What you should understand before setting up an Educational Visit:

Scheduling a reservation:

Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be flexible, as you may not get your first or second choice of dates.

Class field trip sessions are offered on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 10:30 and 11:30AM (we are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.) We may also be able to offer slots in the afternoon, if that better suits your schedule.

We can accommodate class groups no larger than 55 persons total. Adult chaperones must be provided at a ratio of one adult for every ten students.

Reservations for school groups can be made by calling 516-922-4271 ext. 33. Please ask one of the reservation managers for assistance in reserving time for your field trip.

Preparing for the visit:

Once your reservation is set, there are three important steps in planning any field trip to Sagamore Hill:

1. Teach at least one unit on Theodore Roosevelt prior to your visit to Sagamore Hill.

Adequate class preparation is essential to tie your curriculum with the material covered during your field trip to the Park. Students who have at least some background information on Theodore Roosevelt will have a much better experience at Sagamore Hill than those students who do not.

For ideas, see the curriculum materials section of our website.

2. Bring your class here on schedule and prepared to spend 2 hours at the Park.

Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your appointment and check in with a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center.

Bus Parking: After unloading the students from the buses, please have the driver park in the designated bus parking spaces located in the third division of the lot. Also, please have the driver turn off the bus motor. (Idling is against the law!)

Classes should be split into small groups numbering no more than 14 students. A complete tour of the Theodore Roosevelt Home takes approximately 50 minutes. Students may also visit the Old Orchard Museum to view exhibits, see one or two short films on Theodore Roosevelt, and/or complete one Junior Ranger program.

3. Utilize the Junior Ranger activity booklet Theodore Roosevelt and His Sagamore Hill Home (which we provide to grades 3-8) to do a follow-up lesson with the class after their visit.

We have worked to create an education program in which prior class preparation by the teacher, the visit to Sagamore Hill, and the follow-up Junior Ranger activity are all based on the same themes, goals, and objectives. Therefore, to reinforce what students learned during their field trip, it is important to follow up with the Theodore Roosevelt and His Sagamore Hill Home Junior Ranger booklet in class.

Educational Program Resources

We have structured our educational programs around curriculum-based Junior Ranger Activities that are interesting and enjoyable for the young visitor. Some are designed for class visits, while others are more appropriate for scouting groups; all are suitable for families with children ages eight and up.

Junior Ranger Offerings:

1. Theodore Roosevelt and His Sagamore Hill Home This activity is completed following a visit to the home of the 26th president. Children may do this when they visit with their families, or it is administered as a take-back–to-class activity for school groups who have visited as a follow up to the class visit.

2. The Theodore Roosevelt Museum History Hunt Be a history detective and test your powers of observation. This activity is administered to young people and their families or during a site visit by school groups. For many children this will be their first Junior Ranger experience.

3. Letterboxing Adventures at Sagamore Hill An activity in which you are the detective in search of a hidden letterbox using clues in this booklet. Letterboxing is known as The Outdoor Treasure Hunting Pastime and involves use of compass orientation and puzzle solving. Appropriate for scouting groups or for a family activity.

4. The Wonderbook of Nature: Exploring Natural History at Sagamore Hill This activity book is a field guide to some selected species of plant and animal life found at Sagamore Hill. The activity teaches children to use a printed guide book to identify plants and animals. Appropriate for scouting groups or for a family activity.

5. Advanced Junior Ranger Program for Adults This activity is offered to adults, particularly “Ted-Heads” who want to see how they rank in their knowledge of TR.