Field Seminars

Learning adventures in and around Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Our wide-ranging educational offerings are designed to enrich your experiences of Hawai‘i’s geology, biology, history, and culture. Our expert instructors and naturalist guides have a gift for bringing their subjects to life and engaging students of all ages.

Educational programs are offered for large groups of any kind, K-12, college, and corporate groups. Whether you are an island resident or visitor from afar, we invite you to join us for an active educational adventure in this dynamic volcanic landscape.

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A young girl with sunglasses on her head using a tool to collect a red flowering plant in a sunny outdoor setting with other people in the background.

Be inspired by our beautiful National Park!

Hawai‘i Volcanoes Institute provides many lenses through which to view and understand this special place. Institute instructors, all experts in their fields, make our programs come alive. Scientists offer the latest insights into volcanic processes and geologic history. Naturalists explain how isolation bred endemism and unique species were born. Hawaiian cultural practitioners share stories and legends, oli (chant) and mele (song), and the ancient art of hula.

Our field seminars can accommodate various topics and fields:

  • Volcanology

  • Geology

  • Ecology

  • Botany

  • Wildlife

  • Birding

  • History

  • Archeology

  • Hawaiian Culture

  • Photography

  • Service Learning Projects

  • & Much More!

A small bush with bright red and white flowers growing in dark, volcanic, barren land with mountains in the background. 
explore with us

Arrange A Field Seminar

Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Proceeds from our field seminars directly support Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park programs such as Nēnē bird and Hawksbill turtle recovery, the Guardians of the Trails and Youth Ranger Internship programs, forest restoration, trail maintenance, Hawaiian cultural events, and more.


To inquire about pricing and schedule a field seminar for your group, please submit the form or call our office at (808) 985-7373.

Field Clips

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Participant Testimonials

  • Hikers walking on a rocky volcanic landscape with a mountain in the background under a cloudy sky.

    “I attended the Saturday workshop, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Jack Jeffrey is so knowledgeable and very willing to teach others what he knows. Please consider that workshop a rousing success!”

    Jo Kim

  • Two children sitting on a stone wall watching a large eruption of lava and ash from a volcano in the distance during dusk, with dark clouds overhead.

    “Best trip I’ve had.  Learning about area was excellent.  Please offer more of the same caliber.”

    From evaluation form

  • Close-up of dark gray volcanic sand on a beach with small pebbles and twigs.

    “Great programs. Extremely informative. Very much worth my time and money to participate.”

    From evaluation form

  • Lava rocks and volcanic terrain under a blue sky with sparse clouds.

    “Just a quick note to say how VERY much my husband and I enjoyed the hike last Sunday.  We learned so much – Darcy and Jay were exceptional teachers….  We will keep a look out for any other field experiences you plan.”

    Genny Anderson

  • Volcano erupting with lava and ash, spewing thick smoke into the sky.

    “Ken Hon was a great presenter. He was fun, knowledgeable, and he was open to answering our questions.  Also, his explanation of geology in the context of Hawaiian folklore was fascinating.”

    From evaluation form

  • A vibrant red bird with black wings perched on a leafy branch with a blurred background of blue sky and foliage.

    “Informative. Interesting. Great outdoor experience. I really appreciated the (very accurate) description of the difficulty level of the hike.”

    From evaluation form

  • Looking up at tall trees and lush green foliage in a forest, with a bright blue sky in the background.

    “Tim is a great presenter. Questions were welcomed and guided the presentation.”

    From evaluation form

Participant Testimonials

  • Lava rocks and volcanic terrain with sparse vegetation under a blue sky with clouds.

    “Just a quick note to say how VERY much my husband and I enjoyed the hike last Sunday.  We learned so much – Darcy and Jay were exceptional teachers….  We will keep a look out for any other field experiences you plan.”

    Genny Anderson

  • Hikers walking across volcanic landscape with cracked, dark rock and sparse vegetation, against a backdrop of a mountain with a cloud-covered sky.

    “I attended the Saturday workshop, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Jack Jeffrey is so knowledgeable and very willing to teach others what he knows. Please consider that workshop a rousing success!”

    Jo Kim

  • Two young girls sitting on a stone wall watching a large volcano erupt, spewing lava and ash into the sky.

    “Best trip I’ve had.  Learning about area was excellent.  Please offer more of the same caliber.”

    From evaluation form

  • Close-up of dark, textured, sandy soil with small rocks and dry twigs scattered across the surface.

    “Great programs. Extremely informative. Very much worth my time and money to participate.”

    From evaluation form

  • A volcanic eruption with lava and ash spewing from the volcano, creating large smoke clouds in the sky.

    “Ken Hon was a great presenter. He was fun, knowledgeable, and he was open to answering our questions.  Also, his explanation of geology in the context of Hawaiian folklore was fascinating.”

    From evaluation form

  • A vibrant red bird perched on a leafy branch, with a background of blurred blue sky and branches.

    “Informative. Interesting. Great outdoor experience. I really appreciated the (very accurate) description of the difficultly level of the hike.”

    From evaluation form

  • A tall tree with rough bark surrounded by lush green foliage, with a partially visible blue sky overhead.

    “Tim is a great presenter. Questions were welcomed and guided the presentation.”

    From evaluation form

Things To Know

  • Field seminars are presented by the Hawai‘i Volcanoes Institute, a program of the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a non-profit organization.  Field seminar tuition is on a per-person basis. Students (K-12 and college with valid student ID) are half-price. Field seminars are discounted up to 30% for Friends members. Non-members are welcome to join the Friends in order to get the member price.

  • For public field seminars, please check our events calendar. To set up a field seminar, call (808) 985-7373 for dates and pricing, or submit our inquiry form.

  • Kilauea Summit is located at 4,000 feet (1,220 meters), where temperatures may be 12 to 15 degrees cooler than at sea level.  Please come prepared for the high elevation as well as for variable weather conditions, including sunny, windy, chilly, and/or rainy.

  • For all field seminars and private tours, park entrance fees apply for those without passes.  If you are a school group interested in a private tour, you may be eligible for an educational fee waiver.

  • All cancellations or changes to dates or times of the institute/excursions provided by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will be charged a fee of $50.00.

    If the cancellation is within 48 hours of the start of the institute/excursion, 0% of the entire cost of the institute/excursion will be refunded. All proceeds support Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

    We are in a native rain forest at 4000 feet in elevation. We rarely cancel any excursions. There may be a need to do so if volcanic air pollution becomes a problem. Earthquakes, new volcanic activity, extreme weather or fires may also cancel excursions. In the event of a cancellation by the Friends, or if the National Park closes, you will be refunded 100% of your excursion cost.

  • We strongly encourage you to obtain trip cancellation insurance through your local travel agent. This insurance protects you against financial loss if you must cancel or interrupt a trip because of illness or injury to yourself, a family member, or traveling companion. In addition, you are responsible for providing your own health, accident, and car insurance.

  • Before the start of the field seminar, you will be required to sign our Acknowledgement of Risks & Photo Release form.  A parent or legal guardian must co-sign if a participant is under 18 years of age.  If your program includes a volunteer service-learning project hosted by the national park, you will also be required to sign the park’s Volunteer Services Agreement.

  • The items listed below are suggested for your comfort and enjoyment:

    • Drinking water

    • Bag lunch or snacks (depending on length of program)

    • Hat

    • Raingear

    • Warm, layered clothing

    • Sunscreen

    • Sunglasses

    • Backpack

    • Closed-toe sturdy walking shoes

    • Personal items (e.g., backpack, camera, binoculars, walking stick, etc.)

  • You must provide your own transportation to and from the program’s starting location.  For those visiting from off island, we recommend renting a car.

  • For more information on Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, including current weather, air quality, location, directions, maps, hours of operation, entrance fees, etc., please explore our Visit the Park page.

  • Leave No Trace is a national and international program that strives to educate all those who enjoy the outdoors about the nature of their recreational impacts as well as techniques to prevent and minimize such impacts. We invite you to read the Seven Leave No Trace Principles.

  • Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or reasonable modification of policies and procedures to participate in this program should contact the Hawai‘i Volcanoes Institute via email or (808) 985-7373 as soon as possible, but no later than 5 days prior to program start.