As part of learning the letter R this week, Pre-K students had a real-life, unforgettable connection to their lesson — meeting Rose the Reindeer in person. What better way to bring learning to life than by pairing phonics with an authentic experience? For many of our youngest learners, it was their very first time seeing a real reindeer up close, making the beginning sound of “R” one they will not soon forget.
The special visit was made possible by Nick and Crystal Ledbetter, owners of Reindeer Club, whose family-run business has been spreading holiday magic across the southern United States for nearly a decade.
The idea for Reindeer Club began in 2014 after the Ledbetters attended the The Polar Express Train Ride in Bristow, Oklahoma. Following the ride, their son Parker asked why families always see Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and elves — but never a real reindeer. That simple question inspired a dream that became reality in the fall of 2016 when their first reindeer arrived.
Today, three reindeer call their farm home: Rose (age 9), Yukon (age 7), and Grace (age 4). Rose, the oldest, always travels with Nick to events, including school visits like ours.
During the holiday season, the Ledbetter family travels extensively — visiting schools, cities, churches, and even professional team events, sometimes as far as Biloxi, Mississippi. It is a full family effort, with two trailers running simultaneously so they can reach as many communities as possible.
For the Ledbetters, the most rewarding part of their work is seeing children’s eyes light up when the trailer doors open and a real reindeer steps out. For our Pre-K students, that moment connected classroom learning to a magical, hands-on experience — the kind that makes education meaningful and memorable.
We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Reindeer Club and to Nick for volunteering their time to make this experience possible for our students. Opportunities like this create lasting memories and enrich learning in ways that go far beyond the classroom.
Because sometimes the best way to learn the letter R… is with a real reindeer named Rose.