For the kids in the Buena Park School District in Orange County, California, the past isn�t dead. In fact, it�s just a short jaunt up Beach Boulevard, right across the street from the Wax Museum. Larger than life horses carrying knights decked out in full armor and brandishing lances embellish the gargantuan wall of the Medieval Times castle, and give excited students a hint of the pageantry and spectacle to come as their busses pull into the parking lot.

The boys and girls pile out and eagerly head to the main entrance, stifling giggles and rejecting any pretense of being �cool� as they clutch their colored crowns and move towards the Grand Ceremonial Arena. Lunch, sans silverware, is already waiting for them at the rows of tables lining the arena, and the hundreds of kids filing to their seats quickly settle in for the most exciting history lesson they�ll ever get.

�It�s just amazing to watch them,� said Antonio �Tony� Alcina, Senior Vice President, Western Region, for Medieval Times. �The teachers have prepared them with the study guides we provide, and they become totally immersed in the experience. Watch how they respond!�

In the middle of the arena, the Lord Marshall, playing the role of a medieval announcer, is delivering a history lesson from astride a magnificent Andalusian stallion. The horse I�m riding is an Andalusian like the ones the knights rode in Spain in the 11th century,� he�s saying. �How do you say �horse� in Spanish?�

�CABALLO!� six hundred ecstatic youngsters scream in unison.

�And what do you call the person who rides the horse?� Lord Marshall continues �CABELLEREO!� the youngsters shout out. �Very good! Now, the knights in Spain were known as caballeros�� The lesson continued as the fascinated young crowd gnawed on chicken legs and hung on Lord Marshall�s every word. Medieval Times hosts 500,000 students annually at steeply discounted matinees, and also frequently takes its history lessons on the road. �We receive requests from schools from Los Angeles down to San Diego counties to bring some knights, some horses and come speak,� Alcina said. �The message is so important to students today. We talk about history, of course. But we also use the opportunity to talk about chivalry, and honor, and making smart choices.� The knights stress that in medieval times, there was a strict caste system, Alcina explains. People didn�t have a choice � they couldn�t aspire to a life beyond the class they were born in to. During the school programs, students learn that unlike the society in that era, young people today have the power to work towards their dreams, to say no to drugs and violence and to achieve greatness through dedication and hard work, similar to the knight�s medieval code of honor and chivalry. �This is a message they�ve heard before,� Alcina acknowledges, �but backed with the spectacle of the knights, the ancient weapons and the horses, it becomes truly important to them. It�s an event � and an opportunity to take the message to heart and remember it. They have choices now. They learn that wasn�t always true.� Besides delivering a contemporary message of inspiration and empowerment, the Medieval Times educational matinees support and enhance the state�s Social Studies mandate for teaching the Middle Ages in both the middle and high school History curriculum. The Lord Marshall�s presentation includes references to the political structure of the feudal society, cultural traditions and changes in Western society, the Crusades, warfare and tournaments, conflict between Christians and Moslems in Spain and the expulsion of Jews and Moslems from Spain in 1492. Set against the backdrop of the pageantry of a realistic Middle Ages tournament, the important historical perspectives spring to life and give enthusiastic students a unique and insightful perspective on this rich chapter of the world�s history.

Educators and city leaders alike are enthusiastic supporters of Medieval Times� school programs. �The time and energy your organization has devoted to our schools has been tremendous,� Buena Park City Manager Greg Beaubien said in a letter. �Children have learned that it�s both rewarding and fun to study history, thanks to your efforts.� Matinees at the castle are booked months in advance, and the school visitation schedule is also jam-packed.

Educators and city leaders alike are enthusiastic supporters of Medieval Times� school programs. �The time and energy your organization has devoted to our schools has been tremendous,� Buena Park City Manager Greg Beaubien said in a letter. �Children have learned that it�s both rewarding and fun to study history, thanks to your efforts.� Matinees at the castle are booked months in advance, and the school visitation schedule is also jam-packed.

In addition to its Buena Park location, Medieval Times is also located in Kissimmee, FL; Dallas, TX; Lyndhurst, NJ; Schaumburg, IL; Myrtle Beach, SC; Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Hanover, MD. Please call 1-888- WE-JOUST or 714-521-4740 or visit the company�s website at www.medievaltimes.com for more information.

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Media Contact: David Manuel +1 714-523-1100 dmanuel@medievaltimes.com