Collaboration between Balloon Quest and the Swamp Makes a Memorable Field Trip

Pelahatchie Elementary School in Rankin County recently made a memorable field trip for 44 fifth grade students to explore two of Grenada’s unique educational attractions: Balloon Quest and Chakchiuma Swamp. This collaboration, led by Tammie Cavanaugh, Director of Balloon Quest and Robin Whitfield, local artist, naturalist, and Executive Director of Friends of Chakchiuma Swamp, allowed the students to experience both destinations in one day, providing an enriching educational experience while maintaining smaller group sizes for both activities.

One group of students enjoyed a hands-on visit to Balloon Quest including the Chakchiuma Swamp room while another group ventured outdoors for a nature walk through the Lee Tartt Nature Preserve where the real Chakchiuma Swamp is located. Groups then swapped locations halfway through the day. Along the trails, they learned about the wetland ecosystem, including the diverse plant and animal life that thrives in the swamp’s waters and bottomland forests. The science-based rooms at Balloon Quest reinforced the science content they are learning in the classroom related to Newton’s Laws of Motion, the rock cycle, animal and plant life, and so much more. Teacher Britnee Barnette was thrilled by the combination of these two experiences, both within the same town.

“Balloon Quest and the Swamp Tour was truly one of the best field trips I’ve ever been on as a teacher! It was incredible to see our students so deeply engaged, tackling escape-room-style challenges that connected to science, reading, and problem-solving standards. Visiting the Chakchiuma Swamp and experiencing an ecosystem that tied directly into one of the escape room activities took their learning to a whole new level. This hands-on, immersive experience will be a fantastic reference point for discussing ecosystems, force and motion, disaster survival, and more back in the classroom.”

The students shared their excitement about the day. Fifth grader Riley Jordan reflected on the creative activity involving berries.” When we colored with the berries, they were really cool! I didn’t know you could do that, and I love art.” Riley also enjoyed the tornado-themed escape room, saying, “I really liked the tornado room. The texture on the tree that was breaking through the roof was really cool! The tornado siren was scary and sounded really real.”

Ava Keeton shared her experience at the swamp, saying, “At the swamp, they had this big man made out of grass that was deadly to the trees. I liked the faces on the trees because it shows you that trees are alive too.”

Preston Stephens talked about his favorite escape room: “My favorite escape room was the swamp room because we saw an alligator and some water that looked very realistic. There was also a real swamp boat that was very raggedy.”

Overall, the collaboration between Balloon Quest and Chakchiuma Swamp provided an engaging and educational field trip, fostering both curiosity and a deeper understanding of the natural world.