Peninsula Heritage's Field Trip to Mission San Juan Capistrano

As a new school year begins, we welcome educators and students back to the classroom and invite you to make Mission San Juan Capistrano part of your plans for the year ahead. 

This is an especially exciting year at the Mission as we prepare to celebrate our 250th anniversary on November 1, 2026. Our anniversary gives us a chance to reflect on the many people and communities who have been part of the Mission’s story and to share that rich history with students.

Each year, more than 50,000 students visit our historic grounds, where immersive experiences bring California history to life. For many fourth graders, a visit to the Mission is a special milestone and a chance to experience firsthand the stories and places they have been studying in the classroom.

Through our Remember the Builders® education program, we offer experiences that complement classroom learning and encourage students to explore, ask questions, and make connections of their own.

We look forward to welcoming new and returning classrooms this year. During their visit to Mission San Juan Capistrano, students can explore the grounds with our “If These Walls Could Talk” student audio tour, take part in a docent-guided tour, learn about adobe in a Mission Matters brick-making class, or participate in a partner program with Journeys to the Past or Discovery Cube. At the end of their field trip, we hope your students leave with new discoveries, lasting memories, and a deeper connection to California history.

In this issue, you’ll find resources, program updates, and opportunities to help you plan your visit and connect your students with the Mission all year long. We look forward to welcoming you and your students as we continue to Remember the Builders® and celebrate 250 years of history together.

Welcome back, and here’s to a wonderful school year!

Sincerely,

Mechelle Lawrence Adams, Executive Director

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mission San Juan Capistrano provides students with the highest quality, standards-based field trip experience. Each of our programs supports the California History-Social Science Content Standards and Framework (CA HSS). In addition, many of our education programs align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

While educational experiences are geared toward third and fourth grades, they can be adjusted for any grade level. We look forward to hosting you and your students here. To learn more about our education-based field trips and special programming, read the Educator's Guide.

Join us for a one-of-a-kind program that takes students on a journey into the lifestyle of the early Indigenous people of California. Led by Orange County Educator of the Year, Jacque Tahuka Nuñez, students experience lively music, storytelling, songs, games, and dance with opportunities to participate. Students leave with an appreciation of and what it means to be “keepers of the earth” (Presentation aligns with CA HSS 3.21., 3.2.2 and 4.2.1).

Dates Offered Fall 2026: October 13 - October 16

Fall Start Time: 11:00 a.m.

Dates Offered Spring 2027: April 13 - April 16

Spring Start Time: 11:00 a.m.

The Mission’s education program, Remember the Builders®, focuses on sharing the many facets of history and celebrates the contributions of the original builders and founders. To ensure more students have an opportunity to visit, Mission San Juan Capistrano offers FREE funding for up to 300 students each day (on select days). The students receive free admission, the self-guided student audio tour, “If These Walls Could Talk,” and our adobe brick making class. The combined experience is valued at $19 per student.

Every student who visits this year will also receive a special commemorative 250th anniversary bracelet.

FUNDING IS LIMITED AND DATES FILL UP FAST. BOOK TODAY!

During your field trip, students can experience our self-guided audio tour, "If These Walls Could Talk," in English and Spanish. A Mandarin translation of the student audio tour is coming soon.

Upon arrival, if a student would like to change the audio tour language, please notify a member of our staff. We’ll be happy to assist!

Photo Credit: Ben Franklin Elementary School

Support the Mission by shopping at the Mission Store, featuring many resources for your students' back-to-school needs: report workbooks for those studying the California missions, learning kits and activities, water bottles, journals, lunchboxes, and more!

Net proceeds from store purchases protect the religious and historic significance of Mission San Juan Capistrano and further educational programs, exhibits, and preservation efforts.

Shopping on your scheduled field trip day? Download our easy shopping forms, bring them on the day of your field trip, and receive a FREE Mission San Juan Capistrano membership with a 10% discount at the Mission Store all year!

Thank you to all of the incredible teachers who bring their students back to the Mission year after year and choose to take part in our Remember the Builders® education program. We're equally grateful to the bus drivers who help make each field trip possible, getting students to the Mission and safely home again.

To show our appreciation, teachers and bus drivers who reach special career milestones will receive a commemorative lapel pin celebrating 5, 10, 15 and 20+ years. We also offer a first-year visit pin for those on their first field trip to the Mission, and a "Vaya Con Dios" pin honoring teachers and bus drivers making their final field trip before retirement.

Be sure to pick one up on your next field trip!

The Mission offers a $150-value video library, FREE to all educators for booking their field trip in the 2026-2027 school year. These additional resources support the pre- and post-field-trip experience, extending learning beyond your Mission visit. Our library includes the following:

• "In Our Voice: Native American Basket Weaving"
• "In Our Voice: Mission Bell Ringing and Native American Singing"
• "In Our Voice: Native American Storytelling"

As part of the Mission's 250th anniversary celebration, experience "The Story of the Mission: In Sound and Light" — an all-new immersive nighttime storytelling experience where light, music, and breathtaking imagery transform the Ruins of the Great Stone Church into a living canvas. This new permanent nighttime exhibit will debut at Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights as part of the nightly holiday programming (nightly shows at 6:15 p.m.)

Capistrano Lights tickets are ON SALE NOW!

On select days from December 18-30, celebrate the holiday season with this new lighted storytelling experience, along with a nightly Christmas tree lighting, visits with Santa, performances by Dickens-era carolers, festive family activities, hot cocoa, and more!

Mission Members receive highly discounted rates — up to 50% OFF ticket prices, which can be purchased on our website.

3 Ways to Book Your Mission Experience:

ONLINE Book Today!

Complete online registration and submit

www.missionsjc.com/book

Allow up to 3 business days for your request to be processed.

EMAIL bookatour@missionsjc.com  

Allow up to 3 business days for your request to be processed.

BY PHONE (949) 234-1306

For questions and assistance reserving trip.

Monday – Friday • 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.