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Field Trips2025-09-16T12:18:39-07:00

Field Trips

Fall School Classroom Field Trips

A Day of Learning and Fun on the Farm

By reservation only, book online!
Part of our mission at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard is to provide education about agriculture through entertainment. The land that is now Vala’s Pumpkin Patch has been a working farm for over 100 years, and we’ve kept the tradition alive by growing all our own pumpkins and apples. When school children visit Vala’s Pumpkin Patch, we want them to have fun running through the pumpkin fields, picking apples fresh off the trees, and seeing real tractors, but our greatest hope is that they will leave with a better understanding of agriculture and an appreciation for farms.

How It Works

  • A classroom field trip is for children ages 3 to 13 (preschool through 6th grade) enrolled in a public school, private school, preschool, or child day care. At least 10 children, ages 3 and up, and one teacher are required for the school group field trip rate. Teachers must accompany the class.
  • Rates for classroom field trips are available Monday through Friday from 9am to 3:30pm only, when schools are in session.
  • Every field trip option includes a small pumpkin for each child.
  • Only teachers and paid staff members are free. We recommend bringing and wearing your school ID badges while at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch.

  • Parent/Adult chaperones or volunteers must pay separately for themselves and any siblings on the day of the field trip at the Admissions Barn.

  • Siblings of your student may attend the field trip if they have your permission. If they are age 3 and over they must pay separately with the parent at the Admissions Barn. Ages 2 and under are free.

  • Same day re-admission policy: Any child, teacher or adult attending during the day may turn in their “admission stickers” for a free same-day wristband to return later that same day. Stickers must be exchanged in the Exit Barn before leaving the field trip.
  • A child’s season pass may not be used for a classroom field trip, Monday through Friday, 9am to 3:30pm. This is because the cost of the field trip is for lessons and takeaways like pumpkins and apples. A parent accompanying their child on a field trip may choose to use the season pass for their own General Admission by presenting the pass to an admissions cashier.
Use Our School Field Trips Online Reservation Form

Teachers: Read about the 2 types of Field Trips below and decide which one fits your objectives. Select the date and time you wish to book. Some time slots may be sold out. See options by selecting a specific date and viewing the availability. Before checking out you will be asked to estimate the number of children, staff, and parents/adults attending. We understand that this is just an estimate. Parents must pay separately from the school.

You may wish to order school lunches online, also. The cost is $6.95 per lunch (hot dog, chips, applesauce and drink). You may also order these at a later date or call the reservation office to add this to your reservation. Please order at least 48 hours in advance.

There is a lot to learn at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch, allow 2 to 3 hours for your visit!

Suggested Field Trip Highlights
  • Hayrack Ride to the pumpkin field (30-40 minutes), where educational pumpkin fact signs are posted
  • Egg Scramble indoor play area (big yellow barn)
  • Prairie Hill Town play area
  • Train Ride on the Pumpkin Creek Railroad
  • Barnyard Adventure Ride
  • Pigtucky Derby Pig Races (always a favorite!)
  • Storybook Barn and Garden walk
  • Bunnyville
  • The Jumping Pillows
  • Jan’s Carousel

Pumpkin Harvest Fun

FIELD TRIP

Ages 3 to 13

$6.99 per child

Monday – Friday

Includes admission, a small pumpkin, and all attractions

  • Offered Monday, September 8th through Thursday, October 30th, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.

  • No Field Trips: October 8th through 17th

This is a teacher-guided experience on the farm. Children take a hayrack ride to the pumpkin fields, pick a pumpkin, and visit all the other activities on the farm. Each child will take home a small pumpkin.

  • Adult volunteers and siblings pay daily admission price. (Includes admission and all attractions)

  • FREE for Teachers and Paid School Staff. (Includes admission and all attractions)

Ages 2 and under are FREE

Orchard Experience

FIELD TRIP

Ages 3 to 13

$9.99 per child

Monday – Friday

Includes admission, a bag of apples, a small pumpkin, and all attractions

  • Offered Monday, September 8th through Thursday, October 30th, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.

  • No Field Trips: October 8th through 17th

Your group will ride to the apple orchard where they’ll learn about apples from a Vala’s Apple Pickin’ Expert! Children will see first-hand how apples grow and learn all about the science of apple growing, the importance of bees for pollination, the best technique for picking apples, and more. The hayracks to the orchard load at the Apple-Picking shed where children will receive a bag to pick 1/4 peck (2 1/2 pounds) of apples to take home. Family members can purchase additional bags if they like. Each child will pick and take home apples AND a small pumpkin. Allow 1 hour for the orchard experience. 

  • Adult volunteers and siblings pay daily admission price. (Includes admission and all attractions)

  • FREE for Teachers and Paid School Staff. (Includes admission and all attractions)

Ages 2 and under are FREE

Field Trips FAQS

Classroom Check-In2025-08-07T00:41:08-07:00

Upon arrival, one teacher should check in at the School Group Kiosk. School groups will be invoiced the day following the field trip. Please have the teachers, other staff, and students unload near the school group KIosk, but out of the parking lot. A Vala’s staff member will be helping to direct the children to a safe area to wait. The teacher will receive a pumpkin bag for each student.

Amount of Time2024-07-25T10:10:36-07:00

School groups may stay until 3:30 pm. Some groups stay for lunch and other groups stay 2 to 3 hours. The hayrack ride to the pumpkin field is self guided and takes about 30-45 minutes. The hayrack ride to the orchard takes about an hour with a short lesson upon arrival. The rest of your time is yours to explore the farm!

Lunch2024-07-25T10:10:32-07:00

You may bring in your own lunches, reserve school group lunches when you make your reservation, or buy your lunches at any of the food locations at Vala’s. Our school group lunch is $6.95 per person for a hot dog, chips, applesauce and drink.

Vala’s Pumpkin Patch

12102 S. 180th Street
Gretna, NE 68028

Sunday – Thursday
9am – 9pm

Friday & Saturday
9am – 10pm

(402)-332-4200

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© COPYRIGHT 2024 VALA’S PUMPKIN PATCH & APPLE ORCHARD | PRIVACY POLICY | CREATED BY WDD

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