Science & Nature Programs for Homeschoolers from the Delaware Nature Society!

Delaware Nature Society

Homeschool Programs are Now Online!

These programs are designed to meet state and national standards and are appropriate for students age 5 and older. From Mining and Minerals to Farm Photography to Overnights at the Ashland Lodge, we are sure to have programs suited for your curriculum. Programs are held at Abbott’s Mill Nature Center in Milford, Delaware and at multiple sites in New Castle County, Delaware including the Ashland Nature Center in Hockessin and Coverdale Farm in Greenville.

Click Here to View Offerings!

Advance registration for all programs is required.

Contact David Pragoff
School and Group Programs Team Leader
302-239-2334 - ext.133
davidp@delawarenaturesociety.org

Delaware Nature Society

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Delaware Nature Society: Homeschool Programs for November and December!

Fall 2010 Homeschool Program Series

Ashland Nature Center

Call Fiona Smith at (302) 239-2334 x134 to register.

Cost for each program is $7 per student.

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Delaware Bay Study

Wed. Nov. 3, 2010

12:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Investigate the diversity of life in the Delaware Bay Estuary. Study the rich diversity of plant and animal life that depend on the Bay. Use dip nets, seine nets and binoculars to search for wildlife. Arrange organisms in appropriate food-chains, identify them as producers, consumers or decomposers. Explore the incredible Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

* This program meets at the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

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Tree Planting at Middle Run

Wed. Nov. 10, 2010

12:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Join us and help plant trees at Middle Run Natural Area in Newark. Learn about native trees, and make a positive contribution to our local environment. Dress for the weather and wear long pants, gloves and sturdy shoes; we will plant rain or shine.

* This program meets at Middle Run Natural Area.

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Geologist’s Overnight

Thurs. Dec. 2 – Fri. Dec. 3, 2010

Thurs. 2:00 pm

to

Friday 2:30 pm

Join other homeschoolers for a” Geologist’s Overnight”. Programs include Geology of Ashland and Mining and Minerals. Hike the trails at Ashland to discover current examples of weathering, erosion and deposition, and use rock hammers and goggles to collect mineral and rock samples. Evening program is “Winter Astronomy,” and will also include field games, a night hike and a campfire. Sleep in the Ashland Lodge.

Fee for the overnight is $20.00/ student.

One parent should plan to accompany child (at no cost)

For more information contact:

Judy Montgomery

judym@delawarenaturesociety.org

website

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Homeschool Overnight Adventures at the Ashland Nature Center!

Geology, Watersheds and Orienteering Overnight

Investigate the geology and geography of Ashland.
Use a topographic map and compass to navigate trails and locate contours of a watershed.
Learn about landforms, the formation of rocks, and use rock hammers and goggles to collect mineral and rock samples for identification.

Thursday, March 23, 10:00 am
to
Friday, March 24, 1:00 pm

Target age group is 12 - 16.

Join other homeschoolers for this overnight adventure.
Stay in the beautiful Ashland Lodge - heated and comfortable.
Spacious great room and kitchen.
Separate boys/girls bathrooms and dorms.
Simple meals are planned.
Participants will be asked to bring grocery items to share.
One adult per family should plan to attend.
Price includes lodging and instruction.
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Cost:
$20 per student for Delaware Nature Society members.
$30 for non-members.
No charge for adults.

For further information contact:
Judy Montgomery, Overnight and Outreach Coordinator
302-239-2334, extension 127
judym@delawarenaturesociety.org.

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Design Your Own Overnight Retreat!
Interested in organizing your own Overnight Adventure?
Schedule a 2-day retreat during January, February or March and rent the Ashland Nature Center Lodge for only $300. Programs can be provided for an additional cost. Reserve your dates now.

Ashland Nature Center
3511 Barley Mill Road
Hockessin, Delaware 19707

website

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Homeschool Overnight at the Ashland Nature Center

Owl Prowl Overnight

Tuesday, February 24, 10 am – Wednesday, February 25, 1 pm

$25 Member/$35 Non-member
Parents should plan to stay at no additional charge.

Course #: W09-112-AS

Owls are early nesters! Learn about the owls found here at Ashland, and how to spot their nests. Dissect an owl pellet and create a Great-Horned Owl's food pyramid. In the evening, listen to owl calls and use recordings to attract a screech owl. Spend the night on bunk beds in the Ashland Lodge (heated of course!) Meet birders who are participating in Delaware’s Breeding Bird Atlas, and learn how your family can help. You will be contacted regarding packing list and food items to bring.

Contact
Judy Montgomery
judym@delawarenaturesociety.org
(302) 239-2334 ext. 127


Ashland Nature Center
Offering four self-guiding nature trails traversing 81 acres of rolling terrain through meadows, woodlands and marshes, adult and school programs, seasonal events and much more.

Barley Mill and Brackenville Roads Hockessin, DE 19720 (302) 239 - 2334

website


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Overnight for Homeschoolers: Ashland Nature Center and Coverdale Farms!

Join Homeschooling Friends
for
Fall Farm Overnight!

Tuesday October 28 – Wed. October 29

Harvest crops from the fields and gardens and take part in livestock chores. Calculate the correct amount of food for each farm animals and feed them! Make a farm fresh dinner, with corn, squash and creamy butter made at the farm. Pop just-picked popcorn at your evening campfire. Use digital cameras and make your own 2009 “Farmers Calendar” Learn how to store seeds,and start your own collection for your own spring garden.

You’ll be staying at the Ashland lodge, then carpool to Coverdale Farm (2 miles away) for programs.

Cost
$35/student
One parent should plan to accompany child at no cost

See the entire series of homeschool programs in the fall program brochure, or on their website: www.delawarenaturesociety.org

For further information

Contact:
Judy Montgomery
Overnight and Outreach Coordinator
Delaware Nature Society
302-239-2334


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Homeschool Overnight at Ashland Nature Center!

There is still room, so register now for this awesome overnight program, just for homeschoolers!

October Home School Overnight,
Oct. 30 – 31, 2007

Programs includes:
Skulls & Skeletons,
Spider and Snake Biology,
Owls of Delaware with Owl Pellet Dissection,
Evening Program with a Reptile Quiz Show,
Night Hike, and Campfire!

Price is $35 per student.
One adult per family should accompany their child.
No charge for adults
* Advance registration is required.

For information or to make a reservation contact:
Judy Montgomery,
Overnight and Outreach Coordinator
302-239-2334, ext #127;
judym@delawarenaturesociety.org

Ashland Nature Center

A Spook-tacular Overnight Safari at The Academy of Natural Sciences!

It's Philadelphia's Creepiest Camp-In!

October 26th-27th
Sleep over in the murky and mysterious museum next to Mesozoic monsters, a mummy, and marvelous mammals.

Here's some of the many Weird and Wonderful Things Planned:

Creatures of the Night
Nocturnal animals prowl and growl for your pleasure at this special Halloween Live Animal Show.

Eating Habits of the Prehistoric Dead
There's something lurking the Academy and it's been dead for millions of years! Join Dino Dude in a discourse on the prehistoric menu: Herbivores, Omnivores and Carnivores, Oh My!

Spooky Specimens
The mad scientists of the Academy of Un-Natural Sciences will delight ghoulish guests with the best of the beastly, bloodless and batty specimens in the collections. Look forward to seeing the skeletons, skins and skulls that fill the deep dark recesses of the Academy’s collections.

Things to do in the Dark
Watch mouths glow with a strange blue light and faces disappear into the ether as you learn the ways of night vision. Giggly games and terrific tricks make this the most fun you’ll have in the dark!

Screamingly Scary Shirts
Make your own scary, spooky or surprising shirt design and bring it home to show your friends!

A Halloween Parade
Costume contestants could win prizes for Most Creative, Scariest, Best-Overall and Best Group Costumes. Start the night with the costume parade then change out of your costume (or not) and enjoy the fabulous Halloween activities planned.

Time:

6:30 pm to 9:00 am; Check-in is 6:30-7:00 pm.

Ages:

Safari Overnights are appropriate for children ages 7-14.

One adult is required per 3 children.

Fees:

Children: $35/child for members; $40/child for non-members

Adults: $30/adult for members; $35/adult for non-members

Cost includes snack, breakfast and next-day admission.

For more details visit their website

For Information and Reservations Call:
215-299-1060


Extending the Fun:
To get in the mood you might want to check out these:

* Movie: Night at the Museum

* Book: Night at the Museum by Milan Trenc

Ashland Nature Center: Fall Homeschooler's Series and an Overnight!

~ Fall 2007 Homeschool Programs ~

Programs are designed to meet state and national standards and are appropriate for students of all ages. If you are a homeshool parent or organizer and are interested in programs for older students or topics that are not covered in our fall offerings, please contact David Pragoff, School Program Coordinator at 302-239-2334, ext.133 or davidp@delawarenaturesociety.org to request a copy of our School Program Brochure.

Advance registration for all programs is required.
October Home School Overnight, Oct. 30 – 31, 2007
Join other homeschoolers this Halloween Eve. Programs include Skulls & Skeletons, Spider and Snake Biology, Owls of Delaware with owl pellet dissection, Evening program with a Reptile Quiz Show, night hike, and campfire. Price is $35 per student. Minimum 15 students. One adult per family should plan to accompany their child. (No charge for adults)

For information or to make a reservation, contact Judy Montgomery, Overnight and Outreach Coordinator at 302-239-2334, ext #127; or contact judym@delawarenaturesociety.org.


Fall Home School Field Trip Series
The cost for each program is $7 per student.

Homeschool Series #1 ~ Reading the Forest at Flint Woods Preserve
Course #: to be determined
Date: September 21st
Time: 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Led by: DNS Staff
Hike along trails and historical roads at Flint Woods Preserve. Experience the smells, sights, and sounds of the forest and record observations. Identify and classify trees, stages of forest growth, and compare vertical forest layers. Program meets at the Flint Woods Preserve. Contact Ashland Nature Center for directions.

Homeschool Series #2~ Habitats & Ecosystems
Course #: to be determined
Date: October 5th
Time: 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Led by: DNS Staff
Explore forest, meadow, and stream habitats to determine which ecosystem has the greatest diversity of living things. Search for producers, consumers and decomposers and collect data on the non-living factors of the system. Using your data as evidence, determine which of the habitats was the most diverse and develop statements explaining why. Program meets at the Ashland Nature Center.

Homeschool Series #3 ~ Colonial Farm
Course #: to be determined
Date: October 19th
Time: 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Led by: DNS Staff
Discover farm life as a child in colonial Delaware. Turn cream to butter after learning how cows turn grass to milk. Prepare corn from field to flour and explore the old fashioned refrigerator made of stone! Program meets at the Coverdale Farm.


Homeschool Series #4 ~ Stream Ecology
Course #: to be determined
Date: November 2nd
Time: 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Led by: DNS Staff
Determine a stream’s health by examining its biological, chemical, and physical attributes. Catch and classify stream macro-invertebrates, and use test kits to record pH and dissolved oxygen. Discuss how humans and wildlife impact stream health and identify four basic types of stream pollution. Program meets at the Ashland Nature Center.


Homeschool Series #5 ~ Delaware’s Native Americans – The Lenni Lenape
Course #: to be determined
Date: November 16th
Time: 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Led by: DNS Staff
Explore the culture and customs of the early inhabitants of Delaware. Take an interpretive walk to discover pre-colonial Delaware history. Learn how Native Americans used nature to meet everyday needs and visit a replica wigwam for a hands-on experience with tools, animal furs and hides, clothing and musical instruments. Program meets at the Ashland Nature Center.

Note from Connie:
My kids, ages 8 & 12, did the homeschool program at Ashland last year and loved it!
This year's programs sound wonderful! The people at Ashland have lots of experience running these sorts of programs for schools, families, children and adults. The also run a fabulous summer camp. The facilities are beautiful - a real treasure!

I am always concerned about the quality and appropriateness of these sorts of programs for the older students. The leaders at Ashland are really great about gearing their programs up or down and breaking off into age appropriate groups depending upon the ages of the students attending. I will be registering both my kids for all of these, they can't wait!

Ashland Nature Center is located in Hockessin, DE.
Their web site: www.delawarenaturesociety.org