Student Field Trips
Located just off I-680 in Fremont, our docent-led tours include the Church, our historic cemetery, and conclude in our beautiful garden…where classes may arrange to enjoy their lunch. We can also provide a link to our 18-min video, “Passport to History: Mission San Jose, The Patriarchal Mission,” for students to view at home or in the classroom prior to visiting.
Before you come, see our online Gift Shop for supplemental materials.
Visitors with disabilities will find all facilities at Old Mission San Jose, i.e. the museum, church, cemetery, and gardens, generally accessible.
Field Trip Programs
Half Day
Available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Jan. 1-May 31, 2025
75 to 90 minutes docent-led tour of Mission Museum, Mission Church, Cemetery and Patio Garden, including an 18-minute video on the history of Mission San Jose to watch at home or in the classroom. Students may enjoy their lunch in our patio garden. Class size maximum of 30.
$7/student, $10/adult
Full Day
Available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Jan. 1-May 31, 2025
75 to 90 minutes docent-led tour of the Mission Museum, Mission Church, Cemetery and Patio Garden, including an 18-minute video on the history of Mission San Jose to watch at home or in the classroom. Students may enjoy their lunch in our patio garden.
In the afternoon, we offer 1.5 to 2 hours of hands-on activities, including a guided nature walk through the Via Crucis and the Mission Creek and a children’s indoor/outdoor Treasure Hunt. No additional cost for adults who are encouraged to assist with activities. Class size maximum of 30.
$10/student, $10/adult
History-Social Science Content Standards
History-Social Science Content Standards for California Public Schools, Grade Four covered on the fieldtrip:
Pre-Columbian life of California Indians
How their hunter-gatherer lives were affected by the missions
Why Spain established the missions
How everyone’s lives changed again with secularization, ending the Mission Period
Hands-on activities
Hands-on activities are conducted outdoors in the afternoon on the Full Day Field Trip. They include a guided nature walk through the Via Crucis and the Mission Creek. A docent, with the help of the teacher and parents, will assist the students as they rotate through the activities. We also have rainy day alternatives. Our friendly docents love kids and encourage students to ask questions about what they see and link their observations to important concepts.
Group size and age
We accept up to 30 students for Full-day field trips, and up to 60* (two classrooms from the same school) for Half-day field trips. Contact us for groups smaller than 15 students.
Field trips are not recommended for students younger than 4th grade, however, special arrangements can be made by contacting us at mission@saintjosephmsj.org or calling 510-657-1797.
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