Goliad State Park & Historic Site

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History in Lights: Take a walk through the history of Mission Espiritu Santo as lights and shadow transport you back in time.
Rio! Rio!: 🎉 For centuries people have been settling along the San Antonio River, from native hunters and gatherers to European immigrants. Come see how they lived and changed the surrounding area at this exciting event!
Aranama Nature Trail Hike: Explore the flora, fauna, and history of Goliad State Park on this ranger-led 1/3-mile hike.
Skins and Skulls: Get up close and personal with some of the animals of Goliad State Park by looking at, and feeling, their fur, talons, and teeth!
City Nature Challenge with iNaturalist: Learn how to use the free app, iNaturalist, to help identify plants and animals and participate in a citizen science project- the City Nature Challenge!
CCC Legacy: Through hands-on crafts and informative video, learn how the Civilian Conservation Corps left behind a long-lasting legacy that is enjoyed by people across America.
Plants of the Mission: Explore how Native Americans utilized the plants in the area for food, clothing, tools, and more!
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Atlatl- Ancient Hunting: Test your skills with the atlatl, an ancient hunting tool once used across the globe.
Creepy Crawlies: Learn to love, or at least appreciate, the creepy crawly critters all around us!
Spring Break Carfts & Activities- Ranching & Roping: Learn why Goliad is considered the Birthplace of Texas Ranching and try your hand at roping!
Summer Nights- Night Hike: What stalks the park after dark? Come find out and see the park in a whole new light!
Story of Saint Francis: Learn the fascinating story of Saint Francis, founder of the Franciscan Order of friars who would cross the globe to convert Native Americans to Catholicism.
Corn Husk Dolls: Get creative with corn husks! Make your own corn husk doll to take home and learn about the history of corn husk dolls.
Spring Break Crafts & Activities- Pinch Pots: Learn about Native American pottery making while making your own pinch pot!
Summer Nights- Atlatl: Test your skills with an ancient weapon, the atlatl.
Wonders of Weaving: Get an introduction to different types of weaving, a skill that was once very important to the mission inhabitants!
Native American Games: Sometimes life for Native Americans was all fun and games!
Candle Making: See how mission inhabitants kept the "lights" on with candle making!
Moon Phases & Viewing: Learn the phases on the moon and why it looks like it does, then see the moon through a telescope!
Papel Picado: Create your own beautiful papel picado as you learn the history of this traditional decoration!
Mission History Tour: Enjoy a guided history tour of Mission Espiritu Santo as you learn about life in and around the mission during the Spanish Colonial Era.
Silky, Stealthy Spiders: Ever wondered how a spider makes its web, or why they don't get stuck in their own webs? Learn these answers and so much more about the wonderful world of spiders!
Batty for Bats: Get to know our aerial allies a little better and learn why they deserve our appreciation!
Spring Break Crafts & Activities- God's Eye Weaving: Learn the history behind God's Eye crafts and create your own to take home!
Corn Husk Doll Ornaments: Make a fun doll or ornament using corn husks and creativity!
Origins of Hot Chocolate: A favorite winter drink has a surprising history! Learn how hot chocolate evolved from a cold and bitter drink into the sweet treat we enjoy today.
Coffee with Company 3822-V: Grab a complimentary cup of coffee and learn how CCC Company 3822-V changed the face of Goliad with the reconstruction of Mission Espiritu Santo.
Art in the Park: No matter your skill level, art can be a fun and relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors. Take some time for yourself and discover your creativity!
Trade Beads - Universal Currency: Colorful beads played a huge role as Europeans began exploring new places and encountering unknown groups of people.
Naturally Beautiful Dyes: Discover the natural sources of color used to dye materials for thousands of years, then use a faster, modern technique to dye yarn yourself!
Creative Writing with Nature: Join renowned artist Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton on a nature walk and get your creativity flowing! This program uses art and nature to guide creative writing.
100 S'more Years: Join us in celebrating 100 years of Texas State Parks with s'mores and a S'mission Competition!
Cinco de Mayo- Papel Picado & Pan Dulce: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with papel picado and pan dulce! Learn about the rich history of two important pieces of Mexican heritage while enjoying complimentary pan dulce and coffee and make your own papel picado with us!
Piñata History: Now a common party activity, piñatas weren't always just fun and games! Come learn the fascinating history of piñatas and their link to Spanish missions.
*CANCELLED* Cinco de Mayo- Battle of Puebla: Learn about the battle which Cinco de Mayo commemorates- the great underdog story of the Battle of Puebla.
Mission History Tour: Enjoy a guided history tour of Mission Espiritu Santo as you learn about life in and around the mission during the Spanish Colonial Era.
Mission History Tour: Enjoy a guided history tour of Mission Espiritu Santo as you learn about life in and around the mission during the Spanish Colonial Era.
Corn Grinding: Get a feel for cooking in the mission era with corn grinding!
Lights Out- Light Pollution: Keep the stars at night big and bright! Learn why dark night skies are important and how you can help wildlife at home.
Craters & Moon Viewing: Participate in a fun experiment to see how craters are formed, then look at the moon's craters through a telescope!
Sundial Secrets: Learn how to use the sun to keep track of time just like the mission inhabitants did!
Moonlight Blooms: Sunflowers follow the sun, but who follows the moon?
Muddy Masterpieces: See if you can turn mud into a masterpiece using materials such as grass, sticks, and mud to make a model house! Your design is up to you, but your building materials are only what nature provides.
Annular Eclipse Viewing Party: See the "Ring of Fire" through a telescope with a specialized solar filter and learn all about how eclipses work!
First Day Hike for your Health: Join us New Year's Day for a hike to recenter, get your body moving, and start on a path to a happier you!
Mission Trail Ride: Give the Fort Bend County Vaqueros Trail Riders a big send-off as they begin their Mission Trail Ride from Goliad to Houston!
Ranching & Roping: Learn why Goliad is considered the Birthplace of Texas Ranching and try your hand at roping!
Spring Break Crafts & Activities- Corn Husk Dolls: Get creative with corn husks! Make your own corn husk doll to take home and learn about the history of corn husk dolls.
Spring Break Crafts & Activities- Cordage: Discover how Native Americans made rope from yucca leaves, then try it yourself!
Intro to Birding: Learn how to use a field guide & binoculars before heading down the trail to see what birds we can find!
Eclipse Viewing Party: Learn how cultures long ago explained eclipses and get an up-close look at the solar eclipse through specialized telescopes!