Immersive Programs
American Memorial Park
American Memorial Park offers youth a variety of cultural, natural, and recreational opportunities. Join art classes held on park grounds and meet local talented artists ranging from painting, beading, banana printing, and photography. Read and discuss books found at the Pacific Historic Parks museum store that showcase the lives of people affected by World War II. Discover the deep connection between the history of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Spend the summer hiking to World War II sites to explore the island’s rich heritage. Dress up as important historical figures at the Visitor Center. Learn about soldiers of the past and connect with island soldiers of today. Join the Pacific Historic Parks Education Department as they provide memorable experiences in the park that honor the sacrifices of American military personnel and island residents involved in the World War II Marianas Campaign.
Program Descriptions
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Reading Ranger
Books such as The Unbreakable Code, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, and When the Emperor Was Divine, share powerful stories of people affected by World War II. The books are accompanied by lesson plans and learning activities that teachers can choose to use to support their teaching in class. Over the years this program has expanded to offer various modifications that include one to three day programs with sessions conducted at the park as well as sessions done in partnership with the public library and teacher-led sessions in the classroom.
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Art in the Park
Join us in art sessions led by local artists as a way of drawing inspiration and creativity from the beauty and history of the park. Sessions incorporate art with park resources such as memorials, the museum, and the natural environment. Previous sessions have included pastels, acrylic, watercolor, beading, and photography. Interact with the park’s surroundings in a way that fosters creativity.
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Junior Ranger
Middle school students go on an exciting adventure throughout the island of Saipan to learn about the park, its mission, and its natural resources. Youth will be taken to historical sites throughout the island and be immersed in history through various activities that encourages collaboration and teamwork skills
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Soldier Skills
Youth learn about the soldiers who fought in the Marianas Campaign of World War II. They visit park museum and memorials, observe WWII artifacts and remnants, and develop an idea of the skills soldiers needed to survive during the Battle for the Marianas. Students learn about soldiers of the past and also meet soldiers of the present by working with American soldiers stationed in Saipan to develop navigational skills utilizing both compasses and GPS units.
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Icons of World War II
Youth learn about iconic war figures such as the military servicemen who fought and the women who went to work to replace the men in the workforce who went off to war. Find out the story of Saipan’s famous wartime baker, Herman “Pan” Guerrero, and the Sugar King, Haruji Matsue. Through engaging stories, activities and guided tours, youth are taken back in time to learn about the lives of people who made a difference in World War II.
To learn more about any of these education programs and how you can play a part in preserving history, please contact the Pacific Historic Parks Education Department at saipaned@PacificHistoricParks.org.