Field Trip - People of the Desert

Program Content

This program explores the timeline of human history, heritage, and tradition that have contributed to today's rich cultural landscape. Students will explore:

• Technology of paleo and early agricultural civilizations.
• Art from the thriving period known as the Huhugam, Hohokam, or simply ancestral Sonoran Desert people
• Community resources assembled by the O'odham
• Food traditions that begin on the desert landscape and now appear in kitchens across modern America

AZ Standards: AZ Standards: 4.SP1.2, 4.G1.1, 4.G2.1, 4.G4.1, 4.H1.1

 

Planning Your Field Trip

Where does it take place?

• West district - Signal Hill
  Signal Hill is under construction during the winter season of 2023-2024. For the duration of the project, to protect student safety and the learning experience, People of the Desert will be taking place at the Education Overlook. Same great activities, slightly different views.
  
  temporary location: Education Overlook

How many students can attend?

• Maximum group size: 60

How long is it?

• 2 1/2 hours

What about transportation?

If you need financial support for your transportation, the Friends of Saguaro National Park can help! Title 1 schools from the Tucson area can request a subsidy of us to $250. Schedule the bus through your district transportation office. After your field trip is complete, have your transportation department send the invoice to Environmental Education at 2700 N Kinney Rd. Tucson, AZ 85743 to apply for the transportation subsidy. If transportation requires more than 1 bus to accommodate your students, please let us know.

 

Before Your Field Trip

 

• 

  Before Your Field Trip

  Teachers! Let's get your students ready for their field trip.

  Duration:

  3 minutes, 14 seconds

 

• 

  Voices of the Desert

  "Voices of the Desert" is the 15 minute video program that plays every half an hour at the Red Hills Visitor Center in the western district of Saguaro National Park. The program offers a thought-provoking perspective of the Sonoran Desert and Saguaro cactus through the eyes of those who have lived here for centuries. The video was originally a slide show, produced in 1994. It was produced by the National Park Service at Harpers Ferry Center for Saguaro National Park.

  Duration:

  14 minutes, 27 seconds

 

Getting To Your Field Trip

West district

Signal Hill is under construction during the winter season of 2023-2024. For the duration of the project, to protect student safety and the learning experience, People of the Desert will be taking place at the Education Overlook. Same great activities, slightly different views.

Follow directions below

 

From south of Tucson:

• From I-19 exit onto Ajo Way (State Route 86) and travel west to Kinney Road.
• Turn right (north) on Kinney Road and drive for 18 miles.
• At the junction of Kinney and Mile Wide Roads (one mile past the Desert Museum) turn right into Saguaro National Park.
• Turn right when you see a sign reading "Authorized Vehicles - Environmental Education Center." (If you reach the Red Hills Visitor Center, you went too far. Turn around and take the service road.)
• Make a right and follow the service road all the way up the hill to the large bus turnaround.

From the center of Tucson:

• Travel west on Speedway Boulevard over Gates Pass to Kinney Road. NOTE: Vehicle weight limit 12,000 lbs. Vehicles over 25 feet not recommended. School buses should instead use directions from north or south of Tucson (above and below).
• Turn right (north) on Kinney Road and drive for 4 miles.
• At the junction of Kinney and Mile Wide Roads (one mile past the Desert Museum) turn right into Saguaro National Park.
• Turn right when you see a sign reading "Authorized Vehicles - Environmental Education Center." (If you reach the Red Hills Visitor Center, you went too far. Turn around and take the service road.)
• Make a right and follow the service road all the way up the hill to the large bus turnaround.

From north of Tucson:

• Take I-10 to Avra Valley Road (exit 242) and drive west 6 miles to Sandario Road.
• Turn left (south) on Sandario Road.
• Turn left onto Kinney Road. The Visitor Center is 2 miles on your left.
• Just past the visitor center entrance, turn left at the sign that says "Authorized Vehicles Only - Environmental Education Center”.
• Make a right and follow the service road all the way up the hill to the large bus turnaround.

 

FAQs

Transportation

Need support with transportation? Let the Friends of Saguaro National Park help! The Friends will subsidize up to $250 for district-owned buses from local Title 1 schools to transport students to the park for educational field trips. If transportation requires more than 1 bus to accommodate your students, please let us know in advance for approval. Here are the steps:

• Schedule the bus through your own district transportation office.

• Once the field trip is complete, have your transportation department email us at e-mail us or send the invoice to

Environmental Education
2700 N Kinney Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85743

Invoices must be received with 90 days of the field trips in order to be processed.

Entrance Fees

No. All curriculum-based programs offered by Saguaro National Park are free of charge. Entrance fees are also waived for groups from accredited educational institutions coming to further their academic studies. Follow the instructions on the Educational Fee Waiver page. 

Pre- and Post-Visit Lessons

Review your specific field trip's page for pre- and post-visit videos, lesson plans, and other helpful links. In person pre- and post-visit programs may be available on a limited basis. Contact the Education Team if you'd like additional support before or after your program. e-mail us

Accommodations and Modifications

We uphold the principles of universal design for our programs. That said, if you have participants who need particular accommodations, please indicate that on your Bookings request or let us know via email so we can be prepared and offer the best and most inclusive experience for all students, teachers, and chaperones.

Chaperones

We require a minimum of at least one adult chaperone per 10 students or one for each small group (usually 4). Got extra parents who want to join the fun? Great! The optimal chaperone to student ratio is about 1:6 but if you have a wealth of enthusiastic parents, just let us know in advance. We will put them to work, modelling engaged listening and helping with activities! Chaperones will also be responsible for accompanying students to the bathroom and helping monitor behavior during the program and lunch. Please be sure that chaperones understand their duties and are aware of the field trip requirements by providing our guidelines.

Weather

Field trips are all outside so we avoid the hottest months of the year and only offer programs in the morning. But this is the desert, so having students prepared for heat and sun exposure is part of the learning process. Generally, we offer programs rain or shine but if weather is going to pose a safety hazard, you will be notified before leaving the school.

Cancellations and Changes

Life happens, we know. It may not be possible to add an additional program or change a date as availability is limited. Please notify us immediately if you need to cancel or request any changes. That consideration will allow another class to fill your vacancy. Contact us at 520-733-5157 or e-mail us