This curriculum is designed to familiarize high school students with the natural resources at Craters of the Moon National Monument and how the National Park Service manages them.

The curriculum is divided into 7 chapters which focus on areas of concern to park managers. Each chapter contains background information, study questions, and activities to be completed at the monument and in the classroom.

Individual chapters and activities can stand alone as learning units. Feel free to select the combination which best suits your needs. You may also consider splitting your class into small groups and assigning them a variety of activities from different chapters. The activity durations listed represent actual time on location, and do not include driving time within the monument.

Most of the activities in the curriculum will be most effective for groups of 30 students or less. In many cases, you will want to divide the group into smaller groups to accomplish the field work described. Please plan to one adult leader for every 6-8 students. The better prepared the adult assistants are, the more productive an educational experience your students will have. If the group you are bringing is considerably larger, contact us and we will work with you to design an effective experience for your students.

Certain activities require the presence of a Craters of the Moon staff member. This will be noted in the activity description. Reservations are required for activities involving a park ranger, and should be made well in advance of your visit. Certain activities require special supplies or equipment, such as plant identification materials or historic photographs, which are not included with the curriculum. These materials are available in a kit at the monument, and may be borrowed upon your arrival, or prior to your visit if demand is not too great. To make reservations or borrow the support kit, contact the National Park Service at (208)527-3257. We are anxious to offer any assistance you need in planning and implementing a successful field trip. Please feel free to call us.

When to Visit
The 7-mile Loop Drive through the monument is closed from approximately November 1st through April 15. The weather at Craters of the Moon, which is located at 5900 feet, is unpredictable. Cold, windy, or snowy weather is possible even in late May. Canceling a field trip at the last moment is awkward, but trips in poor conditions are not enjoyable or safe. There is no indoor area for groups to utilize.

Most schools visit between May 1st and Memorial Day. After Memorial Day, the monument staff is too busy to assist visiting groups. You may still plan a visit, but should incorporate only activities which do not require National Park Service participation. Groups may also consider visiting in the fall between Labor Day and mid-October.

What to Bring
The weather may be cool, windy and/or damp at any time of year. Make sure your students are adequately prepared for a full day in the out-of-doors. Students should bring a warm jacket, sturdy shoes or boots, rain gear if the weather is threatening, and a flashlight if you plan to visit the caves area. You cannot purchase food at the monument, so make sure everyone packs a lunch if you plan to eat here.

Fees
The monument charges an entrance fee from early June through mid-September. Groups visiting for educational purposes are exempt from this entrance fee. If you plan to visit during that time period, write to the Chief Ranger, Craters of the Moon National Monument, P.O. Box 29, Arco, ID 83213 on your school stationery describing the purpose and date of your visit. You will receive a fee waiver in return, which you can show at the entrance station the day of your visit.

Facilities
The Visitor Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Labor Day through June 1st, and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the summer. The Visitor Center offers a five minute video on volcanic geology, as well as displays on the geology, history, and ecology of the monument. There is also a store which sells books, postcards, posters, videos, slides, film, and other items. A complete list of sales items and prices is available upon request. There are restrooms at the Visitor Center, and at the Caves Area, Devil's Orchard, and Tree Molds parking lots. There is no drinking water beyond the Visitor Center. Picnic facilities are available in the campground and outside the Visitor Center.

Student Conduct
Please discuss the following regulations with your students before your arrival. All the natural features within Craters of the Moon are protected. Collecting rocks and other objects is prohibited. Because climbing on the fragile lava rock can cause irreversible damage, all visitors to the North Crater Flow, Spatters Cones, and Big Crater must stay on the paved walkways. Dispose of all litter properly.

Safety
By far the most common cause of injury at Craters of the Moon is falling on the sharp, abrasive lava rock. Instruct your students to exercise caution and avoid any running, pushing, horseplay or other activities which could cause falls and lead to serious injury. Particular care is required in the caves, due to the lack of light, low ceilings, uneven floors, occasional ice, and small crawl ways. First aid is available at the Visitor Center should anyone in your group get hurt.