Field Trips
- Grade Level:
- Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
- Subject:
- Social Studies
- State Standards:
- 8.2.4.D Distinguish between conflict and cooperation among groups and organization that impacted the history and development of Pennsylvania.
8.3.5.B Illustrate concepts and knowledge of historical documents, artifacts, and places critical to US history.
Grades: 3 - 6
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Class Size: 65 maximum/15 minimum*
Join the Continental Army to learn about Valley Forge through hands-on interactive activities exploring the diversity, sacrifice, and perseverance of the encampment's participants.
Park rangers dressed in period clothing will take students on an exploration of the landscape, people, and history of Valley Forge. Students and teachers will join the ranger on a .25 mile walk from the visitor center to the reconstructed huts at Muhlenberg's Brigade.
Meets Pennsylvania State Standards:
-
8.2.4.D: Distinguish between conflict and cooperation among groups and organization that impacted the history and development of Pennsylvania.
-
8.3.5.B: Illustrate concepts and knowledge of historical documents, artifacts, and places critical to United States history.
*Exceptions to the class size requirements may be granted to special needs classes.
Materials
On December 19th, 1777, 12,000 soldiers and 400 women and children marched into Valley Forge and began to build what essentially became the fourth largest city in the colonies at the time, with 1,500 log huts and two miles of fortifications. Lasting six months, from December until June, the encampment was as diverse as any city, and was made up of free and enslaved African American soldiers and civillians, Indigenous people, wealthy officers, impoverished enlisted men, European immigrants, speakers of several languages, and adherents of multiple religions.
Last updated: September 19, 2022