Thursday, November 05, 2026
09:00 AM - 12:15 PM
White Tank Mountain Regional Park
20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road
Waddell, AZ 85355
(602) 506-2930 ext. 5
Homeschool families – Join us for a hands-on learning adventure that focuses on super cool (and super-hot!) Arizona basics led by Rangers Olivia, Shaun and Derik in ongoing 35-minute workshop sessions throughout the morning. Explore how geology, the ingenuity and creativity of prehistoric peoples, and the resilience of our desert wildlife make our state a uniquely amAZing place. Click program title for more details.
Today we take the time to appreciate three of our state’s natural and cultural wonders that are around us all the time but maybe it’s only sometimes we wonder, “Hmm..what’s up with that?” Three different 35-minute workshops will take place starting at 9:00am and Rangers Derik, Shaun and Olivia will be your guides. Arizona Rocks!: There are mountains all around us in the Valley, but where did they come from and what are they made of? Play a game where you become a rock that melts, cools, breaks apart, squeezes back together and oozes into something else as part of the rock cycle. You will also see mineral specimens like quartz and mica and find out how they and other minerals are used to make items you use every day at home. Ancient Ones: See if you can be an archeologist with experimentation and art! Practice with replica tools used by the indigenous peoples in their everyday lives and learn how signs of their prehistoric technology can still be seen today. Once you have experimented with their tools, try creating some art by getting creative and using ancient symbols to make your own pictograph artwork. Magnificent Mammals: Would your parents let you roll around in the mud to cool off? How about play outside at 2am to avoid the heat? Find out about some of the super-powers and super-behaviors our desert mammals use to survive in our hot and dry desert. Then play a game that gives you adaptation clues to discover which desert mammal you are! One workshop takes place on the Nature Center’s classroom, one workshop is split between indoors and outdoors, and one is outdoors the entire time. There is minimal walking on compacted gravel trail surfaces near the Nature Center. Wear closed-toe shoes, sun-protective clothing and a hat. Be sure to bring plenty of water. Restrooms and water are available at the Nature Center.
MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center
No pre-registration required. However, upon arrival at the Nature Center you will add your name to the Signup Sheet for the Start Time of the Workshop Session that you want: 9:00am, 9:40am, 10:20am, 11:00am, and 11:40am. All three topics (Arizona Rocks, Ancient Ones and Mammals) are available at each Start Time and workshops run concurrently. There is a limit of 20 people per time slot (First come, first served). Be sure to give yourself enough time (2 hours) to take part in all three sessions before the event ends at 12:15pm!