Coast to Country

This weekend we took a Texas-sized adventure to the Waco Mammoth National Monument—a hidden gem that brings ancient history to life right in the heart of Central Texas.

As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by a warm welcome center, a helpful ranger, and an opportunity too good to pass up: the Junior Ranger Program. With badge booklets in hand, we started our journey back in time.

We took a short, shaded trail walk through a patch of Texas woodland leading to the Dig Shelter, a climate-controlled building that protects the ongoing fossil excavation site. Inside, we stood just feet away from the preserved remains of Ice Age mammoths—actual Columbian mammoths that once roamed this very land nearly 70,000 years ago! The viewing platform allows you to see the bones in the earth, exactly how they were discovered.

My son loved identifying the bones and asking questions about the mammoths, camels, and other prehistoric animals once native to Texas. The Junior Ranger activities sparked curiosity and made it easy to blend learning with hands-on experience. From matching fossil types to drawing what Ice Age Texas might’ve looked like, each task was designed for young learners to engage at their own pace.

Educational Tie-ins for the Classroom or Homeschool:

Science: Study the Ice Age, mammoths vs. modern elephants, and fossil formation. Geography: Explore the Texas landscape during prehistoric times. Reading & Writing: Use Junior Ranger prompts as creative writing starters. Art: Sketch your own prehistoric creatures or create a fossil dig in a sensory bin.

At the end of our visit, my son proudly turned in his booklet, took the Junior Ranger pledge, and received his badge—a moment of pride and a keepsake that reminds us learning can happen anywhere.

If you go:

Bring water and wear comfy shoes for the short walk. There’s a gift shop with educational books and fossils. The monument is part of the National Park Service and offers ranger-led tours.

We left Waco full of wonder—and with a Junior Ranger in the family. Whether you’re homeschooling, roadschooling, or just adventuring, the Waco Mammoth site is a must-see stop for families looking to connect history, science, and nature.

🌿 Have you visited a National Monument as part of your classroom? Share your story with us using #CoastToCountryClassroom!