Students from Aliso Viejo Christian School participate in a candle making activity during their recent field trip to Mission San Juan Capistrano. Photo credit: @avcsconquerors

As we reach the halfway point in the school year, now is the perfect time to plan a spring field trip to Mission San Juan Capistrano. The Mission continues to be a favored field trip destination for schools across Southern California, welcoming more than 50,000 students each year for hands-on learning experiences that bring California history to life. For many fourth graders, a visit to Mission San Juan Capistrano is a rite of passage, an unforgettable opportunity to connect classroom lessons to a place unlike any other in Orange County. Through our Remember the Builders™ education program, we are honored to be part of their learning journey.

Planning your field trip? Our onsite educational programs are outlined in the 2025-2026 Educator's Guide and include partnerships with Discovery Cube and Journeys to the Past. These special programs feature live and immersive learning experiences designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding of early California history.

Spring is a beautiful time to visit as the Mission gardens come into full bloom. Adopt-A-Class scholarships are still available for field trips on Mondays and Wednesdays, now through the end of the year! Our Adopt-A-Class program allows students to choose their own adventure with the student audio tour, "If These Walls Could Talk," participate in a Mission Matters brick making class or experience our Journeys to the Past program which takes place April 14 - 17. Space for Journeys to the Past is limited, so we encourage you to book now. Funding is limited, and restrictions may apply.

We hope you will join us this school year to "Remember the Builders," and celebrate with us during our 250th anniversary year. View the 2025-2026 Educator’s Guide and book your preferred field trip date today!

Sincerely,

Mechelle Lawrence Adams, Executive Director

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Fourth graders from Huntington Christian School explore the Mission grounds while listening to the student audio tour, "If These Walls Could Talk." Photo credit: @huntington.christian.school

The Mission’s education program, Remember the Builders™ focuses on sharing the many facets of history and ensures that we are celebrating the contributions of the original builders and founders. Since the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, Mission San Juan Capistrano has provided free funding for up to 300 students per day, through our Adopt-A-Class scholarship program. All schools are welcome to apply. We still have spots remaining on Mondays and Wednesdays, now through the end of the year. Funding is limited, so we encourage you to book today. Students receive free admission, the self-guided audio tour, "If These Walls Could Talk," and our adobe brick making class. These scholarship funds come from private donations and fundraising. This combined experience is valued at $19 per student. Please contact our Bookings Department for more details.

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

DON'T MISS OUT - BOOK NOW FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR!

Join us for a special program rooted in Native American history and storytelling. Orange County Educator of the Year, Jacque Tahuka Nuñez, will take students on a journey into the lifestyle of the early Indigenous people of California. Children experience lively music, storytelling, songs, games, and dance with opportunities to participate. Students leave with a better understanding and appreciation of what it means to be “keepers of the earth” (Presentation aligns with CA HSS 3.21., 3.2.2 and 4.2.1). Schools who apply for Adopt-A-Class funding in mid-April are eligible to add Journeys to the Past to their field trip. Funding is limited, and restrictions may apply.

Dates Offered Spring 2026: April 14 - April 17

Spring Start Time: 11:00 a.m.

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

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

Download our easy shopping forms to return to Mission San Juan Capistrano on your scheduled Field Trip Day 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 continue to bring their students back to the Mission year after year, and choose to take part in our Remember the Builders™ education program. To show our appreciation, teachers who reach special milestones in their careers are presented with a commemorative lapel pin celebrating 5, 10, 15 and 20+ years. Be sure to pick one up on your next field trip!

We are also able to show our appreciation for teachers by giving them a complimentary book "Romance of the Mission Bells: The California Missions in Art" on their field trip day. The books were generously donated by the Irvine Museum.

Thank you for educating the next generation and inspiring students to care for historic sites like Mission San Juan Capistrano.

The Mission offers a $150 value video library FREE to all educators for booking their field trip in the 2025-2026 school year. These additional resources support the “pre” and “post” field trip experience, and extend the learning experience. Our library consists of "In Our Voice: Native American Basket Weaving," "In Our Voice: Mission Bell Ringing and Native American Singing" and "In Our Voice: Native American Storytelling."

Catholic school educators from the Diocese of San Diego at their Professional Development Day in August 2025.

The Mission provides complimentary meeting space, lunch and an overview of our Remember the Builders™ program, including how to apply its content in the classroom and post-field trip learning. The day will also feature a keynote speaker and, when possible, a member of the local tribe who will share insights on teaching 18th-century history today.

This program supports learning about the Indigenous people who built the Mission and equips teachers with tools for addressing potentially sensitive or controversial areas of history.

Professional development at the Mission is offered at no cost and gives participants a bird’s eye view of what students experience during their field trip, helping educators better understand the Mission's commitment to impactful learning.



Reservations are required (minimum group size of 8) and subject to availability. For more information and reservations, please contact our bookings department at (949) 234-1306 or email bookings@missionsjc.com

In celebration of our 250th anniversary year, we have planned many exciting events and programs. Mark your calendars now to save the dates for the Return of the Swallows Celebration, Field of Honor, Music Under the Stars, new exhibits, a special summer lecture series, our official 250th Anniversary Celebration, and more!

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.