Homeschool Day
November 8, 2024
See our discovery class offerings below. All discovery classes require student registration to attend.
Homeschool Day is your chance to experience a field trip at the High Desert Museum! For just $12 a person, you can tour the museum, attend a Discovery Class (registration required for students), and attend special wildlife encounters. We will also have art activities and other special programs to make this the perfect day for homeschoolers to visit the Museum.
Be sure to register early, particularly for Discovery Classes, as space is limited.
Adults must accompany their children/students at all times.
Discovery Class #1: Dig This (Geology)
Recommended for 4th and 5th grade students
10:00 am – 10:45 am
Explore a “Dig site” on the museum grounds that show Mazama and Newberry ash layers and create a model illustrating the layers of volcanic activity in the region.
Discovery Class #3: Making Art in Animal Kinship
Recommended for 2nd and 3rd grade students
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm
Take a closer look at the beautiful 2- and 3-dimensional artworks of Rick Bartow and use them as inspiration to create your own artistic masterpieces.
Discovery Class #2: Animal Needs
Recommended for Kindergarten and 1st grade students
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Using animal biofacts and observing live animals throughout the Museum, students will identify characteristics that help the animals obtain the foods they need to survive.
Chaperones and Self Guided
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
While not facilitated, a self-guided field trip includes access to all exhibits and Museum spaces including our rotating temporary exhibits. You will also be able to attend special wildlife encounters throughout the museum, art activities, and other special programs which will be offered on this day only.
Homeschool Day Schedule
November 8
10:00 am – 10:45 am – Discovery Class #1 – “Dig This” in Classroom A
Recommended for 4th and 5th grade students, registration required
10:30 am – 11:00 am – Nature Walk, Museum Daily Schedule, meet in Schnitzer Hall
Join a naturalist for a short walk on Museum grounds to learn about the diverse habitats that support an abundance of plants and animals in the High Desert region.
11:00 am – Bird of Prey Encounter, Museum Daily Schedule, in the Bird of Prey Pavilion
Meet a non-releasable raptor in the Museum’s care. Learn about the unique adaptations of different raptors, their role in the environment and what you can do to ensure their future in the High Desert. This is a first-come, first-seated event with doors closing promptly on the hour.
11:30 am – 12:00 pm – Discovery Class #2 – “Animal Needs” in Classroom A
Recommended for Kindergarten and 1st grade students, registration required
12:00 pm – 12:45 am – Discovery Class #3 “Making Art in Animal Kinship” in Brooks Gallery
Recommended for Kindergarten and 1st grade students, registration required
12:45 pm – 1:15 pm – Animal Encounter in Classroom C
Get an upclose view and meet a non-releasable raptor in the Museum’s care. You will get a chance to talk with a Wildlife Specialist about the unique adaptations of different raptors, and ask them questions.
1:00 pm – Otter Encounter, Museum Daily Schedule, at the Autzen Otter Exhibit
Explore the role these charismatic animals play in riparian ecosystems of the High Desert. Where are otters found? What do they eat? How are they an indicator of a healthy river community? At the Autzen Otter Exhibit
FAQ
What does the pricing look like?
$12 student, $12 per adult, teacher, or chaperone
Do I need to register?
Yes, you need to register for Homeschool Day AND if you would like to attend a Discovery Class, you must register in advance.
I’m an adult chaperoning students that are signed up for a Discovery Class. Do I need to register myself for that class?
No, you should register your child in the class, and register yourself for a self-guided ticket. However, you must be in attendance of the class with your child.
Where can we eat lunch?
You can purchase lunch in the café, or you may choose to bring your own lunch and eat only in the following areas: Classroom B, The meadow adjacent to “Dig Crawl Climb”, or picnic tables in front of museum.
How much are tickets for the event?
Cost for parents, chaperones, and school-aged children (3-year-old+) is $12 per person. Children 2 and younger are free.
Can I use my membership to receive a discount this day?
Individual or family memberships cannot be applied to homeschool group admission.
Do I need to arrive with my entire homeschool group?
No, groups can arrive separately.
Do I need to purchase a self-guided ticket and a Discovery Class ticket?
No, you if you register for a Discovery Class this includes your self-guided visit. If you do not intend to attend a Discovery Class, then you must purchase a Self-guided ticket for the day.
