A woman dressed in historical clothing giving a pottery demonstration to a group of children and adults outside a white building with a sign that reads 'POTTERY.'

Youth Programs

and Group Visits

 School Programs   •   Field Trips   •   Summer Camps  •   Adult Groups 

Types of Youth Programs We Offer

  • Group of children and adults excavating and digging in a soil pit outside, with some tools.

    Summer Camps


    Week-long seasonal programs that offer hands-on learning and exploration of Santa Barbara's history.

    2025 Summer Camps
  • A person holding a Jimmy's drink menu with an illustration of two women in traditional Japanese kimonos in a restaurant setting. Other people are partially visible in the background.

    Annual School programs


    Designed for local 3rd and 7th grade students, these immersive field trip experiences are offered on select dates each year.

    Learn More
  • A group of children sitting on the wooden floor of a historic church, listening to an older man speaking at a table with a red cloth. The church has ornate wall decorations, religious statues, and an altar in the background.

    School Field Trips


    Available throughout the school year, these customizable field trip options serve individual classes and school groups.

    Learn more, and sign up!
Seal of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation featuring a circular design with six stylized leaves or arrows and the organization's name around the circle.

School Field Trips

Throughout the year, SBTHP offers guided field trips for classrooms and school groups. Teachers can coordinate:

  • Solo Visits: Focus solely on El Presidio, Casa de la Guerra, or Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens for a more in-depth experience.

  • Dual Visits: Combine a trip to El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park with a visit to the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

Programs are tailored to align with grade-level curriculum and California History-Social Science Standards.

“Our Communities, Our Stories” — 3rd Grade

SCHOOL-YEAR PROGRAMS

A group of children sitting on the wooden floor inside a church or chapel, listening to an older man with white hair, glasses, and a hat, who is speaking or giving a presentation at a table with a red cloth. The altar in the background features religious statues, candles, and ornate decorations, with painted walls and candle sconces.

This immersive field trip experience for 3rd grade students explores the daily life of diverse communities that lived in the Presidio Neighborhood over time. Through hands-on, student-centered activities, students learn more about themselves and their classmates through a historical lens.

Dates Offered (2025):

  • March 20, 21

  • April 4, 10, 11

Session Times: 9:30–11:30 a.m. and 12:30–2:30 p.m

Program Goals:

  • Explore identity and belonging

  • Foster critical thinking and historical understanding

  • Encourage civic engagement

Guiding Questions:

  • Who were the first people in my community?

  • Why did people move to my community?

  • How has my community changed over time?

  • What issues are important to my community?

  • How can I help my community?

A person holding a Jimny's menu with two illustrated women in traditional Japanese kimonos inside a restaurant. The person is wearing a brown shirt with floral embroidery and a name tag that reads 'Dalexa'.
A woman with gray hair and glasses holding a small goat while a young girl reaches out to pet it at a farm.

“Where We Are From” — 7th Grade

SCHOOL-YEAR PROGRAMS

A group of children sitting on the wooden floor of a church listening to an older man giving a presentation or lecture. The church has colorful, ornate altar decorations with religious statues and paintings in the background.

7TH GRADE

Where We Are From is our  7th grade field trip program that encourages students to think about the histories of migration and immigration in Santa Barbara and how their own personal experiences fit into those histories.

Over the course of a half-day site visit to El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, students participated in activities that asked them to consider the meanings of home and belonging.

This special field trip includes visits and activities at El Presidio SHP, Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens, and Casa de la Guerra.

The experience lasts approximately 1.5 – 2 hours depending on the experience.

Summer Camps

  • Group of six children standing in front of a white brick wall and large banana plant, smiling at the camera. The children are wearing casual clothes, some with backpacks and one with sunglasses.

    CASA Camp


    Cultural Activities and Summer Adventures (CASA) is a free summer day camp hosted at El Presidio. Through hands-on activities and field trips, children explore local history and culture. Participants are referred by the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB).

    2024 Dates: June 17–20 & June 24–27

    Ages: 5–12

  • Group of people excavating a small archaeological dig in the dirt, using shovels and brushes.

    Presidio Archaeology Camp


    Kids dig into Santa Barbara's past by excavating El Presidio and learning archaeological techniques, artifact analysis, mapping, and more. This week-long camp fosters curiosity, collaboration, and a deep appreciation for historical inquiry.

    2025 Dates: July 7–11, 9am–1pm

    Ages: 5–12

    Tuition: $225

    Sign Up for Presidio Archaeology Camp

Adult Groups

SBTHP also welcomes adult and intergenerational groups for guided visits to El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park. Whether you're part of a community organization, club, or educational group, we’re happy to coordinate a visit that shares the layered history of Santa Barbara through engaging, place-based storytelling.

Use the form below to inquire about availability and customize your group’s experience.