Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site presents “Adobe Days Revisited,” an engaging and dynamic experience that complements fourth-grade studies of California’s rancho era. Our costumed docents take children “back in time” to learn what life was like on the Bixby family’s rural sheep ranch shortly before the City of Long Beach was founded. The program’s interactive format includes a tour of the historic adobe house and gardens, plus an opportunity to play old-fashioned games like graces and hoops, participate in every-day chores such as clothes washing or tin punch, and study period artifacts. Modern fourth graders will gain an appreciation of daily activities on a bustling California sheep ranch in the late 1870s.
Priority Deadline: Please complete and the below form. Each school should submit only one form for all fourth-grade classes. The priority deadline for the 2019-2020 school year is September 20th. .
Logistics: Field trips are offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings between October and June, rain or shine. The program starts promptly at 9:30 a.m. and ends at noon, so please plan to arrive by 9:20 a.m. and leave at 12:10 p.m., if not picnicking on site (if you'd like students to use the restrooms before the program or enjoy a picnic lunch afterwards, you will need extra time for these activities). The site can accommodate two fourth-grade classes per day (maximum of 72 students). Schools with more than two full fourth-grade classes will be scheduled on multiple days.
Payment: The field trip fee is $100 per class. This fee includes up to 36 students and 2 adult chaperones (one chaperone is required for every 18 students). An invoice will be sent with your tour confirmation. Full payment must be received 45 days prior to your field trip, or your reservation is subject to cancellation. There are no refunds, unless we fill the space(s).
LBUSD TEACHERS ONLY: Thanks to the generous support of several donors, we are able to waive fees and/or provide transportation scholarships to some qualifying Long Beach Unified Title I schools. If your school would require either type of assistance to participate, please request it below. Note: This is for LBUSD Title I schools only, and funds are limited.
REQUIRED Student Preparation: Teachers should plan to incorporate readings and activities from the “Student Readings & Classroom Projects” packet before visiting the Rancho, so that students will have a meaningful introduction to Rancho Los Cerritos and its history. This packet will be emailed to the field trip coordinator at least a month prior to your field trip. The Rancho also has two award-winning outreach kits available for teachers: “Handling History: Exploring Daily Life on a 19th Century Cattle Ranch” and “Through Children’s Eyes: Rancho Life with Harry & Sarah.” Please call the Rancho’s Education Department to set up a training date if you would like borrow either kit to use in your classroom – it’s free!
