Plan A Field Trip

NPS Staff member talks to preschool group

NPS Photo

 

About School Visits

Teachers are welcomed and encouraged to utilize the park and its resources to enhance their curriculum.

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park can help whether you plan on co-designing curriculum with park educators, want to embark on a self-guided visit, or are just looking for information on a wide range of program options. A school visit to the park can support a wide range of classroom subjects, grade-levels, and educational standards. Want to learn more about park-based opportunities for educators, parents, and students? Contact the park to discuss current offerings and your classroom's unique needs. Complete the form at the bottom of this page when you're ready to schedule your visit.

Timing

School grounds can take advantage of the park's resources all four seasons from particiating in citizen science phenology monitoring in the spring to autumn tours of the historic mansion and winter recreational opportunities. The Carriage Barn Visitor Center is open to the public from Memorial Day weekend through October 31. However, school groups are welcome to utilize the park year-round with advanced planning.

Fees

There is no entry fee to the park or program fee for accredited educational institutions visting for the purpose of education, but we kindly ask that you contact us in advance or complete the reservation form below.

Parking and Directions

Parking for Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is at Billings Farm & Museum, just off Route 12, 1/2 mile north of downtown Woodstock. To enter the park from the Billings Farm & Museum, take the paved path next to the flag pole and cross Elm Street at the crosswalk. Take the left fork up the short, steep hill to reach the Carriage Barn Visitor Center. Take the right fork to reach the Forest Center.

When arriving by bus, use the Billings Farm & Museum RV Parking/Overflow lot directly across from its main parking lot. When entering Billings Farm & Museum via Route 12, follow signage to turn left into the RV/Overflow lot (rather than turning right into the main lot). Detailed directions can be found at Directions.

Accessibility Information

Visit Accessibility to learn more about park limitations and available accommodations.  In order for us to give your students the best experience possible, please note on the reservation form any specific accessibility or learning needs your students have so we can adjust the program accordingly prior to your arrival. 

Classroom Space

The Forest Center features a large open room that can accommodate 40-50 people, along with restroom facilities. If you need to reserve a classroom space, please contact us at least two weeks in advance. Reservations are not guaranteed.

Maps

Trail maps and hiking information is available. We highly recommend getting the NPS App and downloading the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP page in advance of your visit.

Additional Resources

The park offers a variety of educational resources available for reservation to enhance your lesson plans. These include sample lesson plans and activities, books, field guides, forestry equipment, documentaries, insect sampling supplies, snowshoes, and more. Topics cover a broad spectrum, such as art in conservation, conservation history, forestry, stewardship, and sustainable practices. Please contact us in advance to coordinate logistics and arrange your visit.

Pre and Post Visit Ideas

Teachers are encouraged to visit and tour the park prior to planning their visit. To familiarize yourself and your class with the park before your trip, you can utilize several excellent resources, including introductory films, ranger visits to your classroom, and the park's library. These resources can enhance your understanding and prepare your students for an enriching experience.

Billings Farm & Museum

Make a day of your visit to Woodstock! The Billings Farm & Museum shares a parking lot with the park and also offers School Field Trips & Youth Programming.

Safety

Review detailed Safety information ahead of your trip. Remember to consider:

• Traffic Awareness: Be alert for traffic when crossing roads and in parking areas.
• Trail Conditions: Trails may have uneven footing, so exercise caution.
• Rules and Regulations: Swimming, wading, and fishing are not allowed in the Pogue.
• Weather Preparedness: Students should be prepared for any weather condition. Please bring a backpack that contains: warm layers, a raincoat, a water bottle, and a snack or lunch.
• Cell Service: There is spotty cell phone service throughout the park. If you are planning on seperating your group, consider bringing alternative communication devices.

 

Scheduling a School Visit

Ready to reserve a school trip to the park?

Start your planning early. By completing this form in advance, you can avoid potential disappointment and delays as well as take full advantage of the resources that the park has to offer. Group scheduling is completed on a first-come, first-served basis. Park-led programs and activities are available as staffing permits.

NPS Form 10-1750 (Rev. 04/2021)
National Park Service

OMB Control No. 1024-0228
Expiration Date 11/30/2025

Learning Accommodations

Does anyone in your group need any accommodations?

Yes No

If yes, describe the accommodation need.

Next Step

School / Organization Contact Information

School / Organization Name (required)

Name of Requester/Contact Person (required)

Title / Position (required)

Contact Email Address (required)

Contact Phone Number (required)
123-456-7890 extension if any

Mailing Address (required)

City (required)

State (required)

Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas Armed Forces - Americas Armed Forces - Europe Armed Forces - Pacific California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

ZIP (required)
Five digit ZIP code [99999]

Next Step

Group Details - Park Visit/ Field Trip

Name of Primary Contact Visiting if Different Than Above (optional)

Title / Position of Primary Contact if Different Than Above (optional)

Email Address of Primary Contact if Different Than Above (optional)

Phone Number of Primary Contact if Different Than Above (optional)
Format: 123-456-7890

Program Name or Subject Requested/Self-Guided

Grade Level(s) of Students (required)

Number of Staff / Chaperones (required)

Number of Students (required)

Preferred Date of Visit (required)
format mmddyyyy

My preferred date has been confirmed by the park (required)

Yes No

Preferred Program Start Time (required)

Alternative Date(s) (required)
Enter one or more dates .

Anticipated Arrival Time (required)

Anticipated Departure Time (required)

Mode of Transportation (required)

Disclaimer:

A park representative will follow-up to confirm group details once this request has been received and reviewed.

Submit my Education Reservation Request

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NPS Form 10-1750 (Rev. 04/2021)
National Park Service

OMB Control No. 1024-0228
Expiration Date 11/31/2025

Notices

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: Public Law 114-289 National Park Service Centennial Act and 54 U.S.C. 100701 Protection, interpretation, and research in System.

Purpose: To administer education programs for education audiences including but not limited to school groups, scouting groups, extracurricular groups, and home school groups.

Routine Uses: To effectively manage requests for education received by the NPS, the Education Reservation Request Form is used to collect basic education reservation information to facilitate operational aspects of scheduling groups for park education programs, including in-park education programs, ranger in classroom programs, and/or online distance learning programs.

Disclosure: Voluntary, however, failure to provide the requested information may impede the ability to grant your education reservation request.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

We are collecting this information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501) to provide park managers and educators the information needed to schedule and conduct education program activities. All applicable parts of the form must be completed in order for your request to be considered. You are not required to respond to this or any other Federal agency-sponsored information collection unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. OMB has approved this collection of information and assigned control number 1024-0288.

Estimated Burden Statement

Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Do not send your completed form to this address.