Explore the Great Outdoors
Embark on an educational adventure with a field trip to Wildcat Bluff Nature Center!
Field trips at Wildcat Bluff Nature Center offer students a vibrant, hands-on learning experience. Tailored to inspire curiosity and foster a deep connection with nature while also being TEKS-aligned with teachers in mind, our field trips are one to remember!
Is a field trip right for your group?
Field trips are designed for groups such as a school, daycare, or a large educational program for students in 1st through 12th grade. For organizations such as Boy Scout troops, large family groups, church organizations, memory care groups, or anything else, please request a group visit!
If you’re unsure which you qualify for, please contact [email protected].
What Your Field Trip Can Include
Self-Guided Hike
Embark on a self-guided hike along Wildcat Bluff’s trails! Our field trips include access to Libb’s Trail, offering TEKS-aligned educational experiences with clearly marked paths and informative signage for a seamless and enriching adventure in nature.
Guided Hike Add-On
Nature Learning Program
Join our nature learning programs at Wildcat Bluff Nature Center: Animals of the High Plains, Texas Insects and Their Relatives, or Talking Bones and Rocks, for engaging, TEKS-aligned educational experiences that bring the wonders of nature to life for students.
- Field trip dates are booked quickly, especially during peak times such as the months of October, April, & May. BOOK EARLY FOR AVAILABILITY!
- Please make sure reservation requests are submitted ahead of reservation deadlines.
- Reservations are booked using Central Standard Time. For guests in the Mountain Time zone, please adjust your reservation request times accordingly.
Admission
Field Trip base cost: $2/student (self-guided with access to Libb’s Trail)
Add-ons
- Guided Hike (+$2/student)
- Added Program (+$2/student)
A minimum of a 1:10 chaperone-to-student ratio for field trip visits is requested.
- One Chaperone per student (1:1) is included with a field trip. Additional chaperones over the 1:1 ratio $2/per.
- Siblings may participate in field trip activities at the field trip cost per student. Non-participating siblings over one year old $1.
Arrival
Please have students remain on the bus while one member of your group makes their way to the Visitor’s Center to check-in. One of our Education Team members will board the bus to welcome you and your students to the Bluff!
Running Behind
We understand! Bus schedules and traffic can be unpredictable. If your group is running behind and will miss your scheduled arrival time, please contact us at 806-355-9547 so we can update your visit schedule. We will make every effort to ensure you are still able to enjoy all your scheduled activities.
Note on Payment
WE DO NOT ACCEPT PAYMENT USING CHANGE OR ONE-DOLLAR BILLS. Please exchange all coins and dollar bills for larger currency BEFORE arriving at the DHDC as we cannot accept payment for school visits in one-dollar bills and/or change.
Thank you for choosing the Discovery Center for your field trip!
We are excited to work with your students and provide an exciting learning experience.
Discovery Center staff are not responsible for the supervision or behavior management of any child or student during field trips. Teachers and group leaders are responsible for all supervision and the enforcement of the following expectations:
- Students, chaperones, and group leaders must be mindful and respectful of other groups and guests during your visit.
- Students, chaperones, and group leaders must treat staff respectfully and professionally.
- Students should be closely watched during their time at Wildcat Bluff.
- Teachers and Group Leaders must be present and actively supervise during all education programs and guided hikes.
- Activity spaces and all other Wildcat Bluff property should not be damaged, misused, or stolen by any guest.
- Animals and animal enclosures should be interacted with appropriately. Enclosures should not be shaken, tapped on, hit, or treated disrespectfully in any way.
- Remember to LEAVE NO TRACE. This means:
- Observe animals from a distance and avoid feeding them to maintain their health and natural behaviors.
- Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter to keep natural areas clean.
- No vandalism to rocks or trees
- Stick to established trails always
- Preserve the past and leave natural objects, plants, and cultural artifacts undisturbed.
- Respect the quality of others’ outdoor experiences by keeping noise levels down and yielding on trails.
WBDC Staff will remove any student from a program if these expectations are not met and student behavior becomes a disruption to the learning of others.
When your group follows these expectations, they help Wildcat Bluff provide the best possible educational experience for all students, teachers, and guests, and they help ensure that guests can enjoy its beauty property in the future.