Homeschool Days
Join us at Westcave for our Homeschool Days held monthly during the school year (September-May).
Homeschoolers and supervising adults will hike along a 1.5 hour guided hike through an arid savanna through a limestone crevice down a 100-foot staircase into a sheltered canyon of lush plant life with one of Westcave’s naturalist guides. You will reach the head of the canyon where waterfalls along a stunning 40-foot cliff that stands replenishing the grotto pool below. Your guide will talk about various plants, wildlife, natural history, and geology along the way. This is a one-mile round trip moderate to difficult hike.
Please note this is not a drop-off event and each homeschooler needs a supervising adult present.
Limitations
This is not a drop-off event. Each homeschooler MUST have a supervising adult/parent.
This event is dedicated to students only- homeschoolers, homeschooling groups, learning pods, and students with asynchronous schedules. To maintain a learning-focused environment, groups consisting entirely of non-students/adults will be asked to leave.
Guided Hike/Program starts promptly at 9:30 am. If you are not on-site beforehand the outer gates will close at 10 am sharp and guests will be considered a late/no-show. No accommodations, refunds, or reschedules will be made for late arrivals/no-shows.
All events are weather permitting.
Pets are not allowed on the property, and may not be left in a vehicle.
Westcave reserves the right to cancel a tour at any time, for any reason.
Access to the canyon, cave, and grotto is only permitted with a supervising staff member.
Click the link for available dates and itinerary.
Explore Our Programs
The Westcave Story
Students hike through two distinct habitats to the Grotto, exploring Texas Hill Country ecology and learning how the ecosystem recovered from 1960s overuse through ongoing conservation.
Water: Lifeblood of the Earth
Students investigate watersheds, aquifers, and pollution before hiking to a natural spring-fed waterfall to study Westcave's rainwater collection and the importance of water conservation.
Hidden Gems: Central Texas’ Biodiversity
This biodiversity-focused program teaches students to identify local flora and fauna through an interactive habitat game and a hands-on biological survey during a guided hike.
Bird Migration
This avian-focused program explores bird identification and migration during the heart of the endangered Golden-cheeked warbler season through interactive games simulating the challenges of their annual journey.
Art in Nature
Students slow down to approach nature from an artist perspective, journaling/drawing the surrounding and discovering how to use raw, natural materials to create unique works of art.
Animal Adaptations
This program highlands how specialized physical traits (adaptations) increase animal survival. Students will take a deeper dive into how specialized beak shapes serve as tools and create their very own wacky animals.
Grassland Discovery
Students explore the vital grassland ecosystems of the Texas Hill Country and discuss management tools, like prescribed fire, used to keep local landscapes flourishing.
Archery Add On (Ages 8+)
Led by certified NASP instructors, this optional 1 to 1.5-hour session teaches foundational safety and archery technique through personalized coaching and target practice.