Thank you for your interest in Antietam National Battlefield. This overview of the park's educational programs and facilities is designed to assist you in planning your visit to the battlefield. You may want to enhance your visit by having your students participate in an activity led by a park ranger. Educational programs are offered year round to school groups, scout troops, elder hostels, summer camps, ROTC, and other educational groups. Park rangers present the following curriculum based school programs:

1. Cannoneers, To Your Posts: Students will do a Civil War artillery drill with artillery implements using one of the park's cannons. (No actual firing of the cannon.) In case of bad weather, this program cannot be done inside. This program can be modified for more advanced groups such as college students and elder hostel groups. Group size: Up to 40 students. (5th grade and over) Time: 30 - 45 minutes.

2. Flags That Talk Students will be divided into "signal stations," with each station comprising three or four students. Using signal flags and cipher discs, students will send and receive messages the way Civil War armies did. In case of bad weather, smaller groups can do this program inside the Mumma Barn. This program can be modified for more advanced groups such as college students and elder hostel groups. Group size: Up to 40 students. (5th grade and over) Time: 30 - 45 minutes.

3. Civil War Soldier A park ranger will discuss the life and times of a typical Civil War soldier. Clothing, leather gear and other items are passed out for the students to examine. Depending on weather and available staff, this activity may include a black powder musket firing demonstration by one of the park rangers. This has less hands-on experience than in activities #1 and #2, but is a better program for large groups and younger students. In case of bad weather, this program can be done inside (without the firing demonstration). Group size: Up to 100 students. (3rd to 5th grade) Time: 30 minutes.

4. Angels of the Battlefield This is a role-playing activity. Students will re-create the Battle of Antietam. Students will discuss how they would feel before and during the battle, and about the care they received afterwards. They will also dramatize medical care, field hospitals, and Clara Barton's role as a nurse. In case of bad weather, a modified version of this program can be inside the Mumma Barn. Group size: 30 - 100 students. (5th to 8th grade) Time: 45 - 60 minutes.

5. Battlefield in a Box A ranger will lay out a large map on the ground that shows the roads, bridges and other features of the battlefield. Groups of students can be moved around the map to illustrate the movements of troops during the battle. This provides a good overview of the battle. A short version of this program can be done indoors in case of bad weather. This program can be modified for more advanced groups such as college students and elder hostel groups. Group size: Up to 75 students. (6th grade and older) Time: 45 minutes.

6. Mumma Cemetery Exploration A ranger will lead the group to the Mumma Family Cemetery where students will work individually or in pairs to observe the cemetery and tombstones and answer questions on a worksheet. Afterwards the group will discuss what they have learned with the ranger. In case of bad weather this activity cannot be done inside. Group size: Up to 50 students. (5th-8th grade) Time: 30-45 minutes. Click here for the Mumma Cemetery Exploration Worksheet.

7. Sounds of Antietam This activity helps students visualize the events that occurred during many Civil War battles by adding sound effects to a narrative. Students are given "sound" cards, and make those sounds when cued by the ranger or teacher while s/he reads a narrative. This activity can be done inside in case of bad weather. Group size: Up to 50 students. (5th-8th grade) Time: 30 minutes.

8. Mumma & Roulette Farms Trail: This hiking trail combines social studies and science. Topics include the aftermath of the battle of Antietam, slavery, soil formation, elements of the ecosystem, water cycle, food chains, decomposition, succession, watershed, riparian restoration, battlefield preservation, and many more topics. Teachers can choose what topics to cover with students. This trail is designed as a teacher led activity. (Depending on group size and staffing, rangers may be available to lead this activity). Teachers are provided with an easy to use trail guide, map, laminated photos, and other teaching aids. The trail is about one mile long and is not wheelchair accessible. Students are encouraged to wear sturdy walking shoes and to dress for the weather. Group size: Up to 30 students per group. (Larger groups can be divided into smaller groups for walking the trail as long as there are at least two adults per group). (5th grade and over) Time: 1 to 1 ½ hours.

THERE ARE PRIMARILY THREE PHYSICAL AREAS THAT WILL INTEREST YOU:

1. Antietam National Battlefield Mumma Farm Education Center: All education programs take place at this facility located at the historic Mumma Farm. The classroom is available for watching the video, "Antietam Visit", a 26-minute film on the battle. For students above 7th grade the one hour "Antietam Documentary" is also available.

2. Battlefield Tour: A nine-mile, bus accessible, tour road with eleven stops takes you through the battlefield. The park will provide you with a map of the battlefield. When doing the tour on your own ask for the "People and Places of Antietam" handout. This includes stories specific to each stop on the route and is especially suitable for school groups.

Another teacher-led activity that can be done while on the tour is "Interview a Monument". For this activity, students work in pairs or small groups to study a monument and answer the questions on a worksheet. Please ask the ranger for the worksheet when you make reservations. A good place for this activity is stop number 4 on the driving tour. Click here for "Interview a Monument" Worksheet.

3. Visitor Center: This facility includes a museum, a bookstore, movie theatre, and restrooms.

Activities in the visitor center and on the battlefield tour are designed for you to do on your own. The battlefield tour will probably take about an hour and a half, giving students time to walk Bloody Lane and to Burnside Bridge.

Planning Your Visit:
When planning your trip, please keep in mind: 1) there are no soda machines or snack bars at the battlefield; 2) you may picnic on the grass, but there are no formal picnic facilities; please bring your own trash bags; 3) in case of bad weather, some programs can be modified and presented in the Mumma Barn; 4) there are rest-rooms at the Mumma Farm Education Center; 5) for groups who stop at the park visitor center, please make sure your groups are properly chaperoned. Please make sure large groups are divided into smaller groups and rotated through the visitor center.

Reservations are required for visits by school groups participating in ranger-led activities. Spring trips need to be scheduled as early as possible. Staff cannot accommodate groups of less than 15. Please contact Park Ranger Christie Stanczak or Park Ranger Gordie Thorpe at (301) 432-4567 for reservations or for more information about your visit or you can e-mail us.

Fee Waiver:
Educational groups are entitled to a waiver of the park entrance fees if they are making an educational visit to the battlefield. In order to qualify for a fee waiver your organization must be officially recognized as an educational institution by a government entity and the purpose of your visit must be educational and related directly to a course of study. In order for the park to waive entrance fees for your group, you must submit a written request for a fee waiver on your school's official letterhead in advance of your visit. This letter should include a written statement of educational purpose for your visit, the time and date of your visit, and the number of people in your group.

Please send your fee waiver request to Mr. John Howard, Superintendent, Antietam National Battlefield, P.O. Box 158, Sharpsburg, MD 21782-0158. Or you may fax Mr. Howard at
(301) 432-4590. Please be sure to include your fax number.

Please remember that Antietam National Battlefield is a place of reflection. It is important that students maintain good behavior appropriate for a solemn place. We look forward to seeing you at Antietam National Battlefield.