Field Trip Policies

Thank you for joining us on one of our many volunteer-led free field trips!

COVID SAFETY MEASURES

Please do not attend if you are sick.

RSVPS REQUIRED

All trip participants must register through our ticketing system so we can manage the number of attendees. Anyone who doesn’t register for an event that they attempt to attend will be turned away

WEATHER

Trips are canceled in heavy rain, excessive heat, or when the Air Quality Index is over 150. When trip cancellations occur, our trip leaders and/or SCVAS staff will email everyone that has signed up for a trip. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to check your email the morning of a trip. Or, if you are uncertain, feel free to contact your trip leader.

BEGINNING BIRDERS

We welcome beginners on all trips but have some trips that are better suited or designed specifically for beginners. This will be indicated in our trip descriptions.

BINOCULARS

Please bring your own binoculars. We have a few trips for which binoculars can be provided. Please contact fieldtrips@scvas.org for more details.

NEED TO CANCEL YOUR RSVP?

If you can no longer attend a trip that you have RSVPed for, please use the "contact organizer" button on the trip description page to inform the trip leader.  You may also email fieldtrips@scvas.org.

CANCELLATIONS OR CHANGES

Field trips may be canceled for other reasons besides weather, or important details may change (for example meeting spot changes due to trail closures or parking problems). ALWAYS check your email the morning of the trip.

CARPOOLING

SCVAS does not provide insurance for carpoolers and assumes no liability for them. Carpooling, ride sharing or anything similar is strictly a private arrangement among the participants. Participants assume the risks associated with this travel.

CELL PHONE SERVICE

Cell coverage may be intermittent or nonexistent at many of our field trip locations. We do our best to indicate this in our field trip directions but cannot guarantee service.

GROUPS (SCOUTS, HOMESCHOOLING, ETC.)

SCVAS can schedule field trips for your special group. Please email programs@scvas.org to make arrangements.

MINORS

Many of our trips are family-friendly and this will be indicated in our trip descriptions. Minors (under 18 years old) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian on our field trips.

WAITING LIST

We do not maintain waiting lists. If a trip has filled up, please check again the night before. Spots often open up due to cancellations.

BIRDING ETHICS

We adhere to the ABA’s Principles of Birding Ethics on all our birding adventures, and expect all trip participants to do the same.

QUESTIONS

Email our field trip coordinator at fieldtrips@scvas.org.