Plan A Field Trip

Education Program is temporarily on pause, as impacts from Hurricane Helene are substantial. There is no access around the lake as all bridges were destroyed. Home is not open for tours at this time.

Post Helene Status:

• Grounds and trails open dawn till dusk 7 days a week. Hikers lot limited to 24 cars.

• Barn & video open 7 days a week 10-3.

• Bookstore open Sat and Sun 10-3

• Half mile walk from parking to farm / house area.

Students will have access to the historic dairy goat farm, garden, grounds, and 5 miles of hiking trails. Ranger guided Education Programs are available upon request on Mon, Tues, Wed during Sept - Nov. Fall and March-May Spring Schedules


* Sandburg Home tours are not available for school groups at this time.

Need to Know:

• Education reservations are FREE and required for groups (both traditional school and homeschools) with a minimum of 10 persons and maximum of 80 persons for all grade levels per day.
  • Reservations are required to ensure multiple groups are not visiting on the same day.
• Advisory: Due to Front Lake bridge closure, all visitors and students will need to walk 0.7 miles to access education program spaces (15-20 minutes). This includes walking all supplies, like lunches, coolers, backpacks, etc…into the park. Transportation of supplies may be available. Please note assistance needs on your request form.
  • If you have a student/teacher/chaperone with mobility or accessibility needs, please note that on the form.
  • Click here for a link to a trail map with the detour highlighted.
• Please submit a request form at least three weeks before your visit.
• School visits are only available Mon-Wed. Max of 60 persons per day.
  • Larger groups will need to request multiple days to accomodate all students. Please note that on the request form.
  • Each group will be divided into rotations of no more than 15 persons each.
  • 10-40 persons = 2.5 hours
  • 40 - 80 persons = 3 hours
• Fall 2024 visits are available September 11 to November 15.
• Spring 2025 visits are available March 10 to June 11.
• Summer 2025 Parkids visits are available June 10 - August 10
• Pre and post visit lesson plans are available for all grade levels. Please visit https://www.nps.gov/carl/learn/education to find curriculum materials.

---

Find an available date!
Available Fall 2024 Dates are in green. Calendar will be updated weekly. School visits are only available Mon-Tues-Wed. Max of 80 persons per day.

Spring Dates

March

April

May

---

What does an education visit include?

Elementary School, Grades K-2
Life on the Farm: tour Connemara Farms and lean what it was like raising goats with Mrs. Sandburg.
Rotations activities:

• Farm visit
• Ranger-led activity (Life Cycles: Monarch Metaphor activity)
• Teacher-led activity (Farm Life Interactive Puzzle Play)
• Discovery Hike/Activity
• Lunch break if requested

Elementary School, Grades 3-5
Sandburg Through Time: Students will explore Carl Sandburg through autobiography and poetry.

• Farm visit
• Ranger-led activity. (Connemara Clues, or Every Kid in a Park)
• Teacher-led activity. Prairie-Town Boy
• Hike / Write (Bio Poem)
• Lunch break if requested

Middle School, Grades 6-8
Through the Eyes of a Poet: Students explore the Sandburg family through artifacts, literature and science!

• Farm visit
• Ranger-led Genetics activity,
• Hike / Write / Journaling, (materials providied)
• Teacher-led: Sandburg Alive! poetry activity materials provided
• Lunch break if requested

High School, Grades 9-12
The Sandburg Spectrum: Students learn how Sandburg was often a voice for those who felt they had none.

• Farm visit
• Ranger-led - Poetry and Pictures
• Hike / Write / Video
• Teacher-led: Journaling – Reflections on the Rock
• Lunch break if requested

---

Arrival

• Greeting by volunteer and/or park ranger in Main Parking Lot. Find parking lot information here.
• Bathroom stop
• Walk to Amphitheater. Note: Front Lake bridge is closed. This is a 0.5 mile walk to amphitheater, and an additional 0.2 mile walk from amphitheater to house. See trail map with detour here.

Introduction

• Welcome at amphitheater (house garage behind Sandburg Home, if raining)
  • What is the NPS?
  • Why does this place exist?
  • Leaders assign rotation groups

Lunch (optional), will be added to rotations if requested.

• Carry in, carry out encouraged, limited trash services
• No concessions at park
• No place to store food; busses and coolers suggested.
• Picnic area, amphitheater or house garage only, please be careful of litter.