Welcome to the American Village. We look forward to offering your group a real "revolutionary experience." We will schedule your program according to the information you provide us. To accurately fill our daily enrollment capacity, it is important that you make your reservation numbers as exact as possible. If your information changes, please call us prior to your visit at (205) 665-3535 or toll free at 1-877-811-1776 to report any additions to your student or chaperone numbers. Enrollment to the American Village is free for one teacher per class, any school administrator and all bus drivers. All other adult visitors and chaperones will be charged the standard enrollment fee of $8.00, which includes one complimentary soft drink per person. The balance amount shown on your invoice is due at least 10 days prior to your visit.
The American Village strives to insure complete access for all visitors. If any of your students have special needs, please inform us in advance so that we may prepare for their visit
After receipt of the balance of your enrollment fees and before your reservation date, teachers will be sent "colony nametags," based on the numbers you have reserved. These nametags, each representing one of the original thirteen colonies, should be used to divide your group into "colonies" with approximately 30 people each. Students, teachers, and chaperones should already be divided into groups and wearing their nametags when they arrive. Please remember, you should have at least two teachers or chaperones with each colony group.
Upon arrival, the contact person must check in at the Visitor Center to give the final count of students and adults. Any additions will receive nametags at that time.
Important: To insure that your group has the opportunity to experience the entire program, you must arrive promptly at 9:00 a.m. This will give you time to check in, enable your students to use the restrooms and be in place when the program begins
The American Village is a great place to learn when students, teachers, and chaperones are prepared! Before your trip, use the American Village Program Guide and other materials to teach your students about the founding of our Republic. The American Village is designed to be an extension of your classroom. In the classroom, students learn facts about the events, ideas, and people who formed our nation. At the American Village they will travel through "snapshots in time" to meet these people and take part in events that shaped our country's beginning.
Because all "colony groups" will not travel through the scenarios in chronological order, it is important that students have knowledge of "when and where" they are in history. It is also important that they understand that the American Village is a "participatory experience." Both students and adults are strongly encouraged to take part in the different scenes, where they will be asked to take on the identities of historical characters. It is this interaction and identification with people of the past that will promote understanding of the ideas and concepts that led to the founding of our nation. The creation of our system of self-government was a unique and "revolutionary" experience. By reliving this experience, students will come to understand that:
"We are standing on the shoulders of others who made choices and took risks for the sake of liberty;
I too can make a difference in this world"
A 30-minute lunch period is provided in the middle of the program. Lunch will be in our picnic area. You may plan to bring sack lunches or you may take advantage of our delivered lunch service from McDonald's. In the near future, you should receive information directly from McDonald's about this special low cost service. Your orders and payment should be made directly to them.
Complimentary soft drinks are provided for your lunch. These drinks must be pre-ordered from the Village using the attached order form. Please return this form no later then one week before your visit so that we may be sure to fill your order.
If you choose to bring sack lunches, combine all lunches into boxes or coolers, and please arrange to have your bus driver(s) or chaperones assist the Village staff in unloading your lunches and delivering them to the picnic area by 11:00 a.m.
The program will resume promptly at the end of the 30-minute lunch period. Please have your group ready to go at this time.
Students will be involved in outside activities - rain or shine. Dress for the weather. Don't forget the sunscreen on sunny days.
Citizenship involves participation and so do our programs at the American Village! It is important that adults participate as well. Students will be more willing to take part in simulations if they see adults enthusiastically involved.
Our historical education Interpreters are talented and dedicated people who bring history to life by interacting with our visitors. Also, many of our props are special reproductions of 18th century items. Please respect the Interpreters and the job they are performing, by telling your students not to touch them or the props they use unless invited to do so.
It is important to help preserve the American Village by not chewing gum or bringing food and drinks into the buildings and by placing all trash in appropriate receptacles.
Video taping of the program is not permitted. Still pictures may be taken at any time.
At the end of your American Village program we invite your group to visit the Patriot Gift Shop where you will find many historic gifts and patriotic souvenirs. To make your shopping more convenient and to avoid the crowds, this packet includes a flyer that allows your group to pre-order a variety of interesting items from the shop. Please return this form at least one week before your visit to insure that your order is filled.
We strongly encourage you to bring at least two chaperones for every 20 students in your group. All students should be accompanied by an adult throughout the entire program. The adults will be responsible for the behavior of the students. Please see our sample letters to be sent out ahead of time to both parents and chaperones, so that they may be more helpful to you.
First Aid services are available in the Visitors Center and Village Hall (Administration Offices)
The American Village is rarely closed for bad weather. If school had been cancelled due to weather conditions on the day of your visit, we will reschedule your school for another day.
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