School Programs

School Programs

PLEASE NOTE: We are not offering school programs for the 2023-24 school year.  Please check back in August 2024 for updates on the 2024-25 school program.  Thank you!

 

Malakoff Diggins SHP School Programs are designed for 3rd-5th grade levels and give students the opportunity to tour the historic gold rush town of North Bloomfield, do a scavenger hunt in our museum, and participate in a hands-on activity.  Park staff leads the town tour and museum scavenger hunt, and teachers guide their class through the hands-on activity or on the hike in the park. 

 

RESERVATIONS 

Programs are offered on Thursdays and Fridays in April-May only (weather permitting), for a maximum of 60 students per reservation. There are no school programs during the weekends, summer or holidays/special events. 

Reservations are required a minimum of 30 days in advance, beginning in August prior to the beginning of the school year. Reservations are first-come-first-served and blackout days apply. To schedule a field trip at Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, use our online reservation form: Schedule Appointment with Sierra District State Parks (acuityscheduling.com) 

Below is the itinerary of field trips. If for some reason you need to make changes to it, please email SierraGold.Schools@parks.ca.gov. 

Each class is split in two groups, and the groups follow this schedule: 

  

10:00 

10:30 

11:00am 

11:30am 

Group #1 

Town Tour 

Activity/Museum 

Activity/Museum 

Group #2 

Activity/Museum 

Activity/Museum 

Town Tour 

Please Note: These activities are outdoors, and weather or other issues may change tour format. Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park reserves the right to cancel or alter the above tour, when necessary, with limited or no notice.  

 

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR FIELD TRIP 

Review these optional resources for teachers about the park and historical references. 

  

How to guide your students through your chosen 30-minute activity: 

  • If you chose to lead your class on the hike, you will pick up a backpack from the Visitor Center on the day of your trip that includes: your map, trail guide, and tools for observation. 

  • If you choose to lead your class through the Nisenan activity, we will send you the lesson plan via email two weeks prior to your field trip.  This activity involves a pre-field trip lesson and class discussion to be completed prior to the scheduled field trip.  During your trip, you will get a bin of materials from the Visitor Center for you group to learn and make their own pine nut bead.  Students will get to make a bracelet with their pine nut bead. 

    FILM – Pine Nut Bead Making with Shelly Covert: Pine Nut Bead Making - YouTube 

 

WHAT TO EXPECT ON ARRIVAL 

Before arriving in the park, please organize your students into 2 separate groups with a minimum ratio of 1:10 (adult:child).  

Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the start of your tour and have students use the restroom behind the General Store (follow signs). A park aide will greet your group in front of the Visitor Center to welcome you and introduce the docents leading your tour. 

  
PARKING INFORMATION 

There is no parking fee for vehicles associated with registered school groups. Your party may park near the Visitor Center along the fence.  

  

WHAT TO BRING 

Make sure to wear comfortable closed-toed walking shoes, pants, sun protection and an extra warm layer. Please bring water bottles and snacks/lunch.  

 

CHAPERONES 

Chaperones are expected to play an active role in managing student behavior during the field trip. They are responsible for keeping the group together and focused on the program. If teachers or chaperones need to take a phone call, please step away so that we can keep the children's attention. 

  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

In the event of injuries, we ask that the teacher be prepared to assume first aid responsibility. Please bring any injuries, accidents, or damage to the attention of the State Park staff. 

Extreme weather may cancel field trips if transportation to/from the park is unsafe. 

  

Questions? Please contact SierraGold.Schools@parks.ca.gov