History for Homeschoolers at Plains Conservation Center

Join us on the prairie to learn about the history of Colorado and beyond!

History for Homeschoolers is a series of classes geared towards students in grades 4th-9th.

January 16, 2 - 4:30 p.m : Aurora's Plains from the 1800s to today.

Learn about the landscape and peoples of Aurora before it became a city in 1928. Immerse yourself in homestead life and explore the culture of the Cheyenne Native Americans who called this land their home with excursions to our replica sod village and Cheyenne tipi camp. We’ll end the program by analyzing how Aurora’s past impacts the city today!

March 13, 2 - 4 p.m: History of the American Bison

The bison has long been a symbol of the American Great Plains, but it nearly went extinct by the turn of the 20th century. Learn about the crucial role this animal played in the ecosystem and lifestyles of the shortgrass prairie, as well as the impacts of overhunting in the 1800s. We’ll then examine the bison’s part among modern Colorado Indigenous peoples and ranching communities.

May 8, 2 - 4 p.m: Ranching on the Colorado Plains

This class delves into the rich history of ranching on Colorado’s expansive plains. Learn about how this business began in the state and the challenges it has faced since the 1800s through an interactive presentation and by exploring our replica sod village. Create brands, learn how to make barbed wire, feed farm animals, and discover the many grasses of the shortgrass prairie!

Audience: Homeschool families with children in grades 4 - 9.

Program Fee: $16 per child, $14 per member child; One adult per child is free of charge. Additional adults and non-participating siblings ages 3 and up are $7 each. Non-participating siblings do not participate in take home activities.

Location: Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Avenue, Aurora, CO 80013