Each year, the staff of Angel Island State Park offers an overnight Living History Program (LHP) for fourth and fifth grade classes. Each class is limited to 44 people, of which no more than 11 can be adults (including the teacher). The program is offered twice each week and is supervised on site by a state park employee.

The program takes place at Camp Reynolds, which was built by the U.S. Army in 1863 to help defend San Francisco Bay from Confederate raiders.

The Program:

When the class arrives at the island, all participants become soldiers in the U.S. Army in the year 1864. They march to Camp Reynolds carrying their personal gear on their backs. Bunks are then assigned in the Quartermaster building for the night. During the day, these new recruits receive training in militia drill, compass orienteering, mess cooking, bread baking, and flag signaling. In the evening, a night reconnaissance hike is made to Mt. Livermore. Later that night, each squad is assigned a security watch period and must maintain a journal of their experiences. The next morning, park staff returns and uses a group of students to help fire a twelve-pound mountain howitzer cannon.

How to Apply/Program Requirements:

If you are interested in this program, please complete an online application. Applications are normally taken in the spring for the following school year. Occasionally, there are cancellations and late applications can be considered. Teachers who return their applications first will be given priority for their date selection. Program dates will be determined on a first come, first served basis. Once accepted into the Angel Island LHP, the teacher must attend a weekend workshop held on the island in September. Food and teaching materials are supplied for the workshop at a cost of $25 per person. Teachers participate in the program, as your students will--carrying all your equipment for 1.5 miles.

Frequency/Costs:

We now offer our Living History Program to 80 classes per year: 2 classes per week. The program fee is $15 per person with a maximum or 44 people. A non-refundable $100 deposit is due in September to hold the field trip date and subtracted from the remaining balance which can be paid two months before your trip. Trip cancellations under 30 days will not receive a full refund of program fees. The class must supply their own food (about $200 to $250) and pay transportation costs to the island. As of spring, 2008, using the school group rate, the ferry fees are as follow:

To purchase Civil War Caps (optional) at $4.00/cap call the LHP Coordinator at 415-435-5390 one month prior to your field trip date so that they can be ordered.

Summary/Contact Information:

Our program offers a personal experience of living in the past and has a profound effect on the student’s interest in history. The class will leave Angel Island with a greater understanding of and connection to history.