National Western Stock Show | January 9-24, 2010 | NationalWestern.com

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School Tour Guides | Children's Educational Areas | Teachers Tips

National Western proudly hosts more than 20,000 students, teachers and parents annually through our organized School Tours program. Educating our children about agriculture is our top priority.

Following registration, schools will be contacted if tours are available. All Schools MUST pre-register:

Criteria for FREE admission:

  • Be one of the first 2000 grade-school students in first through sixth grades each day.
  • One complimentary adult ticket for every four students.
  • Registered schools must show up on their assigned day to enter free.
  • No toddlers or strollers will be admitted with school tour groups due to the higher risk in livestock areas.
  • School groups must participate in our educational programs.
  • Home Schools must be a part of governing Home School Association, and come as an organized group of 15 or more. Please call 303-637-8109.

Criteria for ticketing other organized school groups:

  • Pre-schools, kindergartners, other grade-schoolers - $2
  • Middle and high school groups - $5
  • Additional adult chaperones for school groups - $5
  • If tickets must be purchased, please buy them at the ticket office upon arrival.

Preparation:

  • Teachers, please make sure parent chaperones know what to expect.
  • Each student should wear a name tag with the name, teacher's name, school's name and phone number.
  • Group identity, such as matching bandanas, t-shirts or western-themed name tags can be fun and helpful.

SCHOOL TOUR GUIDE

School Buses and Parking:

  • Buses arrive at the East end of the Events Center,
    and volunteers will assist all organized school groups.
  • Be patient, everyone seems to arrive and leave at the same time.
  • School districts are directed to the same lot as previous years, Lot F, where a $6 parking fee is charged to each bus.
  • Please pull forward as directed and stop at a paved area.
  • Please return as close as possible to your pre-determined pick-up time.
  • A sign with the name of your school will be placed in your side window.

Arriving:

  • Your bus will be met by a volunteer, and you'll be asked to submit a form for each bus.
  • Make sure every adult knows the bus number and when it will return for pick-up.
  • You will enter on the East side of the Events Center.
  • Groups should be divided inside the building.
  • Tying the students together or having them hang onto a rope is dangerous and forbidden by the Denver Fire Department.
  • Volunteers will direct you throughout the Stock Show.
  • Have Fun!
  • Click here for a School Tours Map.

Lost Children:

  • Tell your children who the "safe people" are:
    • Volunteers who wear teal and black jackets
    • Uniformed police and firemen
    • Shriner's Clowns who help with School Tours
  • Every attempt will be made to reunite lost children with their groups as quickly as possible.

Food:

  • Students may bring sack lunches.
  • If you bring lunches, please do not sit in aisles, on stairs or in designated restaurants. Students should carry their lunch in a back pack as there is no storage area for boxes of lunches.
  • Food also can be purchased at the National Western.

Leaving:

  • Know when your bus will be returning to the East end of Events Center and arrive 15 minutes early.
  • Volunteers will help with the loading process.
  • You will be directed to specific seating in the Events Center to wait for your bus.
  • A sign with the name of your school will be displayed by this location.
  • If horses are in the arena, everyone must stay away from the arena rail.
  • Please be patient, everyone tends to leave at the same time.


EDUCATIONAL AREAS -- For Children of all ages
*A rushed tour is no fun! Please select the areas which your group is most interested in.

Click here for a map of educational areas
Events Center Area

1. Events Center

  • Horses may be competing or being judged in the arena.
  • If horses are present, please be quiet. Horses can be distracted by noise.
  • Various horse breeds have informational booths surrounding the arena. These exhibitors love to talk about their horses.
  • Check out the paddock area downstairs, where horse show contestants warm up their animals.

2. Pony Trails™ - 20 to 30 minutes

  • Located downstairs in the Events Center.
  • Built with kids in mind.
  • School groups are not allowed in the stable area for safety reasons.
  • View the animals – Daily 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Stock Yards Area

3. The Stock Yards Area - One hour

  • Location of the first National Western.
  • See the Yards with pens full of cattle.
  • It is a piece of Denver history.


 

 

 
Expo Hall - Main Level
4. Petting Farm - One Hour
  • Located in the southwest corner of the Stadium Hall.
Expo Hall - Upper Level
  • Located upstairs by Children's Ranchland.
  • Ask about the Scavenger Hunt.

6. Children's Ranchland - 30 to 60 minutes

  • CSU Ag Adventure – a tour of Colorado’s Agriculture including crop production, animal husbandry, livestock production, land stewardship and farm to plate.
  • Pony Rides - $6 per ride.
  • Poultry Exhibit
  • Rabbits Exhibit

7. Youth Art Display - 15 to 20 minutes
Expo Hall - Lower Level

8. Livestock Exhibits/Stadium Arena

  • Located in lower Stadium Hall.
  • Exhibits of small farm animals change daily.
  • Sheep shearing demonstrations.
9. Activity Pavilion
  • Located on the south side of the Expo Hall.
  • Schedule varies daily.
  • Volunteers will direct you.
Denver Coliseum
10. Denver Coliseum
  • Draft Horses (Percherons on display).
  • Home of the National Western Rodeo.
  • Ask about daily activities.
  • Click here to get tickets for the rodeo on January 21, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. or call 888-551-5004.