Category: Special Events

Homeschool Outdoor Education

walcamp logo
Walcamp is a year-round outdoor ministry offering facilities and a variety of programs for youth and families, churches and other groups. Walcamp is located on 180 acres of forest and open fields on the Kishwaukee River in Kingston, IL, about 70 miles west of Chicago and 15 miles north of DeKalb, IL

They offer outdoor education classes geared especially for homeschoolers, and have one coming up in May.

Here is the info from Walcamp’s website:

Aquatic Antics
May 20, 2010 – 1:00pm -5:00pm

Ever wonder what life adventures take place under water? Prepare to get wet when you join Walcamp’s aquatic life for a day of creek stomping, amphibian searching, canoeing, and more as you discover many wonders of God’s creation.

The cost is $10 per participant and siblings under 5 are free. They encourage parents to participate as well. Participants should come prepared for water — towels, dry clothes, water shoes, and no flip-flops.

To register your students and family for a Homeschool Days event, please call 815.784.5141 or email Debra, registrar@walcamp.org at least 2 weeks before the event date.
If you are interested, you can also set up your own group activity by contacting Ben at 815.784.5141 or emailing media@walcamp.org.

Free Educator Screening in Batavia

Randall 15 IMAX
Randall 15 IMAX Free Educator Screening
Book Your Group You and one (1) guest are invited to the Free Educator Screening of Under the Sea 3D and Space Station 3D. Additional guests will be charged $5.50 for one movie, or $10.00 for both. Date: Saturday April 24, 2010

Time: 9:00am Under the Sea 3D and 10:00am Space Station 3D (please arrive a half hour prior to check-in and register)

Place: Randall 15 IMAX® 550 N. Randall Rd. Batavia, IL 60510

RSVP: Email or Call 630-659-6762. RSVP by noon on Friday April 23rd. Please leave us your first and last name, school name, date, theater, and number of people attending. If registering via email, you will receive an email confirmation. If registering via phone, you will not receive a phone call to confirm your space.

Under the Sea 3D: Under the Sea 3D, a new IMAX® 3D adventure, transports moviegoers to some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations on Earth, including Southern Australia, New Guinea and others in the Indo-Pacific region, allowing them to experience face-to-face encounters with some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea. It offers a uniquely inspirational and entertaining way to explore the beauty and natural wonder of the oceans, as well as the impact of global climate change. In IMAX 3D, the images will literally leap off the screen and float around the theatre, putting the audience in the movie. Narrated by Jim Carrey, Under the Sea 3D is directed by Howard Hall, produced by Toni Myers, produced for Howard Hall Productions by Michele Hall and executive produced by Graeme Ferguson. This Warner Bros. film is produced and distributed by IMAX Corporation. Website Teacher’s Guide 3-5 Teacher’s Guide 6-8

Space Station 3D: The story of this unique partnership of 16 nations building a laboratory in outer space — a permanent facility for the study of the effects of long-duration exposure to zero gravity and the necessary first step towards the global co-operative effort needed if man is to someday set foot on Mars. It is a story of challenges, setbacks and triumphs…and ultimately, the shared international victory of men and women whose dreams exceed the limits of life on this Earth.. Website Teacher’s Guide

SPECIAL NEWS! In March 2010, we converted to IMAX Digital Projection!  The advantage of installing a digital IMAX system is to economically show all large format releases, both Hollywood IMAX DMR titles and Traditional IMAX films such as Space Station 3D and Under the Sea 3D.  We hope to add more IMAX Traditionals to our library as soon as they are converted digitally.  We will keep you informed of new titles!

Group Rates: For groups of 10 or more, $5.50 per person (Traditional 45 minute films) or $8.00 per person for IMAX DMR 2D (Hollywood Feature Length) and $9.00 for IMAX 3D. Groups of 20 or more receive one free admission for a teacher or chaperone. Discount restrictions may apply.

If you have a date in mind already for booking your class, call Jeannette at 630-659-6762 or email jsmith@gqti.com

Our current IMAX Library: Teachers Guide Click here

www.GQTIMAX.com

Homeschool encouragement from Jackie Wellwood

Check out this great opportunity open to the homeschool community to drink in some encouragement as we quickly approach the summer months:

Teaching Homes for Christ invites you to join them for an evening of encouragement with Jackie Wellwood, author and veteran homeschooler.  Jackie will share stories from her experiences—dealing with life’s challenges and finding joy and purpose in the journey. An experienced public speaker and entrepreneur, Jackie is the author of The Busy Mom’s Guide to Simple Living and two books of devotions for homeschool moms. She has been homeschooling for nearly twenty years and is the mother of seven.
Date and time: Monday, April 26th from 7:15 to 9 p.m.

Location:
Glen Arbor Community Church
204 Church Street
West Chicago, IL  60185

RSVP to Nancy McGinn, nancymcginn@gmail.com
(appreciated but not required)

Free admission to Holocaust Museum

The new Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center will celebrate its one year anniversary on April 19th. For this one day you can enjoy free admission to the museum.

The schedule for the day includes:

11:00 – 11:45 Eyewitness to the Holocaust, Goodman Auditorium
Listen to the individual story of someone who experienced history firsthand. 
Q/A will follow.  Space is limited.

12:00 until closing Cake and refreshments, Pritzker Hall of Reflection
1:35 – 2:15 Eyewitness to the Holocaust, Goodman Auditorium
Listen to the individual story of someone who experienced history firsthand.
Q/A will follow.  Space is limited.

4:00 – 5:00 Symbolism in the Design of IHMEC – Stanley Tigerman, Architect
Seating is limited, RSVP required | email architect@ilhmec.org or call 847.967.4814

In the museum you can also enjoy an exhibit that shares the wartime escape of H.A. Rey and his wife from the Nazi invasion of Paris during WWII. Name ring a bell? He is the author of the well loved Curious George series, and as a Jew, had to flee to America in 1940.

Special events begin the day before, so feel free to check out the Illinois Holocaust Museum website for more details.

Also, if the holocaust is a topic of interest for you or your family you might want to check out the new season at the Provision Theater which will feature The Hiding Place, an amazing story of bravery and faith in the midst of persecution and hatred.

Astronaut to speak at Waubonsee

From the Waubonsee Community College site:

Former Astronaut to Speak March 27
Sugar Grove – Former astronaut Captain Jon McBride will present “To Outer Space and Back” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, in the Auditorium at Waubonsee Community College’s Sugar Grove Campus, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive. The event is free but reservations are requested. To reserve your spot, please call the college’s Community Education department at (630) 466-7900, ext. 2360.

McBride will discuss his life as an astronaut and experience as the pilot for Shuttle Mission STS-41G in October 1984. STS-41G marked the 13th flight of a space shuttle and the sixth flight of Challenger. It was the first shuttle mission to carry seven crewmembers and to have an IMAX camera on board. Film from the mission appeared in the movie “The Dream is Alive.”

Science activities in Rockford next week

Mike Riddle, an Answers in Genesis speaker, will be in Rockford, IL at Maywood Free Church on March 27-29.

On March 28th and 29th he will be speaking for an Answers in Genesis conference.  Here is the schedule for this event:

Sunday, March 28, 2010
8 a.m. Mike Riddle Do You Have a Biblical Worldview?
10:30 a.m. Mike Riddle Do You Have a Biblical Worldview?
6 p.m. Mike Riddle Apologetics 101: Answering the Challenges
7:30 p.m. Mike Riddle 4 Power Questions to Ask an Evolutionist
Monday, March 29, 2010
6:30 p.m. Mike Riddle Apologetics 201: Answering More Challenges
8 p.m. Mike Riddle Cloning, Stem Cells and the Value of Life

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And Jay Wile will be speaking in Rockford on Friday the 26th and then participating in the Northern Illinois Regional Science Fair on Saturday the 27th.  Check out the Illinois Regional Science Fair site for more information.   He will be speaking at 7:00 about homeschooling high school science.

Homeschool skate in Aurora

Another reader, Kristen, sent this information along about a homeschool skate in Aurora:

Homeschool Skate

When: Thursdays, 10am – 2pm
Description: Exercise, fun & games, and fellowship during our weekly roller skating session for homeschooled children and parents (parents skate free).
Admission: $5 (includes rental skates, if needed). Snackbar will be open.
Music: Christian based and Disney radio approved.
This takes place at Aurora Skate Center. Looks like a great way to get out of the house and get some exercise each week. Check their calendar or give a call to confirm this event, but it is posted as a weekly event from 10-2 each Thursday.

Live Feed of Owl’s Nest

Barn Owl

Reader Helen passed along this great comment and link to share:

I’ve been enjoying this live feed of a barn owl who is incubating five eggs; an owlet is due to hatch any day now!

The website there has this information:
This is a live feed of a wild female barn owl named Molly. The owl box is located 15 feet off the ground. Expecting owlets mid March. The male(McGee) has a white chest and face. He usually shows up after dark but has spent an entire day with the female.  For more Information about Barn Owls, Click Here.  We hope you enjoy the cams.  One egg broke.
Egg 1 2/13/10 12:15 PM Est. Hatch 3/14-17th
Egg 2 2/16/10 07:23 AM Est. Hatch 3/16-20th
Egg 3 2/18/10 09:13 AM Est. Hatch 3/18-22nd
Egg 4 2/20/10 11:07 AM Est. Hatch 3/20-24th


Egg 5 2/22/10 02:00 PM Est. Hatch 3/22-26th
Egg 6 2/25/10 09:35 AM Est. Hatch 3/25-29th
Enjoy this simple nature study from the comfort of your own home!
~Thank you, Helen!

TEC Open House

Spring is in the air and excitement is building around TEC plans for next year!   On Monday, March 22, there will be a “TEC Open House.” You and anyone that you know that might be interested in joining TEC are welcome to come and observe the classes in action.  Also, a “Teacher Expo” will take place from 12-1 to give you the opportunity to preview what the TEC teachers are planning for next year.

Tri-Cities Enrichment Co-op

Open House

Tri-Cities Enrichment Co-op is a Christian homeschool co-op designed to foster academic excellence through once-a-week selected classes taught by some member-parents and other qualified instructors. Course content is developed and taught by these respective course instructors. Classes are held once a week on Tuesdays for 24 weeks (30 weeks for high school courses). We offer classes for grades kindergarten through high school.

Information on the Open House:

Date:   March 22, 2010

Time:  9am-3pm

Place: Lord of Life Church

(Rte 38 and LaFox Rd)

To RSVP or with further questions, please email: tricitiesenrichmentcoop@gmail.com