Educational Programs Overview
Early Childhood
STARTING OUT WILD (ages 1-3)
Impart the love of nature and the outdoors through lively nature walks, songs, art, and storytelling. These one-hour nature classes encourage children to nourish their senses while exploring the natural world around them. Topics include bees, ants, butterflies, recycling, birds, water, seeds, and so much more! Come and explore, discover, create, and learn together in positive group setting.
To view or sign up for Starting Out Wild classes visit the FoSANA events calendar. To access the Starting Out Wild curriculum click here. For additional information, contact the education coordinator for your park.
- Friedrich Wilderness Park-David Goree at david.goree2@nullsanantonio.gov or call (210) 207-3782.
Classes are generally offered twice monthly, typically the first and third Fridays of the month.
For Starting Out Wild classes offered at Hardberger Park, click here.
GROWING UP WILD (ages 4-7)
Learn, play, explore, dance and get creative while making new friends! Growing Up Wild provides an early foundation for environmental literacy and builds on a child’s sense of wonder about the natural world. Activities are TEKS aligned and scientifically sound. Topics include What’s Wild, Looking at Leaves, Ants on a Parade, Wiggling Worms and much more! Come and explore nature, get your hands dirty, and learn about all things WILD!
To view or sign up for Growing Up Wild classes, visit the FoSANA events calendar. For additional information, contact the education coordinator for your park.
- Friedrich Wilderness Park-David Goree at david.goree2@nullsanantonio.gov or call (210) 207-3782.
Classes are generally offered twice monthly, typically the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
For Growing Up Wild classes offered at Hardberger Park, click here.
SATURDAY GUIDED HIKES
Learn about the local flora, fauna, and natural history by participating in a guided nature walk with an expert field guide at one of the Natural Areas. Each first Saturday of the month will feature a new topic and park to explore. Timeframe, topics, and locations change frequently, so be sure to check the calendar for details or sign up for the Friends of San Antonio Natural Areas e-newsletter for a list of events each month.
Note: guided hikes are weather dependent and could change, and in some cases may not be held on the first Saturday due to holidays or other special events.
For additional information, contact the education coordinator for each park.
- Friedrich Wilderness Park, Eisenhower Park, Crownridge Canyon Natural Area -David Goree at david.goree2@nullsanantonio.gov or call (210) 207-3782.
For guided nature walks at Hardberger Park, click here.
FAMILY WEEKEND PROGRAMS
Each second Saturday of the month experience dynamic, lively presentations on a broad range of topics by environmental and wildlife experts and educators across San Antonio. Presentations and events often provide a hands-on experience at many of the Natural Area parks including Medina River Natural Area, Friedrich Wilderness Park, Crownridge Canyon, and Eisenhower Park. Explore topics such as astronomy, geology, paleontology, birding, bats, and so much more. There is no shortage of topics as we engage participants of all ages across the community.
THE OUTDOOR EXPLORERS
The Outdoor Explorers backpack offers you and your child a hands-on experience and encourages young wilderness enthusiasts to dig deeper and explore nature in new ways!
Backpacks are designed for children ages 4 and up with parental supervision, and may be checked out during park hours with a reservation. The backpacks provide a sampling of natural objects to look for while exploring the park. In addition, there are activities, guides, a nature journal, binoculars and other hands-on objects to inspire curiosity! Happy hiking!
To reserve a backpack, click HERE to submit your form.
To preview the activites, click HERE to download the guide.
GUIDED HIKE AND FIELD TRIP REQUESTS (Schools and Other Groups)
Students connect with the natural world and learn about local flora, fauna, hydrology, geology, and cultural history by visiting the San Antonio Natural Areas. Guided hikes are led by trained Master Naturalists and include key concepts such as habitats, endangered species, plant and animal adaptations, and more. All hikes align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and last one to two hours.
Contact the education coordinators below to request guided hikes for school groups and other groups:
- For Medina River Natural Area: Rubi Jaimes, Rubi.Jaimes@nullsanantonio.gov,(210) 207-3103
- For Friedrich Wilderness Park, Eisenhower Park, or Crownridge Canyon Natural Area: David Goree, David.Goree2@nullsanantonio.gov , (210) 207-3782
- For Phil Hardberger Park: David Jimenez, David.Jimenez@nullsanantonio.gov , or visit Field Trips & Guided Hikes at the Phil Hardberger Park website.
