Plan A Field Trip

 

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.

• Programs are scheduled on a first come, first served basis.

• Programs for the school year are offered from early October until the end of May.

• Reservation dates will be released in blocks, with the first set of dates being from October through December, then Januarary through May.

• Field trips will be offered most Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Distance learning lessons (online programs via Zoom or Microsoft Teams) will be offered on most Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

• Requests must be made at least 3 weeks in advance and are approved based on date/staff availability.

• To reserve a program please follow the link below. You will receive an email confirmation with your reserved date and time within ten days.

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 Park

If 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 Trip

Bring 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 Programs

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Soldier Life

Grades: 3 - 6
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

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:

• 8.2.4.D: Distinguish between conflict and cooperation among groups and organization that impacted the history and development of Pennsylvania.

• 8.3.5.B: Illustrate concepts and knowledge of historical documents, artifacts, and places critical to United States history.

*Exceptions to the class size requirements may be granted to special needs classes.

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Washington's Leadership

Grades: 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:

• 5.2.5.C: Explain why individuals become involved in leadership and public service.

Meets Common Core Standards:

• CC.1.2.4.E: Use text structure to interpret information (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution).

• CC.1.5.5.D: Report on a topic or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly with adequate volume, appropriate pacing, and clear pronunciation.

*Exceptions to the class size requirements may be granted to special needs classes.

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Distance Learning Program

Distance Learning programs are live online programs using Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

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Valley Forge: A Turning Point

Duration: 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:

• 8.3.3.D Identify conflict and cooperation among social groups and organizations in United States History.

• 8.3.6.A Identify and explain the political and cultural contributions of individuals and groups to United States history from Beginnings to 1824.

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Register Online

Pick from a selection of programming options and dates and book a field trip for your class today!