Facilitating School Field Trips to First State National Historical Park

In 2024, the Friends of First State played a pivotal role in creating educational opportunities for local students by funding a school bus program. This initiative allowed schools across the region to bring students to the park for enriching field trips, without the burden of transportation costs limiting access. By removing this barrier, hundreds of children experienced hands-on learning in a natural and historic setting, connecting them to themes of preservation, history, and science.

Two standout programs brought these lessons to life. Saving the Past, Shaping the Future welcomed 1,215 fourth-grade students to explore seven interactive stations focused on preservation through art, culture, and history. Meanwhile, Make a Splash brought 579 fourth-graders to learn about the historical and scientific importance of water, from its use at the John Dickinson Plantation to its ecological significance at the Delaware National Estuarine Research Center.

These experiences are more than just field trips; they’re moments of inspiration. Many students, some visiting the park for the first time, left with a greater appreciation for their local environment and a deeper understanding of its historical importance. By investing in these programs, the Friends of First State are planting the seeds for a future generation of park stewards and conservationists.