Last Fall, hundreds of students from local area schools came to our Cibolo campuses to participate in our revamped Outdoor Classroom Field Trip programs.

In our Outdoor Classroom field trip program, students have a front-row seat to nature with customized experiences on the Cibolo’s two campuses—Herff Farm and the Cibolo Nature Center. We provide opportunities for students to learn hands-on in nature while still covering key science, math, and critical thinking skills.

Students are interacting with wildlife with the help of our staff, and nature provides opportunities for students to learn about themselves through these experiences.

We seek to expand nature education to more students by offering our new program where our staff goes to Title 1 schools to provide outdoor learning on urban school campuses. We will offer community science projects fit for the outdoors at their schoolyard, home, local park, green space, or should they choose to visit the Nature Center or Herff Farm on their own.

The Cibolo recently hired a Children’s Education Manager to train teachers on these activities, leaving teachers more equipped to lead their students on nature adventures through the Cibolo’s campuses.

Stephanie Regets joined the Cibolo Center for Conservation in mid-October and hit the ground running. We caught up with Stephanie to find out more about her work at the Cibolo. “There are so many things I enjoy about teaching, one of those is that I enjoy exposing them to new things outside,” said Regets.

What do you enjoy about nature? What attracted you to come to the Cibolo Center for Conservation?

I think what I love most about nature is that it’s raw and full of history. Nature has been around forever and will be long after we are gone. If the hills and trees could only talk, we really need just to slow down and look around. I was attracted to the Cibolo Center for Conservation, first for conservation and land stewardship and second because of the long history of the land.

What can students gain from experiences in the outdoors?

Today’s students spend too much time behind a screen with the constant bombardment of information, technology and too many hours stuck in a classroom surrounded by walls. Getting them outdoors and exposing them to opportunities of exploring, touching, and learning about nature will open their minds to endless possibilities.

What do you enjoy the most about being an educator?

I enjoy teaching so many things; one of those is that I enjoy exposing students to new things outside. As a child, I was taught to fear the outdoors. I want to make sure future generations learn to embrace and respect the outdoors, both wildlife and environment.

Why is it essential for students to volunteer and or do community service projects?

I think it’s essential for students to volunteer and do community service projects because they become better members of their community. It has a long-lasting, positive impact on society. Students learn to give back and protect the land.

What’s your favorite animal and why?

This is a hard one, my favorite animal has long been cats, but I have had a new love for my spoiled dog, Hazel, these past three years. Hazel taught me to stop and admire the flowers at a very young puppy age. I was always a hurrying person and rushed around from one point to another. When taking Hazel for walks, I learned I really must slow down and enjoy my environment.

You can catch Stephanie on any given morning during the school year, either working at the farm with teachers or leading a student group on a hike. For more information on our Outdoor Classroom Field Trips program, contact Stephanie Regets at stephanie@cibolo.org.