As a retired educator, I would like to respond to comments suggesting technology supersedes the benefits of field trips. I am fortunate to be a part of the Coachella History Museum School Tour experience.

Our wonderful museum is in Indio on Miles Avenue providing public, private and school tours. Retired teachers and volunteers give students from Palm Springs to Coachella many experiences which include learning about our indigenous people, the Cahuillas, visiting and learning about life in a 1926 adobe home, seeing machinery and tools needed by pioneers of our valley, exploring our railroad and agricultural roots, touring a blacksmith shop and going back in time to sit in the seats of students who attended our restored 1909 schoolhouse.

Hands-on experiences “cement” learning for the students. We have carefully planned our tours to align to the State Standards for Social Studies, Science and Language Arts. Last year, 2,500 third-graders were able to attend our free tour. Because of wonderful volunteer-teaching docents, we provide experiences students could never get from a book or a computer.

Please visit our museum. By touching the past, you touch the future.

Cathy Claborn
Bermuda Dunes