The greater Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg area in southern Pennsylvania is a great place for teachers taking students on a field trip to consider. Teachers can center their trip around a variety of activities, such as rail transportation, natural science, local history, and broader American history. Although the area has no single flagship destination, its combination of museums and historic buildings can provide an intellectually stimulating trip.
One location that teachers should consider bringing students to is the Mechanicsburg Museum Association. This collection of buildings has been preserved since the town began development in the 19th century. These buildings demonstrate the town’s railway history and include the Passenger Station, Freight Station, Stationmaster’s house, and the Frankenberger Tavern. The museum association explains that they enabled greater transportation and trade, which led to Mechanicsburg’s growth. It also shows how much a train station’s placement can affect a local economy, although older students may understand this better.
The Museum offers year-round free tours, although volunteers run them on a demand basis. We therefore advise teachers to call ahead to let the Museum know how many students will be coming. The Museum also offers various seasonal events, so be sure to check its calendar before visiting.
Another place that teachers should consider taking students is the Oakes Museum of Natural History at Messiah University. This is about 5 miles from Mechanicsburg, so it is an ideal destination for groups traveling by coach or minivan. The museum hosts thousands of preserved specimens and displays animals in their natural habitats. The sheer diversity of their collection allows students to study topics such as animal classifications, adaptations, and evolution. Once again, the museum offers various field trips, tours, and educational programs that may interest teachers planning a field trip.
For older students, a visit to the Oakes Museum can also serve as a visit to Messiah University. For those applying to college, it is likely worthwhile to see what the campus looks like, what campus life might be like, and how college learning can differ from high school learning.
Teachers who are looking for a destination for younger students should consider a visit to the Paulus Farm Market. The farm offers school tours that show students the work needed to run a farm, including how to care for animals and crops.
Finally, if you are willing to travel a short distance, the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg is worth a trip. The museum tells the story of the Civil War through weapons, uniforms, documents, and more, making it a great place for those studying that period of American history.
Overall, Camp Hill and the Mechanicsburg area are great places for teachers to take students on a field trip, with many short stops that support multidisciplinary lessons.
