Planning A Field Trip

Field trips are a great way to experience Kings Mountain with your students.

NPS

Field Trip Planning Information

Please call the park [phone] x2 (teachers only) to speak to a ranger to schedule your trip. When you call, please have two dates in mind in the event that your first choice is not available. The visitor center is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00PM. Plan on spending at least 2 hours in the park for a standard visit. This will allow you to watch the park film, visit the museum, and walk the battlefield trail. Additional time will be required for any Ranger-led programs) during your scheduled visit to Kings Mountain National Military Park. If you plan to eat lunch on site, this will add additional time to your two-hour visit.

Please plan to arrive in time to start your program as scheduled. This includes offloading from the buses and restroom breaks. If your group is late, you may be inconvenienced as there may be other groups scheduled throughout the day. Bus parking is located in the main parking area – follow the signs. The park appreciates and expects all chaperones and teachers to remain with their group at all times. Groups walking the battlefield trail should wear walking shoes and dress appropriately for outdoor weather conditions.

Recommended Ranger Led Programs

• Weapons Talk/Demonstration: differences between the rifle and musket and their importance in the battle; will include a blank firing of reproduction weapons. (Approximately 20 minutes)
• Militia Drill: using non-firing wooden prop muskets, students are taught the militia drill to fire an 18^th century weapon. (Approximately 20 minutes)
• Battlefield Walk: ranger-led walk up to the ridge of the battlefield and discussion of events of the battle. (Approximately 90 minutes)
• Battle Talk: ranger talk about the events and importance of the Battle of Kings Mountain in the Visitor Center Auditorium. (Approximately 20 minutes)

Additional Ranger Led Programs ***MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE***

• Jr. Ranger Program: students will complete a variety of activities in a booklet designed around the National Park Service, 18^th century soldiers, nature and the Battle of Kings Mountain, and upon completion, they will earn a certificate and a badge. (Approximately 2 hours)
• Archeology Program: experience the job of an archeologist; hands-on activities. (Approximately 40 minutes)
• Map/Topography Program: students build the mountain, then act out the battle with toy soldiers. (Approximately 40 minutes)
• Education Stations: MINIMUM 90 STUDENTS while rotating through several different stations students will have the opportunity to do a different craft or activity. (Approximately 2 hours)

Visitor Center & Museum
The visitor center is open from 9:00AM to 5:00PM Wednesday through Sunday. It features a museum, auditorium, and bookstore where souvenirs can be purchased. The museum features numerous audio-visual displays and artifacts related to the battle. In the auditorium students can view the park film, Frontier Battles: Kings Mountain 1780 (25 minutes).

Battlefield Trail
This 1.5-mile paved trail will take you around the core of the battlefield. It features numerous waysides explaining aspects of the battle, memorials, monuments, and markers to those who fought in the battle, and a preserved section of colonial road. A self-guided cell phone tour is available. Allow approximately 45 minutes for a self-guided tour or 1.5 hours for a ranger led guided. This trail is rated as moderate to strenuous.

Gift Shop/Bookstore
Operated by Eastern National, the Gift Shop/Bookstore offers books, postcards, and theme-related souvenirs for purchase. If your students plan to purchase any items, please remind them that tax is NOT included in the sticker price. Teachers receive a 15% discount on all items in the bookstore.