Experiential Learning
Discovery Programs
Fall In Love With Everything The Great Outdoors Offers
Each discovery experience revolves around an exciting theme that allows explorers to delve into the wonders of nature. Whether its digging in the rich soil, turning over rocks, implementing a conservation practice along the banks of a creek, or connecting sustainable practices to the production and distribution of food & water -- our experiential learning activities will ignite curiosity, promote exploration, nurture creativity and develop a deep connection with nature and the built environment.
SUMMER
Leadership Camps
ONE DAY
90-Minute
Bootcamps
FUN FRIDAYS
After School Program
YEAR ROUND
Scout
Programs
YEAR ROUND
Field
Trips
Leadership Camps
JEM Team Leadership camps teach young innovators and entrepreneurs skills in project management, business operations, creative problem-solving and teamwork.
Fresh Bites Leadership Camps
May - July (9 weeks)
You’re invited to become a member of the Junior Executive Management (JEM) Team of the Fresh Bites Program! Each week, JEMs are given a themed challenge where they must use their Community On Demand™ game set and unique STEAM Investigative Process to manage the many different operation of the Fresh Bites Service-Learning Program. Their innovative ideas and impact solutions will be put to the test as visitors and special invited guests judge how well their solutions help guests explore, discover and celebrate the beautiful mysteries of the natural habitats within their community.
Challenge Themes (Examples)
Week 1. Luxury Goods, Arts & Craftsmanship
Week 2. Masonry and Defense
Week 3. Technology and Electronics
Week 4. Aquaculture & Marine Biology
Week 5. Power and Energy
Week 6. Transportation & Distribution
Week 7. Lumber and Forestry
Week 8. Textiles & Sustainable Fabrics
Week 9. Grain, Agriculture & Farming
SAVE YOUR SEAT!
Registration Deadline: April 30th
Junior Executive Management Team Leadership Camps (ages 11-17 only)
Participation Fee – $90/week
First-time JEMs – $210 (first week only)
- Select one or more weeks to participate
- Includes Community On Demand game set
- Camp T-shirt
- Money Guide for Young Entrepreneurs Activity Workbook & Online Course
Bootcamps
Our Learn & Serve Bootcamps provide a 90-minute crash course in leadership training followed by hands-on activities to apply what you learned.
90-Minute Bootcamps
JEM Team Leadershp (1 Day)
Our JEM Team Leadership 90-Minute boot camps are mini leadership training and professional development sessions. Participants engage in an interactive workshop that emphasizes effective communication, decision-making, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.
This 90-minute boot camp turns a participant’s local environment into playground for learning. Each activity allows participants to immediately apply the acquired knowledge and skills to real-world scenarios wherever they are.
Through practical applications, individuals not only learn to lead with confidence, adaptability, and creativity but adopt a culture of strong leadership that positively impacts both their personal and professional goals well beyond the program’s end.
Individual Participant:
$50 per child/youth; $75 per adult
GROUPS OF 45 OR FEWER (10 Minimum):
Deposits are non-refundable.
90 MINUTES: $50 per child/youth; $75 per adult, with a $100 deposit.
2 HOURS: $47 per child/youth; $72 per adult, with a $125 deposit.
3 HOURS: $45 per child/youth; $70 per adult, with a $200 deposit.
GROUPS OF 46 TO 90:
Deposits are non-refundable.
90 MINUTES: $45 per child/youth; $70 per adult, with a $180 deposit.
2 HOURS: $43 per child/youth; $67 per adult, with a $200 deposit.
3 HOURS: $40 per child/youth; $65 per adult, with a $300 deposit.
GROUPS OVER 90
Deposits are non-refundable.
Need to book multiple days with a $90 deposit per day.90-Minute
SAVE YOUR SEAT!
Registration: Year Round
JEM Team Leadership 90-Minute Bootcamps
Youth/Child (ages 8-17)
Adults (18+)
Learn. Leadership Training
Serve. Service/Play Date Sessions
Length. 90 minutes; 2 hours; 3 hours (max)
Scheduling. Bootcamps are available to schedule Monday – Sunday between 10am – 6pm.
ATTENTION!: Contact Us for groups over 90 participants.
Fun
Fridays
Together, we brainstorm, design, and trial new teaching methodologies that leverage the natural surroundings of the ranch.
After School Program
"Fun Fridays" (4pm-8pm)
Fun Fridays is dedicated to creativity, exploration, and educational innovation. This dynamic initiative is where we join forces with educators, mentors, and instructors to craft and experiment with cutting-edge nature and project-based learning curricula, effectively a form of professional development.
By integrating the beauty of nature and hands-on projects into the learning process, we aim to revolutionize education, fostering a deeper connection between learners and their environment while preparing them for a rapidly evolving world.
Program/Curriculum Types:
- Evidence-based data collection
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
- Career, Technical & Agricultural Education (CTAE)
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR)
- Project-Based Learning (PBL)
- Work-Based Learning (WBL)
- Certified Peer Support (CPS)
- Registered Apprenticeships
SAVE YOUR SEAT!
Membership Required (March - May)
STEM Direct Youth Chamber of Commerce
Only educators that are registered members of the STEM Direct Youth Chamber of Commerce can register to develop and test their curricula during the Fun Fridays program. Entrance is open to the public.
Annual Membership Levels
Students – $10
Mentors – $55
Nonprofits – $99
Businesses – $149
Entrance Fee
$5 per person
Required: 1 Adult for every 10 youth
Scout Programs
With its rich tapestry of educational adventures and a focus on character development, The Smith Family Ranch is the perfect setting for scouts and outdoor programs seeking to shape resilient, responsible, and nature-loving individuals.
Scout Programs
Year Round Projects
The Smith Family Ranch is an exceptional hub for both girl and boy scouts, as well as other outdoor recreation training programs, due to its ideal blend of natural beauty, educational opportunities, and diverse outdoor activities.
Nestled in a stunning natural landscape, The Smith Family Ranch offers an immersive experience that cultivates a deep connection with nature. Scouts and outdoor enthusiasts can engage in a wide array of activities, from camping and hiking to wildlife observation and team-building challenges. The ranch also provides a safe and nurturing environment where participants can learn essential outdoor skills, foster leadership qualities, and instill values of teamwork and environmental stewardship.
SAVE YOUR SEAT!
Membership Required
STEM Direct Youth Chamber of Commerce
Only registered members of the STEM Direct Youth Chamber of Commerce can schedule scout projects and visits.
Annual Membership Levels
Students – $10
Mentors – $55
Nonprofits – $99
Businesses – $149
Participation Fees
$10 per scout/$15 per adult
Required: 1 Adult for every 10 youth
Field
Trips
Engaging with nature sparks curiosity and triggers questions, encouraging exploration and a deeper understanding of the scientific aspects within the environment.
Discovery Field Trips
Year Round Activities & Attractions
A hands-on approach in nature sets a foundation for lifelong learning and an appreciation for the natural world. Through exploration, children begin to form their own scientific hypotheses and observations and develop a deep-rooted understanding of ecological systems and natural processes. Moreover, by incorporating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) skills into their outdoor experiences, learners are more inclined to collaborate, problem-solve, and think critically. As a result, they learn to apply their knowledge and skills in a practical context and develop a more holistic sense of purpose that is essential for their academic and personal growth.
GROUPS OF 45 OR FEWER (20 Minimum):
$17 per child/youth; $20 per adult
$150 non-refundable deposit
2 HOURS
GROUPS OF 46 TO 90:
$15 per child/youth; $18 per adult
$250 non-refundable deposit
3 HOURS
GROUPS OVER 90
$13.50 per child/youth; $16.50 per adult
$350 non-refundable deposit
4 HOURS
SAVE YOUR SEAT!
Registration: Year Round
Field Trips
Youth/Child (ages 8-17)
Adults (18+)
Required: 1 Adult for every 10 youth
Learn. Leadership Training
Serve. Service/play Sessions
Length. 2 hours; 3 hours, 4 hours (max)
Scheduling. Field trips are available on Thursday & Fridays between 10am – 4pm.
ATTENTION!: Contact Us for groups over 90 participants.
Let's Grow & Learn Together!
I'm Interested!
Please join our waiting list for our Discovery Programs so we can prepare for the upcoming season.