homeschool
days
nature is the classroom. discovery is the lesson!
Step outside and dive into science with our monthly homeschool days —an outdoor education series designed for curious minds of all ages. Each session offers hands-on experiences that bring science to life in the wild, inspiring exploration, creativity, and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Learn together. Explore together. Grow together—all year long.
upcoming programs
Check out our 2026-2027 school year program themes and activities below. If you encounter any issues please email programs@snco.org for assistance.
program details & logistics
Programs are geared toward homeschool students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
At least one adult chaperone is required per group. There is no fee for adult chaperones to attend but adults must have a free adult ticket.
All tools and materials for program activities are provided.
This program takes place both outdoors and indoors. Students should wear sturdy footwear such as boots or sneakers, and dress for the weather.
Please bring snacks and refillable water bottles.
Registration
$20/child (ages 4+)
Adult chaperones and children 3 and under are free with a ticket
SNCO members receive a 20% discount while logged in.
If a desired program is sold out there is a waitlist option that will email you if a ticket becomes available.
November 2026: Secrets in the Soil
Tuesday November 10th, Wednesday November 11th | 10am – 12pm
Discover the world of decomposers as we explore mushrooms, fungi, and learn how nature’s recyclers move energy. Together we will go on a mushroom walk, learn how energy moves in an ecosystem, and learn about decomposition and mushrooms in hand-on dissections. This lesson is NGSS aligned and addresses the following concepts:
Structure and Function of fungi
Growth and Development of Fungi
Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems
Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
December 2026: Space Science
Tuesday December 8th, Wednesday December 9th | 10am – 12pm
Let your student explore the wonders of Space with the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. Together we will create a scale model of our solar system, explore the life cycle of a star, see how black holes form, learn more about our own sun and moon, and meet with some space experts at the Observatory! This lesson is NGSS aligned and addresses the following concepts:
ESS1:A The Universe and Its Stars
Earth and the Solar System
Types of Interactions: Gravity
January 2027: Nature Navigators
Tuesday January 12th, Wednesday January 13th | 10am – 12pm
Discover what it takes to thrive in the outdoors with Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory! This outdoor, hands-on homeschool field trip introduces students to the essential skills needed to explore nature with confidence. Students will navigate using maps and compasses, identify animal tracks and native trees, and learn the importance of the Ten Essentials and Leave No Trace principles. Through games, challenges, and guided nature walks, participants will sharpen their observation skills, solve real-world outdoor problems, and gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world. This lesson is NGSS aligned and addresses the following concepts:
Ecosystem preservation and best practices for nature stewardship
Biodiversity and humans: human impacts on habitat
Scientific observation, asking questions, collecting evidence, ecosystem interactions
February 2027: Extreme Earth
Tuesday February 9th, Wednesday February 10th | 10am – 12pm
What causes a glacier to melt? Can you build an earthquake-proof structure? Can you create a cloud in a bottle? Explore these questions and more with Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory! This is an indoor, hands-on, activity and experiment-based field trip focused on the powerful forces that shape our planet. Students may investigate glaciers, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, weather, and air pressure through interactive experiments and engineering challenges. Activities may include testing how different conditions affect glacier melt, designing and refining earthquake-resistant structures, creating a cloud in a bottle, and exploring volcanic hazard maps to discover how scientists prepare for natural disasters. This lesson is NGSS aligned and addresses the following concepts:
Weather and climate
Plate tectonics and large-scale system interactions
Physical science: matter and its interactions: structure and properties of gases
Engineering design: defining a problem, developing solutions, optimizing the design
March 2027: Habitats & Homes
Tuesday March 16th, Wednesday March 17th | 10am – 12pm
Come dive into the incredible variety of habitats found throughout our natural world with Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory! This is an indoor and outdoor, hands-on, activity-based field trip focused on exploring the places plants and animals live and the resources they need to survive. Students will investigate a variety of habitats, search for signs of animal homes on a guided nature walk, and meet animal ambassadors while learning how different adaptations help species thrive in their environments. Participants will also create their own habitat diorama, using what they've learned to design a home that provides food, water, shelter, and space for their chosen animal. This lesson is NGSS aligned and addresses the following concepts:
Structure and Function:
Relationship between physical traits and survival strategies
Relationship between body part structure and functions
Interdependent relationships in ecosystems
Human impacts on habitat and organism survival
Ecosystem preservation and best practices for nature stewardship
April 2027: Rocket Science
Tuesday April 13th, Wednesday April 14thth | 10am – 12pm
Explore Newton's laws of gravity with Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. In this homeschool day we will learn first-hand how the laws of gravity work through building, testing, and improving their rocket designs. We will construct paper stomp rockets to track and calculate rocket altitude, analyze and modify designs, and relaunch to assess changes. Then we will launch our solid fuel model rockets! This lesson builds off NASA ASTRO CAMP programming and is NGSS aligned addressing the following concepts:
Engineering Design (3-5-ETS1-2, and 3-5-ETS1-3)
Gravitational force exerted by Earth (3,5-PS2-1
Recognize and describe the motion of an object in terms of one or more forces acting on it.
Understand and describe the motion of an object based on its mass and the force exerted.
Predict the change in direction or speed of an object by changing the forces acting on it.
Understand the process of technological design to solve problems and meet needs.
May 2027: Pond Study
Tuesday May 25th, Wednesday May 26th | 10am – 12pm
Join Sunriver Nature Center educators and fellow homeschoolers on the shore of Lake Aspen! The Pond Study is an outdoor, experiential field trip program focusing on habitat exploration with emphasis on ponds. Students will have a blast going on a nature walk, observing aquatic insects, and meeting live reptiles and amphibians. This lesson is NGSS aligned and addresses the following concepts:
Relationship between habitat and food web structure
Relationship between physical characteristics and survival strategies of animals and plants
Observation and categorization of pond organisms based on appearance and behavior pattern
Human impacts on aquatic ecosystems
Best practices for nature stewardship