Our major education program, Ranch Days at Stow House, was developed in collaboration with Goleta Union School District.  Now in its seventh year, Ranch Days is an integral part of Goleta Union School District’s 3rd grade curriculum, and is also offered to all public and private elementary schools on the South Coast on a first-come, first-served basis as funding permits. Ranch Days gives 3rd grade students, who study local history as part of the state-mandated curriculum, an opportunity to explore firsthand early California ranch life. The multi-disciplinary program spans several weeks and addresses the California CORE curriculum in history, while weaving in lessons in the sciences, math, language arts, and physical activities.

Through practical demonstrations and participatory or interactive activities, students experience what life was like 100 years ago for eight-year old children on an early 20th century lemon ranch in the rural Goleta Valley. As they re-live and experience early ranching life, they recognize the change and continuity of California’s diverse culture at the turn of the century and the contributions that each immigrant group made to our community. The program reaches children of differing learning styles by incorporating practical activities at the ranch that utilize all of the senses with traditional classroom learning. This is especially important for helping the many ESL (English as a Second Language) and other language-challenged students in our local schools to acquire the necessary education for academic success.