For Teachers

A third grade class during Physics of the Theater program.

NPS Photo

By-Request Education Programs

Field trips to Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts and school visits from park rangers enhance classroom learning in a variety of subjects. All programs are free. Each program is best given to one group at a time (20 – 35 students with chaperones). With prior planning, the park can arrange for simultaneous programs to allow for multiple classes to field trip to the park at the same time. Please complete "Education Reservation Request" below program list to to schedule a field trip or visit to Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.

Update February 2026: There are no more dates available for field trips for 2025-26 school year. Reservations for the 2026-27 school year (October-April) can submitted in August 2026.

 

Backstage and Park Tours

Backstage Tours - Program length: One hour Available: October – April
Students get an insider’s view of the world-class Filene Center. Tours vary based on grade level, but common themes in all tours include the performer experience and theater operations.

Park Tour - Program length: 1.5 hours Available: Year round
Students learn about pre-park history and the benefactress of the park in a tour of the park grounds.

 

Elementary School Programs

Park Introduction (Grades PreK, K, 1)
Program length: 30 minutes
Available: March – November
This program is a great way for early elementary aged students to learn about the basics when visiting a park. Students will explore Wolf Trap with a park ranger and learn about the National Park Service.

Physics of the Theater (Grades 2 – 3)
Program length: 1.5 hours
Available: October – June
Students come to the park and become stagehands for the day. In a hands-on activity using all simple machines learned about in class(wheels, axels, pulleys, levers, wedges, screws, and inclined planes), the students solve a problem that a stagehand might encounter. 

Technology of Sound (Grades 5 – 6)
Program length: 1 hour 
Available: January – December
Students learn about modern sound systems and see the inside of a microphone and a loudspeaker. Starting with a sound wave and ending with the sound at a concert – students learn about the technology behind vocal amplication.

 

For information about other kids activities in the park, visit the Kids & Youth page.