PCC Homeschool & Scout Programs
Homeschool Programs
Help your students grow their knowledge of prairie living, ecology studies and appreciation for the natural world with a program from Denver Botanic Gardens held at Plains Conservation Center (PCC), located at 21901 E. Hampden Avenue, Aurora, CO 80013.
- All programs may be modified in the event of inclement weather. Cancellations due to extreme weather may be rescheduled if a mutually agreeable date is available in the schedule.
- Advance registration and prepayment is required for all programs.
To request a custom program, or for more information, contact [email protected].
Scout Programs
3.5-hour Life in the High Plains Field Trip (Grades K-5)
Discover the prairie on a wagon ride (weather permitting) and/or discover what life was like for the Cheyenne Indians and the homesteaders on the high plains in the 1800s. Explore how the Cheyenne adopted a lifestyle of semi-nomadic hunter/gatherers to thrive on the prairie. Learn about roles within the homesteading communities of 1887 and how they supported each other. Learn about the flora and fauna of the prairie while engaging in real field-science which may include bird surveys, prairie dog ethograms and water quality testing. Each option includes 2 hours of guided programming and 1 hour of camp fire (bring your own s'mores). We are happy to include badge requirements such as archery or cooking, with advanced notice.
When registering, please indicate which of the following program areas you would like to reserve: Prairie Ecology, Sod Homestead and/or Cheyenne Camp (maximum of two topics).
- Option 1: Sod Homestead / Cheyenne Camp Combo
Class size: Maximum 90 students - Option 2: Sod Homestead / Prairie Ecology Combo
Class size: Maximum 90 students - Option 3: Cheyenne Camp / Prairie Ecology Combo
Class size: Maximum 90 students - Option 4: Prairie Ecology
Class size: Maximum 60 students - Option 5: Cheyenne Camp
Class size: Maximum 60 students - Option 6: Sod Homestead
Class size: Maximum 60 students
Cost: $16 per scout within SCFD, $18 outside SCFD (one adult chaperone admitted free for every five scouts, additional chaperones are $8 each)
When: Requests scheduled based on mutual availability
2-hour Life in the High Plains Field Trip (Grades 1–5)
Discover the prairie on a wagon ride (weather permitting) and/or discover what life was like for the Cheyenne and the homesteaders on the high plains in the 1800s. Explore how the Cheyenne adopted a lifestyle of semi-nomadic hunter/gatherers to thrive on the prairie. Learn about roles within the homesteading communities of 1887 and how they supported each other. Learn about the flora and fauna of the prairie while engaging in real field-science which may include bird surveys and prairie dog ethograms.
When registering, indicate which of the following program area you would like to reserve: Prairie Ecology, Sod Homestead, or Cheyenne Camp.
- Option 4: Prairie Ecology
Class size: Maximum 60 students - Option 5: Cheyenne Camp
Class size: Maximum 60 students - Option 6: Sod Homestead
Class size: Maximum 60 students
Cost: $12 per student within SCFD, $14 outside SCFD (one adult chaperone admitted free for every five students, additional chaperones are $8 each)
When: Year-round
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Prairie Wildlife Adventure (Grades Pre-K-1)
Come learn about the plants and animals that call the Colorado prairie home. Take a wagon ride across the Plains Conservation Center to look for wildlife, explore a prairie dog town, examine pelts and skulls and plant seeds to take home.
Cost: $12 per student within SCFD, $14 outside SCFD (one adult chaperone admitted free for every five students, additional chaperones are $8 each)
When: March – November
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Class size: Maximum 40 students
3.5-hour Prairie Restoration (Grades 6-12)
Join us on the prairie to discover what it means to care for the land that sustains us. In this hands-on field trip, explore the connection between people and nature through the lens of restoration and reciprocity.
Engage in meaningful stewardship activities like removing invasive species, planting native seeds, collecting ecological data and helping to care for the landscape through Leave No Trace practices. Slow down, observe the prairie ecosystem and build a deeper understanding of biodiversity, ecosystem health and your role within it.
This program blends science, mindfulness, career exploration and service learning to inspire a lasting relationship with nature and empower students to take action in their own communities.
Cost: $16 per student within SCFD, $18 outside SCFD (one adult chaperone admitted free for every five students, additional chaperones are $8 each[OW9.1])
Student max: 90 students
When: April-October
Time: 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (including lunch break)
2-hour Prairie Restoration (Grades 6-12)
Join us on the prairie to discover what it means to care for the land that sustains us. In this hands-on field trip, explore the connection between people and nature through the lens of restoration and reciprocity.
Engage in meaningful stewardship activities like removing invasive species, planting native seeds, collecting ecological data and helping to care for the landscape through Leave No Trace practices. Slow down, observe the prairie ecosystem and build a deeper understanding of biodiversity, ecosystem health and your role within it.
This program blends science, mindfulness, career exploration and service learning to inspire a lasting relationship with nature and empower students to take action in their own communities.
Cost: $12 per student within SCFD, $14 outside SCFD (one adult chaperone admitted free for every five students, additional chaperones are $8 each)
Student max: 60 students
When: April-October
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Overnight at Plains Conservation Center (All Ages)
Spend the night under the stars with your scout troop. Take a sunset wagon ride on the prairie, followed by s'mores around the fire and a sleepover in the tipis (weather permitting). In the event of bad weather, we have several indoor spaces available for sleeping including the yurt and the visitor center. The next morning, your scouts will wake up to a complimentary breakfast and then explore the prairie on another wagon ride to compare the evening and morning wildlife before departing. Overnights start at 7 p.m. and conclude at 9 a.m. This can be done as a standalone nighttime adventure or added to a Life on the High Plains program.
Cost: $55 per scout (one adult chaperone admitted free for every five scouts, additional chaperones are $55 each for the overnight program)
When: Year-round
One-Day Prairie Perspectives Immersion Plus Optional Overnight (Grades 3-5)
Immerse your scouts in the challenging perspective of a child growing up in the 1800s as a Cheyenne Indian or a homesteader. Scouts explore the prairie ecosystem and participate in activities at the homestead and Cheyenne camp, cook a meal, journal and connect with the cultural history. Overnight portion includes campfire, wagon rides on the prairie and sleeping in the tipis (weather permitting).
Cost:
- One-Day Prairie Perspective Immersion, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.: $75 per scout within SCFD, $80 outside SCFD
- One-Day Prairie Perspectives Plus Optional Overnight, ends 9 a.m. the following day: $140 per scout within SCFD, $145 outside SCFD
One adult chaperone admitted free for every five students, additional chaperones are $35 each for the one day program and $65 each for the overnight program. A 50 percent deposit is due at least 30 days prior to program date; full payment is due at least one week pre-program.
When: Year-round
Overnights: Year-round
Class Size: Maximum 35 students
Please email [email protected] for more information or to book a program for your troop.