Field Trips

Standard field trips may be scheduled for classes from 5th to 12th grade. Trips for younger students are possible, but require a pre-visit conference to determine appropriate content for the presentation and exhibit viewing.

During field trips, students are given the opportunity for individual exploration of the exhibits at the beginning of the museum tour. The museum contains photo and text displays, artworks, artifacts, and short video presentations. Temporary exhibits are periodically on display in the museum, as well. The length of time dedicated to individual viewing is flexible according to the needs and developmental level of the students. A guided tour highlights key themes expressed in the museum displays. Students are encouraged to ask questions throughout the guided tour program.

Dimensions in Testimony

USC Shoah Foundation’s Dimensions in Testimony enables people to ask questions that prompt real-time responses from pre-recorded video interviews with Holocaust survivors and other witnesses to genocide.

The goal of the Holocaust Center is to make the field trip as meaningful as possible. The program has been designed with maximum flexibility in mind. The number of students you may bring varies from 1 to 160. The duration of your stay may be shorter or longer than the standard two hours. Activities besides those already described may be planned. The tour and film presentations may be tailored to the specific needs of your group. When you schedule your field trip, all of these possibilities may be arranged.

Transportation must be arranged by the teacher privately or through the school district. At least ten days prior notice is usually required. Costs may vary greatly depending on distance and carrier.

Finding parking space for buses is difficult in the small parking lot of the Jewish Community Center. Buses may stay in the fire lane directly in front of the Holocaust Center if the drivers remain with them for the entire duration of the trip. If not, buses may park in the former tennis court lot to the west of the Holocaust Center or in the lot to the south of the Hebrew Day School.

Some teachers prefer to have students eat lunch while on the field trip. There are several fast food type restaurants in the vicinity. There are also two nice parks nearby. Maitland Community Park and Lake Lilly Park have picnic tables and rest rooms available. Arrangements must be made directly with the parks. For more information about Maitland City Parks, please call at (407) 539-0042.

Field trips with over 70 students must be divided into at least two groups. One group will take the museum tour, while the other views the special presentation. The groups will then change places with each other and complete the field trip experience. This arrangement allows the Holocaust Center to host large groups without diminishing the content of the program.