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School Field Trip Options
Surveyor's House
Who is Laura Ingalls Wilder?
All field trip groups will visit the Surveyor's house, where we will talk about Laura’s life and her books. The overview begins with where Laura was born and the many places she traveled. Students will learn how Laura and her family came to live in the Surveyors’ House and play a game of “can you find” where the students find artifacts located throughout the home.
Key Takeaway: Learn who Laura Ingalls Wilder is and about her life in De Smet
The Discovery Center
Choose from the following:
1. Pa Goes Hunting
Students learn how Pa, like all pioneers, prepared for a hunting trip. They experience the art of “tracking” by making their own animal track out of Plaster of Paris. They will also have the opportunity to see and touch animal pelts while learning about their uses.
Key Takeaway: How Pa provided food for his family. Pioneers often didn’t have a grocery store to purchase meat; instead, they went hunting to provide meat for their families.
2. Ma's Kitchen
Students will discover what it was like for Ma to cook without electricity. They will learn about the food that was eaten and how much harder it was to prepare. It could be an all-day project. The activity will include hands on fun with antique kitchen tools.
Key Takeaway: Children will learn how Ma cooked for her family in Laura's day without the help of technology or grocery stores.
Visitor Center
Choose from the following depending on your available time.
1. Wagon Adventures (weather permitting)
What was it like for Laura and her family to travel thousands of miles in a wagon? She and her family traversed more than 6 states in wagon. Students will get to climb into a fully restored wagon. They will learn about traveling in such a vehicle and become familiar with both the adventures
and difficulties.
Key Takeaway: This was the Ingalls family's mode of travel. Wagon travel was much more difficult than our main modes of travel today.
Alt 1. (in inclement weather) Pioneer School Days
What was it like going to school on the prairie nearly 150 years ago? What was it like for Laura both as a student and a teacher? Take a journey into history and experience school days from long ago.
2. Exhibit & Behind Closed Doors
Immerse your students in this year's exhibit and take a tour of our Archive Room. A museum is a place to learn about art, history, science, and culture. It is a building or institution that collects, preserves and displays artifacts for the public to view and learn from. Explore the vibrant world of museums, discovering what they truly are, why they hold immense significance, and how they operate.
Key Takeaway: History is our story. Remember, museums are not just repositories; they are vibrant spaces where history, art, and knowledge come alive.
Gift Shop
Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society is non-profit organization that seeks to promote and preserve the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy in South Dakota. Laura's history is our history as South Dakotan's and as Americans. One of the many ways that we are able to continue our work is through revenue generated at our gift shop and through donations. We invite you and your students to visit our shop and pick up something to remember your visit.
All proceeds go to preserving Laura's Legacy and the historic homes.
How to sign up
About Our School Fieldtrips
Our History
Reserve Your Spot Today
Customizable
Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society was founded by those who knew her and wanted to preserve her history and legacy because they realized that in so doing, they were preserving the American Story as well. Laura's history is our history too! Because of this the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society endeavors to provide fun educational programs for you and your students.
Customizable
Reserve Your Spot Today
Customizable
Create your customized fieldtrip by selecting the options that your students would enjoy. Each option will take 30 minutes. All groups start with the "Who is Laura Ingalls Wilder?" session at the Surveyors’ House. Then it is off to the activities you have chosen. Pick one activity for each building you want to visit.
Reserve Your Spot Today
Reserve Your Spot Today
Reserve Your Spot Today
Fieldtrips can be scheduled in September and May
Tuesday-Friday
10:00AM & 1:00 PM
on a space available basis.
1.605.854.3383
or by email
Each session will take about 30 minutes. All groups will spend 30 minutes at the
Surveyors’ House. The length of your visit depends on how many sessions you select.
Cost
Reserve Your Spot Today
Reserve Your Spot Today
Admission
$9 per person
Tour + School Fieldtrip
Adults $ 22.50
Children 6-12 $15.50
Preserving Laura's legacy
Support the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society in preserving the cherished heritage and historic landmarks of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Your donation helps restore and preserve irreplaceable historic buildings and artifacts keeping Laura's legacy alive for future generations.