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. Please have an approximate count of all the students and adults you plan to bring when you make your reservation and an accurate count at least two weeks before the day of your visit. If your information changes, please call us at 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. Admission 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 admission of $8.50. The balance amount shown on your invoice is due at least one week before 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.
FOR A SMOOTH CHECK-IN
Upon receipt of the balance of your admission fees, teachers will be sent the specified number of "colony name tags." Each "colony" represents a different group. Students, teachers, and chaperones should be already divided into groups and wearing their name tags upon your arrival.
Plan to arrive between 9:00 and 9:15 a.m. This will enable students to go to the restrooms and be in place for the program, which begins promptly at 9:30 a.m.
PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS
Before your trip, use the American Village Curriculum Guide and other materials to teach about the founding of our Republic. Your visit to the American Village is an extension of the classroom. In the classroom, students learn about the facts, ideas, and people who formed our nation. At the American Village, they will travel through "snap-shots in time" to meet the people and take part in the events that shaped our country's beginning.
Because all groups will not travel through the scenarios in chronological order, it is important for them to have knowledge of "when and where" they are in history. It is also important to understand that the American Village is an "interactive 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 both this interaction and identification with real people of the past that will promote the understanding of the ideas and concepts that led to the founding of our nation and the unique creation of our government.
"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"
The American Village is a great place to visit when students, teachers and chaperones are prepared.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A 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. Please call for the current establishments which provide
this service.
Drinks are available for your lunch. These drinks must be preordered 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 at 11:00 a.m.
The program will resume promptly after lunch. Please have your group ready to go.
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. 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. Many of our props are special reproductions of 18th century items.
It is important to help preserve the American Village by not chewing gum, bringing food or drinks into the buildings and placing all trash in appropriate receptacles.
Video taping of the program is not permitted. Still pictures may be taken at any time.
CHAPERONES
We strongly encourage you to bring at least one or 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 your 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
First Aid services are available in the Visitors Center and Village Hall (Administration Offices)
BAD WEATHER CANCELLATION
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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