Field trips to the National Ranching Heritage Center offer students a chance to experience history and ranch life firsthand. Through interactive exhibits and outdoor exploration, students gain a deeper understanding of how ranching shaped the land, economy, and culture of the American West. Each field trip complements classroom learning and provides hands-on opportunities for discovery across science, social studies, and literacy.
How to Schedule a Field Trip
Reservations are required for all field trips to the NRHC. Visits are free of charge, and space is available for student lunches. Choose between touring the Proctor Historical Park, the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center featuring Hank the Cowdog, or both! Each option offers a unique experience that connects classroom learning to real-life ranching and history.
Take Your Class on a Walk Through Time
The Proctor Historical Park isn’t just a collection of buildings—it’s a living story of ranching in the American West. Students can walk among more than 50 restored ranch structures and explore how ranchers lived, worked, and adapted over time. Self-guided tours highlight ranching innovations, family life, and the skills that built the West.
Let Hank the Cowdog Explain Ranching
At the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center, students meet Hank the Cowdog, Head of Ranch Security, and explore a day in the life of a modern working ranch. This immersive, permanent exhibit features indoor and outdoor learning areas where students discover ranching science, technology, and traditions. Activities align with TEKS and are designed to spark curiosity through hands-on learning, reading, and problem-solving.
Field Trip Resources
Make the most of your visit! Download TEKS-aligned pre- and post-visit activities created by educators to reinforce key learning objectives in science, history, and literacy. These tools help connect your students’ experiences at the NRHC to their classroom lessons.
Field Trip Rules
We’re excited to welcome your students to the National Ranching Heritage Center! To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, please review these important guidelines before your visit:
- Adult Supervision: One adult chaperone is required for every 10 students. Students must be accompanied by an adult at all times while at the NRHC.
- Cogdell’s Store: No more than three students may enter Cogdell’s at the Ranch at one time, and they must be accompanied by a teacher or parent.
- Respect the Space: Please remind students to use their “museum voices” while indoors.
- Stay on Paths: Students must remain on concrete walkways and should not enter historic structures or climb hills.
- Share the Site: Multiple groups may be visiting during your field trip. Please be considerate and share space respectfully.
- Clean Up: Teachers and chaperones are responsible for ensuring that all group members clean up after themselves.
- Weather Conditions: In cases of high wind or adverse weather, some structures may be closed to protect artifacts.
- Communication: Teachers are responsible for sharing these guidelines with all chaperones, teachers, and parents before the visit.
For a more detailed list of tour expectations and policies, please see our NRHC Site Tour Policy (PDF)
Contact
For questions about scheduling, contact Daniel Meyers at daniel.meyers@ttu.edu or (806) 834-6420.
For questions about field trip resources, contact Lea Ann Lust at lea.lust@ttu.edu or (806) 742-0498.
