Parks as Classrooms

A Park Ranger presents a program to an attentive group of students.

NPS Photo

Best Field Trip Ever! Field Trip Planner!

We are pleased to offer this Field Trip Planner for visiting Gettysburg National Military Park. Since opening our new Museum and Visitor Center in April of 2008, we are able to offer a wider array of student activities and itineraries, and we want this publication to help you make the best choices for your field trip and your students – based on the age, size and budget of your group, as well as the amount of time that you have to spend at Gettysburg. In short, we want to help you plan the best field trip ever! Follow the link above to access the Best Field Trip Ever! Field Trip Planner.

 

Ranger Field Trip Programs and Curriculum Materials

Are Ranger Field Programs Right For You?
We present two ranger-led field programs each morning and each afternoon during the Fall and Spring Field Trip Season, primarily on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

All Ranger Field Trip Programs are free of charge, and each includes pre-visit lessons for you to complete in the classroom.

Information on how to register for a Park Ranger-led Field Trip program can be found below.

Our Fall 2023 Field Trip Season is from October 2--November 10, 2023
Our Spring 2024 Field Trip Season is from March 29--May 24, 2024.

 

How To Reserve

Thank you for making Gettysburg National Military Park a part of your year!

To Begin Your Reservation Request for any of our Field Trip programs or History Labs, please email our education team the following information:

Subject Line: Reservation Request (either Ranger Field Program or History Lab)

[ ] Name of School/Organization/Family
[ ] Street Address
[ ] City, State, Zip
[ ] School/Contact Phone #
[ ] Teacher/Leader Contact
[ ] Teacher/Leader Email
[ ] Grade(s)
[ ] Number of Students/Participants
[ ] Number of Classes, if applicable
[ ] Programs of Interest
[ ] Possible Dates/Times for Each
[ ] Additional Questions/Comments

 

Please Note: All programs and procedures are subject to change.

 

Student Education Field Trip Programs

Click on Program Title for Curriculum and Pre-Visit Materials

 

Join The Army: With Company K

Theme

The Civil War soldier’s life was full of hardships, sacrifices, and challenges.

Goal

To offer a ninety-minute long, hands-on "Life of a Civil War Soldier" program especially for school-age children in Grades 2-6 that will encourage further study of American history and the Civil War.

Grades:

2-6

Group Size & Duration:

35 Students Maximum/10 Students Minimum

Curriculum Connections:

Social Studies; History; Physical Education

 

Union artillerymen prepare to fire their cannon.

NPS Photo

Gettysburg, Day 2: Young Historians:

This program focuses on the actions of the 9th Massachusetts Battery and their engagement with Confederate soldiers from General William Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade on July 2, 1863. Students will examine primary sources from individuals in both units and, during their site visit, will walk in the footsteps of these units. This program was once known as "Courage and the 9th Massachusetts Battery," which was part of our character-driven "Battlefield Footsteps" education programs at Gettysburg National Military Park.

Grades:

4-12

Group Size & Duration:

45 Students Maximum/15 Students Minimum

Curriculum Connections:

Social Studies; History; Language Arts

 

Children rush toward the Angle at the end of a Pickett's Charge program.

NPS Photo

Gettysburg, Day 3: Young Historians:

Theme

Battle, as shown by "Pickett's Charge", was a sad, costly, and frightening experience during which soldiers exhibited many examples of courage, devotion, fighting ability and fear.

Goal

The Pickett's Charge student education program seeks to personalize the battle by having each student focus on the life and sacrifice of one soldier. By role-playing the soldiers in one regiment involved in the infantry assault, it is hoped that the emotional context of battle is revealed, and that Gettysburg is placed within the larger contexts of the Civil War and American history.

Grades:

4-12

Group Size & Duration:

45 Students Maximum/15 Students Minimum

Curriculum Connections:

Social Studies; History; Language Arts

 

Elizabeth Thorn, a recent immigrant from Germany, was greatly impacted by the Battle of Gettysburg.

Gettysburg National Military Park

Path to Citizenship: Civilians In The Midst of Battle and War

Theme

The Battle of Gettysburg greatly impacted the people who lived on the land on which the battle was fought. In many cases, these individuals, though greatly affected by the battle, did not enjoy all the rights of American citizenship, although they were expected to uphold the responsibilities of American citizenship.

Goal

To offer a ninety-minute long program during which students will visit the homes of three individuals who were adversely affected by the Battle of Gettysburg: Lydia Leister, Abraham Bryan, and Elizabeth Thorn. Students will understand the sacrifices each had to make before, during, and after the battle of Gettysburg, and how they, despite their sacrifices, never enjoyed the full rights and liberties of American citizenship.

Grades:

4-12

Group Size & Duration:

35 Students Maximum/10 Students Minimum
90 Minutes

Curriculum Connections:

Social Studies; Civics; Government

 

Wounded soldiers sit outside a Civil War hospital.

Field Hospital: Caring for the Wounded

Theme

The Battle of Gettysburg is well known for its stories of courage and bravery on the battlefield. Lesser known is the story of the medical personnel, Union and Confederate, who had by 1863 greatly improved their bases of knowledge and organization to save lives and improve living conditions for the sick and wounded of the war.

Goal

This student program seeks to personalize the battle by having each student focus on one individual, whether it be a sick or wounded soldier, a nurse, steward or surgeon. By role-playing these individuals, students will gain a greater understanding of the organization and dedication of army medical personnel, and will be able to place Civil War medicine in the context of medical progress. Another goal is to have the students begin to think about Civil War battles and all battles in the context of their aftermaths and consequences.

Grades:

5-12

Group Size & Duration:

35 Students Maximum/10 Students Minimum

Curriculum Connections:

Social Studies; Health & Science

 

The crowd, dignitaries, and Abraham Lincoln during the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863.

Fallen Soldiers: The Soldiers' National Cemetery and the Gettysburg Address

Theme

The Soldiers' National Cemetery and the Gettysburg Address are ever present reminders of the horror of war and of man's capacity to endure, overcome, and grow from tragic events.

Goal

To convey the significance and relevance of the Gettysburg Address and Soldiers' National Cemetery to the students.

Grades:

7-12

Group Size & Duration:

35 Students Maximum/10 Students Minimum
2 Hours

Curriculum Connections:

Social Studies; History; Language Arts

 

HISTORY LABS
at Gettysburg National Military Park

What Are History Labs?
"History Labs" are complete place-based, hands' on, and collaborative lesson instructions and materials that teachers reserve and pick-up on the day of their field trip. Each lesson takes approximately 30-45 minutes to complete, and most are adaptable for students from Grades 4 to 12. "Teach the Teacher" videos as well as lesson plans and instructions will be made available prior to your field trip.

Information on how to register for a History Lab can be found below.

What History Labs Do We Offer?


Battlefield Sketch Artist
Grade Level: 2-6
Location: East Cemetery Hill (Recommended)
Essential Question: How did Americans get their news from the Battlefield?
Activity: Sketch East Cemetery Hill while learning about artist Alfred Waud at Gettysburg.

You Are A Soldier!
Grade Level: 2-6
Location: Lunch Area Near Bus Parking Lot at Visitor Center
Essential Question(s): How did soldiers dress?What did they carry?How did they train?
Activity: See and feel some uniform and equipment items; participate in some basic infantry drills

Signal Flag Communication
Grade Level: 4-12
Location: Meade's Headquarters
Essential Question(s): What skills and abilities were necessary to effectively send and receive messages during a Civil War campaign?
Activity: In teams, send and receive messages using two signal flags and a cipher code.


DOCS & ROCKS AT DEVIL’S DEN
Grade Level: 5-10
Location: Devil's Den
Essential Question(s): How can understanding science improve our understanding of history, and vice versa?
Activity: Classify & date battlefield boulders; triage battle wounded;examine medical technology.


The Gettysburg Address
Grade Level: 6-12
Location: Gettysburg National Cemetery
Essential Question(s): What were the motivating factors for Lincoln’s trip to Gettysburg, and was the trip and his speech effective?
Activity: Tour the National Cemetery; piece together the Gettysburg Address where it was delivered.

After The Battle
Grade Level: 6-12
Location: Gettysburg National Cemetery
Essential Question: What happened on Cemetery Hill after the battle, and how did it affect the meaning of the war?
Activity: Identify soldiers based on their personal effects; read soldier letters, graveside.