GUIDELINES
for Educational Group Visit
Although any visit to Wilson’s Creek NB should be an educational one, there is a decided difference when dealing with curriculum-based educational groups.
The National Park Service (NPS) has a long-standing history of working with local and surrounding school districts and other educational groups to ensure their site visit is part of an overall learning process. Ideally, schools will reference the educational curriculum guides(s) provided by Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield as a resource for their pre-visit classroom portion as well as when planning an on-site visit.
In order to prepare appropriate learning opportunities for school groups we’ve developed five (5) stops at various sites around the park with this curriculum in mind.
Planning Your Visit
Reservation is required:
1. Contact the Park’s Education Office by phone to make a reservation. Please do not e-mail requests.
Office: (417) 732-2662 ext. 385
Fax: (417) 732-1167
2. The education office is not able to schedule groups for the Spring semester until after October 1.
Please have the following information available when you call:
· Preferred date for visit (please have a 2nd choice available)
· Total number of students and teachers as well as the number of busses
· Requested date and estimated time of arrival/departure
An Application for Waiver of Fees form** must be submitted for approval prior to the scheduled visit. Approval of a fee waiver request is based upon the following three items:
Eligibility
All groups must be able to prove they are a school or bona fide academic institution through appropriate documentation.
Home schools are accredited by individual states and may be granted fee waivers based on the course of study and submission of accreditation documentation.
Educational Purpose of the Visit
Applicants must provide a written statement (documentation) verifying that the visit supports a specific curriculum for which academic credit is offered.
Relevance of Park Resources or Facilities Relevance to park resources must be described. Applicants must provide a written statement identifying the park resources and/or facilities that will be used to support the educational purpose of the visit, and how they are relevant to that purpose.
Fax request form to:
(417) 732-1167
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
attn: Education Office
**check with Education office to see if there is a current Fee Waiver on file.
Things to Consider:
· There is a limit of 5 busses per day (approx. 50 people or less per bus).
· Allow a minimum of 30 - 40 minutes for each stop. Remember: It’s about the quality of the visit, not the number of stops!
· Maximum seating for viewing the film is 65 (counting both students and teachers).
· Volunteers are scheduled at the various stops on a regular basis in April and May only. Visits scheduled between June 1st and March 31st may not be able to tour the Ray House or observe a Common Soldier Talk/musket demo – Check for availability.
· Civil War Museum is closed Nov. 1st - Mar. 31st
Plan Accordingly:
· Schedule transportation needs as EARLY as possible and allow plenty of time for TRAVEL TO the battlefield - Late arrival may result in unplanned schedule changes
· Plan arrival at the visitor center at least 10 minutes before your group is scheduled to view the film.
· Expect some delays – other groups and individuals will also be visiting the battlefield.
When You Arrive:
· Check in at the Visitor Center unless instructed otherwise. EACH bus will need an entry token to enter the tour road.
· If bringing more than one bus: Do not unload students until instructed to do so.
· Students must not be left unsupervised in the bookstore or in the restroom facilities at any time.
· Please keep your group together when visiting the battlefield – particularly when walking long distances such as Bloody Hill trail, Wire Road, etc.
What to Expect on the Tour: The five site stops are listed in priority order for planning purposes only. Each site stop can stand alone, but combined with the other stops your visit will provide a more complete and concise picture of the lasting impacts of the battle of Wilson’s Creek locally, regionally and nationally.
Allow a minimum of 30 – 40 minutes for EACH scheduled stop.
Site stop 1 - Visitor Center – 30 minute orientation film “A Mighty Mean-Fowt Fight."
a. Viewed in the Multi-purpose room at designated times.
b. Specific viewing time(s) will be set when reservation is made.
Site stop 2 - Tour Road Stop 2 – Ray House tour
Site stop 3 - Tour Road Stop 5 – Common Soldier talk & musket firing demonstration
Site stop 4 - Tour Road Stop 7 - Bloody Hill (self-guided)
A printed Teacher Guide for Bloody Hill is available and provides simple-to-follow trail directions and summary information on four primary stops along the loop trail. The trail guide may also be used to prepare a short talk for the Bloody Hill overlook. Although not regularly scheduled, a volunteer may be available at this stop (by special request).
Site stop 5 - Civil War Museum - (self-guided) Due to safety concerns only 1 bus is allowed in the museum parking area. No more than 30 people will be permitted in the museum at one time. A printed Teacher Guide is available and teachers should be prepared to lead their group through the museum gallery. If/when NPS or volunteer staff is available groups will be provided a 20 minute guided tour of the museum gallery area.
Other Teacher Resources:
Teacher Guide--Bloody Hill
Teacher Guide--Civil War Museum
Application for Waiver of Fees Form
