General
Guidelines
What follows is a set of general guidelines which apply to
all Living History & Natural History Field Trips conducted at Woodlawn Manor Park. Grade level, weather, and seasonal
considerations are factored in to help prepare teachers and parents to get ready for the day's learning activities. A careful
reading of relevant program descriptions will help provide useful information in planning.
Daily Time Frame
The field trip schedule is tied to the home school instructional day. Accordingly, visitors typically
arrive at the Woodlawn Manor by 10 a.m. In order to arrive back at school for afternoon departure, all students typically
leave the Center by 1 p.m. Programs for Grades 2-8 are presented from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and the picnic area is available
from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Programs for K-1 are presented from 10 a.m. to noon and the picnic area is available from noon
to 12:30. Special afternoon programs from 12:30 to 2:30 may be scheduled.
Lunches
Bagged lunches and drinks must be labeled and will be stored on the bus or at the manor kitchen upon arrival then distributed
when it is time to eat lunch. Students typically dine at the Maple Tree Picnic Area or inside covered area in inclement weather.
Placing the lunches into cardboard boxes or large bags or similar containers labeled with teachers' names at the home school
assures a smooth redistribution process. Cleaning up leftover lunch trash and collecting recyclables is an important part
of the day. Here students can demonstrate respect for the natural and learning environments, as well as working together as
a community be recycling and composting. Clean up Mother Earth!
Clothing
Outdoor wear geared to seasonal and daily weather considerations should include comfortable shoes for hiking, and all clothing
should be suitable for active outdoor pursuits. Dress for the weather of the day and come prepared to be outside for some
of the program. Costumes for living history programs are strictly optional but add to the day!
Transportation
School buses, private buses, and parent-driven autos are the three chief means for getting
students to and from Woodlawn Manor. Ample free parking and bus turn-around available. Be sure your driver knows
your destination and route before leaving. Also, be sure to reserve your bus right away so
your field trip date will be honored even if a bus blackout occurs on your date.
Group Sizes
Overall size
of a visiting group may be the entire grade level for some programs or just one or two classes for others. Make group
arrangements when scheduling with the Director.
Rotational Grouping
Instructional
groups of approximately 10 to 22 students each (depending on the activity) should be designated at the home school in advance
of the field trip date. Students should be grouped heterogeneously with an adult leader identified and special support assigned
to meet the needs of individual students or to assist at a station as required for large student groups.
Classes generally divide into three or
four instructional groups depending upon the size of the entire group. Ideally, after an adult leader has been appointed to
each individual activity by the teacher, additional adult chaperones are assigned to assist at each activity site. This provides
instructional and logistical continuity throughout the program. Once the classes are put into the rotation, the Director usually
has the responsibility for teaching a core or hub activity. One or two docents are usually available for centers.
It is left for the visiting teachers and parents to present instruction and supervision at the other rotational learning centers
where materials and instructions are provided.
Admission Fees and Cancellation
Fees:
Admission fees vary according to the type of programs requested and grade level. Title 1 School discounts
are available. Fee arrangements may be made with the Director by emailing: WoodlawnManorMuseum@comcast.net
or by
calling Woodlawn message machine at: 301.570.5722.
Teachers are free... and
free parking.
There is
a $50. fee if scheduled programs are not cancelled one month in advance since all field trip days are scheduled and paid for
one month in advance.
What About Weather?
Inclement weather of the
kind that would make a field trip unsafe or instructionally inoperative and which may be foretold in advance will force a
cancellation or rescheduling of that day's events. Cancelations will be initiated by the home school with advice and consultation
from the Director who will attempt to set a new date for the trip. Call for assistance
with inclement weather decisions up to 5 pm the evening prior or after 6 am the morning of your field trip.
Environmental / Museum Decorum
The Woodlawn Manor Living History Museum is devoted to teaching respect for
history and nature to students of all ages. The recreational aspect of an outdoor field trip setting must be clearly subordinated
to the instructional objectives of the experience. Moreover, students should be coached in the lessons of environmental education
inquiry and taught respect and love for our "shared" natural world. Visitors to the Woodlawn Manor settings should
understand that the freedom implicit in a trip to the outdoors must be accompanied by responsibility to preserve and protect
plant life, animal habitats, and the man-made structures that comprise the "outdoor classroom".
Take only memories, leave only
footprints.
Remember your museum manners please!
Thanks for helping with Hands-On History.
