For Teachers

Duration:

3 minutes, 51 seconds

We are excited to welcome you and your students to La Paz, to learn the story of César Chávez and the farm worker movement. Reservations are required for school groups.

 

General Information

César E. Chávez National Monument provides opportunities for students to connect with their local national park site through exploring the rolling hills of Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz in the Tehachapi Mountains. Through free, curriculum-based programming and 4^th grade field trip transportation provided via grants, we have been able to address accessibility issues that otherwise would prevent students and educators from connecting with their public lands. We are offering in-person field trips to the park and curriculum resources for educators to use. We look forward to connecting with students in a safe and welcoming environment. All programs are free for schools.

 

Field Trip Experiences

Connect your students with your National Park Service site and local history through fun, hands-on education programs that meet California Curriculum Standards! Engage your students with the story of Cesar E. Chavez and the farm worker movement with an in-person visit!

The dates for each season are:

Fall 2025 (October 1 – December 3)

Spring 2026 (February 2 – June 1)

Self-Guided Tour

Explore the monument with your students without a formal guided tour (you will provide the instruction).

Fall (October 1 – December 3) Monday – Friday

Spring (February 2 – June 1) Monday & Tuesday

Guided Staff Tour

Explore the monument with your students AND park staff on a formal tour.

Fall (October 1 – December 3)
Wednesday
(60 students max.)

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Time Slot

Spring (February 2 – June 1)
Wednesday – Friday
(4th grade Champions of Change, 90 student max.)

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Time Slot

Staff-led programs generally last one to two hours, not including transportation or lunch time. Expect total time at the park (program, lunch, gift shop, free time) to be approximately two to three hours. Teachers and chaperones are expected to support student learning and positive behavior expectations.

 

Field Trip Reservations

Both self-guided and staff-led field trips to the monument require advanced reservations.

Make a Reservation

Book an available time and date at this link.

Note: Response time varies, depending on the time of year, but please expect a response no earlier than one week after submitting your form.

 

Curriculum Based Elementary School Offerings

(Offered Wednesday - Friday in Spring 2025 Only)

Champions of Change: Learning Leadership at La Paz (Grades: 4th)

This guided program involves three stations that give context to Cesar’s childhood, philosophy and tactics. These stations typically include a guided tour of the visitor center highlighting Cesar and the farm worker’s struggle for justice and equality along with a nature walk highlighting nature’s value to Cesar and to each of us.

Cost: Programs are offered free of charge.
Transportation funding for local schools may be available.

Length: 1.5 hours

Maximum group size: 90 Students. In order to maintain a high-level interactive educational experience, coupled with the capacity restrictions of both our restroom and picnic facilities, the maximum number of students per field trip is 90.

Teachers & Chaperones: 1 adult per 10 students.

CA Standards Addressed

History Standards:

4.4.4: Immigration
4.4.5: Great Depression
4.4.6: Industrial Change
4.4.7: CA’s Water System
4.4.9: 20th Century CA Influence

Next Generation Science Standard:

4-ESS3-1: Earth and Human Activity

Health Standards:

4.1.18.S
4.5.3S

Art Standard:

4.VA: Cr1.2

Transportation

Thanks to the generosity of the National Park Foundation’s Open OutDoors for Kids Program, we are able to offer a limited number of bus reimbursements for 4th grade classes for the 2025/2026 school year.

Please follow the instructions after booking in order to receive transportation reimbursement.

 

Curriculum Materials for Classrooms

Try out Post Pigeon to receive free materials to use in the classroom that help you teach your class about Cesar Chavez and the farm worker movement: Educators – Post Pigeon EDU

Take a virtual tour of the Chavez home with High School and Middle School lessons to match: César E. Chávez National Monument : Lesson Plan | CyArk

Our Educator's Toolkit is a collection of lesson plans, classroom activity handouts, primary documents, technology-based activities, and resources for K-12 teachers. It's designed to provide educators with step-by-step guidance to enable you to design, implement, and deliver interesting and informative lessons about the life and work of Cesar Chavez. We hope that these materials will help you develop and customize lessons to fit the needs of the students you serve.

 

Know Before You Go

Directions and Map

Group Size & Safety

It is recommended to limit field trip groups to 90 students or less with a minimum chaperone to student ratio of 1:10 depending on the age group.

Accessibility

All park facilities are wheelchair accessible.

General Parking/Bus Parking

Free general parking and limited bus parking is located in the Visitor Center Parking Lot. Schedule your field trip ahead of time to increase chances of available bus parking.

Picnic Area

Planning to have lunch at César E. Chávez National Monument? The picnic tables in the National Chavez Center’s Picnic Grounds only a few steps from the Monument Visitor Center are a great place to rest and take a leisurely lunch with your class.