On-Site Field Trip Opportunities

Jewel Cave National Monument offers an assortment of on-site field trip opportunities for interested school groups. Ranging from half-day ranger guided tours to all day educational experiences, teachers may be interested in exploring this unique site within the National Park Service.

Surface programs do not require a fee waiver and can be conducted at any time within an approved day-use area. However, educational groups wishing to participate in a cave tour are welcome to submit a request for an Academic Fee Waiver. Groups need to be from an accredited institution (public or private school), and the proposed visit must be related to an approved curriculum.

For more information, call (605) 673-8300 and select option four or contact us by email.

Academic Fee Waiver Requirements and Guidance

1) Academic fee waiver applications must include at least three weeks of submission time in order to be reviewed.

2) Academic fee waiver applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received.

3) Academic fee waiver applications will only be reviewed for the Scenic and Discovery Tours.

4) Academic fee waiver applications (if approved) will be placed on the early and/or mid-morning tour times.

5) Academic fee waiver applications will not be considered for dates in mid to late May or the month of September.

6) Academic fee waiver applications will not be considered for dates that include Sundays or Mondays.

7) Academic fee waiver applications (if approved) will be required to maintain specific participation numbers.

8) Academic fee waiver applications are not granted automatically for any group, nor for any specific date(s).

9) Academic fee waiver applications will only be allowed a maximum of two tour times in one morning per day.

10)  Academic fee waiver applications are not required for surface activities or volunteer service projects.

 Off-Site Environmental Education Opportunities

Off-site environmental education programs are also available for schools within a reasonable driving distance. Classroom activities consist of hands-on programs related to various topics including geology, wildlife adaptations, predator-prey relationships, and bats.

Adopt a Classroom Program / Custer School District - 8^th Grade

Jewel Cave National Monument has embraced Action #15 - A Class Act - within the Call to Action Plan of the National Park Service. It states that each national park will adopt a Class of 2016 graduates (grade school, middle school, or high school) and develop a series of fun, educational, and engaging activities. Through a variety of classroom programs and field trips, students work directly with park staff to learn the significance of their local park unit. This multi-year partnership will culminate during the NPS Centennial in 2016. The Monument is proud to have adopted the Custer Middle School 8^th grade for the 2011-2012 academic year. 

For more information on the Call to Action: Preparing for a Second Century of Stewardship and Engagement, please visit Park Management and click on the related plan.

NPS photo

Park Guide experiences the cave on an off-trail adventure during his first season at Jewel Cave National Monument.

Environmental Education Newsletters

November / December 2010

January / February 2011

March / April 2011

Spring / Summer 2011 

Online Training Course

The National Park Service also offers a free online training course that teaches all about the National Park Service. The course was specifically designed for students, educators and professionals. Each of the three modules takes about 30-40 minutes to complete and can be found at http://www.parktraining.org/.