Fort Field Trip Bring history to life for your students with an unforgettable field trip to Fort William Henry Museum in Lake George, NY. Your students will step back in time as they explore a real 18th-century military fort and learn about the pivotal role it played during the French and Indian War. Our expert fort interpreters, dressed in period uniforms, will engage students with captivating stories and interactive demonstrations, making history both exciting and accessible. Through immersive storytelling, they’ll highlight how the events at Fort William Henry contributed to the eventual defeat of the French in North America, and how this conflict set the stage for the American Revolution. What to expect during your visit: Interactive Learning: Fort interpreters will link the events of the French and Indian War to the larger context of American history, showing students how the outcomes of this conflict directly influenced the colonies’ path toward independence. Live Demonstrations: Students will witness the dramatic loading and firing of a musket and cannon, giving them a powerful glimpse into 18th-century warfare and the skills soldiers needed to survive. Explore the Museum and Exhibits: After the demonstrations, students can wander through the fort’s museum buildings, where they’ll encounter exhibits filled with fascinating artifacts that tell the story of life at this remote outpost. From soldiers’ daily routines to the strategies that shaped battles, these displays offer a comprehensive look at military life on the frontier. Learn About Native American History: In addition to military history, students will explore the rich cultural heritage of the Native American peoples who lived in the region long before European settlement. Exhibits featuring artifacts, tools, and artwork provide a deeper understanding of their way of life and their role in the conflict between European powers. Scavenger Hunt: To enhance their experience, students will receive a scavenger hunt sheet that encourages them to find key information and artifacts throughout the fort. This fun and educational activity ensures that they stay engaged and curious as they explore. This field trip to Fort William Henry provides a unique opportunity for students to experience history firsthand, fostering a deeper understanding of the events that shaped the early American colonies. Combining live demonstrations, immersive storytelling, and hands-on learning, this trip is designed to inspire curiosity and a love of history in students of all ages. Reserve Your Trip Now!

EarthBeat Music presents West African Drum-Dance-Sing Presentations, Workshops and Residencies! Our programs enhance mental health and well-being, foster personal development and encourage creative expressiveness through the powerful, transformative practices of drumming, movement, and singing. We share West African traditional music, which includes diving into the rich history, culture and language, to create more resilient and empathetic communities. We strive to connect students to the Master Musicians - our mentors - from West Africa, as well as other regional visual and dance artists to create a WHOLE experience.

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an essential part of The Mystery of the Character Surprise show. In this 50 minute interactive assembly show students learn the communication skills and attitudes they need to help create a bully-free learning environment. Fifteen students participate on stage, putting these lessons into action – cooperating to stop a bully from ruining the assembly show. Students will also learn how to stop social aggression in its tracks. And they’ll have a blast while doing it! Topics covered throughout this bully-proofing magic assembly show include Being responsible in achieving goals, helping others, and empathy. Plus: Forms of bullying, solutions for victims, responsibilities of witnesses, tattling vs. telling. Includes: Courage | Flexibility | Perseverance | Effort | Making Good Choices | Bullies, Targets & Bystanders | Sense of Humor | Responsibility | Empathy | Honesty | Teamwork | Tattling vs. Telling

Diane Edgecomb brings top quality entertaining performances to your school that enhance elementary school curriculum. Folk & Fairy Tales! Myths! Environmental Literacy! Seasonal Nature Tales for young learners! Diane’s dynamic storytelling assemblies get every single student excited about core-curriculum topics, proving once again that story is the shortest route to imaginative learning. Choose from performances designed to enrich and engage: Folktale Superheroes around the World dovetails English core studies in folktales and myths. Students discover that folktales from China, Africa and South America all have their own versions of Superheroes! Tales for the Earth teaches important lessons about bio-diversity and water conservation through Diane’s engaging original tales. Environmental literacy can be not just meaningful but fun. Looking for something for K-2? Choose Diane's Seasonal Nature Tales for young learners: Fall Tales Celebrates how the leaves got their colors and the Star in the Apple, Spring is for Planting Seeds, Nesting Birds and Composting Adventures, Insect Comedy teaches about the value of our six-legged friends through entertaining and informative stories sure to get students excited about the unbelievable lives of insects. Diane galvanizes student’s learning with award-winning stories. Give your teachers a helping hand in meeting English Core Curriculum requirements with Diane’s follow-up master class in storytelling techniques. Students learn about the power of their own imaginations through hands-on exercises sure to have everyone participating. By the end of the workshop, each student is retelling a folktale to a partner an English core-curriculum requirement! “Your stories were wonderful. The teachers and the students agreed that your presentation is one of the best we’ve ever had. Thank you so much for bringing to life our study of myths and legends.” - Missy Thomson, teacher and school librarian, Woodville School, Wakefield, MA “Ms. Edgecomb had even the most restless audience members completely mesmerized. Her physicality, variety of voices/sounds, involvement of her young charges, and respect of nature ~ appealed to me as well as my students. Thank you! The program was first rate.” - B. O’Connell, teacher, Ralph Talbot School, Weymouth, MA Diane has received numerous awards for her work, including the ORACLE award for storytelling excellence in the Northeast, the national Circle of Excellence award and the Parent’s Choice Silver. Diane has been featured on NPR and is one of New England’s favorites storytellers as recommended by Elementary library school collection.

LOOKING FOR FIELD TRIP IDEAS FOR YOUR CLASS? Visit the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and experience a globally rare habitat minutes from downtown Albany and Schenectady! LET YOUR SENSE OF WONDER GROW IN THE ALBANY PINE BUSH PRESERVE At the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, students explore real-world phenomena and learn through inquiry-based investigations. • We offer programs for grades pre-k through high school, homeschool groups, colleges, Scouting groups and other special interest groups. • Visit the Discovery Center, a one-of-a-kind interpretive center with interactive exhibits, demonstration gardens, accessible outdoor Discovery Trail and more. • For information on program logistics, fees and resources visit AlbanyPineBush.org • Bus funding available through the Friends of the Pine Bush Community Ticket to Ride grant. Details at PineBushFriends.org • In-classroom teacher kits are available for loan at no cost. School Group Volunteer Opportunities We also offer community service opportunities for classes to complete in the preserve including: invasive species removal, seed collection and trash pick-up. For more info visit www.albanypinebush.org/schools or call 518-456-0655

Effective self-assessment is crucial for learning in the performing arts, and a high-quality recording of a stage production provides an invaluable reference once the performance is complete. Merelis Productions specializes in filling this need. For over 25 years, our videographers have partnered with independent, charter, and public schools, as well as professional performing arts and regional theater organizations throughout the NYC tri-state area. We offer 2-camera videography and video editing for a variety of on-stage events, including musicals, plays, concerts, dances, graduations, and other presentations. For each performance, we provide two expert videographers with cameras on tripods and strategically placed microphones. When available, we can also integrate a direct feed from your house sound reinforcement system to ensure the best possible audio mix for the final video. We deliver a 1080p digital video file that participants can use for self-assessment, and as demo footage for future auditions, artistic portfolios, and college applications. With 25 years of experience recording events in school settings and over 275 productions annually, we are dedicated to providing recordings that reflect the effort invested in your productions. We would be delighted to collaborate with you to enhance your performers' self-assessment opportunities.

Theatre of Youth (TOY) is WNY’s only professional theatre dedicated to serving children and their families. We offer field trip opportunities to watch professional family friendly plays and musicals. We also offer in school theatre workshops. Our Mission: Theatre of Youth Company, Inc. (TOY) stimulates the imagination, nurtures the creative spirit and enhances the education of young people by engaging them in relevant, child-centered, and professionally-produced live theatre programs. TOY believes meaningful childhood experiences in the theatre develop confidence in creative thinking skills, cultivate empathy and establish a life-long connection to the arts. TOY is a place where all families, children, cast and crew feel included, represented and inspired. We strive to reflect the community that gave rise to our theatre, both on and off the stage, and to improve access to the magic of children’s theatre and arts education for all. TOY is a safe haven where children can explore and be creative in comfort, with diversity in our productions and ensuring that our community has a voice in everything we do.

Are you looking to inspire and motivate your students to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams? As a seasoned speaker for large groups and classroom settings, I offer a powerful and personal presentation that will resonate deeply with young people. My topics include advocating against bullying, developing self-belief, curating effective storytelling, and the importance of sharing your personal story. Additionally, I provide practical guidance on effective writing techniques, helping students to develop their writing skills with confidence and clarity. Drawing from my own experiences of overcoming challenges such as a broken family, poverty, and mental illness, I provide a relatable and inspiring perspective. My goal is to empower students to find their voices, believe in themselves, and create a life where they follow their passions and make a positive impact on the world. By sharing my story, I aim to offer a lifeline to those struggling, inspire hope, and stress the importance of asking for help. From small writing sessions to public speaking workshops, I offer a unique variety of experiences that will impact any age group!

We offer a broad array of experiences to visitors through a variety of methods to encourage understanding and appreciation of the multifaceted story of a pioneer family in WNY. We strive to develop a ‘hands-on’ experience for visitors. From this site, the only fully restored stone dwelling of the early 1800's in Erie county, 200 years of history can be told through the Hull family – the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 & the burning of Buffalo, the opening and impact of the Erie Canal, early pioneer life, the Abolitionist movement, and much more on into the 20th century. Learn about the rich history of the Hull family and their role in shaping the local community! Student field trips to the Hull Family Home & Farmstead are being scheduled from May through October. Currently, we offer interactive lessons which align with the New York State Social Studies Framework for Grades 4 and 7, but we can also work with you to develop a trip tailored to your specific needs and interests.

The Art Thing Collaborative, Inc. is a social arts crew on a mission to bring people together by bringing art to the people! We offer fun and inspiring community-focused "Art Things" for kids (and grownups!) of all ages: from epic, hands-on creative battles like Art WAR to big collaborative projects and pop-up, art adventures like Positive Space, where art isn’t just something you look at, it’s something you can play in! We invite your school and community to team up with us to create something inspiring and have some unforgettable fun at The Art Thing!

Ryan's Story - Get ready to witness a life-changing assembly program that will leave a profound impact on students of grades 5 and higher. No other program can match the story of how one young life has the power to inspire positive change in the fight against bullying, cyberbullying, and teen suicides. This powerful true story will encourage students to turn their gaze inward, helping them examine how they treat others. Bystanders will be inspired to step up and stand with the victims, putting a stop to bullying in all its forms. At the same time, a message of forgiveness and love will be imparted to all present. As the creator of this transformative program, I firmly believe that depression was the root cause of my son's tragic passing. While bullying cannot be excused, we must also take note of the mental health issues that are often swept under the rug. I teach students how pivotal it is to seek help without delay if they or a friend are in crisis, reinforcing the importance of suicide prevention. This sensitive and age-appropriate program is tailored for students from grades 5-12 and lasts for a captivating 60 minutes. The story takes 45 minutes to narrate, following which the students will be engaged with powerful lessons learned from the story. These lessons include how forgiveness is healing and that self-advocacy paired with advocacy for others can prevent suicide. Students will leave the program inspired to become up-standers and to apologize when owed. Finally, they will know for certain that they are loved beyond belief. Book me for this life-transforming assembly and witness how one story can bring about a positive change in the world.

DINOSAURS ROCK, celebrating 25 years, offers 4 science-themed events - DINOSAURS ROCK, GEMS ROCK, OCEANS & SHARKS ROCK and INSECTS ROCK - Each includes an expansive Museum Exhibit, highly interactive and entertaining Assembly Show with lots of audience volunteers, accompanying keynote video and hands-on activity such as a dig where each student takes home real fossil, mineral or seashell matching the theme. DINOSAURS ROCK: Topics include dinosaur anatomy, fossil formation, adaptation.. with a 20+ piece exhibit including a 5-ft wide t-rex skull, 6-ft allosaurus leg, dinosaur egg & footprint (students can touch!) and many more specimens. Hands-on options include a fossil dig, excavation, geode-opening, amber discovery, fossil shark tooth necklace-making, trilobite excavation... OCEANS & SHARKS ROCK: Museum Exhibit - specimens include taxidermy shark & stingray (students touch!), giant crab plaques, oversized sponge, shells, jellyfish - note: no live creatures. Show covers fascinating sea creatures and "Earth Day, "anti pollution, environmental message about saving our oceans. Hands-on seashell/sea fossil dig plus other options like shark tooth necklace-making and excavations. GEMS ROCK: Earth science-based program focusing on the critical uses of rocks & Minerals in our everyday lives, how the earth and rocks were formed and more, with a museum exhibit of genuine minerals such as amethyst, quartz, geodes, etc. - hand-on activities include panning for take-home gemstones with other options including excavations, geode opening, gemstone mining with our 25-ft rushing water sluice! INSECTS ROCK: Museum Exhibit of awesome taxidermy insects behind acrylic/glass of a variety of cool insects (no live creatures) with show topics including metamorphosis, insect anatomy, how a fly flies and more. Age appropriate for PreK-high school; we modify the program based on grades. The opportunity to see museum quality exhibits up-close, be active participants in our shows and take home real specimens with our hands-on experiential approach make each of these a highly memorable and unique event. Ask about our Museum Shop for discounted rates.