Stone Mountain Park 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 GPS aligned educational field trips as well!
The Plantation at Stone Mountain Park is the perfect place to introduce your students to Georgia history. Here they can choose to learn about Colonial Georgia, Antebellum Life or the Civil War in Georgia. These programs are all set among historically restored, preserved and relocated buildings from around the state. These buildings span over 100 years of Georgia history, from just after the American Revolution through the turn of the 20 th century and are one of the largest collections of authentic 18 th and 19 th century buildings and artifacts in the state. All three programs include live, interactive demonstrations with authentic or reproduction artifacts from the period that the students can observe and touch. After the program, take your class on a self guided tour through this historic collection of buildings which are all appointed with furnishings and antiques of their time period. All three programs also include a visit to our Farmyard where students can interact with friendly farm animals while learning about the roles the animals played in the lives of the people.
At the Plantation we also feature Special Events such as Sheep Shearing Day in the spring, The Tour of Southern Ghosts – a storytelling festival in October, the Indian Festival and Pow-Wow in November and Homespun Christmas in December.
You may also choose to take your students back in time to W.W.II with Rosie The Riveter. With this program you will learn about and tour on the 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!
All of Stone Mountain Park educational field trips are aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards for Education.
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 and 30 days in advance for the Indian Festival. This can be done by filling out the Reservation Form on line. 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 21 days prior to visit. Payment is required 30 days in advance for the Indian Festival due to the demand and to insure a reservation.
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**
- Antebellum Plantation & Farmyard - Minimum: 30; Maximum: 175
- Colonial Georgia – Minimum: 30; Maximum: 175
- Civil War – Minimum: 30; Maximum: 175
- Laura - A Life on the Prairie - Minimum: 40; Maximum: 175
- Ride The Ducks - Minimum: 30; Maximum: 192
- Crossroads Adventure - No limitations
- Indian Festival & Pow-Wow - No limitations
II. How do I sign my class up for a Stone Mountain Park Field Trip?
To sign up for a field trip just print and fill out the Field Trip Reservation Form on the website 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.
III. 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 at least 15 minutes before your scheduled field trip time.
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 from your field trip ambassador or at the Crossroads Ticket Plaza. If it is a limited attraction day go to the Skyride. 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. Additional tickets must be purchased in one (1) transaction prior to having tickets printed. Adults may not pay individually for the group rate. Please bring a copy of your original order form so we can make the appropriate adjustments to your account. Last minute additions for the Ride The Ducks WWII education program may be difficult to accommodate. The ducks have limited seating capacity. We can add extra guests on the day of, but only if there are open seats available on the duck booked for that program but there is no guarantee.
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 12/31/2012. 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 and 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 educational program 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. Check the website for more details.
Contact Information: Group Field Trips 770-498-5636
*Tickets/Wristbands: Not all programs require tickets. Some require a booking confirmation only.