Into the Redwood Forest

Education Reservations Forms for the 2025-2026 school year are now live! To apply, please submit the form found at the bottom of this page. For questions, please email [e-mail]

 

Teacher Workshop

Please keep in mind that this program requires all teachers new to the program to attend a teacher workshop prior to class participation. The Into the Redwood Forest Teacher Workshop will take place on (To Be Determined). Please check back for updates on the date and additional details. 

 

 

Grades 3 - 4

Overview

 

NPS Ranger, asking students, what do you see up there?

NPS Volunteer/ Debbie Piattelli

How can nature teach us about community?

Into the Redwood Forest Immerses your students in the magic of Muir Woods National Monument, one of the last remaining old-growth redwood forests in the Bay Area. Through both individual and small group work, students use plant identification cards and information about the Coast Miwok relationship to the woods to familiarize themselves with the habitats and history of the forest. At the woods, students investigate and pose information questions and questions for deeper meaning as they construct their own understanding of survival and adaptation the redwood forest.

Into the Redwood Forest uses the Understanding by Design framework and aligns with the K-12 Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Standards. The program is framed by the essential question - " How can nature teach us about community?"

Program Structure

Into the Redwood Forest programs are structured in the following three-touch model:

1. Classroom Preparation - Teachers complete three pre-lessons supported by park-provided resources, emphasizing the use of scientific inquiry to explore observation, inference, environmental assessment, and social community well-being. Subsequently, students will analyze both their surroundings and the societal vitality of their communities. Please share details about preferred NPS staff visit in the Education Reservation Request Form.
2. Field Session - Field Session – During the park experience, students explore the remnants of an ancient forest at Muir Woods. Please share details about preferred field visit date in the Education Reservation Request Form.

3. Classroom Assessment - opportunities for students to demonstrate what they have learned through inquiry investigations. Please email or mail back student work to NPS staff.

 

How to Apply

Important Note About Application Submissions: Please note that you will not receive a confirmation email after submitting your application. Once you click "Submit," a thank-you message will appear in a popup at the bottom of the page. However, this message may not be immediately visible—you may need to scroll all the way down to see it.

Step 1: Educators must complete the Education Reservation Request Form.

Step 2: Park staff will reach out to accepted classes after September 26th, 2025 to schedule a date for your class visit and park visit. Please keep in mind, programs at Muir Woods are only offered Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Step 3: New teachers must attend a Teacher Workshop to confirm program dates.

Step 4: Teachers complete pre-site lessons with students before the scheduled Ranger Class visit. Ranger visits the classroom virtually or in-person.

Step 5: Class attends in-person park visit.

Step 6: Teachers complete the post-site lesson and share student work with Rangers.

Logistics

Ranger-led field trips are offered during the following dates and times:

• November through May: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 8:30 AM and 1:00 PM.

• Program ends at 1:00pm and bus heads back to school.

• Plan for 4.5- 5.5 hours total, including travel and lunch.

• Programs are available in English and Spanish—please notify staff in advance for Spanish.

• Bus scholarships may be available for high need schools, indicate interest in the form.

Group Size

Programs are designed for 10-35 students per class, and we can accommodate ONLY 1 class per day. During the program, students will be divided into smaller groups for hands-on investigations.

Chaperones

One adult chaperone is required for every ten students.

Chaperones play a key role in making park programs successful and safe. Here’s what to expect on your park visit:

• Support student safety—your primary role throughout the day.

• Guide learning – help students stay focused on the lesson or speaker.

• Assist with materials – help distribute and collect as needed.

• Supervise lunch and clean-up – provide guidance during breaks.

• Stay curious and flexible – your attitude sets the tone for students!

Safety at Muir Woods

Field trips to Muir Woods are full of adventure—and safety is key to a great trip!

• Admire poison oak from afar – leaves of three let them be.

• Stay on the trail – no climbing or leaning on fences.

• Stick together – groups should stay close and move as one.

• Keep voices low – we do not want to startle the wildlife.

Be Prepared

Any visit to Muir Woods will include some outdoor walking and exploring. Students should wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Layering is essential in the redwood forest—mornings can be chilly, afternoons warm, and conditions may change quickly. Each child should carry a water bottle.

Restrooms

Restrooms are located in the front plaza near the visitor center, as well as in the café area inside the park. Restrooms are not available along the trails. Please use the restrooms before hiking.

For questions, please email [e-mail].

 

Nature Guides

• Animal Guide
• Plant Guide

Visit the Save the Redwoods League website for more information about redwood forests.

 

Education Reservation Request Form – In-person Park Visit

Use this form to apply for the Into the Redwood Forest Education Program.  

NPS Form 10-1750 (Rev. 04/2021)
National Park Service

OMB Control No. 1024-0228
Expiration Date 11/30/2025

Learning Accommodations

Does anyone in your group need any accommodations?

Yes No

If yes, describe the accommodation need.

Next Step

School / Organization Contact Information

School / Organization Name (required)

Name of Requester/Contact Person (required)

Title / Position (required)

Contact Email Address (required)

Contact Phone Number (required)
123-456-7890 extension if any

Contact Mailing Address Country

I have a US mailing address

I have a mailing address outside the US

International Mailing Address (required)
Please include building number and street, city, state/province country and Postal Code

Mailing Address (required)

City (required)

State (required)

Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas Armed Forces - Americas Armed Forces - Europe Armed Forces - Pacific California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

ZIP (required)
Five digit ZIP code [99999]

Next Step

Group Details - Park Visit/ Field Trip

Name of Primary Contact Visiting if Different Than Above (optional)

Title / Position of Primary Contact if Different Than Above (optional)

Email Address of Primary Contact if Different Than Above (optional)

Phone Number of Primary Contact if Different Than Above (optional)
Format: 123-456-7890

Program Name or Subject Requested/Self-Guided

Grade Level(s) of Students (required)

Number of Staff / Chaperones (required)

Number of Students (required)

Preferred Date of Visit (required)
format mmddyyyy

My preferred date has been confirmed by the park (required)

Yes No

Preferred Program Start Time (required)

Alternative Date(s) (required)
Enter one or more dates .

Anticipated Arrival Time (required)

Anticipated Departure Time (required)

Mode of Transportation (required)

Disclaimer:

A park representative will follow-up to confirm group details once this request has been received and reviewed.

Submit my Education Reservation Request

---

NPS Form 10-1750 (Rev. 04/2021)
National Park Service

OMB Control No. 1024-0228
Expiration Date 11/31/2025

Notices

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: Public Law 114-289 National Park Service Centennial Act and 54 U.S.C. 100701 Protection, interpretation, and research in System.

Purpose: To administer education programs for education audiences including but not limited to school groups, scouting groups, extracurricular groups, and home school groups.

Routine Uses: To effectively manage requests for education received by the NPS, the Education Reservation Request Form is used to collect basic education reservation information to facilitate operational aspects of scheduling groups for park education programs, including in-park education programs, ranger in classroom programs, and/or online distance learning programs.

Disclosure: Voluntary, however, failure to provide the requested information may impede the ability to grant your education reservation request.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

We are collecting this information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501) to provide park managers and educators the information needed to schedule and conduct education program activities. All applicable parts of the form must be completed in order for your request to be considered. You are not required to respond to this or any other Federal agency-sponsored information collection unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. OMB has approved this collection of information and assigned control number 1024-0288.

Estimated Burden Statement

Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Do not send your completed form to this address.