Valley Forge National Historical Park offers ranger-led, curriculum-based education programs for students in grades 3 to 12 in the form of in-park field trips and virtual online distance learning programs. Homeschool students may take advantage of the annual Homeschool Day held in October, where students participate in unique hands-on learning experiences at the park and rotate through multiple stations. General Information About Ranger-led School Programs***UPDATED 2/3/23: All in-person field trip dates are filled for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year. There are select Thursdays still availlable for distance learning lessons.***Questions? Please send us an email or call 610-783-1066.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If the CDC reports that COVID Community Levels for Montgomery or Chester counties move to high (or red) the Thursday before your planned field trip, the field trip will be converted to a distance learning lesson. You may choose to reschedule, but because of the popularity of our field trips, we cannot guarantee a new date. You are also welcome to do a self-guided tour instead, but please be aware that masks are required in all park buildings and occupancy limits will be enforced when COVID Community Levels are high. We will email you if the COVID level moves to high, but you can also check here. Eating Lunch in the ParkIf your group is planning to visit Valley Forge over the lunch hour, we suggest packing a picnic lunch as there are no full-service concessions on the premises nor indoor dining facilities. The Wayne's Woods and Varnum's picnic areas are best suited to accommodate school groups because they are both situated along the main tour route. Make Your Field Trip a Green Field TripBring reusable bottles, lunch bags/boxes, and food containers. Water filling stations and water fountains are available throughout the park. Print visit materials double-sided or use electronic copies — recycle whenever possible. Review and share the seven principles of Leave No Trace with students. Bus idling is prohibited. In-Park Field Trip ProgramsSoldier LifeGrades: 3 - 6 Class Size: 65 maximum/15 minimum* Join the Continental Army to learn about Valley Forge through hands-on interactive activities exploring the diversity, sacrifice, and perseverance of the encampment's participants. Park rangers dressed in period clothing will take students on an exploration of the landscape, people, and history of Valley Forge. Students and teachers will join the ranger on a .25 mile walk from the visitor center to the reconstructed huts at Muhlenberg's Brigade. Meets Pennsylvania State Standards:
*Exceptions to the class size requirements may be granted to special needs classes. Washington's LeadershipGrades: 3 - 6 Duration: 30 Minutes (plus approx. 15 min driving time) Class Size: 65 maximum/15 minimum* Extend your learning and take full advantage of your educational trip to Valley Forge by adding a thirty-minute program at Washington's Headquarters to learn about the unique leadership qualities of General Washington that helped to keep the American Revolution alive. A park ranger will meet your group at the Historic Valley Forge Station and invite students to learn about Washington's leadership through dialogue, questions, and answers. The program includes a tour of Washington's Headquarters. Meets Pennsylvania State Standard:
Meets Common Core Standards:
*Exceptions to the class size requirements may be granted to special needs classes. Distance Learning ProgramDistance Learning programs are live online programs using Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Valley Forge: A Turning PointDuration: 45 min to 1 hour When the Continental Army marches into Valley Forge on December 19th, 1777, there have already been two and a half years of the American Revolutionary War. The most recent, mostly unsuccessful Philadelphia Campaign led to the British capture of the American capital, Philadelphia. Learn why the Americans choose Valley Forge as their strategic winter encampment, what happens during the six months after marching in, and what the reorganization, resupply, and rest do for the Continentals as they continue the war for another five years. Meets Pennsylvania State Standards:
Register OnlinePick from a selection of programming options and dates and book a field trip for your class today! |
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Last updated: February 3, 2023