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YCC Program Applications are now being accepted for paid summer positions performing work with the Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS), Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). The YCC is a summer employment program for youths from all segments of society, who work, learn and earn together. Participants accomplish needed conservation work by performing supervised projects on public land. Participants learn work ethics and relate with peers from various social, economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds. Applications can be obtained from your school guidance office or the GUIS Headquarters or in Ocean Springs, MS. Applications must be received no later than April 21, 2006 and mailed to Gulf Islands National Seashore, Attn: HRO-YCC, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563. Request applications by telephone at (850) 916-3015 or download the YCC Application. Parks Tell Amazing
Stories The Seashore is part of the National Park System and includes barrier islands, maritime forests and historic fortifications. Gulf Islands National Seashore welcomes school groups to join park rangers and explore the invaluable resources in their "backyard." Curriculum-based programs are offered in social studies and science. Visiting the Sites In Florida, educational programs are offered during the months of October, November, March and April at three park areas: Fort Pickens on the west end of Santa Rosa Island, west of Pensacola Beach; Naval Live Oaks on US Highway 98 east of Gulf Breeze; and Fort Barrancas on board Pensacola Naval Air Station. Fort Pickens and Naval Live Oaks have accessible areas. Picnic facilities are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Fort Pickens (Langdon Beach Gulfside), Naval Live Oaks and Fort Barrancas areas. All other picnic facilities may be reserved. Youth groups who want to camp can click on the Naval Live Oaks reservation form. In Mississippi, ranger-led programs are offered during the months of March through October at Fort Massachusetts. Depending on staff availability, programs in social studies and science can be arranged in the Davis Bayou area. School groups may reserve three picnic pavilions in this area on a first-come, first-serve basis. On West Ship Island, picnic facilities are also available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Storage space is limited on the tour boat and the island, so please take only what you need. Please keep your belongings with you at all times and make sure your food is in a sealed container, so as not to attract animals. Park staff is not responsible for lost or stolen property. The lower section of Fort Massachusetts has accessible areas. A video-taped program of a ranger-led tour of the second tier of the fort is available upon request. Educational
Fee Waivers in Florida Educational fee waivers may be granted to bona-fide educational institutions for free entrance to the Fort Pickens, Perdido Key and Santa Rosa areas of the park. Requests must be submitted in writing on school letterhead at least ten working days prior to arrival. The requesting letter must include: the name of group, the educational activity or program planned, the date of arrival, and specifically state that an "Educational Fee Waiver" is being requested. An educational fee waiver authorization letter from the park must be presented to the entrance gate staff to avoid being charged an entrance fee. Be sure the driver of each vehicle has a copy of the approved fee waiver to present at the entrance gate or they will be charged the normal entrance fees. Groups arriving without a fee waiver letter will be charged $ 3.00 per person for everyone 17 years and older. Contact the supervisory visitor use assistant, at (850) 934-2624 if you have any questions. Self-guided
Facilities: Visitor Centers, Museum and Nature Trails In Florida, teachers may self-guide students through any park areas. Exhibits on barrier islands, plants, animals, Civil War soldiers, and artillery are located in the Fort Pickens Museum, Visitor Centers at Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas. The Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center and Nature Trail (3/4 of a mile) introduce the maritime forest and the historic use of live oak trees for shipbuilding. Movies lasting about 25 minutes for grades K-3 can be shown in the Naval Live Oaks Auditorium for groups making prior arrangements. Teachers may choose from The Lorax (conservation) or Creatures of the Deep (marine life). Please call a park ranger to schedule a self-guided trip at (850) 934-2600 to avoid conflicts with ranger-led programs. In Mississippi, children can partake in Discovery Hunt and Animal Olympics either individually or as part of an educational group at the Visitor Center. In Discovery Hunt, children test their investigative skills by searching exhibits for information about the history of the park and its resources. In Animal Olympics, students mimic the behavior of wildlife.
I.S.L.A.N.D.S. is a natural history curriculum-based program for upper elementary students to use while visiting West Ship Island. This guide, written specifically for 3rd-5th graders can be requested individually by teachers and sent to them. Outreach Programs In Florida,
interpretive park rangers are available on a limited basis to conduct
programs at schools for events such as career day. To make arrangements,
contact the Florida District Park Ranger at (850) 934-2629. In Mississippi, programs can be arranged in the Davis Bayou area in subjects that include social studies and science, depending on staff availability. To make arrangements, please call (228) 875-9057 ext. 114. Conducted Programs:
Tours and Walks in Florida Park rangers conduct one-hour curriculum-based programs from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Reservations are required for ranger-led programs. Maximum group size is two classes. Only one conducted program will be scheduled per class. Teachers may choose either: Fort Pickens or Fort Barrancas tours discuss changes in technology, influence of geography, and Civil War history. Tours are available to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes. The Barrier Island Ecology Walk on the Dune Nature Trail, Fort Pickens area, explores barrier island ecology, plants and animals. The walk is available to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes. Contact a park ranger at (850) 934-2600 to schedule a ranger-led program. Park rangers are available on a limited basis to conduct tours for grades not listed. Please call the Florida District Interpretive Ranger at (850) 934-2629 for information. Teachers are responsible for their group's actions while visiting the park. Please bring an appropriate number of chaperones: 1 adult to 10 students. Loan Materials: The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. Loan materials are a great way to give students an exciting classroom experience. They are curriculum-based and designed as a substitute for a field trip or as a pre-visit activity. Contact a park ranger at (850) 916-3001 to request any of the loan materials listed below. Videos: In Florida, Discover the Seashore - Describes the many natural environments to explore at the park. Grades 3 -6, 20 minutes. Pensacola in the Civil War - Grades 4-6, 15 minutes. National Park Service/ An American Legacy - Introduces the National Park Service and the role of Park Rangers. Grades 3-6, 28 minutes. CD-ROM: In Florida, Gulf Islands National Seashore: A Hidden Treasure- Interactive introduction to the park and its resources. For more information, contact a park ranger at (850) 916-3001. Lesson
Plan: Traveling Trunks:
Coastal Critters - Introduces common marine animals of the seashore. Grades 3-5. Seafaring Sailor - explores Don Tristan de Luna's 1559 colonization attempt in Pensacola. Grades 4-6. Videos: In Mississippi, Tides, Winds, and Waves and Coastal Forts videos are available in the library for loan. For more information, contact a park ranger at (228) 875-9057 ext. 114. CD-ROM: In Mississippi, Eco-ventures: Focus on the Gulf of Mexico is an interactive computer educational program. Copies of the CD are available on loan for teachers. In Mississippi, two Wilderness Traveling Trunks address wilderness ethics and preservation and are available on a loan basis. A curriculum-based program for fifth grade, "A Wilderness Curriculum Guide" is designed for use with resources contained in the wilderness trunks. Call (228) 875-9057 ext. 114. Activity Guide:
For more information on educational programs at Gulf Islands National Seashore write: In Florida, Gulf Islands National Seashore, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563-5000 or call (850) 934-2600/In Mississippi, 3500 Park Road, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 or call (228) 875-9057 ext. 114.
Last Updated:
3/5/04 |
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