- School Group Tours -
Columbia State Historic Park is one of the
most popular places for California elementary school groups to visit. Most California
Schools teach California history in the fourth grade with a partial focus on the
discovery of gold. Field Trips by the hundreds come to Columbia for the "hands
on" experience their students can enjoy. Through a reservation system, the park
staff interprets Columbia History to over 20,000 students each year. Untold numbers
of other children visit the park without the benefit of the staff program.
The school group interpretive program is presented in two parts, one conducted
at the museum and the other conducted at the historic
schoolhouse. At the museum the children are given a talk on Columbia History
by a Ranger, Interpreter, etc., or a Docent staff.
This portion of the program takes approximately forty-five minutes. The other
portion of the program is conducted by a costumed docent that is acting as an
1860's Columbia school teacher. The children are brought into the classroom and
given a lesson similar to one that would have been taught in the 1860's. This
section takes about one hour. It takes around fifteen minutes to walk from the
museum to the schoolhouse. Teachers may also chose other related activities with
a theme around the Gold Rush era to fill their day. In conjunction with the above
mentioned activities Columbia Merchants/Concessioners offer certain school Specials Programs or Discounts
towards your well planned day in Columbia.
For those schools that are
unable to obtain a reservation, written lesson plans and other materials are available
from the Friends of Columbia State
Historic Park.
In previous years, we have mailed information concerning
our school group program to schools on our mailing list. Please send us an e-mail
message if you wish to be added to our emailing list so that you can be notified.
You may also obtain information concerning the school group by calling the State
Park office at 209-588-9128.
Click
Here for State Park School Programs information
