Field Trips
Field trips specifically designed for elementary school students are offered throughout the school year. In 2010, over 1500 students from 55 classes in 14 different schools were able to get out of the classroom and journey “back in time” to historic downtown Winter Garden. While on our field trips, history becomes “juicy” as students…

• Discover what the area looked like 100 years ago
• Examine what makes a citizen hero
• Learn about our area’s rich agricultural heritage
• Become detectives in search of clues about historic buildings
• And investigate the different reasons people settled here

Created by a team of experienced elementary school teachers and museum volunteers, all activities are designed to meet Grade Level Expectations for Florida Sunshine Standards. Our field trips engage students in the learning process through hands-on activities in historic downtown Winter Garden and make learning fun!

“A Walk Through Our Community” Field Trip  – Grade Levels 1-2
In this two hour program, students rotate through three activities where they:

• Learn about “Citizen Heroes” who made significant contributions and understand they, too, can be heroes.
• Search through the Heritage Museum and caboose looking for items on a scavenger hunt.
• Develop map skills while walking on the West Orange Trail in search for buildings
• Pre- and Post-Field trip classroom exercises are available to enhance the learning experience.
• Cost: $4/student.  Teachers and adult chaperones are free.

“Experience History” Field Trip – Grade Levels 4-5

In this two and a half hour program, students:

• Travel from the late 19th century to present day, discussing major events in each decade.
• Use detective skills to match old building photos to the buildings as they look now.
• Explore the Winter Garden Heritage Museum, uncovering information about Citizen Heroes.
• Become costumed Timucuan Indians, farmers, business owners, or fishermen and speculate about why they came to the area.
• Pre-and Post-Field trip classroom exercises are available to enhance the learning experience.
• Cost: $5/student.  Teachers and adult chaperones are free.

In Class Presentations

Can’t come to us? We’ll come to you!!
Bring the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation to your classroom. Our four in-class presentations focus on Central Florida history and are designed to meet Sunshine State Standards in Social Studies.

Timucuans, Trains and Trees – Grade Levels 4-12
Using an interactive presentation that includes photographs from the museum archives, the presenter walks with students through the 20th century, decade by decade, discussing national and international events and how the events impacted Central Florida. Some of the topics discussed are: the effect of the building of railroads, the boom era of 1910-1929, early Florida tourism, the Great Depression and Roosevelt’s New Deal, World War II, and the Federal Highway Act. Topics of local interest include: the growth of central Florida as a result of theme parks, the pollution of Lake Apopka and the demise of the citrus industry.
Length of presentation: 45 minutes
Program cost: $100/ 1 presentation, $50/ each additional presentation on the same day.

“Where’s The Orange In Orange County?” – Grade Levels 3-5

At one time, Orange County was mostly farmland. In the 1940s, it was the largest shipping point for citrus in the world. What happened to the oranges? Students learn how and why Orange County changed from a rural community to an urban center.
Length of presentation: 30 minutes
Program cost: $75/ 1 presentation, $50/ each additional presentation on the same day.

Fish, Play And Camp At The Bass Capital! –  Grade Levels 3-5

Journey back to 1930 and become a tourist vacationing in the Sunshine State. Using photographs and an authentic 1930s travel brochure, students will discover what it was like and why people vacationed in Florida before theme parks.
Length of presentation: 30 minutes
Program cost: $75/ 1 presentation, $50/ each additional presentation on the same day.

Then and Now – Grades 2-3
Using actual photographs of the downtown Winter Garden taken throughout the 20th century, students observe how buildings, people and transportation have changed over time.
Length of presentation: 30 minute
Program cost: $75/1st presentation, $50/ each   additional presentation on the same day.

For more information, to book a program, or to receive a list of Sunshine State Standards addressed in the programs, email Kay at kcappleman@wghf.org.