Fort Ross State Historic Park

 School Presentation and Reservation Information  

Thank you for spending your time with us. I learned alot more than I thought I would. I liked the seal coat that was made only out of seal. I thought the blockhouses were cool, but they smelled funny though. Of course, I thought it was cool when you told the teachers to fire the cannon.....

Fort Ross State Historic Park has numerous opportunities which focus on cultural history as well as natural history. The moment students step on site the senses come alive with the sights, smells, sounds and hands-on experiences of their natural and cultural surroundings. With these opportunities, and the framework we present, students are able to develop a ‘sense of place’. Students studying Native Americans might want to focus on the Kashaya or Coast Miwok, and numerous Native Alaskan peoples living here. Students studying California history can learn about pre-statehood times and the relations between the Spanish and/or Mexicans and their Russian neighbors. World or European History enthusiasts can focus on the Russian side of things and how the international trade cycles worked in the 19th Century Pacific. The history of Fort Ross can easily fit into just about any curriculum. We are delighted that you are interested in taking the opportunity to use The California State Parks resources to enhance the classroom learning experience.  Children’s Curriculum  or Children's History

Presentations:  We provide an interactive program appropriate to all levels and learning styles. Your presenter is in historical costume detailing the existence of The Russian American Company, its employees, where they lived, and what activities took place with a general scope. Within that framework, we focus presentations on areas appropriate to state curriculum guidelines, i.e., we will focus more on Native Americans for 3rd grade students, etc. We have hands on material and encourage each student to participate in the presentation. Weather permitting, we like to follow the presentation with a blast from one of Fort Ross’ cannons.

To encourage your students to better understand this history before they arrive on site, we highly encourage using the curriculum material provided in the curriculum section.  After your visit to Fort Ross we hope your students will understand the three main cultural groups who lived here, the three main reasons for coming to Ross, and have a better understanding of daily life. With older students they should be able to explain the importance of trade in the North Pacific. Fort Ross can easily develop a ‘Sense of Place’ to your classroom history. 

Presentation Times:

School groups must  schedule their field trip to Fort Ross two weeks in advance of their visit. Schools can schedule programs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, or weekends. Generally during the school year, presentations take place at 12:00. Reservations are given out on a first-come first-served basis, so call as early as you can to insure a maximum choice of dates. Call us at 707 847-4777 or email at frinterp@mcn.org. 

Group size:

Presentations usually work best with one-school-class size groups (20 to 40 students). We can do presentations to groups as many as 80 students. Student to adult ratio must be ten students to one adult. 

Dress:

The weather on the coast is ever changing: you can expect fog, wind, sun or even rain--sometimes on the same day. It is best to dress in layers. The ground is often wet either from night moisture, fog, or rain, so appropriate shoes are advised. 

Presentation Cost:

Entrance fees to the site are waived for all K through 12th grades.

Presentation   fees are:  up to 20 students $40.
For 21 students and over the fee is $2 per person (including students and chaperones).

 Arrival of Group:

When your group arrives here at Fort Ross you will park in the upper parking area. There is no need to check in at the Visitor Center unless, of course, you have a question or need.   Your presentation is in the Fort Compound. Please come directly to the fort compound and be ON TIME.  You may want to browse through the visitor center or the bookstore if you have time or save it for after the presentation.  If your class is rather large, please go through the visitor center in shifts. Having lunch before the presentation is highly recommended. The kids are a little bit hungry and need a break after the drive. They enjoy the presentation and we enjoy it more with you when everyone is comfortable.  There are restrooms at the Visitor Center and the fort compound.  

Role and Responsibilities 

In order to conduct a good program, we need the assistance of everybody at the site. The following are guidelines for roles and responsibilities. 

Fort Ross Staff:
ROLE:   To conduct high quality, effective, and enjoyable educational experiences at Fort Ross.
RESPONSIBILITIES: To help with teachers’ pre-site planning and questions. To conduct programs which will enhance students understanding of Fort Ross’s role in history. To assist in handling unforeseen emergencies.  To assure that students follow site behavior and safety  procedures during their visit. To assure that the historic and natural resources of Fort Ross State Historic Park are protected.  

Classroom Teacher:
ROLE:   The teacher still assumes all of his/her roles as teacher at the site.
RESPONSIBILITY:  Retains legal responsibility for students while on-site. Provides ultimate discipline for students, and is also responsible for parent’s participation. 

Students:
ROLE: Active participants in a program which will improve their understanding of Fort Ross, California, and World History. RESPONSIBILITY:  To fully participate in the program under the direction of Park Staff. To follow all Park and School rules.

Parents:
ROLE: To assist classroom teacher and park staff with students’ on-site behavior and participation.
RESPONSIBILITY: Parents will help to assure that as the students explore the site they are learning and following rules set forth for on-site visits.  

RULES:

1.    Fort Ross is a museum. We expect that students will behave as they would in any museum, and treat museum buildings, exhibits, park staff and park visitors with respect. You will be expected to replace or repair any park property broken or damaged during your stay.  

2.    Running is not permitted in the fort buildings or compound. Please, no loud yelling or excessive bell ringing. Students must be accompanied by adults as they tour the fort compound.  

3.  Students are not to leave the group at any time without the approval and/or supervision of an adult. Use extreme caution around the cliffs and the ocean at all times.  

4.     No food or drinks inside fort buildings.

Please print this form to fill it in, than fax or mail it. Or email us to make reservations without use of the form.

Fort Ross State Historic Park           Email:  frinterp@mcn.org
19005 Coast Highway One              Phone: (707) 847-4777
Jenner, CA   95450                         FAX:   (707) 847-3601

Fort Ross School Group Presentation Form

NAME OF PERSON IN CHARGE:_________________________________

SCHOOL OR GROUP NAME:____________________________________

SCHOOL GRADE: _____ NUMBER OF STUDENTS: ____

NUMBER OF ADULTS: _________

Address:                                                        

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

School Phone:___________________________   

Home Phone: __________________________                         

         Time of Presentation:  12:00 or make other arrangements with park staff.

Program Cost:  Presentation fees are: up to 20 students $40.
For 21 students and over the fee is $2 per person (including students and chaperones).