DESTINATIONS

FIELD TRIPS

Students will learn about the history of the Union Canal and the Swatara Creek and Middletown, Pennsylvania on a scenic, 11-mile Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad excursion. The conductor’s narration focuses on Union Canal Lock 33 (completed in 1827) and the folklore of Horse Thief Cave, as well as a variety of other educational fun facts relevant to the region. Students are welcome to ask the train crew questions on the return trip.

Special themed train excursions are available that include the Ice Cream Sundae Express, Pumpkin Patch Train Rides, the Polar Bear Express Ride with Santa, and others. Groups must make advanced reservations.

supports classroom learning in:
Transportation, Social Studies, Local History

topics covered:
Transportation, History, Geography, Locomotives, Local History, Union Canal, Swatara Creek

contact info
Name: Debbie High
Phone: 717-944-4435 opt 1.
Email: [email protected]

INFO

Grade Level: All Grades Group Size: 134 Maximum Program Type: Day Trips, Guided Tours Recomm. Length of Visit: 1 hr. Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Varies Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Varies Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Varies Registration: Phone Food Options: Bring your own Cost: Fee Accessible To: PD.

ABOUT

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad

Take a fun and informative ride through the Union Canal and the Swatara Creek Valley on the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad. Aboard a 1920s vintage train, the conductor will narrate your journey, highlighting various historical locations along the way. Special themed train excursions include Ice Cream Sundae Express, Fall Foliage Express, Pumpkin Patch Train Rides, the Polar Bear Express Ride with Santa, and others.

contact info

Hrs: Office: Mon.-Fri. 10AM-5PM.

HELPFUL LESSON PLAN(S)

Prepared by FieldTripDirectory.com

Railroad Excursion Lesson Plan

FUN FACTS

Did you know that before the invention and popular use of the railroad, Americans told time by the position of the sun in the sky? After the development of the railway system, consistent, accurate time became necessary. In 1883, Standard Railway Time was adopted. Shortly after that, the four time zones—eastern standard, central daylight, mountain standard, and Pacific daylight—were adopted. Who knew that an invention in transportation could drastically alter how Americans told time?

View Lesson Plan>>

FIELD TRIPS

Scouts will learn about the history of the Union Canal and the Swatara Creek and Middletown, Pennsylvania on a scenic, 11-mile Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad excursion. The conductor’s narration focuses on Union Canal Lock 33 (completed in 1827) and the folklore of Horse Thief Cave, as well as a variety of other educational fun facts relevant to the region. Students are welcome to ask the train crew questions on the return trip.

Special themed train excursions are available that include the Ice Cream Sundae Express, Pumpkin Patch Train Rides, the Polar Bear Express Ride with Santa, and others. Groups must make advanced reservations.

supports scout badges in:
Social Studies, Transportation

topics covered:
Transportation, History, Geography, Locomotives, Local History, Union Canal, Swatara Creek

contact info
Name: Debbie High
Phone: 717-944-4435 opt. 1
Email: [email protected]

INFO

Grade Level: All Grades Group Size: 134 Maximum Program Type: Day Trips, Guided Tours Recomm. Length of Visit: 1 hr. Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Varies Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Varies Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Varies Registration: Phone. Food Options: Bring your own Cost: Fee Accessible To: PD.

ABOUT

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad

Take a fun and informative ride through the Union Canal and the Swatara Creek Valley on the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad. Aboard a 1920s vintage train, the conductor will narrate your journey, highlighting various historical locations along the way. Special themed train excursions include Ice Cream Sundae Express, Fall Foliage Express, Pumpkin Patch Train Rides, the Polar Bear Express Ride with Santa, and others.

contact info

Hrs: Offie: Mon.-Fri. 10AM-5PM.

HELPFUL LESSON PLAN(S)

Prepared by FieldTripDirectory.com

Railroad Excursion Lesson Plan

FUN FACTS

Did you know that before the invention and popular use of the railroad, Americans told time by the position of the sun in the sky? After the development of the railway system, consistent, accurate time became necessary. In 1883, Standard Railway Time was adopted. Shortly after that, the four time zones—eastern standard, central daylight, mountain standard, and Pacific daylight—were adopted. Who knew that an invention in transportation could drastically alter how Americans told time?

View Lesson Plan>>

FIELD TRIPS

Campers will learn about the history of the Union Canal and the Swatara Creek and Middletown, Pennsylvania on a scenic, 11-mile Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad excursion. The conductor’s narration focuses on Union Canal Lock 33 (completed in 1827) and the folklore of Horse Thief Cave, as well as a variety of other educational fun facts relevant to the region. Campers are welcome to ask the train crew questions on the return trip.

Special themed train excursions are available that include the Ice Cream Sundae Express, Pumpkin Patch Train Rides, the Polar Bear Express Ride with Santa, and others. Groups must make advanced reservations.

topics covered:
Transportation, History, Geography, Locomotives, Local History, Union Canal, Swatara Creek

contact info
Name: Debbie High
Phone: 717-944-4435 opt 1
Email: [email protected]

INFO

Grade Level: All Grades Group Size: 134 Maximum Program Type: Day Trips, Guided Tours. Recomm. Length of Visit: 1 hr. Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Varies Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Varies Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Varies Registration: Phone Food Options: Bring your own Cost: Fee

ABOUT

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad

Take a fun and informative ride through the Union Canal and the Swatara Creek Valley on the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad. Aboard a 1920s vintage train, the conductor will narrate your journey, highlighting various historical locations along the way. Special themed train excursions include Ice Cream Sundae Express, Fall Foliage Express, Pumpkin Patch Train Rides, the Polar Bear Express Ride with Santa, and others.

contact info

Hrs: Office: Mon.-Fri. 10AM-5PM.

FIELD TRIPS

Homeschool students will learn about the history of the Union Canal and the Swatara Creek and Middletown, Pennsylvania on a scenic, 11-mile Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad excursion. The conductor’s narration focuses on Union Canal Lock 33 (completed in 1827) and the folklore of Horse Thief Cave, as well as a variety of other educational fun facts relevant to the region. Homeschool students are welcome to ask the train crew questions on the return trip.

Special themed train excursions are available that include the Ice Cream Sundae Express, Pumpkin Patch Train Rides, the Polar Bear Express Ride with Santa, and others. Groups must make advanced reservations.

supports classroom learning in:
Transportation, Social Studies, Local History

topics covered:
Transportation, History, Geography, Locomotives, Local History, Union Canal, Swatara Creek

contact info
Name: Debbie High
Phone: 717-944-4435 Opt. 1
Email: [email protected]

INFO

Grade Level: All Grades Group Size: 134 Maximum Program Type: Day Trips, Guided Tours Recomm. Length of Visit: 1 hr. Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Varies Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Varies Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Varies Registration: Phone Food Options: Bring your own Cost: Fee

ABOUT

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad

Take a fun and informative ride through the Union Canal and the Swatara Creek Valley on the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad. Aboard a 1920s vintage train, the conductor will narrate your journey, highlighting various historical locations along the way. Special themed train excursions include Ice Cream Sundae Express, Fall Foliage Express, Pumpkin Patch Train Rides, the Polar Bear Express Ride with Santa, and others.

contact info

Hrs: Office: Mon.-Fri. 10AM-5PM.

HELPFUL LESSON PLAN(S)

Prepared by FieldTripDirectory.com

Railroad Excursion Lesson Plan

FUN FACTS

Did you know that before the invention and popular use of the railroad, Americans told time by the position of the sun in the sky? After the development of the railway system, consistent, accurate time became necessary. In 1883, Standard Railway Time was adopted. Shortly after that, the four time zones—eastern standard, central daylight, mountain standard, and Pacific daylight—were adopted. Who knew that an invention in transportation could drastically alter how Americans told time?

View Lesson Plan>>

FAMILY OUTINGS

Families will learn about the history of the Union Canal and the Swatara Creek and Middletown, Pennsylvania on a scenic, 11-mile Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad excursion. The conductor’s narration focuses on Union Canal Lock 33 (completed in 1827) and the folklore of Horse Thief Cave, as well as a variety of other educational fun facts relevant to the region. Children are welcome to ask the train crew questions on the return trip.

Special themed train excursions are available that include the Ice Cream Sundae Express, Pumpkin Patch Train Rides, the Polar Bear Express Ride with Santa, and others. Advanced reservations.

contact info
Name: Debbie High
Phone: 717-944-4435 opt 1.
Email: [email protected]

INFO

Grade Level: All Grades Program Type: Day Trips, Guided Tours Recomm. Length of Visit: 1 hr Registration: Phone Food Options: bring your own Cost: Fee

ABOUT

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad

Take a fun and informative ride through the Union Canal and the Swatara Creek Valley on the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad. Aboard a 1920s vintage train, the conductor will narrate your journey, highlighting various historical locations along the way. Special themed train excursions include Ice Cream Sundae Express, Fall Foliage Express, Pumpkin Patch Train Rides, the Polar Bear Express Ride with Santa, and others.

contact info

Hrs: Varies