“I cannot say enough about how well run the Riley’s Farm Revolutionary Overnight trip is.
We just took our 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from San Diego to Oak Glen to have this experience. From the start, the communication was so transparent. They were flexible with our needs since we were traveling with 65 students so far a distance. The students thoroughly enjoyed every single activity they had. They absolutely loved the marching and drilling and how staff at each station was in character, witty and interacted well with them! They even reported that it felt like they were living history! One of the best experiences was the tavern at night where they played live music, celebrated with toasts and even heard a speech from Riley himself. The overnight sleeping on cots was a once and a lifetime experience. The night watch did a wonderful job of escorting us to the restroom and making us feel extremely safe.
From the mock battles, to the etiquette station, to the marching and drilling and more, we extend our deepest gratitude for giving us teachers the enjoyment, the laughter and fulfillment of making the trip for these students. Our students cannot stop talking about this trip and now they can actually make connections to history in their lives.”
–Lauryn, San Diego
“I wanted to take a moment to tell you how deeply moving your performance as Patrick Henry was.. Your passion and enthusiasm for what you do is unparalleled in all my educational experiences of history, including my years at college, majoring in it..”
–Julie
Santa Barbara, California
My compliments on the superb “American Revolution School Tour” that John Muir Middle School experienced on Wednesday. You, Sgt. Major Harmon, Master Villareal, Master Drazin, and Miss Shaddix all played your roles brilliantly. I’ve been teaching American History for over thirty years, and have visited Williamsburg, Jamestown, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Mystic Seaport and other “living history” sites as a tourist, so I feel qualified to give you an enthusiastic “thumbs up” on the quality and quantity of information that was entertainingly presented at each of the rotation sites. You certainly make effective use of the three-and-a-half hours!
–Glen
Burbank, California
Thank you for a wonderful field trip yesterday! Since I am New England born and bred, I wondered how you could live up to my Revolutionary War expectations. Well I must say you surpassed them! Thank you from the entire 5th grade class at the Academy of Academic Excellence! We had a great time! All of you did a bang up job and we plan on returning next year. Thanks again!
–Donna
Academy for Academic Excellence
Our 8th graders had a superb field trip to your Revolutionary War session in December. I was truly impressed with the professionalism, dedication, authenticity and true-life experiences the students enjoyed. (I was a docent for Massachusetts historical sites, as well as for the Ventura County Historical Society.)
–Judith Nelson
Riverside, California
It goes a long way when you show a child a book with information about the history of the world they live in. When you give that same child the opportunity to see it first hand, hear, and feel the sounds of the past now you have given that child a lesson that will last a life-time. God Bless You!
–Paul Francis
Oceanside, California
I would just like to thank you immensely for the wonderful adventure you and your staff took my students on yesterday. They came to school today with a true love of the country and a renewed love of history. They read a story in class today called, “…If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution” and as soon as the story was over, the talk about yesterday began. They loved every minute of their time there…Thank you once again for all of your hard work in bring this period of
history to life for my students.
Lisa Digrado
Linda Vista Elementary
Pasadena, California
My class chaperones and I really enjoyed your reenactment of the Revolutionary War. All Day long I heard comments such as: “wow, this is fun,” “I’m learning something new,” “I never knew that,” “Now I understand…”
Our trip was excellent and I know my students learned more than what I had been teaching from our textbook. Thank you for making history come alive for my students and me.”
–Rhonda
Arroyo Verde School
“I was at the farm on Friday March 22nd with my daughter’s school. I’ve been a mom for 22½ years and have been doing field trips for over 17 years, and yours is by far the best one EVER!!! And it’s not just because our last name is Riley. Everyone was so nice, knowledgeable, polite, professional and in character most of the time. I seriously loved it and will be back with my husband and the rest of the family. Thanks for everything.” –Debi Riley
Bellflower, California
“My class just had its field trip today and it was fantastic! All of the kids thoroughly enjoyed it and really experienced the Colonial Life we have been studying. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience. This was one social studies lesson that even my most fidgety pupils did not consider “boring” even for a moment! Well done!” — Carmella Danella
Santa Ana, California
“We are looking forward to visiting your farm again. It is our school’s favorite fieldtrip. After two years, we have students asking when we are going and signing up early!”
– Shannon Cabanas, Cobalt Middle School
Victorville, CA
“To all the folks at Riley Farm–Thanks for all the great work you do! All the best,” –Walter Fay,
Executive Producer “The Patriot”
“We just attended with our Charter school, Gorman learning center. My 13 year old Stephen, and 7 year old Jessica really enjoyed the interactive/reinactment of the Revolutionary War. But to tell you the truth,I think I enjoyed it just as much. I only wish I could have brought the other sons, age 15..Mark, and 17…Luke. They would have loved it also. So, we will attend future engagements if possible. Thank you so much again. We had a WONDERFUL time!!!” –Diana Spink, Panorma City
“A touch of Colonial America on the West Coast. The Rileys have done their research! The authenticity of food, clothing, sharing of colonial trades, shelter and surrounding environment is truly remarkable. Participating in a battle … was a definite highlight…”
