Arkansas State Parks and Museums: Naturals for Education
Looking for field trip ideas? Arkansas's fascinating history and diverse natural resources can be found in over 50 state parks and museums. Arkansas State Parks staff presents over 50,000 programs annually. This remarkable resource of information and many hands-on activities are available to your students in memorable outdoor education experiences.
Are you interested in a seasonal interpreter job in an Arkansas state park? Are your students researching careers in parks? If so please download this brochure.
Click on the links below to access free online teacher resources and information to help you plan your next Arkansas school field trip!
Additional Free Online Teacher Resources
Arkansas State Parks has provided this Teacher's History Booklet and printable bookmarks for teachers to download and use. These are great free online teacher resources.
Park Brochures
Bull Shoals-White River State Park
Cane Creek State Park
Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Davidsonville Historic State Park
Historic Washington State Park
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area
Lake Charles State Park
Lake Dardanelle State Park
Lake Frierson State Park
Louisiana Purchase State Park
Lower White River Museum State Park
Mammoth Spring State Park
Mount Magazine State Park
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park
Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park
Please enjoy your visit.
Our state parks and museums are repositories of some of Arkansas's finest treasures and have unique and fascinating resources. An important part of our mission is to share those with you and your students. We look forward to having you visit.
For detailed educational program information and field trip planning, contact the park you wish to visit.
For general information on types of programs and education services available throughout the State Parks System, contact our Program Services office at (501) 682-2187.
Arkansas State Parks and Museums: Naturals for Education
Welcome Teachers!
We invite you to bring your class to an Arkansas State Park or Museum. Arkansas State Parks and museums are a teacher's paradise. We are probably the most-used "non-traditional classroom" in Arkansas. Arkansas State Parks are an important part of Arkansas's education system.
Teachers love the state parks because they are places where students can apply what the teacher has taught in the classroom. Many of our programs support the state curriculum strands, and we are happy to work with you to develop customized programs to meet your curriculum needs and the special needs of your students. Some, but not all, of our program locations are wheelchair accessible. Arkansas State Parks takes pride in its varied programs for schools and its support and services for teachers. Teachers enjoy working with our trained interpreters and educators who help guide the students through their hands-on education experiences.
In addition to the variety of hikes, tours, exhibits and hands-on interactive programs, we offer curriculum-related programs focusing on the historical and natural resources of Arkansas. Topics range from prehistory, to American frontier villages, to Arkansas's oil boom, to the CCC era, and ecological/nature programs are available in every physiographic region of the state.
Planning Your Visit To A State Park
With advance notice and your curriculum goals, our park staff will tailor programs specifically for your class. Programs may be as varied as photography, life in 1836, geology, geography, historic restoration, the Civil War, land use, public relations or ecology. You can cruise a cypress swamp, smell the odor of black powder or marvel at artifacts which reveal secrets of Arkansas's fascinating past. Each park has a unique story to tell.
Preview Visit
It is recommended that the teacher make a preview visit to the park. This will provide contact with park personnel and allow you to become familiar with locations of restrooms, water fountains, exhibits, classrooms, audiovisual services, trails and the accessibility of the site. One of the best ways to become familiar with a park and its program capability is through a teacher workshop. Call your nearby park or museums to see if they offer one or two day workshops in summer.
Ideas for preparing yourself before the field trip
- Visit the park or museum before your trip with colleagues and chaperones. (Teachers are always admitted free.)
- Identify parking, lunch area and restroom locations.
- Purchase postcards to show your class before the visit.
- Ask for a free teacher's guide.
- Attend one of our teacher workshops.
- Explore the exhibits and outdoor areas you plan to visit.
- Identify activities relating to your classroom studies.
Student Preparation
Be sure your students know:
- The time and date of departure
- Point of departure
- Educational objective of the field trip
- Necessary expenses
- Lunch plan
- Appropriate dress
- Parental permission forms as required by the school
- Rules (of teacher and of the park)
- Field trip supplies (camera, notebook, pencils, art supplies, etc.)
- Special assignments/worksheets
- Available free time
- Time they will return to school
Prepare your students for learning
Once you have explained the mechanics of the trip, prepare your students for an educational experience by using classroom activities relating to their learning activities at the state park. Park staff can help you design appropriate pre-trip activities, and may have activities for use in the classroom when you return. Click here for some ideas.
Chaperones
It is important that students, whether working as a class or in small groups, have proper supervision. We recommend one adult accompany every 12 to 15 students. All chaperones should clearly understand their disciplinary duties and stay with the students during the field trip. It costs to provide these programs, but because of the 1/8-cent Conservation Tax we are able to provide most of our educational programs at no charge. In locations where there is a small fee, chaperones are admitted at the discounted school group rate (teachers are admitted free).
Discipline
Discipline is the responsibility of the teacher and chaperones. Please explain to your students that appropriate, orderly behavior is expected during their visit. Use simple rules of respect for park resources and courtesy toward each other, keeping in mind that other people will be visiting at the same time. All plants, minerals, animals, fossils and artifacts are protected by state law and should not be disturbed.
Inclement Weather
In bad weather you may find indoor facilities limited in some parks. This may require rescheduling or changes in activity plans. Check with the park before visiting in such weather. Notify the park immediately if any circumstances require you to cancel your visit.
Lunch and Other Services
To reduce the planning burden on the teacher and chaperones, with advance notice some parks and museums can provide lunches or soft drinks. Food facilities vary from park to park and with the season. Most park and museums have a small gift area and students often enjoy taking something home. Most parks and museums have a specific area or a covered pavilion with tables that can be rented for lunch or used as a designated program area. Clarify available services and costs when making your reservation.
Visit Our Other Arkansas State Parks & Tourism Websites