Homeschool Programs
Looking for engaging ways to connect learning with nature? Our Homeschool Programs offer seasonal opportunities for families to explore science and the outdoors together. With small-group experiences tailored for young learners, each program supports curiosity, connection, and nature discovery.
NEW PROGRAM: Water-Wise Wonderers
Join us for a four-week outdoor learning adventure designed specifically for 1st–5th grade homeschoolers!
Water-Wise Wonderers invites children and their parents into the world of freshwater through hands-on science, creative exploration, and nature-based play. Rooted in conservation, curiosity, and mindfulness, this program builds week by week, starting with the basics of water and ending in student-led discovery and action. At the end of Week 4, each student will receive a completion certificate and a special glass-bottom boat patch.
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Program Details
- Dates: September 22, October 6, October 20, and November 3
- Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Audience: 1st–5th Grade Homeschoolers (younger siblings welcome)
- Parent/Guardian Participation: Required
- Group Size: Limited to 20 children and guardians
- Cost: $40 per person for all 4 sessions (children and adults must purchase tickets)*
- *Siblings under age 2 may attend for free with a participating parent.
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Weekly Themes & What to Expect
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September 22 (Session 1) – Water 101
Explore why water matters, where it comes from, and how it connects us to one another across the globe.
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October 6 (Session 2) – Organisms, Water, and Habitats: Coexistence in Nature
Explore how people and animals depend on water (and each other!) to live and thrive.
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October 20 (Session 3) – Threats to Water & Water-Wise Solutions
Understand water pollution and become part of the solution.
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November 3 (Session 4) – Water Connects Us All: Field-Based Exploration
Celebrate what we’ve learned and make our own water discoveries with a creek-side adventure focused on water quality exploration and nature art.
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Why Join Water-Wise Wonderers?
This unique program blends science, storytelling, mindfulness, and art to deepen your child’s connection to water and the natural world. With a small group format and highly interactive lessons, children will walk away with lasting memories, knowledge, and a sense of stewardship.
Ready to Dive In?
Spots are limited! Register today to reserve your place in this enriching homeschool experience. For questions, please contact the booking office at springlaketours@txstate.edu.
Let’s wonder, wander, and protect water—together.
Monthly Themed Programs
Dive into discovery with our monthly Homeschool Program!
Each month brings a new theme designed to spark curiosity and connect students with the natural world. Held on select Mondays, these immersive, hands-on classes invite homeschool families to explore the wonders of our environment above and below the water’s surface.
Each session includes interactive learning activities and a guided glass-bottom boat ride that reveals the hidden world beneath the water. Together, we'll explore how all living things are connected through the vital role of water in ecosystems.
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Program Details
- Morning Session: Check-in begins at 9:45 a.m. (limited to 40 participants)
- Afternoon Session: Check-in begins at 1:45 p.m. (limited to 20 participants)
- Cost: $12 per person (children 2 and under are free)
- Pre-registration is required.
- All children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are required for both children and adults.
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Fall 2025 Monthly Themes
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September 8, 2025 – Wonders of Water!
Dive into the science of water and explore how it shapes our world, supports life, and connects all living things.
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October 13, 2025 – Eco Detective
Uncover the hidden lives of animals by exploring the clues they leave behind—tracks, feathers, nests, and scat!
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November 3, 2025 – Celebrating the Land
Celebrate the deep connections indigenous cultures have with the land through traditional plants, stories, songs, and movement.
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Spring 2026 Monthly Themes
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February 9, 2026 – Wetland Exploration
Explore the diverse plants and animals that thrive in wetland habitats, and discover how they contribute to maintaining a clean and thriving ecosystem.
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March 2, 2026 – Eco-Explorers
Become a scientist for the day by investigating ecosystems through observation and nature journaling!
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April 6, 2026 – Birds of a Feather
Take flight into the world of birds and migration patterns.
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May 4, 2026 – Pollinator Party!
Explore the essential role of pollinators and how they keep our ecosystems thriving.
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Join us for an unforgettable learning adventure that brings science, nature, and fun together in one exciting monthly program!
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Parking Information
Visitors' vehicles are required to display a permit in the Meadows Center parking lot. One-day temporary permits are available for $3 at the pay-and-display station located near the ticket kiosk.
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Cancellation Policy
We understand that things happen! If you would like to reschedule or cancel your tour for a refund, we require five business days’ notice. Refunds will be issued to the original credit card used for payment. Participants are limited to one reschedule opportunity.
Please note that once a tour has been rescheduled, it becomes non-refundable and not eligible for account credit.
Tickets purchased 90 days or more before a requested reschedule are not eligible for a refund, but in some cases, credit toward a future program may be granted on a case-by-case basis.