Here at the Smoky Hill Bison we offer an experience that is perfect to learn…while having fun!

Students have come back years later remembering their first field trip here, what fun it was, and what they learned from their hands-on experience. You’ll be creating a lifetime memory for your students by bringing them to this unique farm.

Besides, no where else can you see buffalo AND pick pumpkins on the same field trip!

“Tell me & I forget….Show me & I remember….Involve me & I understand…”

Our goal is give your youth knowledge and respect for nature through a hand-on field trip they will never forget…while having a blast at the same time…

To schedule School Field Trips

•Call 1-800-790-2665 or email now to schedule your fall field trip between Sept 15 to Oct. 30, 2009.
•Choose a two-hour time slot on Tuesdays through Fridays, between 9 am to 2 pm. (Mondays are reserved for rain dates.)
•Please have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd day and time choice when you contact us.
•Maze ticket coupons can not be used for a school field trip
•Plan to stay longer for a lunch period and to enjoy the farm’s extra activities.

Our Two-hour School Field Trips meet State Curriculum Objectives

We cater to your group needs with our program on the American Bison and Kansas agriculture, and gear it to the age of your class, whether it is for kindergarten or high school age students. This field trip is aligned with state standards in the area of science and social studies.

Our educational programs can help teachers meet State Curriculum Objectives, and are excellent if your class is studying units on Kansas history, agriculture, or Plains Indian culture.

Each teacher will be given a packet with customized ag-in-the-classroom lesson plans and activity sheets appropriate for their age group to be used later in their classroom.

Bison Segment of Field Trip includes:

•A Prairie Tram ride to meet the buffalo herd
•Hear the history of this Kansas symbol
•A hands-on exhibit on how the Native Americans used the buffalo
•Sample buffalo jerky

Agriculture Segment of Field Trip includes:

•Field crops grown in Kansas and their use when harvested
•Pumpkin production-planting, pollination, harvesting, and use
•How we design the maze, and how used as food by the bison during the winter
•Pick a pumpkin from the patch to bring home

Stay and Play-available only at Smoky Hill Bison

Besides the field trip, school children may also stay after their scheduled field trip to play in the extra activities on the farm, which includes:

•Explore the small or large maze
•Shoot the pumpkin slingshot
•Figure out the rope maze and the left-handed mazes
•Younger grades can explore Spookley’s Play Patch
•Schedule a lunch period on the farm
•Students and teachers can bring money and shop in our Gift Shop

Spookley Program for Younger School Children

For grades K to 2 we offer the Spookley, the Square Pumpkin story lesson plan that has a great multicultural message about accepting and appreciating differences.

One copy of the Spookley book will be donated to each school that comes out for the $5 program. And as the exclusive Kansas dealer for Spookley products, you can buy the books, DVDs and merchandise in our gift shop too.

Home School Trips

Home school groups receive the same school program, but may need to be combined with other groups to fill the Prairie Tram if your group is below 20 students.

Call to see what dates and times will be available. Your coordinator will be classified as the free teacher, and all other parent teachers and siblings will be required to pay the $5 per student rate.

Spookley Play Date for Preschools

We offer preschools and day cares a “Play Date” in our Spookley’s Play Patch for $3 per child during our normal business hours on Monday through Friday noon. Normal maze prices take affect from Friday noon through Sunday.

During the week we have lots of scheduled school field trips, so there may be times when the Spookley’s Play Patch is filled with young school children. Please call ahead to find out our schedule, and to book your group.

Scout Troops, 4-H Clubs, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Youth Church Groups, Sports Teams

Youth groups can do these activities after school or as a group activity during the weekend. Cost is $5 per student after school or the normal $7 or $6 weekend rate (depending on their age) on Saturday and Sunday.

Please call in for weekday reservations, so we know you are coming. If you are bringing your group in during the weekend, come into the Visitors Center to get your Passport and Scavenger Hunt cards.

•Explore the large maze with the Passport program
•Win a MAiZE badge or prize when completing the Scavenger Hunt
•Figure out the rope maze and the left-handed maze
•Shoot the pumpkin slingshot
•Groups and leaders can bring money and shop in our Gift Shop
•Weekend groups may also ride the prairie Tram and do the other weekend activities.

 

Safety: This is an ALL OUTDOOR ACTIVITY. Please check your student’s records for bee sting allergies. There will also be hay bales for the students to sit on and play on, so please check on any allergies pertaining to hay straw. If a student has an allergy, the student must bring appropriate medication. We will not administer or distribute any type of medication. We have a minor emergency first aid kit in both the Visitors Center and the Maze Ticket Building.

Weather: Please call before departing for the maze if you think weather may pose a problem.