Stone Mountain Park Educational Field Trips: A Teacher's Guide

I PLANNING PHASE

A. Why take a field trip to Stone Mountain Park?

Because it's educational and fun! Stone Mountain Park has much more than attractions and a fabulous laser show. We offer educational field trips as well!

At Stone Mountain Park your students will discover not only the good and bad of the Civil War but the wacky, weird and funny too! Peter Bonner, a well known historian and storyteller, will lead your students through an interactive program about the Atlanta Campaign featuring authentic items from the time period that your students can handle. We also offer two more interactive programs with Peter Bonner! – Colonial Georgia and Georgia’s Black History.

In Colonial Georgia Peter features his historical and hysterical take of the time period along with educational displays and “Hands On” items for the students to touch and feel. This program also includes a tour of the Thornton House and grounds.

Courage of Conviction: Georgia ’s Black History program has Peter leading your students through 200 years of Georgia black history spanning from 1700 up until 1900 turn of the century. He presents an upbeat interactive learning experience like no other featuring hands-on items, historic artifacts, photos and factual stories. Your students will leave enriched and encouraged.

Or go back in time to W.W.II with Rosie The Riveter as you learn about and tour on the historic and amphibious W.W.II vehicle the DUKW. With a classroom presentation and video, your students will be able to touch and see many of the W.W.II supplies that these DUKW’s carried to our soldiers and then experience first hand “a truck that can swim” as you plunge into Stone Mountain Lake on Ride The Ducks!

Students can also tour through 100 years of Georgia history at our Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard, which features 18 original buildings from around the state built between 1783 and 1875. This is one of the largest collections of authentic 18th-19th century buildings and artifacts. Here they can experience live, interactive demonstrations that depict everyday life of the Pioneer and Antebellum Georgians whose heritage we share. At the Plantation we also feature Special Events such as Sheep Shearing Day in the spring, Georgia Frontier Days - which is Georgia between The Wars, The Tour of Southern Ghosts and the Indian Festival and Pow-Wow.

Stone Mountain Park Field Trips are aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards for Education and the Gwinnett County Public Schools AKS.

B. Which grade levels would most benefit from a field trip to Stone Mountain Park?

Stone Mountain Park offers educational field trips for all grades.

C. Where does a field trip to Stone Mountain Park fit into your curriculum?

There are no set rules about when to schedule a field trip in relation to your course study. Some teachers effectively use the trip as a culminating activity based on a unit of Georgia History, the civil war, W.W.II, or the natural sciences.

D. How far in advance should field trips be scheduled?

Field trips need to be scheduled and booked a minimum of 3 weeks (21 days) prior to your visit. This can be done by filling out the Reservation Form. For further information you can call 770-498-5636.

E. Do field trips need to be paid for in advance?

Yes. All field trips require full payment at the time of booking which must be received at least 21 days prior to visit.

F. How many chaperones are required?

Stone Mountain Park requires one chaperone for every 10 students. One teacher or adult chaperone is admitted free with every 10 student tickets purchased.

G. What is the Cancellation / Rescheduling Policy?

A full refund will be issued for cancellations made 14 days in advance or more. For cancellations and rescheduling made less than 14 days in advance, 50% of the program fee will be charged. If you’d like to reschedule we will make our best effort to accommodate your request. All programs being rescheduled are based on availability.

H. How many students may tour one field trip per time slot?

This varies by field trip. **One or more schools may share one time slot**

Hands on History programs with Peter Bonner: Atlanta Campaign, Colonial Georgia & Georgia Black History- Minimum: 75; Maximum: 175
Plantation & Farmyard - Minimum: 15; Maximum: 150
Laura - A Life on the Prairie - Minimum: 40; Maximum: 175
Ride The Ducks - Minimum: 30; Maximum: 125
Crossroads Adventure - No limitations
Frontier Days and the Indian Festival & Pow-Wow - No limitations

I. How do I sign my class up for a Stone Mountain Park Field Trip?

To sign up for a field trip just fill out the Field Trip Reservation Form and print it out and send it to the Stone Mountain Park address on the form with your school's check at least 21 days prior to your visit. When we receive your check we will email you a paid booking confirmation.

II THE DAY OF THE CLASS VISIT

A. Is parking available for school buses?

Yes. Government and private school buses will be admitted free for parking and can park either at Memorial Hall or the Crossroads parking lot.

B. Where are the restrooms located?

There are restrooms located at each field trip site. Student groups need to take advantage of restroom facilities before the tour begins and are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes before their scheduled tour time.

C. Program Times

Programs begin promptly at the scheduled program times. We cannot hold up programs, as this will affect the remaining program schedule. We urge your group to arrive with plenty of time before your scheduled field trip.

D. Are there group food options at the Park?

Yes. We offer an all you can eat catered buffet served in one of our scenic picnic pavilions for groups of 50 or more. We also offer boxed lunches for groups of 50 or more. The boxed lunches will be delivered to Memorial Hall or the Antebellum Plantation for pick up. Both of these food services must be ordered and paid for no later than 2 weeks (14 days) prior to your visit. Students may also bring their own sack lunches. We do have free picnic table facilities available with over 200 tables to choose from at the Studdard Picnic area just behind the Sky Lift.

E. Are cameras allowed in the museums?

No. Photography is not allowed in the museums due to the damaging effects of the flash.

F. What are some helpful tips for the chaperones attending the field trip?

Teachers and chaperones are responsible for the discipline and safety of their students throughout the program. Chaperones should stay with their children at all times and limit the use of cell phones.

G. How do we receive our field trip tickets/wristbands*?

If your field trip requires tickets/wristbands* for attraction add ons, these will be picked up on the day of your event at the Crossroads Group Ticket window. If it is a limited attraction day go to the Sktride. If you are doing educational programs only, then you will need to bring a copy of your booking confirmation, which is your ticket, to your program location.

H. Can I purchase additional tickets/wristbands* on the day of our field trip?

Yes. Additional tickets/wristbands* can be purchased on the day of your visit at the Crossroads ticket booths or Skyride. Please bring a copy of your original order form so we can make the appropriate adjustments to your account.

I. Can I get a refund on the day of our visit for unused tickets/wristbands*?

Stone Mountain Park has a no refund policy.

Tickets/wristbands can be mailed back and exchanged for tickets of equal value that expire 12/31/2010. Snow Mountain and Ride the Ducks are not included. Please do not send unused tickets/wristbands via regular mail. All requests need to be sent by USPS Priority or Express, UPS or Fed-Ex for tracking purposes. Stone Mountain Park will not be responsible for refund requests lost in the mail.

J. What are the driving directions to the Park?

To get directions, visit our Maps & Directions page.

K. What do we do about inclement weather?

Some elements of our programs may take place outdoors. Programs take place rain or shine. Please ensure that children have proper attire for the weather.

L. ***Bonus***

Bonus for Students All Field trip attendees will receive one free child Adventure Pass to return to the Park with a paid accompanying adult at a later date. These will be picked up in an envelope addressed with your school name at your field trip site. You must have your booking confirmation to pick up these tickets.

Bonus for Teacher that Books an educational program All teachers that book an educational program will become a member of our exclusive Historical Educator program at Stone Mountain Park. (click here for more details)

Contact Information: Group Field Trips 770-498-5636

*Tickets/Wristbands: Not all programs require tickets. Some require a booking confirmation only.