Field Trips
Bring learning to life at Winding Branch Ranch. Our field trips combine guided exploration, hands-on activities and meaningful connections with the animals who call the sanctuary home.
We welcome public, private, charter and homeschool groups from Pre-K through 12th grade. Every visit is adapted to your group’s age, interests and learning goals. School groups may request alignment with relevant TEKS while homeschool groups and co-ops can choose topics that support their current studies.
What Students Experience
Guided Sanctuary Experience
Students explore the sanctuary with a member of our education team, learn the stories of the animals who call it home and discover how animal care, agriculture and conservation are connected.
Depending on age and learning goals, topics may include:
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Animal behavior, adaptations and basic needs
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Responsible animal care
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Habitats, ecosystems and conservation
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Food systems and sustainable agriculture
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Compassion, stewardship and thoughtful decision-making
Learning That Fits Your Group
Every field trip includes structured, hands-on learning tailored to your group. Tell us what your students are studying or choose from the following age-appropriate topics.
For school groups: We can align activities with relevant TEKS and classroom learning objectives.
For homeschool groups and co-ops: We can build the experience around your current unit, educational goals or areas of interest.
Then use:
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Pre-K–Grade 2: Animal needs, life cycles, habitats, sensory exploration and nature observation
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Grades 3–5: Ecosystems, food chains and food webs, plant science, agriculture and animal adaptations
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Grades 6–8: Ecosystem relationships, human impact on the environment, sustainable food systems, scientific observation and data collection
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Grades 9–12: Biology, environmental science, animal and agricultural science, food systems, nonprofit rescue operations, service learning and leadership
Field Trip Pricing
0-19 Students
$20/Adult
$18/Student
20-39 Students
$18/Adult
$15/Student
40-59 Students
$15/Adult
$12/Student
60+ Students
$12/Adult
$10/Student
*Minimum for field trips is $400
Every Field Trip Includes
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A guided educational sanctuary experience
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Hands-on learning tailored to the group’s age
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Opportunities to observe and connect with select animals
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A reserved space for a picnic lunch
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Pre-visit planning based on your group’s objectives
Optional Learning Enhancements
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Guided animal feeding experience
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STEM-focused activities
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Animal adaptations investigations
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Scientific observation and age-appropriate data collection
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Customized activities based on your group’s objectives
Chaperone Requirement
A minimum ratio of 1 adult per 10 children is required for all field trips.
Inclusive Group Options
We welcome learners with different abilities and support needs. Adapted pacing, low-sensory options, life skills connections and social-emotional learning experiences may be available. Tell us how we can help your group have a successful visit.
Ready to Plan Your Visit?
Questions? Please contact is at info@windingbranchranch.org or (210) 245-0393
Field Trip Policies
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Final student and chaperone counts are due 5 business days before your visit.
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All students attending must be included as field trip participants.
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Add-ons must be purchased for all students participating in the field trip.
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Significant attendance changes may require revised pricing, staffing or programming.
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Groups spanning multiple age or grade levels may require additional staffing, volunteers or separate activity groups. Additional fees may apply based on group size and age range.