Oklahoma City is rich with fun and exciting educational opportunities for families. Our diverse museum landscape, parks and other popular venues offer more than just entertainment. Engage your homeschooler or scout group at one of these fun programs happening across the OKC Metro.
[Editor's Note: This is a working list last updated August 19, 2016, so check back often for new listings. If you know of a program or activity that you think should be included, please email the listing information to calendar@metrofamilymagazine.com or leave a comment below.]
867 Cooper Memorial Dr, Sulphur
www.chickasawculturalcenter.com/cultural-events , 580-622-7130
The Chickasaw Cultural Center hosts an annual Home School Day. Students experience and share Chickasaw culture while enjoying a variety of hands-on cultural demonstrations and classes in the traditional village, such as archery, basket making and Stickball; guided tours of the campus, educational films and Stomp Dance demonstrations. There will also be educational information packets for teachers.
The Center also hosts an annual Scouts Weekend. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts can participate in traditional activities and learn skills such as archery, basketry, leatherwork and pottery, while fulfilling badge requirements. Each scout will also have an opportunity to earn a special Chickasaw Cultural Center patch. All Scouts in uniforms or scouting t-shirts will also receive free admission to the Chikasha Poya Exhibit Center.
Edmond Historical Society & Museum
431 S Boulevard St, Edmond
www.edmondhistory.org/events/category/main/ , 340-0078
The Edmond Historical Society & Museum hosts annual programs in the fall for Boy and Girl Scouts and homeschool students. Students or scouts will rotate between learning stations set up with a variety of activities focused on museum exhibits, local history and more. The activities are designed for kids ages 8-12 but all ages welcome. Classes are hosted outside of regular museum hours and are $5 per student or scout. Pre-registration is requested.
1400 Classen Dr
www.oklahomahof.com, 235-4458
The Gaylord-Pickens Museum has a FREE field trip program. The program welcomes groups on a first come, first serve basis with free admission, a guided tour and choice of a gas stipend or free lunch at the museum. To book a field trip for your homeschool or scout group, call the Museum Services Department or fill out an online application. Additionally, the Museum hosts a free, monthly Third Thursdays program, geared for your kids but all ages are welcome. Third Thursdays include storytime, family crafts and FREE museum admission.
Each year, the Museum hosts an annual Statehood Day Festival. The festival unveils the Oklahoma Hall of Fame honoree portraits and offers a host of family fun activities including food trucks, interactive crafts, an inflatable and the YEA Market, a showcase of young entrepreneurs and their art or trade.
1721 N Lincoln Blvd
www.harnhomestead.com, 235-4058
The Harn Homestead hosts a monthly Homeschool Day. Students participate in hands-on programming in the Schoolhouse, Farmhouse and Shinn Barn. The cost is $8 per student age 5 & up. Each group is allowed two FREE adult sponsors. There is a $5 admission charge for each additional adult. Kids under 5 are FREE. Families should arrive 10 minutes before program starts and bring a picnic lunch.
Harn Homestead also offers service project for scout groups. Groups can help with events or with maintenance of the grounds and more. To schedule a time for your group to serve, call David Sapper, Education Director, at 235-4058.
10301 S Sunnylane Rd
www.museumofosteology.org/educational-programs.php , 814-0006
The Museum of Osteology offers homeschool and scout programs occasionally throughout the year as well as per group request. Students and scouts get hands-on learning as they explore how to identify different characteristics of skulls and bones. Or, they can become an animal CSI and examine animal bones for evidence of trauma and disease. Class sizes are small to encourage group participation and students work independently or in teams to analyze bones and skulls. Onsite programs are typically $1 per student with a minimum of 20 students per class.
415 Couch Dr
www.okcmoa.com/learn/ , 236-3100
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art engages families in visual arts in a variety of ways. Each Saturday, families can stop in to enjoy their Drop-In art making, no reservation is required. There also offer several homeschool class sessions and workshops throughout the year to develop critical thinking skills as well as artistic skills and creativity. Guided groups tours are open to homeschool groups as well as scout groups, by request. During GALLERY + STUDIO visits specially trained gallery educators lead participants on an all-inclusive two hour museum experience. Groups tour the galleries where they discuss works of art and record their responses through sketching and writing. Participants then create their own works of art in the museum studio. The GALLERY + STUDIO program is open to learners of all ages, from early elementary students to senior groups. All Oklahoma K-12 school and community groups receive free admission and bus reimbursement thanks to the generosity of the Inasmuch Foundation.
2101 NE 50th St
www.okczoo.org/scouts or www.okczoo.org/homeschool-programs , 425-0218
The Oklahoma City Zoo offers a variety of programming for Boy and Girl Scouts to learn about the natural world, including scout badge and overnight programs, as well as service project opportunities. Program prices include zoo admission. Each scout class costs $12 per scout, $1 per adult and $5 for siblings. Pre-registration is required.
The Zoo also offers monthly classes on select Fridays, September – March, for Homeschooling families. Classes include animal encounters, exhibit tours and more and are divided by age: 4-5, 6-7 & 8-12. The classes cost $7 per student and only one adult is allowed in the class per registered student. Pre-registration is required.
800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr
www.okhistory.org, 522-3602
The Oklahoma History Center hosts an annual Home School Day each fall offering a hands-on adventure into Oklahoma’s past. Visitors can explore the museum with the help of gallery guides, follow along with a scavenger hunt, take part in hands-on demonstrations and enjoy a variety of historical interpreters. The center also has a variety of educational trunks that Homeschool co-op groups can check out. The center also has several scout badge programs to help boy and girl scouts earn merit badges. The programs are held by request and must be booked two weeks in advance. All programs are $10 per participant and $5 for each adult and include museum admission along with the badge programming.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
1700 NE 63rd St
www.nationalcowboymuseum.org, 478-2250
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s fall and spring drop-in programs are perfect for homeschoolers. Additionally, homeschoolers visiting the museum are encouraged to pick up Scavenger Hunts from the Visitor Services staff in the Museum Lobby and explore the galleries using these clues. The Museum’s formal relationship with the Last Frontier Council of the Boy Scouts of America includes community service learning and a merit badge workshop during the Museum’s Annual Chuck Wagon Festival, each Memorial Day weekend. Other scout organizations are welcome to contact the museum about developing engaging programs to meet their needs; education@nationalcowboymuseum.org.
2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman
samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/programs/youth-programs/ , 325-1008
Sam Noble offers a host of youth programs throughout the year including Scout Workshops and Homeschool Days. Participants explore museum galleries and collections and get hands-on learning opportunities with crafts and science experiments and more. The programs typically include museum admission and cost $10. Pre-registration is required.
2020 Remington Pl
www.sciencemuseumoklahoma.com/scouts, 602-3760
Science Museum Oklahoma hosts classes on select Saturdays where scouts can work towards earning badges and then spend the day enjoying the museum. Pre-registration and pre-payment is required. Classes are $15 per scout for one class and $25 per scout for two classes. Groups receive one adult admission free with every 10 scouts registered.
Looking for more exciting field trip ideas? Check out our guide to current Museum exhibits.
