School Groups

Between 1843 and 1869 nearly 500,000 pioneers packed up their belongings and crossed the Nebraska prairie on the Oregon, Mormon and California trails. Trails experiences come to life as you travel through the Archway show. Learn about the Great Platte River Road, the route followed by the overland trails, the first transcontinental railroad and the first transcontinental interstate. From a buffalo stampede to a Lincoln Highway drive-in movie and more, experience the route that opened the West.

2009-2010 SCHOOL PRICES

Archway Tour only - $3.00 per person (1 hour)
Tour + Two Historical Re-enactments - $4.00 per person (1 1/2 hours)

See linked flyers for each educational program for length, standards addressed, and pricing
Maze - $2.00 per person (15 minutes)

2009-2010 EDUCATION PROGRAMS

These programs address Nebraska Social Studies/History, Science, Reading and Writing Content Standards. See examples under each program description.

PROGRAMS OFFERED DURING SPECIFIC TIMES OF THE YEAR

SANDHILL CRANE PROGRAM March 12-April 4, 2010 (click here for program flyer)

Tour the Archway, watch a film about sandhill cranes, and go out into the country with one of our trained guides to learn about the incredible sandhill cranes!

THE GREAT PLATTE RIVER "BIRD" ROAD, March, April (click here for program flyer)

Schools can come to the Archway to learn more about birds and their importance to different Native American tribes, and their use in Native American teaching myths.  Can't come to the Archway?  If you are within 100 miles, we can bring the program to your class!

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING FOR APRIL AND MAY, 2010

150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PONY EXPRESS!  (click here for program flyer)

Special programming will take place during April and May of 2010 for to celebrate this important anniversary.  Our newly finished "sod house on the prairie" location will be the site for this wonderful program. Also, be sure to visit Fort Kearny,  an actual Pony Express stop on the Oregon Trail!

AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH PROGRAM, November  (click here for program flyer)

Continually building Native relations , the Archway presents American Indian Heritage Month Programs in November that are second to none, and are endorsed by the Nebraska Department of Education's Office of Native American Education.

PROGRAMS OFFERED DURING ANY MONTH OF THE YEAR

HISTORIC RE-ENACTMENT TOUR - ( click here for a detailed description of re-enactments)
Tour the Archway and experience two living history reenactments presented by Archway actors and actresses. These first-hand accounts detail the extreme challenges of the era of the trails, and pay tribute to the strength of the human spirit. Listen to the heart-wrenching story of Eliza Donner, the challenges of the Pony Express riders, tales from an early Irish immigrant, stories from Ft. Kearny commanding officer Frank North, the fascinating tale of the coming of the railroad, and more.
Social Studies/History 4.6 Science 8.7
Reading/Writing 4.4.1, 8.1.6

FROM TRAILS TO RAILS (click here for program flyer)
Leave Independence, MO in 1858, your jumping off point for the Oregon Trail. Buy all of the supplies that you will need to travel the Great Platte River Road. Will you have enough money? Start a new town along the road and experience the coming of the transcontinental railroad in 1866. What will it mean to your new town? Take a trip to Promontory, Utah for the driving of the Golden Spike in 1869.
Social Studies/History 4.9, 4.10, 8.1.6
Reading/Writing 4.1.1, Mathematics 4.2.1

PAWNEE OF THE PLAINS (click here for program flyer)
Celebrating the culture of the oldest tribe of central Nebraska, students will learn about the fascinating aspects of Pawnee life and be entertained by true tribal stories. This program includes hands on activities for kids, demonstrations of Pawnee gardening techniques, tools used from nature, and displays of authentic Pawnee corn and seeds.
Social Studies/History 8.1.9
Reading/Writing 4.2.4, 4.4.1, 8.1.1

TRAILBLAZER  (click here for program flyer)
The 500,000 pioneers who followed the overland routes through Nebraska blazed new trails. Learn about the difficulties and dangers that they faced. Learn about the Oregon, Mormon, and California trails as well as the Pony Express and stagecoach routes and hear true stories from the trails. Discover why all of the trails converged near Ft. Kearny, and how the Great Platte River Road got its name. Weather permitting, blaze your own trail through the TrailBlaze Maze.
Social Studies/History 4.1.0, 4.6, 8.7.1
Reading/Writing 4.3.1, 8.1.2, Science 8.1.3

The TrailBlazeMaze is open April through October, with additional times as the weather permits.

To receive more information on our School Programs please contact Ronnie O'Brien at 877-511-ARCH or by email at robrien@archway.org.