Home School Educators

The Education Department at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum is proud to partner with home school educators in Florida and beyond. We offer several programs for home school students.

Home School Days - Spring 2010

• October 7, 2009: Shipwreck Discovery, Ages 2-17
• November 18, 2009: Civil War at Sea, Ages 2-17
• January 14, 2009: Shipwreck Passage, Ages 2-17
• April 7, 2010: A Sailor's Life, Ages 2-17
• May 12, 2010: Shrimp Boats A-Coming, Ages 2-17

Lighthouse and Museum Tour

This guided tour for groups of 20 or more includes a climb up the 219 steps to the top of the tower for a glimpse at an operating first order Fresnel lens and the inner workings of a lighthouse. You will also visit our museum located in the restored Keepers' House. Self-guided tours for groups of fewer than 20 are also available.
[More information]

Pre and post program study materials are available by request as well as Sunshine Standards covered. For information contact the Education Department at 904-829-0745 x 208, 223 or 201 or ckastle@staugustinelighthouse.com.

Important: Every child under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult when they climb the tower. An adult may chaperone up to six children at a time. Children who are less than 44" tall who may not climb the tower must be accompanied by an adult at the base. No children may be carried up or down the tower.

Shipwreck Discovery

October 7, 2009
Ages 2 - 17
5.00 students / $6.00 adults
Pre-registration and prepayment is required

Go "down below the waves" and learn about being an underwater archeologist. Three stations will focus on aspects of maritime history as it relates to the St. Augustine Lighthouse, such as aspects of underwater archeology including hands-on demonstrations of equipment, a chance to see artifacts, and also a look into ships and sailing. This program addresses Sunshine Standards in the areas of Language Arts, Social Studies, Music, and Art.

Station One: Down Below the Waves A participatory presentation of songs and stories that look into our maritime heritage especially as it relates to underwater archeology with Chris Kastle our Director of Education, an internationally acclaimed performer.

Station Two: Basics of Underwater Archeology A member of our outstanding Lighthouse Archeological Maritime Program here at the museum, will discuss and demonstrate the use of a variety of equipment used by underwater archeologists as well as the requirements to be an underwater archeologist and will also talk about current LAMP projects.

Station Three: The Lighthouse Students will learn about the historic challenges of navigating the St. Augustine Coast with one of our highly trained docents and be able to see the coastline as it now appears when they climb the tower.

[Back to top]

Civil War at Sea

November 18, 2009
Ages 2 - 17
5.00 students / $6.00 adults
Pre-registration and prepayment is required

Meet local heroes, see sunken ships, hear tales of bravery, and secrets of survival during the Civil War. This program will address Sunshine Standards in the areas of Language Arts, Social Studies, Music, Science, and the Arts.

Station One: Songs of the Civil War A participatory presentation of songs and stories that look into our maritime heritage especially as it relates to the Civil War lead by Chris Kastle our Director of Education, an internationally acclaimed performer.

Station Two: Waiting Ashore See the war from the point of view of a young lady in St. Augustine waiting for her betrothed to come home. Learn about the clothes of the day and learn how to do the Virginia Reel from Susan Graffweg, our Educator and also a long-time historic interpreter.

Station Three: Entering the Harbor Students will learn about the historic challenges of navigating the St. Augustine Coast with one of our highly trained docents and be able to see the coastline as it now appears when they climb the tower.

Station Four: Ships of the Civil War Students will learn about the technological advances that changed the face of naval warfare through a story and comprehension exercise.

[Back to top]

Shipwreck Passage: A Game of Adventure on the High Seas

January 14, 2010
Ages 2 - 17
5.00 students / $6.00 adults
Pre-registration and prepayment is required

A fun and educational board game for up to five small groups. This program addresses Sunshine Standards in Social Studies, Language Arts, Science, and Math.

Object of the Game: To depart from Cadiz, Spain, cross the Atlantic Ocean, and arrive in St. Augustine, Florida with your crew and cargo intact. Those with the greatest number of surviving crew and largest amount of cargo brought to shore win the game.

Number of Players: Up to five teams of 4-6 players. For levels third, forth, or fifth grade and above.

[Back to top]

A Sailor's Life

April 7, 2010
Ages 2 - 17
5.00 students / $6.00 adults
Pre-registration and prepayment is required

Hoist the hook and haul the sails. Learn about what it was like to be a member of the crew on a tall ship in days gone by. This program addresses Sunshine Standards in Social Studies, Language Arts, Science, Music, and the Arts.

Station One: Shanties and Forecastle Songs A participatory presentation of songs and stories that look into our maritime heritage especially as it relates to sailing ships lead by Chris Kastle our Director of Education, an internationally acclaimed performer.

Station Two: Living Conditions Learn about the sailors lot on board ship i.e. where they slept, what they ate, and their health with our Educator, Wendy Thomson, an experienced sailor.

Station Three: Knots Students will learn how to tie the most important knot and more with Rick Cain, our Deputy Director and Lighthouse Keeper.

Station Four: The Anatomy of a Ship Students will learn the basic parts of sailing ship with one of our highly trained docents.

[Back to top]

Shrimp Boats A-Coming

May 12, 2010
Ages 2 - 17
5.00 students / $6.00 adults
Pre-registration and prepayment is required

Learn about shrimp, the shrimping industry, and boat building in St. Augustine. This program addresses Sunshine Standards in Social Studies, Language Arts, Science, Music, Math, and the Arts.

Station One: Stories, Songs and Shrimp A presentation of stories of shrimping families and even a shrimping song lead by Chris Kastle our Director of Education.

Station Two: Shrimping in St. Augustine Learn about the shrimping and shrimp boats and see related artifacts with Kathleen McCormick, our Director of Conservation.

Station Three: Old Family Recipes Students will read and talk about recipes from the Versaggi Family cookbook and create a recipe of their own.

Station Four: The Anatomy of a Shrimp Students will learn about the kinds of shrimp caught out of St. Augustine as well as the basic parts of a shrimp.

[ Explore || Visit || Shop || Donate || LAMP || About Us || Blog ]

Copyright © 2004-2010 by the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum || Privacy Policy || Site Map

Web Site Design by Atlas Design Solutions of St. Augustine FL.