Field Trip: The Mission San Juan Capistrano

By: Courtney Mason

Let's visit Mission San Juan Capistrano historic landmark and museum! The class will enjoy budget-friendly activities, and experience culture and history in many ways- from audio tours to educational tour booklets, fun exhibits and historical re-enactments. Students will see a snapshot of California’s history by touring museum exhibits in both the museum rooms and throughout the 10-acre grounds of gardens, fountains and adobe preserved architecture.

Contact Info:

Mission San Juan Capistrano

26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

(949) 234-1300

Hours:

Open Daily: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The historic Mission reserves the right to close due to weather conditions. On rainy days, please call (949) 234-1300 to check hours of operation.

Calendar: Calendar

Visitor Photography Policy:

Still photography is permitted for private, noncommercial use only. Photographs cannot be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner whatsoever. Photography is not permitted in certain special exhibitions or any areas designated "No Photography”. Personal video cameras are permitted, unless otherwise stated and use is subject to the terms above.

Ticket Prices:

Adults: $9 (includes free audio tour)

Children (4 to 11 years): $5

-Purchase tickets online or at the entrance

Directions and Parking:

From the 15 South- Take it to the 91 West to the 55 South to the 5 South. Take the second San Juan Capistrano exit, which is Ortega Highway. Turn right off the freeway onto Ortega Highway. The Mission is straight ahead 2 ½ blocks on the right.

Parking- There is plenty of free public parking available surrounding the Mission. Most visible lots are at the intersection of Ortega Highway and El Camino Real, both are on the north and south side of Ortega Highway and El Camino Real.

Map: Map

For more information, visit the website: Mission SJC

Tours:

-Saved by the Mission Bell: A Child's Journey Through California's History. This audio tour is meant for children of all ages. It is available in English and Spanish and cots $2 per child.

-Daily Guided Tour: For individuals wanting to enhance their experience through an interpretive tour. These drop in tours are available Monday through Friday at 1:00 p.m. and do not require an advance reservation. Minimum group size needed to proceed.

-Docent Guided Tours: Truly enhance your experience at the Mission, our docents dressed in their historic attire do a wonderful job of hosting you through the 10 acres of museum rooms, exhibits, gardens, fountains and more. These tours are offered daily. Availability is limited, book in advance. BY RESERVATION ONLY

-Garden tour: Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m. and at 10:45 a.m.

- Large Group Interpretive Tour: For large groups wanting to enhance their experience through an interpretive tour. Minimum group size of 15 required. Teachers and chaperons are free. Advance reservation is required.

-Self Guided Group Tour: The advantage of booking a self-guided group tour is a discount to adult admission, a cost savings of up to $4 per person. BY RESERVATION ONLY.

-Executive Director Tour: A chance to take a small group tour with the Mission's Executive Director and learn about the details "Behind the Scene" at the Mission. These tours are offered every first Thursday of the month. Advance reservation is required. BY RESERVATION ONLY -Call (949) 234-1306 to book a tour

Activities:

-California Missions Resource Studio: Open Daily • 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

-Koi Fish Feeding: Daily • 12:45 p.m.

-Curiosity Carts: Tuesdays • 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

-Native American Basket Weaving: Wednesdays (1st & 3rd of each month) • 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

-Living History Day: Second Saturday each month • 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Not offered in the following months: March, July, August or December

-Pan for Gold: Saturdays • 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Events Calendar: Events Calendar

The Mission’s Education Programs: Spotlight on Education

- Mission Matters Students will be encouraged to use their five senses in exploring the past.  Mission Matters, a curriculum based program, offers a fun-filled presentation and hands-on activities that examine the daily lives of Mission Native Americans.  Students and adults will delight in the historic fun. Includes presentation, craft materials, and educational lesson plan resources. Activities: Unraveling the Story:  Rope Making offered Wednesdays. Follow the Acjachemen Footsteps: Adobe Brick Making offered Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays.

-Making the Grade (Presented by Discovery Science Center)Join the Discovery Science Center in investigating the building blocks of geology during this scientific exploration of the “Jewel” of the Missions.  Experiment with designs and materials that strengthen structures as large as Mission walls, or as small as a swallow’s nest.  Activities: Collecting soil samples, building a centenary arch, receive a booklet “Science on a Mission”.

-Journeys to the Past: Native American Storytelling2009 Educator of the year, Jacque Nunez takes students on a journey into the lifestyle of the California Indian.  Children experience lively music, story telling, songs, games, and dance with opportunities to participate.  Students leave with an appreciation of environmentalism and what it means to be “keepers of the earth.” Includes Native American singing, games, and culture.  It is a very engaging experience for students!

These educational programs meet the 4th grade CA Social Science Content Standards (4.2 #5).

Exhibits:

-Mission Treasures: Historical Collection Revealed Exhibit featuring historic artifacts, precious and rare paintings, religious artifacts, documents and more related to the Mission's history. Now through September 5, 2011. Daily 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Location: West Wing

-Plein Air Art Reproductions: From the collection of Mrs. Joan Irvine Smith and the Irvine Museum. Beginning January 9th, 2010. Daily 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Location: Soldiers Barracks

-South Wing of the Mission: View the lives of the padres who lived in the South Wing of the Mission during the 18th century. Beginning September 4, 2009. Daily 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Location: South Wing

Fun Things to do at the Mission:

1) Count butterflies and koi 2) Take the children’s audio tour 3) Learn how to make adobe houses and straw dolls4) Learn how Native Americans of Orange County made baskets 5) Visit the demonstration gardens 6) Experience the curiosity carts 7) Visit our traveling exhibits 8) Spend the night at the Mission 9) Participate in Mission Summer Camp 10) Get a scout badge

Zoomars Petting Zoo:

After the Mission tour, we can plan to stay and play at Zoomars Petting Zoo located in the heart of San Juan Capistrano (within walking distance of the Mission and train station).  At Zoomars you will find hundreds of animals to pet, feed, learn from, and love.  A shaded picnic area is available.  Food baskets and pony or train rides available.

Pre-field trip activities:

Before students go on the field trip, they will study the existing missions to find characteristics of a successful mission. Students will imagine that they were there when the missions were being built. Students will search for the perfect location to build a 22nd California mission of their choice. Students will work together in groups to search for a final mission site. Students will need to become experts in the following areas: geography, native people, and natural resources. Once students discover the traits that the original missions have in common, they will research locations in California and choose a new cite. The groups will present their findings to the class. Students should use pictures, charts, and graphs to prove that their chosen site would be successful.

Inquiry-based activity: During the fieldtrip, students will do several games and activities worksheets as we go from event to event.

Games and activities worksheet: Worksheets

Students will also be required to write observation entries in a spiral notebook or journal. Students will take notes about what they see at the mission, any questions they have, what they have learned, and what they liked the most about the mission. Students are highly encouraged to take pictures. They will use their notebook or journal and pictures to complete a project that will be assigned later in class.

History:

Mission San Juan Capistrano has been the home to many people over 230 years of history. Its history consists of memories and stories of its past inhabitants and present visitors. It is a place of historical, cultural, and religious significance, as well as a place of inspiration and education.

Post-field trip activities: Activity pages

Students have learned many facts about the mission San Juan Capistrano from the field trip. Back in the classroom, students will be placed in groups and will cooperatively share the information they have learned. The groups will research facts the mission’s history, such as, the date established, who founded it, the way of life, who inhabited it, how the Indians lives changed, what it produced, it's location, etc. The groups will write a small research paper and then present their findings to the class. Students are allowed to use the Internet, the Encyclopedia, books, articles, magazines, videos, and any information they got from the field trip.

Resources: History of the mission, Historical Society, Preserving the past