Re: Gold Rush Fieldtrips in Sacramento area

instructours

Posted on 7/20/09

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On 7/19/09, Noelle/Sacramento wrote:
> Hi! I'm going to be teaching the 4th grade in the
> Sacramento area and I know there are supposed to be some
> great fieldtrips for this. Are there any living history
> experiences where the kids can pan for gold? I'm looking
> forward to advice from those who've experienced this!
THANKS :)

Hi!

Normally teachers take their groups to Sutter's Fort and
Sutters Mill, panning for gold in the American River. There
is also Goldbug Mine. There is also a theatre experience in
Coloma that the students like. Start here:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1030

Since you are already in Sac, you really don't need a tour
operator, however, you need to reserve times through Reserve
America - which is tricky because they start accepting
reservations for the school year soon (find out the exact
date) and the minute the phone lines open, literally hundreds
of teachers and tour operators vye for these appointments.
There is a feeding frenzy with the phone lines - enlist help
to man several lines in order to get through.

May I strongly suggest that you get in touch with the
Convention and Visitor's Bureau in Sacramento to get some
ideas of itineraries, updates, special events, curriculum
materials and teaching plans, and how to reserve through
Reserve America. Ask for the school group representative.
http://www.discovergold.org/ They have an office downtown as
well: 1002 2nd St.
Old Sacramento, CA 95814
916-442-7644
Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

By the way, for a curriculum-based Western experience, there
is Jerry Bestpitch at the JB Ranch in Elverta who has a great
program with a real wagon train and horses. The children
learn about the care of horses, the rules of a wagon train,
and how to pack a real prairie schooner, as well as having
the opportunity to ride in it as well. For an extra few
dollars he can have some hands-on activities with renenactors
that allow the students to make various items to take back
home with them. http://www.jbranch.com/

Have you also taken advantage of the Immigrant Program at the
Railroad Museum - great fun!

Some of the sites do have pre-visit materials available for
downloading or 'trunks' to be sent to your school. There are
also historic reenactors that can visit. Check this out with
the Sacramento Visitors and Convention Bureau as well as the
California State Parks.

Good luck!

Annaker

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