Plan your field trip
Discover a Learning Laboratory for Classes of All Ages
Shaker Village offers a variety of engaging programs for K-12 students. Explore the Kentucky Shakers’ history and way of life in the Historic Centre, discover crops on The Farm and wildlife in The Preserve, and participate in interactive sessions to build an exciting educational experience for your students. Each interdisciplinary program utilizes Shaker Village’s unique setting to support Kentucky Academic Standards.
Choose Your Adventure
Diverse Settings Enhance Your Experience
The Historic Centre
The Historic Centre is the heart of Shaker Village. Home to the largest restored Shaker community in the world, students visiting The Historic Centre are immersed in the story of this unique, communal society and the lessons we can still learn from their experience today.
Architecture, artifacts and hands-on learning are the pillars of educational programs in The Historic Centre.
The Farm
Pleasant Hill was an agricultural community. That tradition is alive and well today, as Shaker Village continues to manage an educational, organic farm program. The Farm is home to vegetable gardens, herb gardens, an apiary, an orchard and hundreds of livestock.
Be ready to get your hands dirty with student programs at The Farm, while learning about diversified agricultural practices and how Shaker agricultural products connected this community to the economy of the region.
The Preserve
Surrounding The Historic Centre and The Farm is Shaker Village's 2,000-acre nature preserve. This diverse, natural environment includes 1,000 acres of native prairie, 30 miles of trails, woodlands, wetlands and a variety of streams, springs, ponds and waterfalls.
The Preserve provides the perfect setting for environmental and cultural studies in central Kentucky.
Other Ways To Discover
Virtual Programs
Join us for a virtual program and engage your students in thoughtful discussion, while encouraging them to think critically about what it means to build and sustain a community.
Program topics and fees vary, and may be tailored to fit your classroom needs.
Homeschool Days
The first Wednesday of each month, Shaker Village offers home educators and their families reduced $6 admission. Explore 3,000 acres of discovery throughout The Historic Centre, The Farm and The Preserve! And, be sure to visit our new educational exhibits to uncover what life was like in this communal society.
Outreach Programs
Let Shaker Village come to you, bringing lessons in Shaker history, environmental education, organic agriculture, preservation and music right into your classroom. Our trained educators can offer a variety of programs tailored to meet your students’ specific needs. Considering booking an outreach program at your school as part of your pre-visit preparation for a Shaker Village field trip.
Program fees begin at $150 for first hour and $100 for each additional hour, plus mileage expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I bring my students to Shaker Village?
Field trips are available January-March (Wednesday-Sunday) and April-December (Tuesday-Sunday) between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Other accommodations can be made outside of this timeframe by contacting our team. Please note some specific programs are weather dependent and/or seasonal by nature.
How much does it cost to bring students to Shaker Village?
K-12 educational programs at Shaker Village cost $8 per student/chaperone for the first program, and $5 per student/chaperone for each additional program. School staff are free of charge. Allow for one hour per program.
What if my student group includes children ages 5 and under?
Admission rates for student and youth groups generally apply to all children ages 3 and up. For preschools and other groups with very young children, program fees may apply, depending on your program selection. Please discuss your options with our Event Sales Team upon booking your visit.
How many teachers and chaperones should accompany our field trip?
Shaker Village encourages attendance on field trips from parent chaperones and additional school faculty and staff. The minimum adult to student ratio is 2:25, with at least one of those two being a school staff member. Due to some constraints during indoor experiences, the maximum adult to student ratio is 5:25.
Are the costs for a homeschool group the same as other student groups?
Pricing for students that attend with a homeschool group are identical to all other student field trips. Parent teachers are offered free admission up to a 1:10 parent to student ratio, with all adults beyond that ratio charged at the typical parent/chaperone rates.
When do I need to book my field trip and how do I pay?
Shaker Village requires booking (with confirmed participant numbers) at least two weeks in advance of your trip. Schools will be invoiced for their final, actual attendance after their visit (guaranteed minimums may apply). Chaperones should make payment through your school, and Shaker Village will receive one payment after your field trip from your school.
Can our group eat at Shaker Village?
Schools may bring their own lunches, order box lunches from Shaker Village or dine in the Trustees' Table restaurant. The Event Sales Team will provide a student menu upon request. Student groups are welcome to picnic in designated lawn areas; however, we are unable to guarantee a sheltered location in the case of inclement weather. Please plan to have students eat on their buses in the case of inclement weather.
What should our group wear to Shaker Village?
Students and adults should anticipate lots of walking during their field trips. All participants should wear close-toed shoes and clothing appropriate for the anticipated weather on the day of their field trip. All programs include outdoor components.
Is Shaker Village accessible to students in wheelchairs or with limited mobility?
Accessibility for students with limited mobility can be challenging due to the historic and natural features of Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. Several historic buildings have ground floors that are wheelchair accessible, but many spaces have 2-6 steps leading into the buildings. Pathways throughout The Historic Centre and The Farm are primarily gravel. Specific programs can be adjusted to accommodate students with limited mobility. Please discuss your options with our Event Sales Team when booking your visit.
What will a field trip at Shaker Village look like?
A typical field trip experience at Shaker Village will generally adhere to the following schedule, though additional programs and times may be available upon request:
9:30am-10:00am Standard Arrival Time and Welcome
10:00am-11:00am 1st Program
11:00am-12:00pm 2nd Program
12:00pm-1:00pm Lunch and Group Photo
1:00pm-1:30pm Departure
