"I learned that sharks have rows of teeth. I learned that seals have ears like us. The thing I enjoyed the most was touching the sea urchins, sea anemones, sea star and abalone. I also liked the tiger shark's teeth."
-- A schoolgirl after her visit to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro.
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Many children grow up in Southern California without ever seeing the ocean.
They're surrounded by mountain ranges, but many have never walked a trail or basked in the trees, flowers and wildlife.
World-class museums, theaters and music centers abound, but many children have never experienced a painting, a play or a classical aria.
Hundreds of thousands of students from poor families would never experience nature or the arts were it not for school field trips, say teachers, administrators, parents and docents.
But opportunities for school excursions have declined this year. Because of the state budget crisis, school districts big and small have reduced or eliminated the use of buses for trips not involving athletic events or college tours. Officials say they must use their dwindling funds for immediate needs, such as teachers, textbooks, supplies and computer and office equipment. While few dispute the value of field trips, they're considered a luxury.
"It's very unfortunate, particularly for a lot of our children who come from low socioeconomic backgrounds," said Suzi Brown of the Anaheim City School District.
Although trips planned for this school year will not be affected by cutbacks, the district is having to prioritize and get creative for next year, Brown said.
"We will look at walking field trips, depending on what's near the school -- like businesses, the library or the firehouse," said Brown, citing transportation fees as the main obstacle to field trip funding.
Pupils in the Buena Park School District could miss trips to Upper Newport Bay, Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park and Dana Point, said Asst. Supt. Marilou Ryder, who said the district has "pulled in the reins a bit."
"It's wonderful to send kids on field trips, but if they need library books ... these are the hard decisions we're making right now," said Ryder. "It all boils down to student learning."
Not all field trips are financed by schools. Some are paid for with grants, scholarships, by businesses and community organizations -- and parents. Many destinations waive admission fees, leaving only transportation costs as the deal-breaker.
