wetland Studies and Solutions, a leading natural resources consulting company focused on wetlands. During their time at Skyline Caverns, students will learn about the role of water in forming these enormous underground ecosystems and see anthrodite formations unique to these caverns. They will then travel to Wetland Studies and Solutions, where they will tour their LEED-gold offices and learn about their work to protect wetlands. At WSS, students will see the importance of wetlands in protecting the balance of water on earth.
Delegate Experiences:
“So gorgeous and an amazing tour with so much to see and learn. Definitely a great option for this hot summer time.”
“I found it fun and interesting to learn about gave me a new interest/perspective on environmental science and engineering that I would enjoy doing!”
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK/BLUE RIDGE WILDLIFE CENTER
Shenandoah National Park extends along the Blue Ridge Mountains in the U.S. state of Virginia. The Skyline Drive runs its length, and a vast network of trails includes a section of the long-distance Appalachian Trail. Mostly forested, the park features wetlands, waterfalls and rocky peaks like Hawksbill and Old Rag mountains. Shenandoah is home to many bird species, plus deer, squirrels and the elusive black bear. Students at this site visit will go on a hike and learn about park systems and habitat protection and capacities.
At Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, students will meet a variety of rehabilitated “animal ambassadors” and see what it looks like to intake injured wildlife. They will speak with vet techs about how veterinary medicine can expand to wild animals and help protect native species!
Delegate Experiences:
“I loved hiking through the forest of Shenandoah National Park, and the career panel afterwards with the rangers was very informative.”
“Blue Ridge Wildlife Center was awesome and so educational. I learned so much from the vet tech and the different animal ambassadors they have!”
MASON NECK STATE PARK
Mason Neck is a Virginia State Park located along the Potomac River and Pohick Bay. During this field visit, you will have opportunity to canoe or kayak on Belmont Bay or Kane’s Creek with Visitor Experience Rangers. You also get to study macroinvertebrates while using dip nets and seine nets! Finally, hike a trail while learning about the raptors that call Mason Neck State Park home, like bald eagles and ospreys.
Delegate Experiences:
“I really liked it! The hike wasnt hard or tiring, the turtle pond activity was fun to do, I got to learn more about the Park and the state I live in that I didn’t know… My favorite part was the guest people that came to the park with a American kestrel and the barred owl I learned so much and I’m so happy to see them face to face.”
“I really enjoyed the learning aspects. I particularly liked the bird speakers, they were really knowledgeable and easily answered all types of questions.”
MARYLAND ZOO
The Zoo’s mission is to engage people in the wonders of the living world through personal encounters with animals, fostering empathy and lifelong support for conservation of wildlife and wild places. Take a look behind the scenes and get to know the work at the zoo during this field visit! Learn about animal training techniques and careers at the zoo as well as animal behavior in the wild versus activity. Then, take time to explore the many endangered species at the zoo!
Delegate Experiences:
“It was really fun and cool to learn more about the animals!”
“I enjoyed all of the aspects of the zoo and how informative it was!”