Homeschool Days
Join us at Westcave for our Westcave Homeschool Days held monthly during the 2025-2026 school year (September-May). All youth (18yrs and under) are welcome to join Homeschool Days, including homeschoolers, homeschooling groups, learning pods, and students with asynchronous schedules.
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
NOTE: This is not a drop-off event. Each homeschooler MUST have a supervising adult/parent.
Guided Hike starts promptly at 10 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
In this overview program, students will learn about plants, animals, hydrology, and geology of the Texas Hill Country with Westcave Preserve as the backdrop and focal point. On the guided hike to Westcave’s Grotto, students will observe two different habitats, Live Oak -Ashe Juniper Savanna and the Riparian Woodland. In the grotto, students will learn about Westcave’s cultural history and come to understand the importance of environmental conservation by hearing the story of damage Westcave suffered from overuse in the 1960s and 1970s. They will also learn about the recovery that is ongoing today.
Hidden Gems: Central Texas’ Biodiversity
This program focuses on the wildlife and plants of the Preserve, including rare and endangered species. Students will learn about the importance of plant communities, habitats, conservation, and biodiversity on a guided hike to Westcave’s Grotto. Students will also discover the four basic requirements a habitat must provide for an animal (food, water, cover, and a place to raise their young) by playing an interactive game. On the guided hike, students will stop in two different habitats (Live Oak -Ashe Juniper Savanna and the Riparian Woodland), to conduct a 5-minute biological survey of both the flora and fauna to compare the biodiversity at Westcave Preserve.
Archery Add On
This is an optional experience for students 10 years old and up. Come learn archery with our certified trained staff in National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) and the 11 steps to Archery Success. Each archery session will be 1-1.5 hours long. Guests will first learn the basic archery safety and the 11 steps to archery success. Next staff will provide one-on-one hands-on instruction. Afterwards participants will rotate through testing their skill and patience to aim for targets.
Water: Lifeblood of the Earth
Students will learn about water and examine our most precious resource. Students will learn about the hydrologic (water) cycle, watersheds, surface water, groundwater aquifers, and nonpoint source (NPS) versus point source pollution. Students will also examine Westcave Preserve's rainwater collection system and observe the natural spring-fed waterfall and other water sources on a guided hike to Westcave’s Grotto, discussing the importance of conservation.