Plan A Field Trip

Book of Poetry for Kids

Education Reservation Spots are Open for Spring 2024 Dates!

Students will have access to the historic dairy goat farm, garden, grounds, and 5 miles of hiking trails. Ranger guided Education Programs are available upon request on Mon, Tues, Wed during March - May.

* Sandburg Home tours are not available for school groups at this time.


Need to Know:

  • Education reservations are FREE and required for groups (both traditional school and homeschools) with a minimum of 10 persons and maximum of 80 persons for all grade levels per day.
    • Reservations are required to ensure multiple groups are not visiting on the same day.
  • Advisory: Due to Front Lake bridge closure, all visitors and students will need to walk 0.7 miles to access education program spaces (15-20 minutes). This includes walking all supplies, like lunches, coolers, backpacks, etc…into the park. Transportation of supplies may be available. Please note assistance needs on your request form.
    • If you have a student/teacher/chaperone with mobility or accessibility needs, please note that on the form.
    • Click here for a link to a trail map with the detour highlighted.
  • Please submit a request form at least three weeks before your visit.
  • School visits are only available Mon-Wed. Max of 60 persons per day.
    • Larger groups will need to request multiple days to accomodate all students. Please note that on the request form.
    • Each group will be divided into rotations of no more than 15 persons each.
    • 10-40 persons = 2.5 hours
    • 40 - 80 persons = 3 hours
  • Spring 2024 visits are available March 13 to June 7.
  • Summer 2024 Parkids visits are available June 10 - August 10
  • Fall 2024 visits are available September 11 to November 15.
  • Pre and post visit lesson plans are available for all grade levels. Please visit https://www.nps.gov/carl/learn/education to find curriculum materials.

Find an available date!
Available Spring 2024 Dates are in green. Calendar will be updated weekly. School visits are only available Mon-Tues-Wed. Max of 60 persons per day.


March

Mon Tues Wed
4 5 6
11 12 13
18 19 20
25 26 27

April

Mon Tues Wed
1 2 3
8 9 10
15 16 17
22 23 24
29 30


May

Mon Tues Wed
1
6 7 8
13 14 15
20 21 22
27 28 29
 

What does an education visit include?


Elementary School, Grades K-2
Life on the Farm: tour Connemara Farms and lean what it was like raising goats with Mrs. Sandburg.
Rotations activities:
  • Farm visit
  • Ranger-led activity (Life Cycles: Monarch Metaphor activity)
  • Teacher-led activity (Farm Life Interactive Puzzle Play)
  • Discovery Hike/Activity
  • Lunch break if requested
Elementary School, Grades 3-5
Sandburg Through Time: Students will explore Carl Sandburg through autobiography and poetry.
  • Farm visit
  • Ranger-led activity. (Connemara Clues, or Every Kid in a Park)
  • Teacher-led activity. Prairie-Town Boy
  • Hike / Write (Bio Poem)
  • Lunch break if requested
Middle School, Grades 6-8
Through the Eyes of a Poet: Students explore the Sandburg family through artifacts, literature and science!
  • Farm visit
  • Ranger-led Genetics activity,
  • Hike / Write / Journaling, (materials providied)
  • Teacher-led: Sandburg Alive! poetry activity materials provided
  • Lunch break if requested
High School, Grades 9-12
The Sandburg Spectrum: Students learn how Sandburg was often a voice for those who felt they had none.
  • Farm visit
  • Ranger-led - Poetry and Pictures
  • Hike / Write / Video
  • Teacher-led: Journaling – Reflections on the Rock
  • Lunch break if requested

 
Graph with times and descriptions of rotations for a group visit
Arrival
  • Greeting by volunteer and/or park ranger in Main Parking Lot. Find parking lot information here.
  • Bathroom stop
  • Walk to Amphitheater. Note: Front Lake bridge is closed. This is a 0.5 mile walk to amphitheater, and an additional 0.2 mile walk from amphitheater to house. See trail map with detour here.
Introduction
  • Welcome at amphitheater (house garage behind Sandburg Home, if raining)
    • What is the NPS?
    • Why does this place exist?
    • Leaders assign rotation groups
Lunch (optional), will be added to rotations if requested.
  • Carry in, carry out encouraged, limited trash services
  • No concessions at park
  • No place to store food; busses and coolers suggested.
  • Picnic area, amphitheater or house garage only, please be careful of litter.

Last updated: March 18, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

81 Carl Sandburg Lane
Flat Rock, NC 28731

Phone:

828 693-4178

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