Mission San Juan Capistrano Open for Learning!

Mission San Juan Capistrano has transformed its learning programs and now offers a variety of creative remote programs and in-person fieldtrips. After months of closure, Mission San Juan Capistrano welcomes back students, educators, parents, homeschoolers and small learning groups with diverse educational programs, immersive experiences and new distance learning options.

The Mission’s learning experiences typically draw an estimated 44,000 students each year supporting the California History-Social Science Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards while highlighting the history of native peoples in California.

“We applaud our teachers and new parent-teachers who stepped in for remote learning this past year. The Mission has become a special ‘Rite of Passage’ experience for school-aged children throughout California, and despite setbacks this year, we’re committed to being a place of inspiration, education and preservation for people of all backgrounds and abilities,” said Mission San Juan Capistrano Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams.

The Mission’s new distance learning and on-site programs include a variety of interactive and pre-recorded experiences including:

· Virtual field trips or livestream Mission walkthrough with a guide

· In Our Voice video series featuring Native American Storytelling, Singing and a Special Bell Ringing (specially recorded this year for learners)

· Video tour with Mission Education Director

· Onsite options for small groups include private VIP tours or audio guided tours

· Exclusive 360 degree Architectural & Historical Views video series

Mission San Juan is also pleased to offer a one-time free voucher for elementary school-aged students to visit the Mission with their families. Vouchers can be downloaded from the Mission’s website (School and Parent Resources tab) and are valid through June 2021.

In conjunction with the CDC, State, County and Diocesan guidelines for the care and protection of public health as well as input from Mission supporters, guests are asked to bring their own drinking water, wear masks and practice social distancing at all times.

For more information about Mission San Juan Capistrano’s learning programs, call (949) 234-1306, email bookatour@missionsjc.com, or visit www.missionsjc.com/book.

About Mission San Juan Capistrano

Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that features permanent exhibits with original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits. Orange County’s only Mission, the site is home to Serra Chapel, The Great Stone Church and the original padres’ quarters of the South Wing and promotes faith, education, preservation and cultural event programming.

Founded on November 1, 1776, by Saint Junipero Serra as the seventh of 21 California missions established by Spain, Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and receives no church or state funding. The Mission Preservation Foundation, comprised of business and community leaders, is its fundraising entity committed to ensuring education, preservation and its long-term historic and religious significance.

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