Gettysburg National Military Park, situated only 90 minutes north of the capital, has long been on the decline as a stop for class trippers heading to Washington or New York. However, there are several new additions to the NPS Park Ranger Educational Programs, and Charleston National Tours could not be more excited! One of the more exciting offerings are the several “Battlefield Footsteps” program. A school group can choose to follow one of four divisions at Gettysburg, each offering its own insight into what the battle may have been like for both sides. A group can now participate in a reenactment of the ill fated “Pickett’s Charge. Students will walk the one mile march across open fields on their way to Cemetery Ridge role playing different scenarios as their division gets ever closer to Federal’s awaiting them. The NPS makes use of first hand accounts of rebels and obstacles they would have encountered that bring that ill fated charge to life! Pickett’s Charge Program Guide – Courtesy of the NPS
Students can also reenact that chance meeting between the 6th Wisconsin and rebel cavalry on the outskirts of Gettysburg early on July 1, 1863 as Colonel Dawes’ division advances on firing Confederate forces at the famous railroad cut west of Gettysburg. Leadership is stressed in this program and it determines the victor in this unique offering of the NPS. Battlefield Footsteps Program Guide – Courtesy of the NPS
One program we are especially excited about is a program for built specifically for 8th grade or Senior Class Trips, it is the NPS’s Unfinished Work Program. This program looks at the battle from an aftermath perspective, its consequences, destruction, and the necessary rebuilding. In groups, students will read President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, while simulating the identification process of soldiers killed in battle. This moving program will see students read the letters of ten soldiers buried in the Gettysburg National Cemetery. What an invaluable experience as we celebrate 150 years of the Battle of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Address!
Another impressive new addition is for the younger students, grades 4-8, this program features a 1/4 mile hike down Big Round Top, to the farm of the Slyder Family. We feel the hike down Big Round Top would be worth it by itself, but after arriving at the family farm the students will see a civilians perspective on the battle. Students are split and some will role play the parts of the Slyder’s themselves, and some students will take on the roles of soldiers the family encountered during those three days in July of 1863. Impact of the War Program Guide – Courtesy of the NPS
If your group would like participate in one of these ranger led programs while on your adventure with Charleston National Tours, contact peter@charlestonnationaltours.com, to confirm your reservation. These experiences are reserved very quickly and advance notice is needed to reserve a spot for your students.
The Thrifty Little Traveler 