San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo

The School Tours program gives young students and their teachers the opportunity to learn about agriculture in a safe and organized manner and have the full stock show experience through educational activities. School Tours are offered to students in Kindergarten through 3^rdgrade. High School aged members of the 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA organizations from South Texas are invited each year to serve as Tour Guides for the School Tours program. Tour Guides educate school children about agriculture and its importance while sharpening their leadership and responsibility skills. Tours last 2 to 2 ½ hours and are free of charge.

During tours, children will visit a number of areas where they can view exhibits, pictures, demonstrations and take part in interactive hands-on displays. Animal Adventures, the Dairy Center and the Horse Center are just a few of the areas children can visit to learn more about agriculture, and view live farm animals including cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry and horses. The Dairy Center is always a favorite featuring milking demonstrations as well as information on the many different types of dairy products. Tours also visit the Family Fair area of the grounds where there are a variety of youth activities including petting zoos, agricultural exhibits and shows.

Youth Day is held on the first Saturday (Feb. 6^th) of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. 4-H, FFA, & FCCLA members from all over South and Central Texas will showcase a variety of hands-on exhibits and activities for youth of all ages. Make homemade play dough, have your face painted, try your luck at the fish pond, decorate and devour a cookie, try your luck at roping, and much, much, more!

At noon, SALE representatives join these 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA members to salute the SALE scholarship recipients.

Guests are in for a real treat with the Youth Day Wagons and Wheelbarrows Parade at 1:30 p.m. The parade begins at the Swine Barn, circles the Freeman Coliseum, promenades through Family Fair and strolls back to the Swine Barn.

The Country Fair Baked Foods Contest is held on Youth Day and is open to all youth. Information flyers about the "Youth Country Fair" will be available soon. Please call Sherry Bray for more information: 830-438-7675.

For more information about the School Tours program, how to become a Tour Guide or Youth Day, e-mail schooltourscommittee@yahoo.com.

2010 TOURS ARE FULL

Thank you so much for your interest in the School Tours Program at the 2010 San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo. At this time, our tours are full for this year. We will gladly place your school on the invitation list for the 2011 program if you provide us with your school name and mailing address.

School Tours are offered for Kindergarten through 3rd grade students to learn about agriculture in a safe and organized manner. Reservations for tours are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Schools that are not a part of the School Tours Program are always welcome!!! If you are arriving by bus between 8:00 and 10:30 a.m., our committee will gladly get you started on your Field Trip day. Enter the Stock Show grounds through Gate A (West Gate) off of Houston Street. There will be individuals directing buses to the designed bus unloading area. After children are unloaded, all school buses are parked in the North Parking Lot (Lot 7). There will be attendants available to unload your lunches, provided they are in a box labeled with the school name and teacher's name. We do not suggest leaving lunches on the bus, it will be a LONG walk from the parking lot to the grounds.

A representative from the Ticket Sales Office will be available in the bus unloading area each morning for your class to purchase tickets. Tickets are $1.00 per person (same price for students and adults). He/she will accept cash or school check. Make check payable to SALE or San Antonio Livestock Exposition.

Classes are welcome to eat lunch the School Tours Tent after 12:30 p.m. or sooner, depending on table availability. There are also various picnic tables scattered throughout the grounds. If you had our committee members unload your lunch boxes when you unloaded in the morning, they will be available on the stage in the School Tours Tent. There will be attendants with the lunches. Provide them with your school and teacher's name.

2011 SCHOOL TOURS PROGRAM DATES

October 2010 - Invitation letters sent to schools (Attention: Principal)
November 2010 - Reservation forms and liability releases due from schools.
December 2010 - Confirmation letters sent to schools ATTN: Principal and in January - the passes are sent to the attention of each individual teacher.
January 2011 - Passes, name tags, and final information sent to schools.
February 2011 - School Tours at San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo