Fifth Grade Field Trip Inspires Awe and Stewardship in God’s Creation

Hillcrest’s fifth graders recently stepped into the breathtaking beauty of God’s creation on a field trip designed to open their eyes not just to nature—but to the divine order within it.

This special trip, made possible in part by the generous support of the Fergus Falls Fish and Game Club, took students deep into Minnesota’s diverse ecosystems, with a major stop at the Fergus Falls Fish Hatchery. As part of Hillcrest’s classical education program, this experience wasn’t simply about learning facts or identifying fish species—it was about discovering how the design of creation reflects the mind and heart of its Creator.

At the hatchery, students observed the intricate process of raising and releasing fish into local waters. For many of our fifth graders, especially those who love to fish, this behind-the-scenes look was eye-opening. They saw tiny fish in different life stages, learned how temperature and water flow affect development, and discussed how human care plays a role in sustaining wildlife populations. But beyond the science, what struck students the most was how precise and purposeful every detail was. In the quiet rush of the tanks and the careful hands of the hatchery workers, our students recognized something deeper: this wasn’t random—it was God’s design at work.

This kind of discovery is central to Hillcrest’s classical Christian approach to learning. We don’t simply teach students about the world—we teach them to wonder at it. To ask questions. To make connections. To see how order, structure, and beauty in nature point to the Creator who crafted it all. Students found their classroom come alive in a living, breathing, swimming laboratory.

We are deeply grateful to the Fergus Falls Fish and Game Club for subsidizing the transportation for this trip. Their support helped bring this learning—and worshipful wonder—to life. Because of them, students didn’t just read about ecosystems—they entered into them. And in doing so, they took one more step in becoming the kind of thoughtful, responsible stewards God calls us all to be.

At Hillcrest, we believe field trips like this one aren’t just days out of school. They’re days filled with awe, purpose, and the joyful discovery of truth—woven into every fin, scale, and stream.