EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS MUST GO ON

Graff 7A Ranch Farm Field Trips 911 US Hwy 90, Hondo, TX Graff7ARanch.com

Home of the South Texas Maize. Open weekends September 19 - November 28. Enjoy a great family adventure with food and fun for all. See our website for details on events and activities. Field Trips are October 8 - November 20, Thursday and Friday only. Reservations required. Regardless of the age of your students, the South Texas Maize makes a great field trip opportunity at the Graff 7A Ranch. We want to educate and ‘recreate’ your students! We can accomplish that goal in a fun and unique setting. We invite you to bring your kiddos to get lost in our classroom in the maze. Every field trip includes our 7-acre maze with age appropriate “passports:, hayride, a ride on the barrel train, goat petting, Hay Bale Jump, Kiddie Korral, Corn Popper jumps, and sliding on Matter-Corn Slide Mountain. See our website for special Thanksgiving week schedule and for more details. Just a short country drive from San Antonio. Buy or reserve tickets online.

Traders Village Corny Maze 9333 SW Loop 410 (at Old Pearsall Road) San Antonio, TX 78242 (210) 623-8383 http://www.TradersVillage.com

Introducing the FIRST & ONLY Corn Maze in San Antonio! Come to Traders Village weekends in October & November for the Traders Village “CORNY MAZE. 10 acres of pure fun! Inside the maze has 3 trails. The Easy trail is for little kids; the Medium trail takes 30 minutes to 1 hour; and the Hard trail takes 1 ½ hours – 2 hours. Try out our new Corn Cannon! Other activities at the Corny Maze include Theme Park Rides, Pumpkin Patch, Petting Zoo, Photo Ops, Concessions, Scheduled Entertainment, Hay Ride, Roasted Corn, Corn in a Cup, Popcorn and great shopping.

Sweet Berry Farm 1801 FM 1980, Marble Falls, Texas, 78654 (830)-798-1462 www.sweetberryfarm.com

A pick your own Strawberry farm in the Spring and a Pumpkin patch in the Fall. Loads of family fun. School groups can experience the outdoors like never before! Explore farming, entomology, animals and more with Sweet Berry Farm’s field trip programs. (General public does not need to make a reservation to visit the farm.)Field Trips are offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays ONLY and must have a minimum of 20 participants.

Animals

Animal Defense League of Texas 11300 Nacogdoches Rd San Antonio, TX 78217 210-655-1481 info@adltexas.org • www.adltexas.org

Educational Tours can be scheduled for groups of up to 15 adults that would like to visit our facility. For school groups with children between ages 10 and 15, we can host 10 students with at least one chaperone. Topics discussed during the tour include the intake of animals, animal care, the adoption process, hospital programs, and ADL in the community. The tour includes a walk-through of our Cattery and Kennels, as well as a question and answer period. There is minimal animal interaction on our educational tours.

Exotic Resort Zoo 235 Zoo Trail, Johnson City, Texas 78636 (830) 868-4357 www.zooexotics.com

We are currently operating as a drive-through only. Please call or us or check our website for updates on Field Trip status

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch 26515 Natural Bridge Cavern Rd. San Antonio, TX 78266 830-438-7400 groupsales@WildlifeRanchTexas.com www.WildlifeRanchTexas.com

We are open! Field Program is suspended until further notice. Safety measures are in place for visitors due to COVID 19. See our website for details. Wild adventures await you on this Safari Trek through 450 acres of the Texas Hill Country. From the comfort of your own vehicle or bus, photograph, feed, and get up-close-and-personal with over 45 different animal species from around

10 Our Kids Magazine | September 2020

the world. Check our website for field trip updates.

The San Antonio Zoo is one of the finest outdoor learning environments in South Texas! A Zoo visit could be just what your class needs to spark interest in science and observational learning. From characteristics of species, to adaptations for survival, to the wonders of nature, the San Antonio Zoo is the perfect classroom to introduce or reinforce your TEKS curriculum!

We have a large petting zoo/play area, two covered pavilions for lunches. We provide educational stations (5-15 minutes long) introducing students to farm animals including: Ponies donkeys, Goats, Sheep, Alpacas, Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys, Pigs, and rabbits. Hay Rides, Pony Rides (optional) and a Playground for extra entertainment. Admission: $5 per child without pony rides, $6 per child with pony rides, Teachers/school staff are free, Chaperones $5. Field trip times are from 9-1:30 (flexible). Please call or text Lana for Reservations 210-740-3069.

Visit the “big enchilada” to explore the many fun and free resources available at the San Antonio Public Library. Designed by renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legoretta, the Central Library is home to a number of special spaces including the Latino Collection and Resource Center, the Marie Swartz Art Resource Center, designated Children and Teen spaces equipped with the latest technology, the Low Vision Reading Room, the Jobs and Small Business Center, and the Texana/Genealogy Department.

San Antonio Water System 210-233-3626 Two field trip options are available: Down the Drain: Exploring Water After the Flush - Students learn about the process of wastewater treatment and how it can be recycled for future use as they tour SaNAntonio’s largest wastewater treatment facility. H2Oaks Center: Home To San Antonio’s Water Future - Students learn about San Antonio’s diverse water sources as they tour SAWS new state of the art brackish groundwater desalination facility. Tour

Length: 1.5 hours Grades: 6th - 12th Grade Requirements: Transportation to the field trip site must be provided by the school; group sizes are limited to one bus. Tours are conducted on Thursdays and subject to availability.

If you’re looking for an exhilarating, and even educational off-site experience complete with a professional rodeo, music, dance lessons, food, refreshments, and hands-on team building activities, Tejas Rodeo is the place for you. We take pride in our deep Texas and Western Heritage roots, our support of agriculture, and our strong family values. We have created the ultimate opportunity for field trips, getaways, and youth ventures. In order to follow the Texas reopening guidelines, we have had to make a few updates. Here are a list of things you should know before you come: •️ We are open at a limited capacity. •️ Face Masks Required. We will have bandanas for sale if you forget yours.➡️ Maintain Social Distancing: Keep 6ft apart •️ Currently, we’re not allowed to have exhibits •️ Seating in the arena: We are alternating rows between spectators. Separate parties will need Open on the Weekends All Year • Petting Zoo • Pony Rides • Hay Rides • Play/Climbing Areas • Birthday Parties

Owl Creek Farm

12355 Military Dr. SATX 78253 6ft separation between them •️ We will have a live band following the rodeo, however, dancing is discouraged •️ Maximum 10 people per table

Every visit to The DoSeum is an educational one, and we welcome school groups, homeschool cohorts, and other organizations to visit us as groups for self-guided exploration of our museum galleries this fall. Our exhibits are thoughtfully designed to accommodate a wide range of ages, interests, and developmental stages from birth to age 11. Group Visits can be scheduled Monday thru Friday during our normal operating hours. Group Visits are discounted from our regular admission price of $14 per person aged 1 and up to $10 per person. All children visiting with groups must be accompanied by an adult while visiting The DoSeum. To ensure a positive experience for everyone, we ask that Group Visits use this 1 adult for every 5 children ratio to divide into smaller groups to explore

separately.

http://owlcreekfarmsa.com/

Hands-On Science Fun

In Person or Virtual!

Open September 19 thru November 28, 2020 What’s included in Fall Admission: 7-acre maze, hayride, MatterCorn Slide Mountain, Twin Cow Train, Cowboy Ken’s Kiddie Korral, Hay Bale Jump, Colin’s Cluckers, and unlimited jumping on two Corn Pop-Poppers!

Spend a fall evening gathered around a campfire with your friends and family … and S’Mores!

From hayrides to hay bales, and jumping pillows — it’s aMAZEing fun in the Fall.

Turkey legs and funnel cakes. Pizza! Barbeque at the SmokeHaus and lots more!

7 acres of corny fun planted in a new design every year. Getting lost means having fun!

Field Trips are a great learning opportunity. We want to educate and ‘recreate’ visitors with a fun and unique setting. Reservations are required.

The Capitol Complex makes a perfect complement to a visit to the city. Our various facilities are designed to serve visitors to the Capitol, whether observing the legislative process, strolling the grounds, buying a unique gift, learning about Texas history, exploring the Capital Visitors Center (old General Land office) or simply enjoying the magnificent architecture of the complex buildings. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more for the Capitol and the Visitors Center.

On February 23, 1836, Mexican General Santa Anna arrived in San Antonio with thousands of soldiers determined to take back the Alamo from less than 200 defenders. What happened over the next 13 days would change the course of history in San Antonio, Texas, and the United States. The Alamo offers students a virtual tour of the grounds and engaging website content for Texas History students. Please contact education@thealamo.org for more information.

Cost: Adults, $4; Children/Students w/ID, and Seniors $3 per person; Family Rates - $8 (covers 2 adults +1 child or 1 adult +2 children); Group rates are available. Hours: Tues. – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 12 – 5pm. Casa Navarro State Historic Site, is a National Historic Landmark in downtown San Antonio. It is the restored home of Tejano patriot José Antonio Navarro. Navarro was an influential figure in Texas during the momentous fifty-five year period (1810-1865) when the state’s destiny was forged. A leading advocate of Tejano rights, he is best known as “The Strongest Defender of the Rights of His People.” Today, selfguided and interactive exhibits help visitors get a feel for the time and place inhabited by Navarro and his fellow San Antonians.

Cost: Free. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Reservations are not required for entry or activities. Education groups and youth groups are required to make a reservation for guided tours. Ranger guided tours available Wednesday – Friday at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Self guided and teacher guided tours do not require reservations. In 1718 Franciscans Friars and Spanish representatives established the first mission. Within 13 years San Jose, Espada, and San Juan Capistrano were located along the San Antonio River. Today visitors can retrace the footsteps of the mission Indians and friars. Run by the National Park Service. Handicap accessible. 12 Our Kids Magazine | September 2020

We invite you to visit our campus to learn the story of Southwest School of Art, the only independent college of art in Texas, and its historic site. Learn about our Young Artist Programs, our community classes and our growing Bachelor of Fine Arts program. Stroll through our exhibitions that are free and open to the public. Docent tours of the historic main building and grounds are available Monday through Friday, please call for hours. Free parking is available on site. Arrangements can be made for other times or groups larger than 10, by calling ahead. Tours of our gallery space and studio areas are also available.

Steves Homestead 509 King William St. San Antonio, TX 78204 210-225-5924 www.saconservation.org Hours: 10 a.m. – 3:30p.m daily. Journey back to the Victorian Era at this elegant three-story mansion built in 1876 for German lumber magnate Edward Steves, located in the historic King William District. In 1952 the homestead was donated to the San Antonio Conservation Society, which opened the homestead to tours in 1954. Also on the grounds are the River House, one of San Antonio’s first indoor pools, now a meeting facility; The Carriage House; and the Servant’s Quarters, now housing the visitors’ center. Group rates and behind-the-scenes tours available upon request.

Currently closed due to COVID 19 Pandemic. Check website for reopening.Detailing the many cultures that came to Texas and contributed to its cultural heritage. More than 20 Texas cultures represented on the main exhibit floor. Traveling exhibits detail particular aspects of culture and history. 26-screen Dome Theater multimedia presentation, “Back 40” 1800s-period outdoor education area. Hands-on and TEKS-compliant field trips.

San Antonio Fire Museum is currently closed but hopes to reopen in mid September. Please call or check website for updated information.

EstabliEstablished in 1881, The Buckhorn features one-of-a-kind animal exhibits from around the world. There are animals from Africa, Asia, Antarctica, North America and fish from the Seven Seas! Step back in time in our Texas Ranger Museum and see what San Antonio looked like in the late 1800s. Learn about the Texas Rangers and enjoy individual displays of historic

“The Museum is currently closed to the public but hopes to reopen soon. However, the museum is available to work with schools. Please check our website or call for more information. Normal hours: Thurs. & Fri., 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Friday is group day, reservations must be made in advance. Train rides start at noon and end at 4:30, every 45 minutes. For many youngsters, this will be their very first train ride. Reading about railroads in books or on the internet cannot compare with the real live experience of riding the rails or seeing a genuine traditional depot and walking through old fashioned passenger cars that became sleepers at night as even what we consider to be relatively short journeys today sometimes took days in days gone by. Bookings can be made through the museum’s website.

Even though our doors are closed, the museum is virtually OPEN to serve you! The Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio offers a wide array of multimedia resources for individuals and schools wanting to connect to the museum. Our website allows visitors to watch a virtual tour of the museum, hear local survivors share their experience during the Holocaust, browse our exhibits and explore the Holocaust through our online interactive resources. Teachers and parents can also find a teacher’s guide with worksheets to use along with our virtual tour, book reviews of Holocaust related books, and can schedule a virtual meeting with one of our docents for a Q & A session to discuss the virtual tour or schedule an online activity session led by the museum specialists.

COVID 19 update: As of May 22, 2020 Cascade Caverns reoped for cave tours. Capacities will be limited, social distancing will be required, masks required on cave tour. Exit 543 on i-10, 14 miles NW of San Antonio and Fiesta Texas. Call for more information.

Cave Without a Name 325 Kreutzberg Rd. Boerne, TX 78006 830-537-4212 www.cavewithoutaname.com Many precautions are in place to protect the health of both our employees and guests. Stations with sanitizing gel are provided; restrooms are available for handwashing. We follow a cleaning and sanitizing schedule to ensure all areas are as safe as possible. The staff is assessed daily for elevated temperature and told if they are not feeling well to stay home. To protect all around, all staff and guests wear masks.

• All guests over five are expected to bring and wear face coverings of the nose and mouth while in the customer center/gift shop area, restrooms, and the cave. • Please follow suggested hand washing methods, use hand sanitizer, avoid touching your face, and maintain safe physical distancing from other parties, not in your household; children must stay with adults at all times. • Walk-ins are allowed, space available. Since tour sizes are limited, guests without reservations may find extended wait times, so please call for reservations

COVID 19 UPDATE: Texas State University has temporarily closed all educational and dive operations at the Meadows Center until further notice. The trails at Spring Lake and the Wetlands Boardwalk are also closed to the public until further notice. The Meadows Center’s educational mission is to provide people of all ages with the ability to recognize Spring Lake as an unique freshwater ecosystem through interpretative interactive experiences that engages the audience in an exploration of interconnections between all living things and water. Glass bottom boats view the amazing San Marcos Springs. Wetlands walk, public aquariums and native trails provide the perfect outdoor adventure for all ages.

Operational changes are still in effect due to the pandemic and include limiting of in-persoon tours, programs, classes, events and private rental use of facilities. Please call for information on Field Trips. Groups of 15 students (pre-K-High school; public/ private/home school) are eligible for a school group rate. Call for more information and reservations.

Connect with the natural world and learn about local fauna, flora, hydrology, geology, and cultural history by visiting the San Antonio Natural Areas. Guided hikes are led by trained Master Naturalists and include key concepts such as habitats, endangered species, plant and animal adaptations, and more. All hikes align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and lasts 1 to 2 hours. Visit FOSANA.org to request a guided hike or email nicole.mcleod@sanantonio.gov. Limited bus reimbursement funds available for Title 1 designated schools.

Mad Science brings the field trip to you! Mad Science’s in-class interactive workshops are aligned to STEM objective, curriculum correlated and meet Texas STAAR requirements. Workshops are ideal for classroom groups. Special Event shows are filled with fascinating science demonstrations for larger groups. Call us to customize an on-site field trip for your group!

VIA eXplore Learning Lab brings the ride to you with a reverse field trip experience at your campus or youth event. Students aboard the eXplore bus learn how to use public transportation safely. The experience includes a video presentation and smart tablet exercises for age-appropriate internet-based activities. The curriculum is currently designed for K-5 students. Requests outside of this intended audience will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Visit VIAinfo.net/ eXplore, or call (210) 362-2389 to schedule your free visit from VIA eXplore today.

Mad Science brings the field trip to you by zoom! Mad Science’s virtual interactive workshops are aligned to STEM objective, curriculum correlated and meet Texas STAAR requirements. Workshops are ideal for classroom groups. Special Event shows are filled with fascinating science demonstrations for larger groups of up to 500 children. Call us to customize a virtual field trip for your group!

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Looking for a way to enrich your homeschool, distance learning, or work-from-home life? Try out a virtual art museum field trip with the McNay. Each Wednesday at noon, we chat virtually about three works of art that have a common theme. Virtual Field Trips are free and registration is required to receive the link to join. See what’s coming next at mcnayart.org/events.

At the San Antonio Humane Society, our goal is to create a more Humane future for our city. We do this by teaching responsible and loving pet care and promoting respect and compassion for all living creatures in the hearts and minds of children, teens, and young adults within our community. Visit our website for information on virtual tours.

The San Antonio Museum of Art is now accepting reservations for guided K-12 virtual tours of its collections, beginning on September 15, 2020. These virtual tours will provide students an opportunity to observe and have conversations about selected works of art within a chosen theme. The “tour” will be facilitated on Zoom by a docent and/or education department staff member. Virtual field trips will be offered Tuesdays through Fridays and will last approximately 45 minutes.

Field Trip 1: Ever wonder what it would be like to paddle in a kayak down the 240 mile San Antonio River? Take a virtual “field trip” down the river, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, learning about the wildlife and history along the way. Visit the San Antonio River Authority landing page to find the Virtual Tour of the magnificent San Antonio River at: https://www. sariverauthority.org/ Field Trip 2: Want to learn how your neighborhood is connected to the San Antonio River? A virtual set of “field trips” around your neighborhood is critical to understanding the health of the San Antonio River. Join San Antonio River Authority educators on the 15 episode video series, RIVER CAMP! Each episode is accompanied by activities that you can do in the home or classroom, such as a DIY kitchen demonstration or a neighborhood scavenger hunt. RIVER CAMP! can be found on the San Antonio River Authority’s website at: https://www.sariverauthority. org/education/river-camp-virtual-education-series

SAWS has implemented a school-age strategy that uses water as a catalyst to promote science and civic responsibility through presentations, field investigations, service opportunities and other resources. All are free of charge and customized to be age appropriate. Virtual presentations are available for Pre K – 5th graders and a virtual tour of “Investigating Water After the Flush” is also being offered. Additionally, SAWS offers virtual speakers, activities and PBL’s. For more information, go to https://www. saws.org/education/student-programs/.

With 4 different topics to choose from, these TEKs aligned programs are perfect for supporting state standards while enjoying the zoo safely from your classroom – wherever that may be! Each theme is 45 minutes long and includes a live presentation by a zoo educator, lots of photos, a close look at biofacts (such as feathers), and a live animal presentation. Group sizes are limited to allow for an engaging program with plenty of student interaction. Themes: Amazing Animal Care, Adaptations, Biomes, Zoo Careers.

In keeping with the growing opportunities for online viewings and virtual tours, the Texas SenateKids website offers extensive tour and virtual viewing options of the Texas State Capitol building in Austin. Completed in 1888, this beautiful piece of Lone Star State history houses the offices and chambers of the Texas Legislature and the Governor. During this time of social distancing and the closure of tours due to COVID-19 and the Coronavirus pandemic, virtually touring this amazing piece of Texas history is a true blessing. If your family is looking for points of interest here in Texas that they wish to see online, the Texas SenateKids website also provides details regarding the history of the Texas State Capitol. Although it’s not the same as experiencing first-hand all of the statues and paintings on-site, as well as the wellmanicured grounds, this truly breathtaking marvel of Texas architecture is almost as impressive online. For a unique bit of family time in which the younger ones can learn something new, the Texas SenateKids online portal is a great place to start!

On February 23, 1836, Mexican General Santa Anna arrived in San Antonio with thousands of soldiers determined to take back the Alamo from less than 200 defenders. What happened over the next 13 days would change the course of history in San Antonio, Texas, and the United States. The Alamo offers students a virtual tour of the grounds and engaging website content for Texas History students. Please contact education@ thealamo.org for more information.

Bring The DoSeum’s exhibits into your learning environment this fall through engaging virtual experiences! Our virtual experiences are thoughtfully designed to accommodate a wide range of ages, interests, and elementary grades, with a focus on STEM, arts, and literacy content areas! Each Virtual Field Experience is customizable to the needs of your classroom and facilitated with DoSeum educators. Preand Post- visit lesson plans are also included to bring the full DoSeum experience to your students! To book either an on-site group visit or a virtual field experience please contact Jessica Thompson at jthomspon @the doseum.org.

Texas State Capitol Tours

The Holocaust Museum of San Antonio 12500 NW Military Highway San Antonio, TX 78231 210-302-6807 Even though our doors are closed, the museum is virtually OPEN to serve you! The Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio offers a wide array of multimedia resources for individuals and schools wanting to connect to the museum. Our website allows visitors to watch a virtual tour of the museum, hear local survivors share their experience during the Holocaust, browse our exhibits and explore the Holocaust through our online interactive resources. Teachers and parents can also find a teacher’s guide with worksheets to use along with our virtual tour, book reviews of Holocaust related books, and can schedule a virtual meeting with one of our docents for a Q & A session to discuss the virtual tour or schedule an online activity session led by the museum specialists

Since 1987

North Central at 281/Thousand Oaks

Far West Side at Culebra

• Infants • Preschool • Kinder *Summer Program*

4911 Golden Quail Near USAA and Medical Center 210.558.8339 www.montessorichildrenshousesa.com

PREVENT PROMOTE PROTECT HEALTHY PEOPLE, THRIVING IN A HEALTHY COMMUNITY YOUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT PREVENT PROMOTE PROTECT HEALTHY PEOPLE, THRIVING IN A HEALTHY COMMUNITY YOUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT PREVENT PROMOTE PROTECT HEALTHY PEOPLE, THRIVING IN A HEALTHY COMMUNITY YOUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT sanantonio.gov/health sanantonio.gov/health

WHILE A DOCTOR TREATS INDIVIDUALS, PUBLIC HEALTH LOOKS AT THE HEALTH OF A COMMUNITY. AT METRO HEALTH, WE RESEARCH THE RISK OF ILLNESS AND TAKE ACTION TO STOP THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. WE INTRODUCE PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION ACTIVITIES THAT HELP INCREASE LIFE EXPECTANCY. WE PROTECT AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HAZARDS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY.