Education at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum offers programs that share the maritime stories of the region. Nation’s Oldest Port™ School Group and Day Camp programs introduce K-12 students to the science of light, archaeology of shipwrecks, 500 years of Florida maritime heritage, and the important role of lighthouses and lighthouse keeping to the economy and coastal defense. We also have programs for scouts and other groups. Learn more about our educational offerings below. Also see the schedule of Daily Demos included with admission that are fun, interactive and educational opportunities for our visitors!
For those with special needs or considerations for any program, please contact the Education and Programs manager at 904-829-0745 x223.
K12 & Home Schools
Nation’s Oldest Port™ Programs for school groups include both self-guided and educator-led options to meet your group’s educational goals during your visit. Programs are tied to Core Curriculum standards and incorporate science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) subjects with the humanities. See below for more information on our school group options. Please contact the Education Department at 904-829-0745 x223 for home school group options.
Discover what daily life was like in St. Augustine, part of the loyal British colony of East Florida, during the American Revolutionary War. This program uses stories from people who lived here during the 1770s and 1780s and objects of the time period to help students gain appreciation of the complexity of the Revolutionary War for both British loyalists and those breaking from England. In small groups, students read excerpts from primary sources (documents from the time period) and examine objects to determine which ones relate to each other. This is geared for 4th grade and up.
This combination tour provides school groups with an exploration of the science of light and stories about paranormal activities at the St. Augustine Light Station. Students will learn how lighthouse lenses can manipulate light so sailors can see them from great distances. Following this scientific discovery program, students will take a walking tour through a darkened keepers’ house detailing the ghostly experiences here on site and the historical background behind these events. The tour will conclude with a climb up 219 steps to the top of the lighthouse to view the impressive first order Fresnel Lens and the light it sends 20 miles out to sea.
Call 904.829.0745 x206 or x223 for pricing and availability. Suitable for 4th grade and up.
Day Camps
Nation’s Oldest Port™ Day Camps at the Museum provide educational fun when school is out, and offer opportunities for high school students to learn job and life skills while giving back to their community. All camps include a T-shirt, water bottle, and backpack. Check out upcoming camps here.
Contact Volunteer Coordinator Miranda Bailey at mbailey@staugustinelighthouse.org to learn how to become a junior volunteer camp counselor (ages 14-17) and earn community service hours for your Bright Futures scholarship application.
If you would like to support our camp scholarship programs, please contact the Interpretive Division Director at 904-829-0745 x208 or via email. Thanks to our current sponsors!
Scout and Other Groups
Troop members explore the museum and grounds on a 90-minute self-guided program for Daisies & Brownies/Cub Scout & Weblos and Juniors & Boy Scouts and earn a merit badge (available from the Museum Gift Shop).
We offer this guided tour for groups of adults and seniors upon request. The 1.5-hour tour focuses on aspects of maritime history as it relates to the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Seniors may also participate in a tour through Elderhostel, a nonprofit organization committed to being the preeminent provider of high quality, affordable, educational opportunities for older adults. Additionally, we can give presentations and talks on lighthouses and archaeology at your location. Call 904-829-0745 to book your program or tour.
Experience a personal, hour-long visit with St. Augustine’s Head Lighthouse Keeper, or Assistant Keeper, as you stroll around the Light Station and climb a working lighthouse. Bring all of your questions and imagination. Learn what it was like to be a lighthouse keeper of the past and today. Availability dependent on Keepers’ schedules and advance notice. Additional fees apply. Please contact the Museum for availability and to schedule at 904-829-0745.
Museum Education has outreach programs for all ages, bringing our history- and science-based programs to your classroom! Call 904-829-0745 x223 for more information and to book your group. Charges may apply.