Gibbs Farm is closed to the public until Saturday, May 25th, 2024.

Check out our events calendar for special winter programs.

Learn about Dakota and Pioneer History in this Two-Hour Field Trip Experience

This field trip is great for school or daycare groups with a wide age range! The tour includes the replica sod dugout, Dakota summer bark lodge, tipi, farm animals, and the one-room schoolhouse. A hands-on activity such as candle making, ice cream, or beaded bracelets can be added to the tour at an additional cost. This tour is recommended for Kindergarten and up. All Gibbs Farm staff have passed a State of Minnesota background check.

We also offer the Combo Tour in a PreK-friendly format and it includes the Dakota summer bark lodge, tipi, farm animals, and schoolhouse. See pricing and timing differences below.

Both regular and PreK Combo Tours are offered May through October.

A note on our Dakota-related field trip curriculum: This historical curriculum was created with significant input from descendants of Maȟpiya Wičhášta (Cloud Man) as well as other Dakota culture bearers and it is with utmost appreciation that Gibbs Farm staff are able to share this important history. Gibbs Farm management is dedicated to consistently reviewing and revising, if necessary, this curriculum with advice and guidance from Dakota partners and Dakota partner organizations. We pledge to use this history in our educational programs to help all our communities to be more informed, more engaged, and more aware of the impact of Dakota culture in history, in the present, and in the future. Read our Land Acknowledgment.

Pricing and Timing

Regular Combo Tour: Allow 90 minutes. Price: $7/student. School staff are free of charge as well as two parent chaperones per classroom. Additional parent chaperones pay $8. Schools are invoiced after the field trip. With the addition of a hands-on craft, price is $8/student, allow for two hours.

PreK Combo Tour: Allow 1 hour. Price: $6/student. School staff are free of charge as well as two parent chaperones per classroom. Additional parent chaperones pay $8. Schools are invoiced after the field trip.

Homeschool Groups: All adults pay $8.

Free & Reduced Lunch Rate: Schools that have 50% or more students eligible for free and reduced lunch, rate is $2 less ($6 for 2-hour tour, $10 for 4-hour).

How to Book

Fill out our field trip interest form or reach out directly to our Site Manager, Sammy Nelson. Please note that field trips are not confirmed through the field trip interest form.

Virtual Field Trip Options Available

Can’t attend a field trip in-person? We offer virtual field trip experiences too!