Field Trip: Grades PK-1
Grades PK-1

Grades PK-1

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What to Expect

Long Ago & Today Tours

Designed for Students Grades PK - 1
Young learners will explore connections between long ago and today through play, dance, storytelling and hands-on activities. All groups will make and take home a textile craft, learn about history, study the parts of a chicken, explore a 1917 railroad caboose and visit a turn-of-the-20th-century Florida family's cabin.

Check-in: 10:00am
Time: 10:15am-12:00pm
Dates: Tuesday - Fridays on the following dates:
March 28 - May 12, 2023
Student Cost: $10 per student
Chaperones: One adult (teacher or chaperone) per ten students is required and admitted for free. Additional adults pay the rate of $12 each.
Submit a Request for a Reservation Here

Register Your Group Here!
About the Tour

About the Tour

Each group will be greeted by a tour guide who will lead young learners through activities that highlight Florida from long ago. All groups will make and take home a textile craft, learn about chickens, explore a 1917 railroad caboose and visit a turn-of-the-20th-century Florida family's cabin.

Download Museum Map
What to See

What to See

10:00 Check-in
10:15 Introduction
10:30 Chickens on the Farm
10:45 Planting Garden
11:00 Textile Craft
11:15 Train Platform Activity
11:30 Hear a Florida Tall Tales / Smith Family Cabin
11:45 Caboose
12:00 End Tour
12:00 - 1:00 Picnic Lunch* (optional)

Groups will not be shopping in the gift shop. However, chaperones are welcome to visit our gift shop any time during the tour.

*Picnic area available adjacent to Cracker Country following the end of your tour.

Gift Bag - $2 per Student

Gift Bag - $2 per Student

Bring home a souvenir of your trip to the past! These gift bags include a wooden 12 inch ruler, a Florida pencil, and a train theme eraser.

Register your students for the Souvenir Gift Set on the school field trip reservation request form.

This program does not include a visit to the gift shop, so this is a great opportunity for students to take home a memento of their day in the past.

Learning Standards

Learning Standards

This School Tour program aligns with a variety of Kindergarten Sunshine State Standards including:

Dance Critical Thinking & Reflection 1 and Organizational Structure 3

Social Studies American History 2 & 3 and Geography 1

Language Reading Standards 1

Lunch

Lunch

Groups are welcome to bring a picnic lunch. Picnic tables and restroom facilities are provided for use after the morning tour ends at 12:00pm.

Please leave all lunches and coolers in a vehicle until it is time for lunch.

Please note there are no food services facilities on the Fairgrounds.

The Florida State Fairgrounds requires one adult (teacher or chaperone) per every 10 students. All required adults receive free admission for the field trip. Adults accompanying the group beyond the required number of chaperones pay $12 each. All student and adult admissions must be included in one payment.

Chaperones and adults are responsible for the behavior of the group and are required to supervise and stay with students at all times during the visit.

All adult chaperones must arrive on time and enter the field trip with the school. The gates into the Fairgrounds will be closed once the field trip program begins, so late chaperones CANNOT be admitted.

Chaperone Letter
Field Trip Funding Resources

Field Trip Funding Resources

Please ensure that you have a funding source prior to scheduling a field trip. If you need anything from us in order to apply for a grant please let us know.

DonorsChoose.org
This organization connects public schools to a community of donors eager to fund classroom projects.

Some Helpful Information

Field Trip Policies

Browse Policies

Weather

Field Trips take place rain or shine. Please encourage your group to dress appropriately for outdoor activities.

In the event of severe weather... During heavy rain or severe weather we may cancel your tour the day of the tour by calling the phone number you provide. Due to Florida's quickly changing forecasts a decision to cancel will never be made prior to the date of your tour. If we cancel your tour due to severe weather, we will make every effort to reschedule your group on an alternative date.

Group Size

A minimum of 15 participants is required for a field trip program. Groups with fewer participants may be booked for a minimum fee of $150.00 (equivalent to 15 paid admissions).

Chaperones

One adult (teacher or chaperone) per ten students is required and admitted for free. Additional adults pay the rate of $12 each. Adults are responsible for the behavior of the group and are required to supervise and stay with students at all times during their visit.

All student and adult admissions must be included in one payment.
All adult chaperones must arrive on time and enter the museum with the school group. The gates into the Fairgrounds will be closed once the field trip program begins, so late chaperones cannot be admitted.

Deposit

A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is due within 30 days of booking your field trip. The deposit is required to hold your reservation.

Make checks payable to the Florida State Fair Authority and mail to:
P.O. Box 11766
Tampa, Fl. 33680

Pay Online: https://floridastatefair.ticketspice.com/cracker-country-school-tour-deposits-2022-2023

Forms of Payment

Please make all checks payable to the Florida State Fair Authority. We accept all major credit cards.

All student and adult admissions must be included in one payment.

Cancellations

We understand that this will be a difficult school year and that plans may change due to necessary response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Please reach out to us if you have any concerns.

All cancellations must be in writing and emailed to Jennifer Wanecski (jennifer.wanecski@floridastatefair.com)
or mailed to: Attn: Cracker Country
P.O. Box 11766
Tampa, Fl. 33680

Food & Drink

No food or drink is permitted inside of the museum. Please leave all lunches and coolers on the bus. There are water breaks built into your tour and numerous water fountains located throughout the museum that you may use at any time.

Backpacks

For the safety of historic artifacts and the comfort of all visitors, students are not allowed to wear backpacks. However, adults may bring bags if necessary.

Covid-19 Policies

The health and safety of our students, teachers, guests and employees is of paramount importance. It is our mission to keep everyone safe while also continuing to make your visit a memorable experience.

Masks: Masks are welcomed, but not required.
Hands-on Stations: Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the field trip.

Testimonials

Guest Comments - Long Ago & Today

The hands on activities for the children are great to keep them interested! Our guide was great and patient.

Cinthya, School Tour Visitor
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I loved the place - so clean and neat. Everything is amazing.

Carmen, School Tour Visitor
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The fun experience with a step back in time. The sheep wool and cotton was interesting. I loved the whole thing!

Rose Maria, School Tour Visitor
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This was an exceptional field trip!

Maria, School Tour Visitor
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I thought our experience was perfect!! All the kids stayed engaged and were excited about the activities.

Ana, School Tour Visitor
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The tour guides were awesome!

Jasmine, School Tour Visitor
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The activities! Very interactive and hands-on keep kids interested. Great host very age appropriate. Train basket activity was fun!

, School Tour Visitor
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Sign up your young learners for a FUN Florida Field Trip

Bring your school group to a field trip in Tampa Florida designed for Students Ages 4-6. Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and first grade learners will explore connections between long ago and today through play, dance, storytelling and hands-on activities. All groups will make and take home a textile craft, learn about chickens, explore a 1917 railroad caboose and visit a turn-of-the-20th-century Florida family's cabin. 
All activities take place in Tampa's only living history museum.

Great for students in Hillsborough, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Manatee, & Sarasota counties!