Trip Schedules
Trip lengths can range from one to five days. The most popular option is a three-day/two-night trip, which includes:
- 4 courses (chosen from 9 options)
- 4 hours of recreation time
- 2 evening events
- 2 nights lodging
- 7 meals
Outdoor Education
Take learning out of the classroom. Take the classroom outside.
The Outdoor Education Program curriculum provides multiple learning tracks, including Science, History, and Team Building. Our curriculum is specifically designed to address the current TEKS, ensuring the full range of academic content aligns with the rigorous standards required in the formal classroom. Content is delivered in specially-designed outdoor classrooms by entertaining and highly-trained instructors.
Location
Van, TX
Group Size
10-400
Grades
4-5
School Programs Operate
Mid-September through Mid-May
Monday-Friday
No summer School Programs
Book TodayCurriculum
Limnology
An interactive, hands-on experience for students to take part in the study of inland waters.
- Visit the turtle room in our lab and study learned behaviors and inherited traits.
- Hold an actual Red Eared Slider from our turtle touch tank.
- Take an incredible journey as water molecules and learn about the water cycle.
- Become Limnologists and conduct a water quality analysis in our wet lab using actual scientific equipment.
- Discover whether the claims on the label of a fish product are accurate by testing them at our test pond.
- Visit Adventure Pond to collect and identify macroinvertebrates.
Forces in Nature
Students will delve into the Forces in Nature that shape our environment.
- Engage in gravity and friction experimentation while using our four line mock zipline.
- Explore gases and pressure by launching student-designed rockets.
- Hike into nature to observe the rock cycle and the effects of weathering agents, erosion, and deposition on the landscape.
- Watch landforms, such as canyons and deltas, take shape as we make it "rain."
Expeditions
A fun and adventurous expedition through and around the Sky Ranch Nature Center for budding explorers.
- Travel to Sky Ranch Expedition's base camp to observe reptiles, mammals, and arthropods.
- Determine the difference between learned behaviors and inherited traits.
- Discover the meaning of a habitat and a niche.
- Learn the structures and functions of various animal parts.
- Compare and contrast compost samples and collect data on the stages of decomposition.
- Analyze the impact of man on the environment and see ecological succession firsthand.
Native Americans
Allow students to discover Native American culture at our archeological dig site, while observing the effects of the European Exploration of Texas accompanied by a hands-on learning experience.
- Dig site discovery led our “head archeologist and their team of trusted interns.”
- Build a tipi and compare dwellings of different Native American tribes in Texas.
- Discover the importance of the fur trade and the Native American economy.
- Learn how to use a bow and arrow and practice archery skills.
- Hold tools crafted with bone, stone, and obsidian.
- Observe hunting strategies used by the Native Americans.
- Create a bracelet by collecting a relic from each class site.
Texas History
A fascinating and experiential look into the History of Texas as students journey back in time to meet some timeless heroes.
- "Travel" back to the year 1836 and relive the events during the Texas Revolution.
- Join Sam Houston and Susanna Dickinson as they make preparations for the Runaway Scrape.
- Learn the life and history of the early Texas Rangers.
- Embark on a scout training mission with a Texas Ranger.
- Learn how to be a "Texas Ranger" and shoot slingshots.
- Engage in reconnaissance utilizing a map.
- "Purchase" goods from a traveling U.S. supplier.
- Learn about ranching and livestock branding.
Ranch Life
Students learn what it takes to live a life on the Ranch as they interact with real life trailhands.
- Spend time in the organic garden discovering natural farming methods.
- Tend to ranch animals, such as cows, goats, and horses, as the early settlers did.
- Practice packing a saddle for the journey ahead.
- Learn to ride a horse and participate in an actual trail ride while learning the history of the cattle industry in Texas.
- Discuss and learn about famous cattle trails, and participate in a cattle drive game where they gain experience in choosing what supplies to bring.
Orienteering
Sky Ranch recognizes that learning is extremely successful when it's fun and exciting! In our Orienteering class, students have an amazing adventure while learning practical skills.
- Learn basic compass skills, including the difference between Magnetic North and True North, while finding hidden clues.
- Become field ecologists and conduct a plot survey.
- Identify each tree species within a 10 x 10 meter plot.
- Measure the tree circumference to analyze growth and understand the history of the ecosystem.
- Construct a mathematical model to estimate the number of trees in Sky Forest, using their sample data.
Challenges
Are your students team players? Reinforce team community through fun and exciting challenges.
- Discover the value of good communication skills, along with trust and cooperation.
- Utilize creativity and high level critical thinking skills while working together as a team to solve problems and accomplish goals.
- Learn to lead, as well as follow, in order to achieve a common purpose.
- Build individual character and confidence a well as strengthen team dynamics within collaborative groups.
Fishing
Students have a great time fishing on Sky Lake and learn about fish identification, safety skills, and much more.
- Cast a line and learn basic fishing skills including hook safety and casting.
- Identify fish species located in East Texas such as bass, catfish, sunfish, and crappie.
- Learn about predator/prey relationships, food web, and learned and inherited traits.
- Learn to identify parts of a fish through a fun, hands-on game.
Inquire Today!
Start planning your trip today by filling out the form below to have us contact you.