Well, BC the reason I let my son take off on the opening day was because he earned it. The reason for letting him miss school was because NY opened up on a Monday(80% of the bucks killed are killed on opening day) and there is something special about being with your son on opening day. Now they figured opening dayon a Saturday might just get more kids in the woods.So there is no reason to have to do this.
I know you lost your dad at a young age so maybe you don't know what it is like to have these moments with your dad,and how they stick with you. Maybe someone else stepped up as your father figure and you have these types of memories.
I know my son will remember until he dies the day we saw our first bear togethor, and the day he killed his first buck, I don't think he would remember what they were teaching that day.
Most of the stuff you listed can be done at night etc so it wuoldn't conflict with school.