The Highlands Ranch Community Association’s Backcountry Wilderness Area, an 8,200-acre conservation property in Highlands Ranch, runs programs built specifically for homeschool students. Nature Homeschool is geared to ages 7 to 13 and meets in eight-week sessions that the association says line up with Colorado state education standards. Groups are capped at 20 students with one teacher for every 10. Horse Homeschool is for ages 7 to 14 and is kept much smaller, with no more than eight students and one teacher for every four.
If an eight-week session does not fit, a co-op or a few families can book a single private nature homeschool program instead. The posted price is $150 for up to 20 children when at least one adult stays with the group, or $250 for up to 20 children as a drop-off program. A full family-style group of 20 works out to $7.50 a child. The education page does not list current session dates, meeting days or session prices, and it does not say whether families who live outside Highlands Ranch pay a different rate, so check the registration site or call before you plan.
Know before you go
- Where: Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton, CO 80125 (the Highlands Ranch backcountry)
- Cost: private nature homeschool programs are $150 (an adult stays) or $250 (drop-off) for up to 20 children. Prices for the eight-week Nature and Horse Homeschool sessions are not listed on the education page.
- Ages: Nature Homeschool 7 to 13; Horse Homeschool 7 to 14
- When: eight-week sessions; dates and times are not listed on the education page
- How to book: register for sessions through the HRCA registration site. For nature homeschool questions or a private program, call 303-471-7053.
- Details: Backcountry Wilderness Area education programs
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