Unable to Schedule a Field Trip to Cantigny Due to Availability?
We welcome your group to still visit Cantigny as an outdoor recreation destination. Consider having your end of year picnic here, or plan a day of team building games- we have great field just right for sports! Spend time in teh gardens and enjoy time climbing in our Tank Park.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to museum capacities, we do not allow groups to take self-guided museum tours of either museum during school tour hours (10:00 am-2:30 pm). If you are unable to schedule a tour you may still visit Cantigny and enjoy the park and gardens- but WILL NOT be permitted into the museums until after the last scheduled school tour.
We encourage you to try our History Trunk Program, download resource packets for use in your classroom or check out a PEAK or Recreation Pack to use during a general park visit.
History trunks provide an opportunity for students to handle uniforms and field gear used by soldiers in a specific war. Trunks are available for the Civil War, World War I and II, the Vietnam War and the Gulf War. A teacher’s guide is included in each trunk. History trunks may be checked out for two weeks and require a reservation made at least one week in advance.
To reserve a history trunk, please contact Museum Educator Melissa Tyer at 630 260 8274 or MTyer@FirstDivisionMuseum.org
Resource Packets
Resource packets may be downloaded from www.FirstDivisionMuseum.org, by clicking Education and Groups, Teachers, and then Resource Packets. The following packets are available: Teachers’ Guide to the First Division Museum, American Revolution Unit, Ottenfeld letters from World War, D-Day, Battle of the Bulge.
PEAK Packs
Cantigny is proud to offer PEAK Packs for use by schools and organized youth groups. PEAK Packs introduce and explore the concepts of Leave No Trace. Leave No Trace is a set of principles for participation in outdoor recreation that seeks to minimize the impact on the natural environment. The program strives to educate all those who enjoy the outdoors about the nature of their recreational impacts as well as techniques to prevent and minimize such impacts. PEAK Packs are available for up to three hours.
PEAK Pack
The PEAK Pack includes six fun and engaging field-tested Activities, which are designed to teach kids age six to twelve about Leave No Trace. Each activity or "module" can be delivered in 30-60 minutes depending on group size, available time, etc. Each module comes in its own plastic folder, and all six modules are included in the backpack- we suggest trying just one or two in a visit. Each module contains instructions on how to facilitate the activity as well as supporting materials. Also included in the PEAK Pack is a Start Card, which offers many helpful teaching tips and an overview of the Leave No Trace program.
Teen Activity Pack
The Teen Activity Pack is a supplement to the PEAK program and consists of four educational activities designed for older youth audiences. These activities include: “Principle Presentation”, “Ethics Game”, “How Prepared are You?” and “Unlocking the Past.” The hands-on activities have been used to educate both teens and adults about Leave No Trace. In addition to learning about the seven principles, the activities engage participants in higher-level discussions surrounding the themes of conservation, land ethics and responsible outdoor recreation.
Fees and reservations: PEAK Packs are available at no charge. A valid driver’s license is required as a deposit at check-out time and a usage agreement must be signed. Teachers/Leaders are asked to reserve backpacks at least one week in advance. A reservation confirmation and facilitator information will be sent. Request forms are available online at www.cantigny.org or by calling 630 260 8162. PEAK Packs are available for pickup at the Visitors Center Information Desk at 9:00 am. PEAK Packs must be returned in their original condition after the three hour ‘rental’ period. PEAK Packs loaned out after 2:00 pm may only have 1-2 hours of usage depending on when the Pack was checked out. (Packs must be returned by 5:00 pm)
Recreation Packs
Check out one of our Recreation Packs and enjoy a variety of sports equipment and games! We have two Packs available - one geared for families/large groups with mixed ages (family pack) and one geared for preK-5th grade day camps and youth groups (youth group pack).
The Family Pack includes: A football, a soccer ball, 2 Frisbees, a horseshoe set, two baseball bats, a baseball tee, bases and baseballs, 6 potato sacks, 4 ‘scoop and toss’ cups and balls, and 6 orange cones. Activity ideas and instructions are included.
Advance reservations are not accepted for our family pack. The family pack is available on a first come, first serve basis.
The Youth Group Pack includes: A football, a soccer ball, 2 Frisbees, a parachute, 6 potato sacks, ostrich egg relay race equipment, Bucket Blast game equipment and 6 orange cones. Activity ideas and instructions are included.
The youth group pack must be reserved at least one week in advance. A reservation confirmation will be sent. Request forms are available online at www.cantigny.org or by calling 630 260 8162.
Recreation Packs can be picked up out at our Visitors Center Information Desk. For either Pack, a valid driver’s license is required as a deposit at check-out time and a usage agreement must be signed. The Family Recreation Pack must be returned in its original condition before park close (sunset).
The Youth Group Pack must be returned in its original condition after the three hour ‘rental’ period. Packs loaned out after 2:00 pm may only have 1-2 hours of usage depending on when the Pack was checked out. (The Pack must be returned by 5:00 pm)