Field Trips
Host a field trip!
Please feel free to plan a group field trip. Some suggestions that might help you in your planning are:
1. Choose a day and time that works for you and find out if that will be the best for the place you plan to visit.
2. Find out all cost details and numbers needed to receive group rate pricing.
3. Find out if there is a minimum/maximum number who can attend.
4. Send all the details to the CHESS newsletter for posting. Include your contact information. Ask for RSVP's if necessary.
Division of Natural Resources
Tuesday, April 29 9:45 A.M. (Tour starts at 10 A.M.) Division of Natural Resources, Dept. of Missouri Geology 111 Fairground Rd., in Rolla (off Kingshighway near Beuhler Park on left)
R.S.V.P. cureton@rollanet.org with number in your party
We will view the museum room filled with Missouri's rocks and fossils, as well as a karst model. Experiments and demonstrations will be performed. Then we will view their land surveying equipment. You may bring a sack lunch, weather permitting, and have lunch in the nearby Beuhler Park. Children will receive free specimens of Missouri's state rock, fossil, and mineral (as long as supplies last), plus they will be able to take a specimen home from the rock pile out back. (If you have a rock or fossil you would like identified, please bring it.)
Please register with Judy Cureton ASAP, as there is limited space. Thank you.
Paradise Gardens and Lion's Club Park Day
(weather permitting) Friday, May 16 and May 22, 10 A.M. (Gardens), Noon (Lion's Club Park,trying to secure Pavilion 10)
R.S.V.P. cureton@rollanet.org
Paradise Gardens, located at 12751 Old Highway 66, off Hwy. V. (Exit I-44 onto Hwy. V, before Love's turn right onto Old Hwy 66, travel for a short time until you come to a dirt road on the left -- you will see a small wooden arching bridge as you look to the left toward the trees -- turn left onto dirt road and travel a short distance onto the grounds of a beautiful nursery and small botanical garden that boasts beautiful irises, peonies, and other flowers that will be blooming near a man-made waterfall where weddings are oftentimes performed. Owners: Al and Joella Apsher.
(FYI: They do sell plants, if you are interested. After June 15, you may visit to view hundreds of lilies in bloom, some of which Mr. and Mrs. Apsher have cross-polinated themselves, selling them throughout the United States. Lilies are usually $1 a fan.)
At about noon we will meet at Lion's Club Park (hopefully Pavilion 10) for a sack lunch and play time. You may bring snacks to share, if you like. Play equipment, such as balls, are permitted.
The C-SPAN American Presidents: Life Portraits exhibit is now on display at the American President Museum in Branson. Fun educational activities for grades K – 12, as students "meet" the Presidents. Comprehensive educational support materials to the exhibit are available at www.americanpresidents.org. Museum hours Tuesday - Saturday 9AM - 5PM. Special rates for Home School Group field trips, and Home School families. A perfect trip during this history in the making election year! More information at www.americaspresidency.com or email to amerpresidency@aol.com. Exhibit on display through May 1, 2008. The National Center for Presidential Studies and American Presidents Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit educational organization. Be sure to join our Home School History Hounds program when you visit.
UMR Observatory Dates
March 14th 9pm
April 11th 9pm
For more info contact Mr. Schmitt 573-341-4369 or jschmitt@mst.edu
St. Louis Science Center 2008 Homeschool Classes
3rd Tuesday @ 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
St. Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110
February 19 - Icky Sticky Science. Explore the properties of matter
through this guided workshop with a focus on polymers. Make your very own
polymer to take home! Learn about different types of plastics.
Suggested follow-up activity: Visit the Amazing Science Demo Theater to
learn more about plastics!
March 18 - Electrify & Energize Me. Construct a simple circuit and
experiment with a Van de Graaff Generator. Explore electricity and
energy through engaging hands-on activities. Suggested follow-up
activity: Visit the Cyberville Gallery to see electricity in action.
April 15 - Weather. This program introduces participants to the
tools used to understand and predict weather patterns. Students will
create a weather instrument of their choice - discussion may feature
barometers, thermometers, anemometers, wind vanes, psychrometers and
precipitation gauges. Suggested follow-up activity: Tour the Ecology and
Environment Present Galleries to see a real tornado.
May 20 - Pond Partners. This investigation of the health of an urban
aquatic ecosystem connects participants to their environment. Students
learn about the watercycle, field testing skills, plants, and animals.
Suggested follow-up activity: Visit one of many ponds located throughout
Forest Park. Identify wildlife and observe the water cycle in action.
June 17 - Discovering Technology. Discover what makes some of the
coolest inventions tick. Take apart and rebuild a technological device.
Students and parents ages 12 and up can even take a Segway lesson!
Suggested follow-up activity: Visit the Cyberville Gallery, where you
can see a cross-section of a real desktop computer.
July 15 - Mystery Science. Use your powers of observation at a mock
crime scene and analyze the evidence left behind. From fingerprints to
DNA, find out who did it! Hands-on group and individual activities take
place in a Science Center classroom complete with fake blood! Suggested
follow-up activity: Visit the DNA Zone Gallery to learn all about the
genes inside us.
August 19 - Rockin' Rockets. Use rocketry to demonstrate Newton's
three laws of motion. Learn about the parts of a rocket as you build
your own rocket to take home! Suggested follow-up activity: Visit the
James S McDonnell Planetarium, where you can observe and touch other
types of rockets.
September 16 - Math Games. Explore new ways to use the same old
math. Play wacky games and puzzles that will get you thinking about
numbers. This program involves parents and children in problem solving,
experimenting and discovering together. Suggested follow-up activity:
Visit the Science Center's math cart for tantalizing puzzles.
October 21 - Forces of Nature. Experiment with natural disasters and
see them in action. Learn what causes major storms and how technology is
used to alert citizens. Topics may include hurricanes, volcanoes,
tornadoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Suggested follow-up activity:
Check out the Ecology and Environment Present Galleries, where you can
see a real tornado in action!
November 18 - Dazzling Densities. Tackle the dilemma of density!
Experiment with layering different chemicals. Why don't oil and water
mix anyway? Learn how density affects the state of matter and vice
versa. Take home your very own density stacker. Suggested follow-up
activity: Take in an Amazing Science Demo to learn more about physical
properties.
December 16 - Acids & Bases. Do acids really eat through skin?
What is the difference between acid and base? Learn which acids and
bases we need to survive and which we use on a daily basis. Watch
chemical reactions in progress and make your own. Suggested follow-up
activity: Stop by the food court and enjoy a tasty acid - soda!
Maximum: 30 per session. If attendance is low, classes may be
merged or cancelled. Groupings: Classroom I (K-1st grade, Classroom II
(2nd-3rd grade), Classroom III (4th-6th grade).
Individual registration, please call: Reservations (314) 289-4424
or (800) 456-SLSC ext. 4424. Reservations required. Payments due at
least 10 days prior to class date.
Cost: $7.50 per person (Everyone who attends must pay, including
parents and siblings.) Check our website for more info: www.slsc.org
Ride a Segway! HomeSchool students ages 12-17 and their parents can
now try out the Segway! While your younger students are participating in
our regular ongoing series of classes, a special Segway class open ONLY
to HomeSchool families will be happening in Segway School at the Science
Center. In Segway 101, get your first taste of gliding along, totally
balanced by the five gyroscopes embedded in the Segway Human Transporter.
Learn what makes it tick, what's safe and what's not and walk away with
your very own personalized Segway Operator's License. The class runs
from 1:00 pm - 2:25 pm every third Tuesday of the month.
HomeSchool Segway 101 cost is only $20 per person (a Special Price just
for you.) Sign up now -- classes are limited to 8 participants. All
riders under 18 must have a signed release form from parent or guardian
2008 4th Annual Upper Current River POW WOW
Hosted by the Western Cherokee Nation
Memorial Day Weekend
May 23rd, 24th, 25th
301 E. 10th Salem, Missouri
30 min South of Interstate 44
From Rolla or St. James MO.
Pow Wow grounds open
Friday 23rd @ 1:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday @ 9:00 am
http://www.powwow2008.info/ucrpowwow.pdf
Admission: Adults $3.00
Seven - Twelve years $2.00
Seniors - six & under FREE
BRING YOUR LAWN CHAIRS
All proceeds / donations will go to advance the Cultural Center located on the grounds
Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire
Saturdays and Sundays May 17th - June 8th
http://www.stlrenfaire.com/
We are a Living History event that seeks to recreate the spirit of Renaissance France.
Travel back in time as you step into the beautifully wooded, 16th century village, we call Petit Lyon! Immerse yourself in the costumes and mannerisms of the era. Thrill to the exploits of Jousting Knights on thundering steeds. Roam the village shops for unique crafts and goods as our artisans demonstrate period skills. Delight in comedy, music and feats of derring do. Feast on delicious food and drink while strolling minstrels entertain. Interact with the colorful villagers, nobles, peasants and personalities of ages past
Petit Lyon is privileged to host some of the finest crafters and artisans in the realm! You will find a wide variety of handcrafted treasures as well as unique items brought from the far corners of the world to entice and delight. Ninety merchants offer a delightful selection of period-inspired wares for your perusal and games, services, and foods for your enjoyment. Visitors can watch some of the crafts in progress as the artisans demonstrate their talents.
Thirty acts will be performing on nine stages through the four-week run of faire, including returning Faire favorites like the Jolly Rogers, 3 Pints Gone, and the Limey Birds. New acts include Robin Hood, an interactive children's show; the Musical Blades, a singing pirate group; and Morty, a comedy puppet act. You'll see swordfighting and juggling, and hear music and laughter around every corner! A costumed cast of 150 have re-created a French village of the year 1523 during the reign of Francois I, and you'll be able to see and interact with everyone from peasant to noble courtier.
Children will enjoy the petting zoo and games in the Kid's Kingdom. The King's Quest lets our young visitors earn a special audience with the King and Queen. The Faire is especially proud of several new educational offerings this year: the Hospitaller Knights encampment, the Viking camp and longboat display, and the wood collier camp.
RENAISSANCE FAIRE – STUDENT DAY MAY 16 2008
A field trip that makes memories your students will cherish forever . . .
The Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire Students Day 2008 will be held on Friday, May 16. 9:00am - 2:30pm.
Middle-school (6th, 7th, and 8th grade) students or home-schooled students of the same level are welcome to attend this living-history event (older/younger siblings are ok).
A selection of our regular Renaissance Faire professional acts will perform, along with educational presentations by our own cast of Renaissance players. Meet peasants, villagers, merchants, and nobles of the court of King Francois I. Gather at the Field of Honor for a Joust with the Knights of Noble Cause.
Register your field trip now! Cost is just $3 per student. For every 10 student tickets purchased, you receive one FREE chaperone ticket.
Registrations will be acknowledged by phone or email, and an information packet with instructional materials will be sent to the teacher or contact person after April 15.
Please contact us viaemail studentdays@stlrenfaire.com or call 636-928-4141 if you have any questions.
(This is about 2 hours from Rolla but a neat living history event. I was assured that the STUENDENT DAY event IS family friendly in events and attire. For more info check out the website http://www.stlrenfaire.com/studentdays/index.html )
Deutsch Country Days
http://www.deutschcountrydays.org/
Missour's rich German ancestry will be presented on October 18 & 19, 2008, at the Twenty-Sixth Annual DEUTSCH COUNTRY DAYS the finest and most authentic living history in the Midwest. The educational, family-fun experience is held on Luxenhaus Farm, 18055 State Highway O, three miles northeast of Marthasville, Missouri (one hour west of St. Louis) 9:00 AM-5:00 PM on Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19, 2008. (2008)
Six Flags Homeschool Day 2007 is September 22, 2007 this year But if your family doesn't want to wait that long check out the many concerts, specials events ( including CHRISTIAN FAMILY DAY, SCOUT DAYS, DANCE FEST, MATH, SCIENCE & PHYSICS DAY, and so much more)(2007-2008) : http://www.sixflags.com/parks/stlouis/ShowsAndEvents/index.html
The Audubon Nature Center is just a piece of land with trails running through it at the moment, but the trails are nice and there are a wide variety of plants and animals on the property. It is still in the process of development, but it is open to the public. Directions are as follows: Take White Columns Drive (the middle Rolla exit - across the Interstate from UMR) past the Rolla Manor nursing home and then turn right on Meriwether Court. Go down to the bottom of the hill and there will be a gravel parking lot. More information about the Nature Center and trails can be found by calling 573-341-2038 (2007-2008)
Birding Trips sponsored by the St. Louis Audubon Society take place most weekends year round. For info, e-mail
solodar!@mindspring.com or call (314) 862-5294.
Shaw Nature Reserve has nature Classes, Walks and Overnights in Gray Summit, MO. From bird watching to wildflower walks to insect safaris -programs for adults and families. For info, visit www.mobot.org/MOBOT/naturereserve or call (636) 451-3512.
REI, Recreational Equipment, Inc., offers workshops and other events relating to camping and outdoor sports. Located at 1703 S. Brentwood. For more info, visit http://www.rei.com/stores/events/73 or call (314)968-1004.
St. Charles County Parks Department offers programs and special events throughout the year for all ages and abilities. See their website, www.stccparks.org, or call (636) 949-7535 for more information.
St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation sponsors programs, special events, and a hiking club. Visit their web site,www.stlouisco.com/parks or call (314) 615-7275 for more information about their programs and events. To learn more about their hiking club, e-mail dhogan@stlouisco.com or jtenholder@stlouisco.com or call (314)416-4379.
Wild Canid Center (WCC) Tours and Camp Fire Program, open to the public ,and featuring the Wolf Sanctuary's captive breeding facility for endangered canids. For reservations or more info, call (636) 938-5900.
The World Bird Sanctuary provides educational presentations throughout the St. Louis region, including the OwProwl, Traveling Talons, and other programs. Visit http://www.worldbirdsanctuary.org/ and click on Calendar of Events for more info.
YMCA Trout Lodge offers family getaway weekends featuring special classes and activities centered around a theme. In addition, a variety of seasonal activities are available each weekend. Located near Potosi, MO, on 5,200 wooded acres with a 360 acre lake. For info, call (314)241-YMCA or (573) 438-2154.
Trips to Springfield-Have you seen the web site www.fieldtripsonline.org ? It is an amazing amount of opportunities for trips in the Springfield area
Rendezvous at Fort de Charters - Free
Each June, Fort de Chartres State Historic Site hosts the largest rendezvous in the Midwest with over a thousand participants, hundreds of encampments, and thousands of visitors joining in on the festivities. Based on the traditional French fur trappe's rendezvous where trappers and traders would meet at a predetermined location to trade furs for necessities, the rendezvous was the highlight of the fur trappe's year and is the highlight of Fort de Chartres's extensive calendar of historical events and activities.
Small Parking Fee For more information http://www.greatriverroad.com/stegen/randattract/fdcvous.htm
Circus FloraCircus Flora, St. Louis's own one-ring theater circus. For more information and to purchase tickets, please see below.
For more information http://www.circusflora.org/
Other June Events in the Great Rivers Scenic Byway Area include free fishing derby, free fishing lessons, Horseradish Festival, Alton Car Show and much, much more.
For a full listing of all upcoming events in Great Rivers Scenic Byway Area go to
http://www.greatriverroad.com/Events/events6.htm
The Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Events.
For more information go to http://www.snows.org/Events.aspx?path=root/english/Events/events
Educational inspiration: FYI Alberici Construction Green Building Open House:Alberici Construction has a building at I-170 and Page Avenue that uses
many different eco-friendly systems and is considered one of the top
green buildings in the country and in the world for energy efficiency and reuse.
They use wind and solar power to supplement their traditional energy consumption.
They currently offer monthly open houses. They are on the first Wednesday (excluding holidays) of each month from 2-3 pm. It's a great field trip. To RSVP and get directions,
call the concierge at 314.733.2001.
Cold Stone Creamery Field Trips
The Cold Stone Creamery offers educational and fun field trips. Come see how ice cream is made and taste it as soon as it comes out of the ice cream machine. Experience a "hands on" opportunity of making your own ice cream creation on the "Cold Stone". Students are taught the importance of sterilization, dating products, and being a good team worker. They even learn about the FIFO inventory method! The Field Trips lasts approximately 1 hour and costs $3 per person and includes the free ice cream they mix and eat. Plus each child receive a coupon for another free ice cream at a later date.
Cold Stone Creamery
16 The Boulevard St. Louis
Richmond Hts., MO 63117
Contact: Carol Hacker, owner
314-862-6363
cjmhack654@aol.com
http:// www.coldstonecreamery.com
World Bird Sanctuary:
http://www.worldbirdsanctuary.org
World Eagle Day - Date: Third Sunday in March
Time: 11am-4pm
Cost: FREE
Celebrate eagles from around the world! Learn more about these majestic creatures as well as fun raptor facts with presentations from our Naturalists throughout the day. Fun family activities, too. Be sure to bring your camera!
Birds In Concert - Date: Every Thursday in August
Time: 7pm
Cost: FREE
Come hear the World Bird Sanctuary's very own "Raptor Project" perform songs from their debut children's environmental music CD "Save The Future"
Also featured are different guest performers each night! Live birds and free-flight demonstrations accompany some musical selections. Pack a picnic snack to enhance the magic of our outdoor amphitheater.
Annual Fall Open House - Dates: Saturday and Sunday, third weekend in October
Time: 10am-4pm
Cost: FREE
Encounter amazing owls and their raptor, reptile, parrot and mammal friends! Animal programs and exhibits, interactive childrens area, behind the scenes tours, snacks and unique gifts throughout the event! Bring your camera, theres no other like it!
Christmas Is For The Birds - Date: First Saturday in December
Reservations Required!
Time: 9am-3pm
Cost: $20 per child , 10% discount for WBS Sponsors
(Fee includes photo, cookies/milk, craft & all programs.)
A fun and exciting holiday event. Each child gets his/her photo with our special wilderness Santa who holds a live raptor! Avoid standing in long lines, holiday crafts and entertainment will keep little visitors on Santa's "nice" list! Registration discount deadline is 11/30 (per child cost after 12/1 is $25). (2008)
The Saint Louis Zoo Education Department offers science education classes for homeschool students. Classes will include live animals, biofacts, and observation and investigation activities to help meet your child's science needs. Programs are held on the third Monday of each month from 2 - 3:30 p.m. Classes meet in the lower level of The Living World building. For more information, call (314) 768-5408.
Advance registration is required. Please complete the fall 2007 registration form (see sidebar at right). Participants may register up to two weeks before the class date.
For more information go to: http://www.stlzoo.org/education/programsforindividualsfami/fallprogramsforhomeschoole.htm
Jaclyn Johnson
Education Programs Supervisor
Saint Louis Zoo
1 Government Drive
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 781-0900 ext. 324
johnson@stlzoo.org
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