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The following is an outline to help in planning a succcessful field trip at Colorado National Monument:
- Decide: Ranger-led or Self Guided
- Make a Reservation
- Academic Fee Waiver
- Behavioral Expectations
- Pre and Post-visit Activities
- Other Tips
1. Ranger-led or Self Guided Field Trip
Ranger-led: Standards based programs are offered for 3rd, 4th and 6th grades. Programs can be arranged for other grades, please contact us to discuss ideas.
Self-Guided: Teachers wanting to facilitate their own programs in the park or at the visitor center are most welcome; but again, we remind you that reservations are required. Rangers are available to give a 15 minute “welcome talk,” which orients students to Colorado National Monument, the National Park Service, trail etiquette and Leave No Trace ethics. Ranger “welcome talks” are strongly recommended at the beginning of your self-guided field trip.
The Saddlehorn Visitor Center is a great place to start a self-guided field trip. It is an insightful starting point for any visit to the monument. We offer a 20- minute ranger-led welcome of the park through the exhibit area. Also available are two videos: The Spirit of Colorado National Monument and Geology of Colorado National Monument – each 12 minutes. From the visitor center, access to a wide variety of study sites and trails are only minutes away.
2. Make a Reservation
Colorado National Monument strongly encourages all teachers to book all field trips at least three weeks in advance of their proposed field trip date. This way we can ensure that classes are spread out on different trails or areas. Reservations will be processed on a first come, first served basis. To reserve a field trip fill out the Outreach Education Request Form.
3. Academic Fee Waiver
To qualify for a fee waiver, the purpose of the visit must be educational rather than recreational in nature and must related directly to the resources of the area.
Please submit requests 14 days prior to your scheduled visit.
Please note that camping fees are not waived for educational groups.
Requests for fee waivers must be made by a recognized educational institution on school letterhead. The letter must include information regarding the specific educational purpose of the trip (i.e. the hours credit received, class curriculum, etc.), the date of the anticipated visit, and the number of students and teachers in the group.
OR
Download Academic Fee Waiver Application Here. (PDF, 51KB)
Submit online requests to:
www.colm_info@nps.gov
Mail:
Fee Waiver Coordinator
Colorado National Monument
Fruita, CO 81521
Phone: 970-858-3617
Fax: 970-858-0372
4. Behavior Expectations
Download the Behavioral Expectations for field trips to Colorado National Monument.
5. Pre and Post-Visit Activities
Pre and Post-visit activities are available for 3rd, 4th and 6th grade ranger-led programs. They are downloadable and available with the field trip descriptions in Curriculum Materials.
6. Other Tips
*Nametags are mandatory for all students. (Masking tape and a sharpie work well.)
*Please have students place their nametag on the outer-most layer of clothing.
*Please have students divided into chaperoned groups (A,B,C,D) prior to arrival.
The Saddlehorn Visitor Center is a great place to start a self-guided field trip. It is an insightful starting point for any visit to the monument. We offer a 20- minute ranger-led welcome of the park through the exhibit area. Also available are two videos: The Spirit of Colorado National Monument and Geology of Colorado National Monument – each 12 minutes. From the visitor center, access to a wide variety of study sites and trails are only minutes away.
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