School Programs at Plains Conservation Center
Plains Conservation Center (PCC), with programs managed by Denver Botanic Gardens in cooperation with the City of Aurora, is situated on a natural prairie ecosystem located in Aurora. Students explore the natural and human history on this unique landscape.
School group programs are available on select weekdays.
Plains Conservation Center Location:
21901 E. Hampden Avenue, Aurora, CO 80013
Submit a 2025-2026 School Group Request Form
Submit a 2026 Summer School Group Request Form
- Programs are cross-curricular, align with Colorado Academic Standards and emphasize student-led discovery through a variety of hands-on activities and guided explorations. All programs may be modified in the event of inclement weather. Cancellations due to extreme weather may be rescheduled.
- Advance registration and prepayment is required for all programs.
- A Spanish speaking bilingual instructor may be available upon request.
Please make sure to read our general information before your field trip.
One-Day Prairie Perspectives Immersion Plus Optional Overnight (Grades 3–5)
Immerse your students in the challenging perspective of a child growing up in the 1800s as a Cheyenne or a homesteader. Students 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, storytelling, 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 within SCFD / $80 outside SCFD
- One-Day Prairie Perspectives Plus Optional Overnight ends 9 a.m. the following day: $140 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
3.5-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 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 student within SCFD, $18 outside SCFD (one adult chaperone admitted free for every five students, additional chaperones are $8 each)
When: Year-round
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. or 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (including lunch break)\
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 wildflower seeds to take home, all while learning how to use scientific tools like magnifying glasses and binoculars.
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 Ecology (Grades 6–12)
Students engage in real field-science as they explore the prairie flora and fauna. They may conduct bird surveys, perform prairie dog ethograms and do water quality testing.
Cost: $16 per student within SCFD, $18 outside SCFD (one adult chaperone admitted free for every five students, additional chaperones are $8 each)
When: March – November (available throughout the summer for camp and school groups)
Time: 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Class size: Maximum 60 students
2-hour Prairie Ecology (Grades 6–12)
Students engage in real field-science as they explore the prairie flora and fauna. They may conduct bird surveys, perform prairie dog ethograms and do water quality testing.
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 (available throughout the summer for camp and school groups)
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Class size: Maximum 60 students
3.5-hour Prairie Restoration Field Trip (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
Student max: 90 students
When: April-October
Time: 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (including lunch break)
2-hour Prairie Restoration Field Trip (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
Contact [email protected] for more information.
A limited amount of scholarship money is available to support schools with 50 percent or more participation in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program.