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Dear Teachers, Parents and Administrators,

As the current school year comes to a close, we are now reaching out to let you know of exciting developments regarding our field trip program.

First, the Mission’s education program has been rebranded as “Remembering the Builders: Mission San Juan Capistrano Student Education Program.” This new name reflects our effort to focus on sharing the many facets of history and ensures that we are celebrating the contributions of our builders.

Secondly, with the new effort, we are proud to announce we will debut a brand new self-guided audio tour experience for the coming school year designed just for students. The new tour, entitled, “If These Walls Could Talk: Remember the Builders,” was designed especially for California students working on their Mission studies. The new audio tour takes learners to 21 stops to learn about the varied 246-year-old history of the Mission hearing from the “Grandmotherly Mission Wall” who introduces the listeners to indigenous builders, soldiers, padres, and more. 

We believe the students will truly enjoy this special learning experience and learn more about the multiple facets of history and the contributions of many.

To further help facilitate learning, we are extremely proud to announce next school year Mission San Juan Capistrano will offer free funding for up to
150 students per day in most months of the school year. This funding opportunity has been underwritten by grants and donations from generous donors from all backgrounds. As a result, more students will be able to enjoy our new audio tour AND experience our Mission Matters adobe brick making class at no expense. This combined experience is valued at $19.00 per student.

Every student will also receive a special commemorative bracelet that reads “Remember the Builders” so they can take home a memento to remember their field trip. Finally, any teacher that books their school or class for a field trip to the Mission also receives our free video
“In our Voice: Mission Bell Ringing and Native American Singing”. This video is valued at $50.  

Our education programs continue to meet or exceed the State of California’s curriculum standards for learning about history, social sciences, and some science.

If you would like to sign up for Adopt-A-Class funding or book a field trip for the next 2023-2024 school year, please submit your field trip request form at https://www.missionsjc.com/book/ and let us know in the “comments section” that you are requesting Adopt-A-Class funding. Adopt-A-Class funded field trips take place in September, October, November, December, January, and June. We are not able to accommodate Adopt-A-Class field trips in February, March, April, and May.

We still invite you to book your field trip early and reserve your audio tour or guided tour as soon as possible. To provide a better learning environment for all this year, we are also limiting our daily capacity to 500 students (down from 1,000 students) so space will fill early for the second semester.

With these important and meaningful changes to our education program, we hope we will be welcoming your students back to Mission San Juan Capistrano in 2023-2024 to Remember the Builders and gain greater respect and appreciation for the past.

Sincerely,

Mechelle Lawrence-Adams
Executive Director

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Content Standards

Mission San Juan Capistrano is dedicated to providing students with the highest quality, standards-based field trip experience. All of our tours and education programs support the Mission San Juan Capistrano is dedicated to providing students with the highest quality, standards-based field trip experience. All of our distance learning and onsite programs support the California History-Social Science Content Standards and Framework (CA HSS). In addition to this, many of our education programs also align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Our educational experiences are geared toward 3rd and 4th Grade learning, however, they can be adjusted to be appropriate for any grade level if you let our staff know when you book your field trip. To learn more about our standards-based field trips please look at the chart below:

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OC Superintendent of Schools Endorses Mission Programming

“With its rare artifacts and treasures, Mission San Juan Capistrano serves as a connection to Orange County’s historic past and a symbol of its enduring and multicultural character. Year after year, this venerable landmark presents our students with rich educational experiences and memories that will last throughout their lives.”

Al Mija​res, Ph.D.
Orange County Superintendent of Schools​

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Educational Staff

KENDRA FLUHR Group Bookings Manager
Phone: (949) 234-1306
Email: kfluhr@missionsjc.com

JANE TACKETT Group Bookings Coordinator and Educational Outreach
Phone: (949) 234-1358
Email: jtackett@missionsjc.com

GUEST SERVICES Gate House and Field Staff, Education Assistants
Our friendly and knowledgable staff help facilitate a positive field trip experience, welcome students and review safety expectations.  They will be available to help you find your way around the Mission, and have an inspired learning experience. Our staff is committed to ensuring an excellent guest experience through service, stewardship and safety.

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