International Children’s Film Festival!

I received a special invitation to extend to area homeschoolers for the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, coming up October 22-30.

This looks like an absolutely fabulous time. Workshops, movies, and tons of activities packing the school days as well as evenings and on the weekend. So, if you want to make this a field trip, jump at the chance! Or, if your school days are too full to take a break from right now, check out some of their evening and weekend events.

For school day events (special targeted activities for kids from preschool through high school at various times) check out their school and special groups info.

Or, take a look at their evening and weekend schedule;

Or, maybe you want to check out the workshops.

And, of course if nothing else, check out their facebook page.

Main website: cicff.org

And, the invite from the festival itself:

The Chicago International Children”s Film Festival is the oldest and largest film festival in the world. The Festival would welcome HomeSchool Children to experience the best in multicultural film from around the world. Filmmakers attend screenings and speak of the messages in the films. The Festival takes place from October 22nd to the 30th. The schedule is on-line at http://www.cicff.org. Come see the best in international film that opens young eyes and minds to new worlds, new cultures, and new ideas!

It looks like it runs about $7 a piece if you are coming with a group under 25 people. Knock another dollar off if you get together a group over 25.

Doug Newton is the man to talk to with all the group info though,  so check with him:

Contact: Doug Newton
Group Sales Coordinator
773-281-9075 ext. 3009
fldtrips@facets.org

Brookfield Zoo free days

Brookfield Zoo is a great field trip destination even in the winter months. They also have an abundance of free days in the next couple months. I like to look for warmish days that fall on these free days and enjoy some great outdoor time with my kids. The zoo offers plenty of educational content for a day of learning outside of your home “classroom.”

Even on free days you should plan on paying for parking, but general admission is free on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. You can also enjoy the Children’s Zoo and the Hamill Family Play Zoo every day of the week the rest of January and through February for free. The Family Play Zoo has some great indoor activities especially geared toward younger kids that can be a great way to enjoy the zoo even on a colder day.

Check the forecast and make some plans to enjoy the animals in their winter habitats.

View the press release from the zoo with all the details.

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.