Category: Field Trips

ICHE Mother Daughter Conference

A wonderful opportunity for building memories and passing on a legacy of faith between mothers and daughters:

MD 7

Time Schedule

8:00  –   9:00    Doors open for check in and fellowship.

9:00  –   9:15    Welcome

9:15  –   9:30    Hymns and prayer

9:30 –  10:30    The House that Mom Built – Stacy McDonald

10:30 – 11:15    Coffee break and fellowship

11:15 – 12:15    The Heart of Chastity – Stacy McDonald

12:15  –  1:45    Lunch and fellowship

1:45   –  2:00    Hymn and prayer

2:00  –   3:00    Christianity:  The Real Women’s Liberation Movement (discusses the history and error of feminism) – Stacy McDonald

3:00 – 3:10        Break

3:10  –   3:40    Q & A with Stacy McDonald

3:40  –             Hymns, prayer, and closing

Polar adventure day

Looks like a fun event in downtown Chicago this weekend. The Polar Adventure Days take place on three different Saturdays during the winter months.

Here is the info from their site:

The Chicago Park District presents the sixth annual Polar Adventure Days from 12 – 4 p.m. on three Saturdays, Dec. 11, Jan. 22 and Feb. 26, at Northerly Island, 1400 S. Lynn White Dr., on the Museum Campus. The program is admission free. Click here to watch a video about Polar Adventure Days.

Polar Adventure Days offer families the opportunity to explore Northerly Island and come face-to-face with live animals, engage in winter activities, watch ice sculpture carvings, and create nature-inspired crafts. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather as events take place both outdoors and inside the visitor center.

The following features and activities will be available at Polar Adventure Days:

•The first 500 visitors receive a complimentary Polar Adventure Day mug filled with hot chocolate while supplies last. Limit one per person.

•Nadeau’s Ice Sculpture transforms blocks of ice into magical creations.

• Various live animals will be on site to discover, such as birds of prey.

•Siberian huskies will be present and adventurers will talk about their Iditarod dog sled race experiences.

•Live entertainment from the Old Town School of Folk Music.

•Arts and craft tables for making nature-inspired creations.

•Free snowshoe rental for exploration of the island if there is enough snow.

Please call to confirm scheduled activities for Polar Adventure Days as activities are subject to change. For more information, call 312-742-PLAY (7529).

Directions by car to Northerly Island:

Take Lake Shore Drive north or south to the 18th Street/Museum Campus exit. Follow Museum Campus Drive toward Adler Planetarium. Turn right on Lynn White Drive. Go past the Charter One Pavilion (on left) and the Burnham Harbor Yacht Club (on right). The visitor center and free parking are on the left.

Northerly Island is also accessible by public transportation:

Take the #146 bus, exit at Lynn White Drive and walk south to the visitor center.

Contact Phone: 312.742.7529

We definitely have snow, and with this cold weather maybe you are in the mood for some winter activities.

Bible Bee this weekend

The National Bible Bee

Way back when I posted about the Bible Bee coming to this area, and the time has arrived. That post has consistently drawn numerous hits, so I wanted to make sure all interested readers were aware of the opportunities this weekend right here in the Chicago area.

Event begin on Thursday and roll through Saturday. Even if you did not prepare to participate in a Bible Bee, everyone can join the activities surrounding this national finals event. Tickets for various events and meal can be purchased online in advance.


In addition to the actual bee, activity bands are sold that cover admission to the other games and activities. Their website offers this description:

Please purchase one for each sibling, relative or guest for their unlimited access to the following exciting activities during open hours Friday and Saturday:

Lego Experience by Legoland

Join in a team challenge to build a replica of Chicago’s Sears Tower, or to build a useable Lego chair!  Make and take small projects, build and play with more Legos, and purchase additional Lego sets.

Laser Quick-Draw

This two-man, quick-draw competition will challenge the speed of your reflexes.  First come, first serve; each turn last 5 to 7 minutes each.

Craft Room

Come express your creativity together for a quieter activity.  Make and take a variety of small craft projects.  Appropriate crafts available for all ages from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Family Fun Area

Explore the park-themed place to play with a huge inflatable crawl-through caterpillar, park benches, tables set with chess and checkers, foosball and more!

Little Bee Playroom

Filled with age-appropriate playthings, the Playroom offers a safe space for the youngest members of your family to have fun with parents and older siblings.


If you can’t make it in person, their website says it will offer a webcast beginning with events on November 11. This might be a great opportunity to motivate kids for next year to begin learning their verses and hide God’s Word in their hearts.


Check out all the details on this soon to begin event at the Bible Bee website.

Apples and Pumpkins

Picking Apples And Pumpkins - Fun Fall Books for Kids

Fall has officially gotten underway and if you have not already visited an orchard or pumpkin patch this year, you still have time.

Be sure to check websites or make a phone call before heading out. They can give you more details on each one for directions, current crop availability, tips for enjoying your time, and even setting up a group field trip to their location. Many of them offer various learning opportunities as well as samples of their products for reasonable rates.

Fall is one of the best times to enjoy living in this area, so don’t miss these opportunities. Before we know it we will be buried in snow. . . Make some memories to keep you warm. 🙂

Here are some favorites in the Chicago area:

  • The Children’s Farm – 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, IL 60464.
    Phone: 708-361-3650. Fax: 708-361-2811.
  • Honey Hill Orchard – 11747 Waterman Road, Waterman, IL 60556.
    Phone: 815-264-3337.
  • Jonamac Orchard, Inc. – 19412 Shabbona Road, Malta, IL 60150.
    Phone: 815-825-2158.
  • Sycamore Pumpkin Patch – 15326 Quiqley Road, Sycamore, IL.
    Phone: 815-895-3276.
  • UP Berries – 30683 Lanan Road, Kingston, IL 60145
  • Olive Berry Acres – Minimizes chemical and pesticide use
    2575 West Mine Road Mazon, IL 60444.
    Phone: 815-474-6511.
  • Country Corner – 5333 U. S. highway 150, Alpha, IL 61413.
    Phone: 3096292359. Fax: 3096292359.
  • Anderson Farm – 251 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, IL 60538.
    Phone: 630-896-8835. Fax: 630-554-0098.
  • Greenfield Farms – 0S951 Green Road, Elburn, IL 60119.
  • ***Kuipers Family Farm – 1n318 Watson Road, Maple Park, IL 60151.
    Phone: 815-827-5200.
  • Pine Apple Acres – 41W651 Powers Road, Huntley, IL.
    Phone: 847-669-3251.
  • Plank Road Apple Orchard – 50w737 Plank Rd, Sycamore, IL 60178.
    Phone: 815-899-4020.
  • Didier Farms – 16678 West Aptakisic Road, Prairie View, IL 60069.
    Phone: 847-634-3291. Alternate Phone: 847-634-3295.
  • Heinz Orchard – 1050 Crest Road (corner of Crest & Atkinson), Green Oaks, IL 60048. Phone: 847-770-3449.
  • Krueger’s vegetable’s – 28572 West Route 120, Lakemoor, IL 60051.
    Phone: 815-385-4981. Email us at: Kruegersfarm@aol.com.
  • All Seasons Orchard – 14510 Illinois Route 176, Woodstock, IL 60098.
    Phone: 815-338-5637. Fax: 815-338-6479.
  • Cody’s Farm -19502 River Road, Marengo, IL 60152.
    Phone: (815) 482-4125.
  • ***Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch – 42 W 813 Reinking Road, Hampshire, IL.
    Phone: 847-464-5952. (Last year we enjoyed this farm — they even had a couple giraffes that you could feed. AMAZING!) Also at 40 W Higgins Rd. in South Barrington
  • Grace Farm Studios – 2719 Franklinville Road, Woodstock, IL 60098.
    Phone: 815-790-8895.
  • Homestead Orchard – 11802 Charles Road, Woodstock, IL 60098.
    Phone: 815-338-7443.
  • Knoll’s Apple Orchard and Vegetable Farm – 15211 Saint Patrick Road, Woodstock, IL 60098.
    Phone: 815-337-2334.
  • Lang’s Orchard – 17411 Secor Road, Woodstock, IL 60098.
    Phone: (815) 568-7547.
  • Meadowmoor Orchard – 1517 N Rte 47, Woodstock, IL 60033.
    Phone: 847-219-7597.
  • More Than Delicious Orchard – 9905 W. Thompson Road, Woodstock, IL 60098.
    Phone: 815-338-2309.
  • Prairie Sky Orchard – 4914 N Union Road, Union, IL 60180.
    Phone: 815-923-4834.
  • ***Royal Oak Farm Orchard – 15908 Hebron Road, Harvard, IL 60033.
    Phone: 815-648-4141.
  • Stade’s Farm and Market – 3709 West Miller Road, Mchenry, IL 60051.
    Phone: 815-675-6396.
  • Woodstock Country Orchard – 17015 Garden Valley Road,  Woodstock, IL 60098. Phone: (815) 923-4359.
  • ***Sonny Acres – 29W310 North Ave West Chicago, IL
    Phone: 630-231-9515 (discounted wrist bands on Wednesdays from starting at 2:00)

(Check this link for more as they become available)

***Ones we have personally enjoyed a great deal in recent years.

Free days at Brookfield!

Looking for a way to take full advantage of this beautiful weather we are having this fall?

Brookfield Zoo would be the perfect place. And, from October through December admission is free on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

You will still need to pay the $9 parking fee and all internal attractions that require extra fees will still do so. However, you can enjoy a great day at the zoo for a very reasonable price.

Starting in November and continuing through March the Family Play Zoo and the Children’s Zoo will be free as well.

Check out all the specifics on prices on the zoo website general information.

Very likely you can find something in the zoo’s many exhibits to tie into a current unit of study, or to enjoy a day of fun, real-life learning outside the books. Grab another family and make a day of it.

Shakespeare!

The Drama Group in Chicago Heights Proudly Presents

Celebrating Shakespeare!!

Performed by the Stable Theater Company of England right here in Chicagoland thanks to an 11 year old tradition involving a theater exchange program.

Celebrating Shakespeare explores the beauty of Shakespeare’s language, rich
in pathos, emotion, and comedy!!  This performance will give you insight into how Shakespeare has left a historical impact. A hilarious take on the Bard by true British Actors.

September 16, 17, & 18th at 7:30 pm
September 19th at 2:00pm

Drama Group Studio Theater
330 W. 202nd Street
Chicago Heights, IL

Call 708-755-3444 for tickets
$18 adults — $17 Seniors — $10 All homeschool students (be sure to request this special rate for homeschooled students)

Received from: Alicia Joebge

Homeschool Mom’s brunch

Following invite to Homeschool Mom’s brunch to help you start the school year off on the right foot. This is coming quickly, so be sure to RSVP asap to hold your spot.

No Place Like Home

Cordially invites you to kick off your school year with Rob Rienow of Visionary Parenting

Rob is husband to Amy and they have been blessed with six children. He is a speaker (visionaryparenting.com), author, and Family Pastor at Wheaton Bible Church in Wheaton, IL. He will encourage us as Women of God growing our children in the Light of the Lord. As a homeschool dad himself, Rob will share the priority of passing faith and character to our children, uplift us as homeschooling moms and cheer us on in our homeschool year ahead

He will instill in us the Godly confidence that homeschooling is worth the difficulty and sacrifice of our time and energy! Come and join us for a lovely brunch while getting Charged Up for an Incredible Year of Hero Building!

Questions or R.S.V.P. to Michelle Larsen: marlarsen@foxvalley.net or (847)697-8813


Bug fest

The Red Oak Nature Center, part of the Fox Valley Park District is having a bug fest this coming Saturday, August 21.

The time will be full of fun with activities, crafts, competition, and lots of learning. This event is geared to the whole family.

When: Saturday, August 21, 9-noon

Where: Red Oak Nature Center
On Route 25, one mile north of Route 56
2343 S. River St.
North Aurora, IL 60542
Directions

More information: 630-897-1808