Explore the '60s at Bethel Woods

Immersing students, teachers, administration, and chaperones into the cultural explosion of the 1960s. 

Explore the '60s at Bethel Woods

Program Details:

Drawing on the content in the Museum and our collections, we offer programming for grades K through 12, focused on expanding any students’ understanding of the lessons of the 60s and their relevance today. Take an immersive trip with us!

Before You Visit:

Begin any Explore the ‘60s experience with a pre-visit traveling trunk, sent to your school at no charge. The trunk is customized based on content focus, bringing the '60s to life by creating understanding through hands-on exploration.

Don’t forget to bring the trunk with you on the day you visit the Museum at Bethel Woods. Our Teaching Artists will use the artifacts in the trunk to begin the day with you at the Museum

The Visit:

Once you arrive at the museum, staff and volunteers will then guide the group on a deep exploration of the site, the Museum, our special exhibitions and will guide the group through an activity (art, music or performance based) to create a deep and meaningful learning experience.

Content Focus Offerings

  • Artful Activism

    Explore the ‘60s: Artful Activism explores symbols of the 1960s, their significance and their meanings today. Students and chaperones think about how symbols can communicate messages through analyzing the museum artifacts and 1960s posters. Inspired and empowered by history, we then identify current issues individually important to us, and create artistic symbols that amplify our own proactive voices!

  • Woodstock Music and Art Fair

    Explore the ‘60s: Woodstock Music and Art Fair explores how community, cooperation and counterculture created and transformed a music festival into an event of peace and love. Through an exploration of the museum, group discussions and a button making art activity, students and chaperones interpret the three c’s and create their own story of the historic Woodstock Music and Art Fair and its relevancy today!

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*Transportation and tuition assistance are available based on proof of need.

 

What’s Next?

After your visit to the Museum, we ask all teachers, chaperones and facilitators to complete a survey to assist us with modifying and enhancing our education-based experiences.

Want More?

We have a Teaching Artist-in-Residence program called Bethel Woods on Main. This provides an opportunity for creative learning residences throughout the region: in libraries, non-profit organizations, schools and at community events. Customized creative learning experiences can be one day, or many, and will be structured to enhance any learning curriculum. Our mission is to not only share the transformative power of the arts as an instrument for chance, self-expression, collaboration and purpose, but make it accessible to broad ranges of communities.

If you would like to enhance your classroom experience with a customizable curriculum, please contact us to begin planning.

Planning Your Visit

  • Can my group buy lunch there?

    If your group would like to order lunch from the Yasgur's Farm Cafe for an additional $10 per person you must submit that lunch order at least 14 days prior to your trip. The café is not equipped to handle groups of ten or more without advance notice.

  • Do you offer transportation for Explore the '60s?

    Through grant funding from TD Charitable Foundation and First Niagara Foundation, Joan and Dan Silna , and The Williams Endowed Education Fund, Bethel Woods is able to provide a limited amount of transportation and school program admission scholarships to Sullivan County public school students. Discounted transportation is also available for students from surrounding counties. Funds are limited, so please contact us early in the school year to determine availability.

  • Is there a group minimum?

    During regular Museum hours, we have a minimum requirement of 15 students to run a program. Our programs can accommodate groups up to 75 students, not including chaperones. If you need to schedule on a day when The Museum is not normally open, there is a minimum requirement of 50 students. 

  • What is the chaperone policy?

    All groups should maintain a ratio of at least one chaperone per ten students. Chaperones are expected to play an integral role in the program, including assisting with the activities and maintaining the schedule. We ask that the adult visitors in your groups (teachers and parents) be participants in assisting with program. This includes monitoring student behavior at all times on site, mixing with the students during program activities to help guide projects, and facilitating positive behavior.

  • What is the cost of Explore the '60s?

    Explore the ‘60s is $10 per guest, including chaperones.

    Transportation and tuition assistance available based on proof of need.

  • When does Explore the '60s run?

    Programs generally run on Thursdays and Fridays, April through June and September through December. Groups can arrive as early as 9:00 AM for the program. Special arrangements can sometimes be made for groups who cannot get to The Museum within the typical 9 AM – 1 PM time frame. The program runs at minimum 4 hours with lunch.

Funding for Explore the ’60s is provided in part by Bethel Woods Center for the Arts members and donors with no-cost 2019 museum admission for Sullivan County students sponsored by a gift from Robyn Gerry.