New York Maple Sugar Farm Field Trip Ideas for Teachers

A great idea for teachers for a school field trip is to take your students on a maple sugar field trip. Maple sugar is one of the most popular New York State products, so showing your students how it's made and learning about its history can be a fun field trip.

Sugarbush Hollow. During Maple season, mid-March to mid-May, Sugarbush Hollow in Wayland, New York opens its sugarbush and sugarhouse for school field trips. Your students will learn how a tree makes maple sap, how maple syrup is made and even learn about the local trees, leaves, plants and wildlife. They create presentations that are targeted towards the age of the students you bring and at a cost of only $2 a student, it's a great deal. 8447 Pardee Hollow Road, Wayland, NY. 585-943-3475.

Dry Brook Sugar House. A family-owned and operated maple sugar farm in Salem, New York, Dry Brook will teach your students how to tell the difference between maple trees, see how trees are tapped, learn how maple syrup, candy and ice cream are made in the sugarhouse, and they'll even get a vanilla ice cream with warm maple syrup. Wagon rides are available or sleigh rides when there's snow. 432 Chambers Road, Salem, NY 12865 - 518-854-3955

Maple Events and Festivals. Once the maple season is finished, people all over New York State celebrate another successful maple season. Many towns have maple festivals, parades, maple demonstrations and opportunities to try maple syrup or maple sugar products. Marcellus, Marathon, Cold Spring, Cobleskill and Knox are just a few towns that hold maple sugar festivals. A fun field trip idea for your students to learn more about maple sugar.

For more information on maple sugar and maple sugar producers, check out the New York State Maple Producers Association webpage.