Category: Field Trips

Homeschool Resource Fair in Elk Grove Village

The BEACON Homeschool Group is hosting their 4th annual Resource Fair .

Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Where: Elk Grove Village Public Library

When: 7:00-9:00pm

The public is invited to come and browse and talk to the leaders of various organizations about the many different opportunities available to the homeschool community. Representatives will be on hand from various co-ops, enrichment programs, horseback riding programs, field trip opportunities, art classes, roller skating, park district programs, academic programs and much more.

The first 75 attendees will receive a resource booklet to take home with additional information.

For more information, check out their website: www.beaconhomeschool.org

Kline Creek Farm — Maple Sugaring

Looking for something to do this weekend? Head over to Kline Creek Farm for their Maple Sugaring event. This takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 10-4 both days.

From their website:

See how 1890s farm families tapped trees and boiled the collected sap into maple syrup and sugar. Then, try to tap a tree yourself. Activities ongoing. Free. Registration not required.

Also happening at Kline Creek this weekend is “A Nickle’s Worth“:

Find out what a nickel could buy in the 1890s and how consumer preferences were changing. Free. Registration not required. Tours begin on the hour.

And, Blacksmith demonstrations (Saturday only from 1:30-3:30):

Stop by the wagon shed to see the blacksmith repair equipment and demonstrate the tools and techniques of the trade. Free. Registration not required.

Call (630) 876-5900 for more information.

Kline Creek is a great place for family outings. The visitor’s center has indoor bathrooms, a gift shop, and sometimes hosts other displays and activities. This addition to the property makes a visit to Kline Creek a bit easier on families with young children.

Other highlights a visit to the farm can bring:

The farmhouse was the center of domestic activities and today contains original artifacts and reproductions that enhance its homelike atmosphere. House tours start on the hour from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and present topics from baking, canning, quilting and spring cleaning to preparing the house for special celebrations.

Depending on the time of year, staff and volunteers plant heirloom fruits and vegetables in the kitchen garden, tend to the orchard, work in the wagon shed or cure sausages in the smoke house. Percheron work horses help plant and harvest crops of corn, oats, and other small grains; and resident livestock, such as the farm’s Southdown sheep, Shorthorn and Angus cattle, and chickens, occupy the farm’s coop, barn, fold, and pastures.

Come with your questions and curiosity, and this time of year come prepared for some mud as well. We have found the staff there helpful and knowledgeable. A great place for creating memories.

Home Depot free workshops for kids

home depot kid workshop

If you have a hands-on kid at home you might enjoy taking advantage of Home Depot’s monthly kid workshops.

This program is designed for this purpose:

The Home Depot’s Kids Workshops offer useful projects including the creation of toolboxes, fire trucks and mail organizers, as well as more educational projects, such as a window birdhouse, bughouse or Declaration of Independence frame kit.

The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, this fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children.

In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates’ aprons, and an achievement pin.

These generally take place on the first Saturday of each month from 9-12. Contact your local Home Depot for more information or to confirm participation. This coming Saturday they should be constructing a rain gauge. Sounds like a perfect project as we head into the spring season.  Kids 5-12 would benefit most from these workshops.

Free field trip this Wednesday

March 3rd 10am – noon – The Island

FREE tickets to a famous South African play followed by discussion

This is a special opportunity for around  30 students and teachers who would be available on Wednesday, March 3rd: 10am – noon. It is free, no charge.

WHAT:
A PLAY AND DISCUSSION
The Remy Bumppo Theatre Company’s production of

The Island by Athol Fugard
This is a stellar production of a famous South African play about two prisoners in a cell at Robben Island (where Mandela was
Incarcerated).  They struggle in creative ways to stay sane and hopeful and human in a very small cell.  The play was actually
developed By two former prisoners who collaborated with Athol Fugard, one of South Africa’s leading dramatists.

A summary of the play (as taken from their website):

Athol Fugard’s daring drama is set in an unnamed prison based on the one where Nelson Mandela was held. John and Winston are cellmates who spend their days doing back-breaking labor, and their nights rehearsing Sophocles’ Antigone to present to their fellow inmates. When John learns his sentence is being reduced, the men’s friendship is tested. Fugard plays the parallels between Antigone’s fight against political and patriarchal boundaries off of the imprisoned men’s fight for their dignity. The Island is a testament to the resiliency of the human heart.

WHEN:
Wednesday, March 3rd, 10am  – noon.

WHERE:
Theatre is located at 2257 N. Lincoln

Check out this website for more details on the production and to determine of this would be suitable for your children. It looks like a well done performance, and will no doubt spark some interesting discussions for older students.

http://www.remybumppo.org/pages/the_island/242.php

For more information about these free passes, please contact Jennifer at jennifer@groundswellfilms.org

Groundswell has a block of seats for students.
Please let them know ASAP if you are interested in tickets.

Homeschool Roller Skating at CoachLite

What: Roller Skating – Coachlite in Roselle

When: Monday, March 15, 2010 12:30 PM

Where:
Coachlite Skate Center
1291 W Bryn Mawr Ave
Roselle, IL 60172
630-893-4480

Finish up your school work in the morning and head to Coachlite Roller Rink in Roselle, the #1 place for Roller skating in the Midwest. This is a private event for Homeschool Village, but is open to all home-schoolers. So, feel free to spread the word!!
We have the rink for 2 hours with a special rate of $6 per skater, including regular skate rental!!. If your child would prefer in line skates, there is an additional $5 charge.

Learn more here:
http://www.meetup.com/homeschoolvillage/calendar/12733879/

World Math Day coming — Register by March 2

world math day logo 2010

Registration for World Math Day 2010 has opened and this year is going to be bigger and better than ever. Apart from an exciting NEW format, World Math Day 2010 is registered to set a Guinness World Record.

You are invited to share with your friends and family this free and fun event. For the first time parents can also participate in World Math Day.

Register free at www.worldmathday.com

REGISTERED TO SET A GUINNESS WORLD RECORD in 2010

World Math Day is free and lots of FUN!

Join in a celebration of numbers as students from around the globe unite in their quest to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD – the largest online math competition in answering mental arithmetic questions. Be a part of this Guinness World Record and global education event involving more than 2.5 million students from over 200 countries.

It’s Free and Fun!

• Brand NEW format.

• World Math Day is the education event for the world!

• Your students will love it! Be part of setting a Guinness World Record

• It will create an amazing buzz around Math

• Designed for all ages and ability levels.

• Simple to register and participate. All you need is internet access.

• Great prizes

• And it’s absolutely free!!

HURRY, registration closes March 2nd 2010

www.worldmathday.com

Information received from:

Peter Walters

CEO  – 3P Learning USA

37 West 26th Street

Suite 201

New York, NY 10010

Tel +1 866 387 9139

www.mathletics.com

www.worldmathday.com

“Freedom to Learn”

Chicagoland Kids Expo

This weekend in Schaumburg you can attend the Chicagoland Kids Expo. A brief description about this event taken from their website, Chicago Kids Expo:

Kids with energy to burn after the long Chicago winter will have plenty of jumping, bouncing, and sliding fun with inflatable rides, games, and fun activities. Visitors will find a colorful collection of balloon artists, magicians, face painters, clowns, costumed characters, and other talented children’s entertainers who’ll be creating fun and excitement all weekend long. Micro-reality stock car racing, petting zoo, interactive play areas, miniature golf, table top games, and many other hands-on attractions make the Chicagoland Kids Expo an outstanding family entertainment value.

Practical and Informative Exhibits!
In addition to all of the entertainment and hands-on fun, parents will find an abundance of useful information on a wide range of products and services for families with kids. The exhibitor roster is packed with quality organizations that have come together to help make all the fun and excitement of the 2010 Chicagoland Kids Expo possible.

You’ll find companies showcasing everything from educational products to apparel, health care, schools, food, gifts, sports, music, entertainment and much more – PLUS informative presentations and hands-on product demonstrations from knowledgeable professionals. This large and diverse group of quality vendors can be found on-line at the official Web site of the Chicagoland Kids Expo, www.ChicagoKidsExpo.com.

Some more details about the event:

Admission, Parking and Food

  • Adults: $10
  • Children (Ages 3 to 12): $5, under age 3 FREE
  • Parking: FREE PARKING
  • Food & Beverages: The large food court has a wide selection of lunch and dinner meals, snacks, desserts, and drinks.

Dates, Times and Place

  • Saturday & Sunday, February 20th & 21st, 2010
  • Saturday – 9am to 6pm
    Sunday – 10am to 5pm
  • INDOORS All weekend!
    Renaissance Convention Center
    1551 Thoreau Dr.
    Schaumburg, IL

There is also a coupon for a dollar off admission on their website that you will want to print off before you go.

Free class for families

From the Elgin YMCA: Fit-n-Fun Class for Families

In an effort to strengthen the health and well being of
families in our community we have developed a program
that offers a three part class for families to incorporate
healthy habits (physical activity, choosing healthy foods,
family time) into their everyday lives.

We build Strong Kids, Strong Families &
Strong Communities

Special points of interest:

  • Free Family Membership while participating in the class! (New Members ONLY)
  • Healthy Cooking How To’s
  • Snack and Meal Planning
  • Family Play Time Ideas
  • Group Sharing
  • End of Class Tips & Tricks
  • Cooking Guide
  • Support of Other Families

*This Class will be held in English with Spanish translation via headset!!

*Children 4-12 will have the option to participate in Nutrition and Fitness Activities Class targeted for their activity and age level.

This is a 3 -Part Class, all Classes are held on Saturdays
from 3-4pm at the Taylor Family Branch YMCA.

  • 1st Class February 20
  • 2nd Class March 20
  • Final Class April 24

Registration is required!!

To register:

  • by phone call Jennifer Alberts at 847-888-7410 x33
  • by email at jalberts@elginymca.org
  • online at www.elginymca.com
  • visit the Taylor Family Branch YMCA located at 50 N. McLean Blvd.

Activities in Chicago Ridge

The following information is from the Chicago Ridge Public Library, Youth Services:

Homeschoolers and their parents are invited to join the Homeschool Happenings group that meets on the second Friday of each month from September through June at 1:00 p.m. It is a great way to meet other homeschool families and attend interesting programs. Contact the library for more information on the events or to register by phone.

Their next meeting is February 12. They will be making rubber-stamped Valentine items.

March 12th Constance VanSwol will be presenting a program on libraries, librarianship, and the Dewey Decimal System.

April 9th – topic yet to be determined

May 14th will be the last one of the spring will include a presentation about the upcoming Summer Reading program.

All programs are at 1 p.m.  Please contact the library to register if interested.

Contact:

Constance VanSwol

Head of Youth Services

Chicago Ridge Public Library

10400 S. Oxford Avenue

Chicago Ridge IL 60415

Ph 708.423.7753

Limited number of free tickets to the auto show!

The 2010 Chicago Auto show will take place at the McCormick Place from February 12 through February 21. The nation’s largest show and the nation’s longest-running show, Chicago is well regarded as the “consumer show.” (According to the CAS blog)

Regular admission to this annual event are as follows:

Adults $11
Seniors (62 and older) 7
Children (age 7-12) $7
Children (age 0-6) Free

School groups (this would be a great field trip for your support group, co-op, or other group of homeschoolers):

Student groups of 20 or more will receive a discounted rate of $5 per ticket. This is available on weedays only. Tickets may be ordered in advance by printing out a form and completing it. You may send it via fax or regular mail.

Student and Group Ticket Sales Order Forms:

2010 School-group Ticket Reservation Form (PDF)

2010 School Ticket Order Form (PDF)

2010 Group Tickets Order Form (PDF)

Other discounts are available on certain days:

Tuesday, Feb. 16 Women are admitted for $7. Manufacturers will present special women-oriented programs on the purchase and lease of cars and maintenance.
Wednesday, Feb, 17,
Thursday, Feb. 18,
Friday, Feb. 19		 Show patrons who bring three cans of food, donated to the Chicago Christian Industrial League; will receive coupons for $7 admission tickets.

Now as for the free tickets . . . If you fill out this form from the Chevy Drives Chicago website and bring the confirmation that you then receive (either via email or printed directly from the site) into a  participating Chicagoland or Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealer, you should receive a pair of tickets to the auto show as long as supplies last.