Category: Field Trips

NRA youth education event

Received this via email (Thanks, Melissa!):

You are invited to our second annual National Rifle Association Youth Hunter Education Challenge for homeschooling families.  YHEC is a great opportunity to learn more about hunting methods and safety and game species as well as improve upon your skills.  YHEC is open to boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 18.  Its success is due to the numerous volunteers who want to pass on their experience, skills, and knowledge to the next generation of hunters and outdoorsmen.

Our YHEC day will include the disciplines of rifling, archery and shotguns.  We will also have three responsibility classes: Orienteering, Hunter Safety Trail and Wildlife ID.  We are thrilled to inform you that we have teamed up with Action Shooting Sports and Vintage Arms to make this year’s event even better!  Thesepeople volunteer their time to teach firearm and archery safety and responsibility, but even more importantlysportsmanship, commitment, and ethics.

Our event is on Friday, June 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Richmond Hunting Club.  RHC has graciously opened their door to us again because they are committed to educating our youth and they were impressed with the YHEC program.  We are able to offer this day without cost to you because of the generous funding from the NRA and RHC as well as the numerous volunteers who give their time.  We would ask that you buy your lunch from RHC as a special thank you to them but it is not required.  They will have hotdogs and hamburgers with chips and drinks for $5.00 as well as their regular menu available.  Please plan to arrive between 8:30 and 8:45for registration.  We need registration and waivers for every person participating.  We will have a mandatory safety meeting at 9:00. Parents, because of the nature of this event your presence is required for the entire day.  We will need your help to make the day run smoothly and you will be given a volunteer position. We do need a firm headcount.  Please R.S.V.P. to either Laurie Studer or Melissa Martin by June 8th.

To honor our men and women in uniform, we are teaming up with the Veteran’s Network Committee and accepting donations for our troops.  We want to express our thanks to them for the sacrifices they make toprotect and preserve our freedom.  Veteran’s Network Committee will be sending care packages to Illinois troops.  Please see the attached list for suggested items they need.  Sample or travel sizes are great!

You are welcome to bring your personal firearms and eye/ear protection.  We will be shooting .22 rifles and 410 and 12 gauge shotguns.  Please do not bring any other firearms.

Laurie Studer

Richmond Hunting Club

5016 IL Route 173

Richmond, IL 60071

815-678-3271

www.actionshootingsports.com

www.vintagearmsonline.com

www.veteransnetworkcommittee.com

Homeschool class in Lake County

Homeschool Companion—Chicago Blues

Join other homeschoolers to take a closer look at the temporary exhibit “The Blues: From the Heart and Soul” and learn about Chicago Blues music through hands-on activities.

Price includes Museum admission for a participant child. No program charge for chaperones.

24-hour hotline for directions and program updates: 847-968-3113

Instructor: Nicole Stocker

When: Wednesday April 18, 2012
10:00AM – 12:00PM
Where: Lake County Discovery Museum (Wauconda)
Ages: 5 – 12
** Adult Supervision Required for this Program **
Cost:
$3.00 per child (Lake County Residents)
$5.00 per child (Non-Residents)
Regular Registration Deadline: April 17, 2012
Registration Options: Register online, by telephone at 847-968-3321 or by mail or fax using this form

Get in on this one fast!

“Speak Up, Speak Out for Freedom and Rights,” on Monday, April 23, 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM, at Student Center West and the Forum at the University of Illinois at Chicago. This seminar is FREE to the first 100 registrants.

The seminar will provide a unique opportunity for teachers to engage in discussion on global citizenship, with morning workshops by the partners, a luncheon keynote from former President Jimmy Carter, and the opening afternoon of the World Summit with Nobel Peace Laureates. A draft agenda is available here. The seminar is accessible by CTA, and parking will be reimbursed.

Participants will receive 7 CPDUs. All CPS participants are eligible for subsidized release time. Non-CPS educators are eligible for subsidized release time on an “as needed” basis from a limited pool of funds. Participants must attend the entire seminar to qualify for subsidized release time.

You must be registered to attend, and the deadline is April 6.  (Already full, but you can check out more info and find out about the webcast)

High School Career Expo

Fermilab is hosting an event geared toward technologically minded students in a couple weeks.

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics [STEM] Career Expo for High School Students

Where: Fermilab, Wilson Hall
Wednesday, April 11, 2012

5:30–8:30 PM

Come and join math, science, engineering, & technology experts from a wide variety of careers.

  • Meet scientists, engineers, & technicians
  • Ask career questions of the experts
  • Ask experts about educational pathways leading to specific careers
  • Discuss career fields with professional association representatives
  • Attend panel discussions on career areas
  • Access career expo resources

The STEM Career Expo is a cooperative effort of Kane and DuPage county schools, hosted by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

For more information, send e-mail to edreg@fnal.gov.

WW II Presentation

For full details about this event and to register: http://www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org/Home/refighting-the-pacific-war.aspx

When: Thursday, March 29, 2012

What: Jim Bresnahan, Elliot Carlson, John Lundstrom, Jon Parshall
REFIGHTING THE PACIFIC WAR

Program & Live Webcast — 6:00 p.m. (CT)

Cost: Members free / non-members $10

Refighting the Pacific War is published by the U.S. Naval Institute Press. Contributors to this alternative WWII history include the noted military historians William Bartsch, John Lundstrom, Douglas Smith, Barrett Tillman, and H. P. Willmott, among others. In a roundtable discussion format, more than thirty veterans and historians address “what if” questions about the war in the Pacific. Their differing views on possible outcomes of various campaigns and the implications of those changes on the course of history are certain to provoke debate. All major naval campaigns and key battles are discussed along with such questions as whether Japan could have inflicted even greater damage at Pearl Harbor, how Admiral Yamamoto might have won at Midway, and the impact of that victory on the direction of the war. The book also explores whether the war was inevitable and whether the conflict could have ended without the use of the atomic bomb. Vice Admiral Yoji Koda, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (Ret.), provides the book’s introduction.

Please note: To guarantee seating for this event a reservation is required. Call 312.374.9333 or click here. Latecomers are seated at discretion of management. There is no refund or exchange of tickets.

Sponsored by U.S. Naval Institute with special thanks to Captain Edward A. Studzinski, USNR (Ret.), for his generous assistance in making the success of Refighting the Pacific War: An Alternative History of World War II, including the electronic version and USNI sponsorship of this program possible.

Pritzker Military Library

104 S. Michigan Ave.

Chicago, IL 60603

312.374.9333

Free entrance to National Parks

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

(while some parks are free everyday, these are days you can get in free to some that usually charge an admission)

Yosemite National Park, Photo by DanNgNPS/Dan Ng

Yosemite Falls can be seen from numerous areas around Yosemite Valley. A one-mile loop trail leads to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall.

America’s Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.*

Mark your calendar for these fee-free dates in 2012:

  • April 21-29: National Park Week

  • June 9
    Get Outdoors Day
  • September 29
    National Public Lands Day
  • November 10-12
    Veterans Day weekend

To make the fun even more affordable, check out these discounts and special offers from park partners and neighboring businesses:

Here’s a tip – many of your 397 national parks NEVER charge an entrance fee. So start Planning Your Visit!

*Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

TeenPact Illinois

A unique opportunity in Springfield.

A blurb from the TeenPact website:

TeenPact is a dynamic, hands-on leadership school for Christian students. Our mission is to train youth to understand the political process, value their liberty, defend their Christian faith and engage the culture at a time in their lives when, typically, they do not care about such things.

The TeenPact experience is one of intentional growth, education and encouragement. We believe that God gives every young person a great spiritual capacity as well as a scriptural mandate to cultivate and use their talents – even before they are old enough to drive, work or vote!  TeenPact trains these young people to embrace their call as the next generation of leaders by giving them tools, teaching and opportunities.

Each TeenPact program is marked by spiritual discipleship, student leadership, parental involvement and a commitment to excellence. Our loyal base of parent volunteers and student leaders keep the vision alive and growing as we continue to expand nationally. Founded in 1994 by Tim Echols, TeenPact currently offers classes in 38 states and counting.

“Changing lives to change the world” is more than a motto to us. It’s literally what we do every day.

TeenPact Illinois

Four Day Class: (ages 13-19)

April 23-26, 2012
Mon: 1pm – 5pm
Tue – Thu: 8:45am – 3pm

First Time Students: $225
Returning Students: $185

Host housing may be available

Please contact your State Coordinator

Guest Director: Ned Williams

Political Communication Workshop: (ages 13-19)

April 27, 2012
10am – 4pm

Price: $50
($40 with 4-Day Class Purchase)

One Day Class: (ages 8-12)

April 27, 2012
10am – 4pm

First Child: $40
Siblings: $30

All the rest of the details:

http://teenpact.com/state-classes/illinois/

Blacksmith available for demonstrations

Received this via email:

Steven Helis, Blacksmith

Are you looking for a knowledgeable Demonstrator of the Art of Blacksmithing?

Look no further!

Steven Helis has been practicing the craft for 30 years. He has participated in historical reenactments, living history demonstrations and served as the Blacksmith for the Will County Historical Society’s Pioneer Settlement.

He is well versed in the history of Blacksmithing from ancient times to the modern age. His skill level is sufficient to demonstrate the various aspects of forging iron into useful implements, tools and works of art. He can show how his abilities come together by giving a live exhibition using his portable forge, anvil & tools. He also has examples of things made by blacksmiths. His fees vary on travel time and references are available on request.

If you or your organization would like to have a live presentation on the History & Art of Blacksmithing please contact him at his email address, stefanhelis@gmail.com or Pager # 815-241-5497.

You can also enjoy his demonstration as part of the Pilcher Park Nature Center’s annual Pioneer Fest & Pancake Breakfast on March 24- 25th.

Maple Syrup

No matter what corner of the Chicago area you find yourself in, you will likely be able to check out a maple syrup festival somewhere during this month.

Here are a few of the festivals that I am aware of. Feel free to add any others in the comments. These are generally very educational events that the whole family can enjoy.

North Park Village Nature Center

5801 N. Pulaski Rd.
Chicago, IL , 60646
(312) 744-5472

Bring the family to experience the entire maple syrup making process, from tapping the tree and collecting sap to boiling it down to syrup. Stroll the sugar bush, enjoy storytelling and live music, make a craft, and taste homemade syrup.

Fees: Free

Age Range: All Ages

See the entire maple syrup-making process from tapping the tree and collecting the sap, to boiling it down into syrup.  Take a walk through the sugar bush, enjoy storytelling, make a maple craft, warm yourself by the fire, and taste real maple syrup fresh off the fire.   The Maple Syrup Festival is a sweet and warm tradition that is free and fun for all ages. No registration required.

Pioneer Fest and Pancake

Breakfast! Enjoy pancakes, sausage, and 100% pure maple
syrup! Come for the maple syrup making
demonstrations and try your hand at pioneer chores
while stepping back into time with our pioneer reenactors.
Age: All
Pilcher Park Nature Center
Sat/Sun 3/24-3/25 8 am-12 pm
$9 Adults/$7 Children under 12 (my understanding is that the fee is only if you are eating, but call to confirm this)

Phone: 815-741-PARK (7275)

Sap Collectors

Fullersburg Woods, Dupage County

Mar. 9, 2012

Hike to the sugarbush to collect sap from sugar maple trees. Ages 6 and up; under 14 with an adult. $3 per person. To register, call (630) 850­-8110.

  • Mar 2, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Fullersburg Woods
  • Mar 9, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Fullersburg Woods
  • Mar 16, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Fullersburg Woods

Maple Sugaring Days

Naper Settlement

Saturday and Sunday, March 10 & 11, 2012
Maple Sugaring Days

The history of maple sugaring
Maple sugaring was an integral part of American life in the 1800s and was the foremost sweetener until the end of the Civil War. A community social event celebrating the arrival of spring, the difficult work involving in collecting and processing the sap required many hands. This festive gathering was a welcome diversion following a long winter. Until the end of the Civil War, maple products were the most important food sweeteners in the United States because they were far less expensive and more available than cane sugar.

Time:
Saturday 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Sunday 1:00-4:00 pm

Ticket Information:
$9 adults
$8 seniors (62+)
$6.50 youth (4-17)
Naperville Heritage Society members and Season Pass Holders receive free admission.

And,  the one at Kline Creek Farm already passed, but here is a YouTube video that they took to show the tree tapping. I’m sure the drill is authentic 1840s 😉

And here are a couple more places to find lists of maple sugaring events in Illinois and surrounding states:

http://www.midwestweekends.com/plan_a_trip/touring/spring_scenery/maple_syrup_festivals.html

http://www.chitowncheapskate.com/2012/03/chicagoland-march-maple-syrup-events.html