What ages are appropriate for this field trip?

Programs are geared to early childhood and elementary grades; activities are age-adaptable and hands-on for young learners.

How many students can we bring?

Maximum group size is 25 students. The recommended chaperone ratio is one adult per ten students.

What is the cost per student?

The standard field trip rate is $15 per student; optional animal feed buckets are an extra fee.

Are there restroom or handwashing facilities?

Yes—on-site restrooms and handwashing stations are available and incorporated into the schedule.

What is the weather policy?

Scatter Joy Acres offers rain rescheduling to protect groups from sudden Florida storms; confirm details when booking.

How do I book or ask specific questions?

Use the referral booking link provided in the listing to reserve dates and ask about special accommodations or add-ons.

Hands-On Field Trips at Scatter Joy Acres: Animal Learning Days in Alva, FL

Scatter Joy Acres Field Trips invites school groups to a lively, hands-on farm day in rural Alva, Florida. Located at 19861 N River Rd, Alva, FL 33920, USA, this compact educational operation turns curious kids into temporary farmhands through petting, feeding, and guided activities.

On arrival groups move through fenced pastures, small animal pens, and a shaded picnic area where teachers gather students for a short orientation. The centerpiece is a one-hour guided farm experience led at a pace tuned for young learners: age-appropriate talks, supervised petting and feeding sessions with goats and chickens, and structured play in farm play areas. Practical touches—handwashing stations, accessible restrooms, and a covered picnic space—keep the day calm and sanitary. Optional animal feed buckets are available as an add-on for a hands-on feeding moment that becomes a classroom favorite.

This field trip is built for classroom logistics. Programs run weekdays only with morning and midday sessions (9:30–11:30 AM and 12:00–2:00 PM). Capacity is capped at 25 students, and the booking recommendation is one teacher or chaperone per ten students. At $15 per student the package balances affordability with learning value, and a deposit-plus-final-count policy simplifies planning. Rain rescheduling is offered to prevent wasted trips on Florida’s sudden showers.

What makes Scatter Joy Acres stand out in Lee County is its combination of direct animal interaction and clear educational structure. Students don rubber boots or closed-toe shoes, learn basics of animal care and feeding, and translate those moments into broader lessons about food systems and stewardship. The farm setting also gives a gentle introduction to rural Florida landscapes near Alva—sunny pastures, low pines and the small waterways typical of the region—without asking kids to walk long distances.

Educators can tie the visit to curriculum goals—life science, ecosystems, and local agriculture—with simple pre- and post-visit activities suggested during booking. Younger children respond to sensory stations: smelling fresh hay, counting feathers during a poultry demo, and tracing footprints in soft dirt. The farm practices low-impact animal handling and encourages students to wash hands after encounters. Bring labeled lunches and a change of clothes for mess-prone learners; staff will guide drop-off and pick-up to keep transitions smooth. Plan ahead for parking space.

Teachers and trip planners will appreciate the low student-to-space ratio, on-site restrooms, and the way activities are scaffolded for different ages. The farm’s calm pace, focused animal encounters, and supervised free-play zones create both teachable moments and simple joy. For visiting families or schools based near Fort Myers, a short drive brings a hands-on agricultural afternoon that’s as practical as it is memorable. Book through the provided referral link and reserve a weekday session to give students a lively, educational day on a real working farm.

About Hope and Joy Sanctuary

Hope and Joy Sanctuary is an animal-focused experience provider located in Alva, Florida. The sanctuary operates Scatter Joy Acres and offers guided, hands-on encounters and tours that connect visitors with a variety of animals. Offerings range from short species-specific encounters — including sloth, capybara, otter, kangaroo, ring tailed lemur, and porcupine experiences — to multi-animal guided tours such as the Wild Welcome Tour, Safari Signature Tour, and the adult-only Reserve Royale Tour.

Each experience is led by trained caretakers who provide behind-the-scenes context, animal behavior education, and supervised interactions designed for safety and enjoyment. Tours combine personal storytelling, feeding and touch opportunities where appropriate, and relaxed walk-through segments that emphasize observation and learning. The Reserve Royale Tour offers an intimate, adult-only setting with drinks and bites at Scatter Joy Acres, while the Safari Signature Tour includes a two-hour guided format with close-up moments with kangaroos, capybaras, and a sloth.

Hope and Joy Sanctuary emphasizes calm, respectful animal interactions and educational conservation messaging. Experiences are presented as family-friendly unless otherwise noted, and they support visitor connection to wildlife through small-group, guided formats. The sanctuary’s public offerings include several species-specific encounters and multiple guided tours in Alva, Florida, allowing guests to choose paced, memorable wildlife experiences with knowledgeable staff.

Available encounters include Ring Tail Lemur Encounter, Capybara Encounter, Sloth Encounter, Kangaroo Encounter, Porcupine Encounter, Otter Encounter, plus the multi-animal Wild Welcome Tour, Safari Signature Tour, and the Reserve Royale Tour. Each option supports learning, conservation, and memorable animal connections for all ages.