Instructions for Bringing a School Group to Friendship Hill 

Reservations

All ranger-guided programs and orienteering equipment use require reservations. Please make them at least two weeks in advance of anticipated visit. Due to staff limitations any reservation made with less than two weeks notice will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Reservations are accepted by phone at 724-725-9190. When making reservations it is always a good idea to have alternate dates for your visit available.

If you are using the park for a self guided teaching unit or using the picnic area, please call the park and tell the staff the day you intend to visit. This will allow the park to track school use and improve our operations. More information on Self Guided Programs

Ranger-guided Programs

Groups of 20 or less are recommended. However, a maximum of 30 students per is allowed. Friendship Hill will only be able to accommodate two ranger-guided programs at the same time. The maximum number of students the rangers can handle at one time is 60. Groups with more than 60 students will have to participate in one or more teacher guided activities.

History Programs

• These include House Tours, Whiskey Rebellion program, Secretary of the Treasury program, Lewis and Clark program and Discovery Crate program. Description of Field Trip Opportunities

• Reservations are required. Please call 724-725-9190 for reservations.
• The programs are available year round.
• A maximum of 30 students is suggested. Requests for groups larger than 30 will be handled on an individual basis.
• The park requires one teacher or chaperon for each 10 students.
• The average program lengths are as follows:

  House Tour,	45 minutes;
  Whiskey Rebellion program,	1 hour;
  Secretary of the Treasury program,	1 hour
  Lewis and Clark program,	1 1/2 hour.
  Discovery Crate	30 minutes

Water Quality Testing at the Acid Mine Drainage Facility

• Reservations are required. Please call 724-725-9190 for reservations.
• The programs are available year round.
• A maximum of 30 students is suggested. Requests for groups larger than 30 will be handled on an individual basis.
• The park requires one teacher or chaperon for each 10 students.
• It is necessary to dress for the weather and wear sturdy walking shoes.
• This program will only be cancelled due to severe weather such as thunderstorms with lightning.
• There are no rest room facilities available at this site. Teachers may want to allow an extra ½ hour to visit the rest rooms at the parking lot before the program starts.
• The program lasts about 1 ½ to 2 hours.
• The group should meet the park ranger at the trail head parking lot.
• Please let us know if you have any students with disabilities.

Macroinvertebrate Stream Study

• This program is a natural compliment to the Acid Mine Drainage facility tour.
• Reservations are required. Please call 724-725-9190 for reservations.
• The programs are available year round Monday through Friday.
• A maximum of 30 students is suggested. Requests for groups larger than 30 will be handled on an individual basis.
• The park requires one teacher or chaperon for each 6 students.
• It is necessary to dress for the weather and wear sturdy walking shoes.
• This program will only be cancelled due to severe weather such as thunderstorms with lightning.
• There are no rest room facilities available at this site. Teacher may want to allow an extra ½ hour to visit the rest rooms at the parking lot before the program starts.
• The program lasts about 1½ hours.
• The group should meet the park ranger at the trail head parking lot.
• Please let us know if you have any students with disabilities.

Self-guided Programs

Orienteering

• The park will provide compasses, maps of the park, and clipboards. These are checked out and returned to the Visitor Center located in the Gallatin House. The equipment check out requires a reservation. Call 724-725-9190 for reservations.
• Teacher will instruct their classes in this activity. There will be no staff explanation of orienteering, use of compasses, map reading or any other skills. It is strongly advised that the teacher complete the park offered orienteering course or some other orienteering course before bringing a class into the park.
• The course is available from October 15^th through April 15^th. It is not available for the rest of the year due to concerns the park has regarding damage to the vegetation.
• When bringing students for this activity they should be prepared for the weather and off-trail hiking. This unit requires cross-country travel, which may mean encountering muddy or rocky terrain.
• The park requires one teacher or chaperon for each 10 students.

Picnic Area and Self-guided Use of the Park

• No reservations are accepted for the picnic area. It is available on a first come, first serve basis.
• Please call to let us know which day you intend to visit and what facilities you intend to use. This information will help us track school use and help us make improvements.

FRIENDSHIP HILL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE 223 New Geneva Road | Point Marion, Pennsylvania 15474 | (724) 725-9190 | E-mail: FRHI_Superintendent@nps.gov Comments: Park Education Specialist | Park web site administrator HOME Last Updated: Tuesday, 11-Feb-2003 14:33:24 Eastern Standard Time http://www.nps.gov/ /archive/frhi/classroom/ed_resv_fh.htm