School Programs

Visit the Maidu Museum & Historic Site for an experience you and your students will remember for years to come. We offer several programs depending on your schedule, budget and age group. Before booking your tour, read the Tour Policies for more information. Ready to book? Use our online form to book a tour.

Booking for 2022-2023 School Year starts June 1, 2022!

Due to capacity limitations, we can only accommodate 2 groups per day. For mask requirements and other safety measures, please contact the Maidu Museum at [email protected]

Can't make it to the museum? Check out our Distance Learning Programs.

School Tours
Recommended for 3rd to 6th grade

School Tours are our most popular programs and meet several History and Social Science Content Standards for California (sections 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.2). We have two tours available: Museum Tours and Trail Tours.

Museum Tour (1 1/2 hrs): Be guided through the Maidu Museum exhibits and participate in activities to learn about Nisenan Maidu society. Students will learn about past and present Nisenan peoples, experience a native story and play the traditional Stave Game and the new Trade Game.

Trail Tour (1 1/2 hrs): Explore our 34 acre historic site with a tour guide and learn about the how the Nisenan Maidu thrive in the area. You will see 4,000 year old petroglyphs, hundreds of grinding holes and many native plants and animals. This tour includes an demonstration of acorn grinding and, the most popular part of this tour, students will be able to try ochre face painting.

Full Day Program (3 1/2 hrs): Our most popular tour option. Students will have one tour (Museum or Trail) in the morning and, after a 30 minute lunch, will go on the next tour in the afternoon.

Group size
Each tour group can be up to 35 people including teachers and adult chaperones. Each group is allowed up to 5 adult chaperones. We can accommodate up to 3 tour groups per day.

Days & Times
Available Tuesdays-Fridays
Trail or Museum Tour start time 10am or 12pm
Full Day Program start time 10am
Lunch 11:30-12:00

Fees
Museum or Trail Tour: $5.00 per person
Full Day Program: $10.00 per person
Teachers and aides are free. Payment due day of tour.

For more information, check out our Tour Policies and Tour Guidelines.

Combo Tour
Recommended for Kindergarten to 2nd grade

Combo Tours are designed for a younger audience. Focusing on hands on learning and exploration, Combo Tours aim to engage young students to learn about our historic site's natural and cultural history.

Combo Tour (1 hr): Come on an adventure through the Maidu Museum and Trail to learn about the Nisenan Maidu and the place they call home. You tour guide will lead you through the museum, tell a native story and explore the exhibits. Next you will be guided along the trail, learning about the natural resources and how the Nisenan Maidu use their surroundings to thrive.

Group size
Each tour group can be up to 30 people including teachers and adult chaperones. Each group is allowed up to 8 adult chaperones. We can accommodate up to 2 tour groups per day.

Days & Times
Available Tuesdays-Fridays, start time 10am or 12pm

Fees
$5.00 per person
Teachers and aides are free. Payment due day of tour.

For more information, check out our Tour Policies and Tour Guidelines.

Memory Bags

Want to make your school tours extra special? Order Memory Bags for your students while booking your tour.

Large Memory Bags ($2.50 each) include: an arrowhead, a polished rock, a postcard and an acorn top.

Small Memory Bags ($1.25 each) include: an arrowhead and a postcard.