Guest Speakers

Every Kid Outdoors

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Social Studies
State Standards:
VS.1 The student will apply history and social science skills to explain the relationship between physical geography and the lives of Virginia’s peoples, past and present.

Essential Questions: 

  • What is a national park? 
  • What types of jobs to park rangers do? 
  • How can I interact more with my national parks? 

Objective: 

This park ranger-led classroom program is designed for 4th grade students. They will learn about the mission and goals of the National Park Service, the difference between site name designations (national park, national historical park, national monument, etc..), and the different types of jobs that park rangers do to protect and preseve these places. 

Students will learn more about their local national park (Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park), as well as the other parks in Virginia, West Virginia, Mayland, and Washington DC. 

Every Kid Outdoors 4th grade access passes will be given to teachers by park rangers to ensure proper distribution among students. 

Teacher Information: 

The purpose of Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park is to preserve, protect, and interpret a nationally significant Civil War landscape and antebellum agricultural community; to tell the rich story of Shenandoah Valley history from early Native American occupation onward; to preserve and interpret the significant historic, natural, cultural, military, and scenic resources associated with the Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation. 

The park serves as a focal point within the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District to recognize and interpret important Civil War events, including the key battles and campaigns of 1862 and 1864. 

The panoramic mountains, natural areas, waterways, and pastoral surroundings convey an ashthetic and historic sense of life in the Shenandoah Valley. It provides visitors with an inspiring setting of great natural beauty, and offeres outstanding opportunities for quiet and solitude in an everexpanding suburban area. 

Preparation: 

This program is designed to be presented on-site at a school classroom, library, or community space. Program duration is 30-minutes. Park rangers will need access to a computer monitor or smart board to display a powerpoint slideshow. 

Teachers should register their students for the Every Kid Outdoors 4th grader pass ahead of time, following the emailed instructions from park rangers. During the program, physical passes will be given to the teacher. Teachers will write the student's name on their pass using a fine-tip marker and distribute. 

Program Details: 

The park ranger presentation will cover these topics with students:
  • Introduction to the National Park Service (NPS) system 
  • NPS goals and mission statement 
  • Symbolism of the NPS arrowhead logo 
  • Types of park rangers 
  • Introduction to Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park 
  • Overview of Shenandoah Valley history 
  • Introduction to the Every Kid Outdoors Pass
  • What types of parks you can visit with your family 
  • Parks in your area to visit 

Tags: cedar creek and belle grove national historical park civil war civil war education

Last updated: July 20, 2024