Education & Fees Frequently Asked Questions

 

What groups are considered education groups?

Any K-12, university, or teacher group is considered an education group. Given that a reservation is in place, these groups are provided with an orientation upon arrival to the park. Education groups may also sign up for ranger-guided curriculum programs if the date of visit is available.

What groups are eligible for education fee waivers?

K-12, university, and teacher groups are eligible for education fee waivers. Other groups may qualify for a fee waiver provided that the group is a 501(c)3 educational organization. Check your organization’s tax exempt paperwork to ensure eligibility or call our fee department at 304-535-2904.

What is the suggested chaperone to student ratio?

The suggested chaperone to student ratio for educational groups visiting Harpers Ferry NHP is 1:3 for PreK-4th grades, 1:5 for 5-8th grades, and 1:10 for 9-12th grades. Please note that exceeding these ratios will result in the extra chaperones being charged the per person park entrance fee.

What is the education reservation process?

The education reservation process begins with a K-12, university, or teacher group leader sending us an email with their request.

After the education office receives a request, we add you to our orientation schedule. If you have requested a program, we will try to fit you into our schedule depending on how many groups have signed up for that day. We may call or email you for clarifying information as needed. Next, we will send a confirmation with your date of visit and program information via email or fax.

Save your confirmation for your records and bring it with you to the park on the day of your visit.

What is the education fee waiver process?

The education fee waiver process differs depending on the age of the students. K-10 grade groups provide information about learning objectives and area of study when making their education reservation. If this information is omitted, we will ask for it to be provided. If the information is not provided, the chaperones will be assessed the $10 per person entrance fee for the park.
Grades 11-12, university, and teacher groups should submit a fee waiver request to the fee department. The fee department will notify you of the status of your request.

Why should I make an education reservation?

By making a reservation, our staff of park rangers and volunteers are better able to serve you! Knowing the time of your arrival allows us to have staff available to provide a brief history and safety orientation to your group so that you may have a more enjoyable and safe visit to your national park.

A reservation is also your way to request ranger-guided curriculum programs. Program slots fill up fast so groups without reservations will be self-guided during their visit.

Also educational groups that make a reservation and are traveling via school or charter buses will be escorted by staff to the Lower Town for drop off of the group during most months of the year. Unscheduled groups or groups that do not contact the Education Department to make a reservation are not allowed to drop off and pick up in Lower Town and must use the shuttle buses for transportation.

K-10th grade unscheduled groups will be assessed the $10 per person entrance fee for chaperones and adults (16 and older). Grades 11-12, university, and teacher groups that are unscheduled will be assessed the $10 per person entrance fee for everyone in the group, not to exceed the commercial tour fees.

Why should I submit an education fee waiver request?

Groups that are eligible for an education fee waiver should submit their request so that their entrances fees to the park are waived. Without the fee waiver request and its approval, groups will be assessed that entrance fee of $10 per adult (16 and older) not to exceed the commercial tour fees.

Who should I contact about education fee waivers?

For more information regarding education fee waivers, contact the fee supervisor at 304-535-2904. You may also send requests to e-mail us.

Who should I contact about education reservations?

For more information regarding education reservations, please email us.

How far in advance should I submit the education reservation?

Education reservations should be submitted to the education office a minimum of three weeks in advance of the date of visit. It may be possible to accommodate shorter request periods, but it is not guaranteed. If an education reservation is not made within the stated three week period of advance notice, the group will be subject to paying normal park entrance fees upon arrival. We encourage all education groups to contact us regardless of the three week guideline so that your visit goes as smoothly and safely as possible.

How far in advance should I submit an education fee waiver request?

Education fee waiver requests should be submitted to the fee department a minimum of three weeks in advance of the date of visit. It may be possible to accommodate shorter request periods, but it is not guaranteed. If an official fee waiver is not submitted within the stated three week period of advance notice, the group will be subject to paying normal park entrance fees upon arrival.

How quickly will I receive confirmation of an education reservation?

The education office will send you a confirmation no later than two weeks after your reservation was submitted. If extenuating circumstances arise that lengthen the processing time, we will notify you with an expected date of confirmation.

How quickly will I receive confirmation of an education fee waiver?

The fee office will send you a confirmation no later than two weeks after your fee waiver request was submitted. If extenuating circumstances arise that lengthen the reviewing time, we will notify you with an expected date of confirmation.