Please direct
comments, questions and
suggestions pertaining to
this site to:  

San Juan
Island NHP
P.O. Box 429
Friday Harbor, WA
98250

Telephone:
(360)378-2240
(360) 378-2902
(Wed.-Sun.)

FAX:
(360)378-2615
(360) 378-2996

E-mail:
Webmaster
Mike_Vouri@
nps.gov


For comprehensive information about the National Park Service visit:

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Information

On June 15, 1859 Lyman Cutlar, an American miner-turned_farmer shot a pig belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company, nearly triggering a war between the United States and Great Britain. Tensions had been running high among locals from the two nations over control of the San Juan Islands, an archipelago of 173 named islands and islets located in the middle of the Strait of George between Vancouver Island and U.S. mainland. The incident escalated to the point where nearly 500 U.S. soldiers and three British warship stood off on the southern end of San Juan Island. Cooler heads prevailed on both sides and the dispute was resolved 12 years later through arbitration. During that time the United States and Great Britain participated in a joint military occupation of the island that remained peaceful throughout. The lesson to be learned is that individuals and nations can sometimes resolve their differences peacefully without resorting to violence.

The park is located on nearly 1,800 acres of forest and prairie and includes more than six miles of saltwater shoreline. It is home to 18 varieties of raptor, including bald eagles, great-horned owls and several species of hawk. Mammals include Orca whales, river otter, sea lion , red fox and Columbia black-tail deer.

There are several options for your class during your field trip to San Juan Island NHP

RANGER PROGRAMS:

Introductory Talk with Ranger: We request that all school groups listen to this ten minute talk that includes a short introduction to the San Juan Island National Historical Park story and the National Park Service, and guidelines for safety and protection of park resources.

The Pig War: Conflict and Consensus: Using the Pig War Story as background, a ranger discusses the importance of arbitration and mediation in solving disagreements at school and home. Depending on grade level, the program also includes exhibition and discussions of 19th century objects used by the soldiers and marines, including food, cooking utensils, clothing and tools. May include demonstration of 19th century tools. The Pig War Teachers' Resource Guide and Traveling Trunk provide an outstanding pre-visit activity. Many schools send for the trunk, use it in the classroom and then return it along on the field trip. (Approximately one hour.)

Archaeology Programs at English and American camps: A ranger discusses the ancient cultures that once inhabited the grounds at English Camp and the meanings of what they left behind. About 30 minutes, either outdoors or in the Royal Marine barracks in case of inclement weather. A ranger also utilizes the collections on display at American Camp to talk about the importance of safeguarding archaeological resources. About 15 minutes. The latter program may be tacked onto the end of the Pig War or Jakle's Lagoon programs.

Habitats at Jakle's Lagoon Nature Walk: Jakle's Lagoon Nature Walk: San Juan Island National Historical Park protects and preserves a variety of habitats. From the forests of English Camp and Jakle’s Lagoon, to the sandy shores and waters of South Beach, to the prairie of American Camp, these habitats support a diversity of life. Students will learn the concept of habitats and how different habitats support varied species and provide what those species need to survive. They will gain an understanding of habitats as the essential components of ecosystems that contribute to bio diversity. Students also will become aware of the threats to those ecosystems and the species they support. The tour includes pre-visit, on-site and post-visit activities (see below). (90 minutes)

Fourth Grade Field Day: Each year the fourth grade classes from Friday Harbor Elementary gather at English Camp for a morning of activities that include the archaeology talk, a hands-on pioneer woodworking skills demonstration and field games played by the Royal Marines and U.S. Army soldiers. With plenty of notice the program is available to off-island schools as well. (Two hours)

SLIDE SHOW ON LASER DISK:

View the introductory 12-minute slide show about the Pig War and Joint Occupation. This can also be sent to schools on videotape for viewing before a field trip.

VISITOR CENTERS:

American Camp visitor center: The center contains three cases of artificacts excavated by the University of Idaho Field School Department of Archaeology Field School during the 1970s. Also on display are photo murals, models and mannequins dressed in 19th century uniforms of the U.S. Army and Royal Marine Light Infantry. (Allow 10-20 minutes)

Royal Marine barracks and blockhouse at English Camp: The buildings are closed to the public September through May, but can be opened by appointment for class visits. Neither structure has exhibits at this time, however a ranger can explain construction techniques and function. (Allow 20-30 minutes)

SELF-GUIDED WALKS:

Self-guided walks have been developed for the American Camp parade ground and prairie, the English Camp parade ground and officers and in the Jakle's Lagoon/Mt. Finlayson trail network. Each features numbered posts keyed to self-guided walk booklets available in bins at the trail heads or from the visitor center. For large classes, we suggest you access the pdf files available on this site (see American, English and Jakle's Lagoon self-guided walks) print and reproduce them for your class. (Allow one hour)

CLASS ACTIVITY WORKSHEETS

Worksheets that may completed during the visit, at school or home are available at the visitor center or may be printed out from this web site.

The best time to come is when the San Juan island National Historical Park story fits into your class's curriculum. Schools or other organized groups may visit any time of year. However, we request that all groups call ahead so that we don't have too many students at once. Most schools come mid-April to Mid-June so if you would like to come at this time, PLAN AHEAD, and call for reservations at least two months in advance. We do encourage school groups to take advantage of the nice weather and less crowded days of September and October.

San Juan Island NHP accepts reservations for school groups throughout the year, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. seven days a week. Please call (360) 378-2902; email darlene_wahl@nps.gov; or FAX (360)378-2996 (please note that phone calls work much better than mail or e-mail requests as we frequently have many questions for the teacher). Please have available the following information ready before you write or call:

1. Date and time preferred, and an alternate
2. Number of students in group (estimate)
3. Number of adults in group (estimate)
4. Name of School/Group
5. Grade or age level
6. School address, including Zip code
7. School phone number
8. Group leader WHO WILL COME on the field trip
9. How much time you have to spend at the site.
10. Which ranger programs you want
11. Any special considerations (such as students with mobility impairments) or topics of study (such as: the class has been studying Pig War, natural habitats or archaeology).

How much time do you need for your visit?

This will vary greatly depending on the number of students and the type of activities. Plan on 30 minutes for the introductory talk, 45 minutes or more outside, and at least 15 minutes for the visitor center and sales areas. Allow 15 minutes more for each program. At a bare minimum, a group of 30 students should plan on one and half hours for the introductory talk, and a self-guided tour of the grounds. Add about 30 minutes for each added program and each group of 30 students. If you are doing the worksheets, students may need additional time. Rangers can help you estimate this. 

San Juan Island National Historical Park is located on San Juan Island, which is accessible by Washington State Ferry from Anacortes, WA. To reach Anacortes, take Highway 20 WESTNHS is 7 miles WEST of Walla Walla, Washington off Route 12. See Trip Planning and maps for more detailed information.

As you read this page you are already in our extensive expanded web site. By clicking on the two flags logo above, you will return home, where you can peruse the menu and find a wealth of information about the Pig War, Hudson's Bay Company and 19th century Pacific Northwest history, as well as links to related sites. The web site includes a regularly updated bibliography and the teachers' guide, The Pig War: Conflict and Resolution in the Pacific Northwest. We also encourage you to come visit our visitor centers and sites at some point before your field trip. If you have further questions, feel free to call us at (360) 378-2902.

Other than being cordial associates, we are not affiliated with the Whale Museum, located at 62 First Street, N., in Friday Harbor. However, many groups that visit the park also visit the Whale Museum or vice versa the same day. To schedule a field trip there, please call: (360) 378-4710.

The best way for kids to stay safe is to follow the rules and listen to their leaders' directions. In case of emergency, rangers are trained in first aid and CPR and have first aid kits available. Island EMTs usually respond to emergencies within five minutes of calls. We recommend that each class also brings its own first aid kit and information about students with any special medical conditions. Additionally:

!. Before any field trip, find out about and be aware of any allergies, medications, and special precautions required for the safe involvement of all participants.

2. Youth and teens are safer with adequate supervision. Depending on the age of the audience, a minimum of 1 adult to 8-10 students is recommended. For a youth audience, the recommended ratios are 1:6 for children 6-8 years of age.

3. Yellow Jackets may be especially aggressive on San Juan Island from July-September. When they appear, encourage calmness and little or no movement. Usually when bees and wasps find out that the sweet-smelling person they landed on is not a flower, they will move on. However, when people swat they will often attack.

4. Watch out for thorny plants such as thistle and blackberry, as well as stinging nettle. Be aware of what they look like and where they grow. Use a field guide and familiarize yourself and the students with these plants.

Telephones: There are no pay phones at either park unit. Business phones are available for emergency purposes only. Bring a cell phone if you will need to make calls. If you need to be reached at the park for emergency purposes, our number is (360) 378-2902 or 378-2240.

Emergencies 9-1-1. Cell phones dial 378-4141.

BASIC RULES:

While students are visiting, we have rules to help keep them and the park safe. They include but are not limited to:
1. No food, drinks, or chewing gum indoors.
2. No climbing on indoor or outdoor exhibits, fences, trees or rocks.
3. Stay on the path in areas of native grasses.
4. Use the trash cans to dispose of all garbage.
5. No harassing, harming, or feeding the wildlife.
6. Please walk while on the trail.
7. Do not touch exhibits in visitor center
8. Do not lean on or write on top of museum cases.
9. Be respectful of each other, of the rangers, chaperones, teacher and other visitors.
10. Any other applicable rules from your classroom
11. Before any field trip, discuss appropriate behavior, what activities will be accomplished and any logistics.

For Chaperones:

13. Be aware at all times where your students are located.
14. Know the day's schedule.
15. Maintain control of students — remove those who are disruptive during programs.

STEWARDSHIP GUIDELINES:

1. Emphasize respect for all living things: plants, animals, and fungi.. Look, learn, and leave alone.

2. Model respect. Youth and teens often follow the actions of their leaders.

3. If participants explore an area by turning over rocks or logs, make sure they do so carefully so as not to harm any creature that may be underneath. After examination, replace the rock or log in its original position.

4. Always return pieces of the natural world to the place where they were found. That means no collecting of anything in the park, including living or dead plant and animal matter or geologic or archaeological objects

5. Do not disturb rare or endangered plant species.

6. Model respect for all life by keeping plants intact. Most investigation of living plants can be done with leaves, bark, flowers, etc., that remain attached or with parts that have already fallen to the ground. If plant parts are removed, strictly adhere to the “1-in-10 rule”; if there are 20 common plants in the area, one may be disturbed.

Please fill out this worksheet before you call the rangers at San Juan island NHP to make your reservations. Then dial (360) 378-2902 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.

Preferred Date: ____________Second choice date:____________

Preferred time of day:___________________________

How long do you have to spend at the park?__________________

Number of students (estimate):____ Number of adults (estimate):___

Student grade level(s):________

Name of School/Group:__________________________________

School mailing address:___________________________________

City:_____________________________________

State: Country (if not U.S.)____________________

Zip Code:_______________

Group Leader's Name (a person who will actually come with the group):

____________________________________________________________

Would you like (please checkmark all that apply):
The video of the movie/slide show sent to you _____
To see the slide show on site ____
To have an introductory talk (we request that you have this 15 minute on-site talk)____
Fourth Grade Field Day Program (Two Hours.)____
Jakle's Lagoon Guided Walk(90 minutes)____
Pig War Talk (45 minutes)____
T o see the visitor center ____ To hike on your own _____
Any other special requests or special topics of study?

In lieu of a telephone you may also copy and mail (or e-mail) the above to:

San Juan Island NHP
Attn: Interpretation
PO Box 429
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

darlene_wahl@nps.gov

FAX: (360)378-2996

Go to:
The Pig War: Conflict and Resolution in the Pacific Northwest
Habitats at Jakle's Lagoon
(under construction)
Pre-visit Activity
On-site Activity
Post-visit Activity