Westcave Homeschool Days
1st Tuesday each Month (Sept-May) • 9am-2pm (9:30am Program begins)
What to Expect
Come Explore Westcave on a naturalist-led hike into our Beautiful Canyon, Grotto, and Cave Area
Join us at Westcave for our Westcave Homeschool Days held 1st Tuesday monthly during the 2026-2027 school year (Sept.-May). All homeschool day programs include a guided hike of Westcave Preserve, classroom discussion, and time-permitting exploration of the exhibits at our Warren Skaaren Environmental Learning Center and Uplands trail system on their own. All youth are welcome to join Homeschool Days, including homeschoolers, homeschooling groups, learning pods, and students with asynchronous schedules. Please note this is not a drop-off event and each homeschooler needs a supervising adult present.
Homeschoolers and supervising adults will hike along a 1.5-2 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.
Schedule of Dates for 2026-2027 School Year
Homeschool Days (1st Tuesday of each month)
* Tuesday September 1st- Westcave Story & Archery
* Tuesday October 6th- Hidden Gems (Biodiversity)
* Tuesday November 3rd – Art in Nature
* Tuesday December 1st – Animal Adaptations
* Tuesday January 5th- Westcave Story & Archery
* Tuesday February 2nd – Water Lifeblood of the Earth
* Tuesday March 2nd – Grassland Discovery
* Tuesday April 6th – Bird Migration & Golden-cheeked Warbler
* Tuesday May 4th – Bug Hunt
Rate
$20 / Adult (18+)
$10 / Student (4-17yrs)
$5 / toddler (2-3yrs)
Under the age of 2 is free
* +$10 for Archery Add-On (10yrs+) on Archery Days
NOTE: This is not a drop-off event. Each homeschooler MUST have a supervising adult/parent.
Limitations
- NOTE: This is not a drop-off event. Each homeschooler MUST have a supervising adult/parent.
- This event is dedicated for students. 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.
- Due to the nature of this program, this event requires a minimum number of participants. If the minimum number is not reached within 48 -72 hours before the program start time, the event will be cancelled. Guests will be notified by email and will receive a full refund.
Includes
Program Options
- 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.
- 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.
- Hidden Gems 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Spring 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.
- Bug Hunt This program focuses on bugs. More detailed description to come later.
Duration
5 hours
Address
24814 Hamilton Pool Rd., Round Mountain, TX, 78663
Pricing
| Adult (Homeschool Day) | $20 |
| Adult (Homeschool Archery Day) | $20 |
| Student (Homeschool Day) | $10 |
| Student (Homeschool Archery Day) | $10 |
| Toddler | $5 |
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 1 day before the start time.
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