Homeschool Days: Virginia

We drive to Baltimore and/or DC every year but are just starting to keep track of homeschooling events there. COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURGH is the biggest of these but Mount Vernon is not bad & I am sure there are plenty more!

1. (Richmond, VA) Fall homeschool day: Music in the Civil War. Sunday, August 22, 2010 - Wednesday, September 22, 2010 (10:00 AM-2:00 PM). Two 1 1/2 sessions. Revervations requested. Museum of the Confederacy, 1201 E. Clay Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Admission Fee: $4.00
   
   
2. Colonial Williamsburgh (VA), the 1700s living history museum in Virginia offers Homeschooler Experience: Fall focus is on government & politics & ... For more info, visit their site or read the flyer. Next dates are: September 11-26, 2010; February 26 - March 5; and September 10 - 25, 2011. (2008/09 rates as low as $5 per day!) (Expect to register at least 10? days in advance or be a "walk-in") . http://www.history.org/History/teaching/groupTours/SchoolandYouth/homeschools.cfm
   
   Homeschoolers describe past visits at:
   
   • Seafarers attended in September 2007
   • Why Homeschool loves Colonial Williamsburgh
     
     
3. At the same time as Williamsburgh: Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Victory Center also offer Homeschool programs September 11-26, 2010. The fee is $10.25 per family member (youth or adult) for general admission to both museums. Children under age four are free. Homeschool ticket holders can visit both museums as many times as they like during the date range. The fee also includes one optional hands-on program and one optional guided tour of Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Victory Center. Classroom capacity is limited to 25 people for hands-on programs. Please register in advance to ensure a place in the program. Walk-ins will be accepted if space is available.
   
   Please register in advance to ensure a place in the program by calling group reservations at (757) 253-4939 or at the visitor services desk at either museum. Purchase your tickets online. Once you have purchased tickets, please preregister for hands-on programs and guided tours. To do this, call group reservations at (757) 253-4939. The pre-registration deadline for hands-on programs and guided tours is 5 p.m. three business days prior to the program/tour.
   
   
4. Homeschool Day at the Virginia State Fair - September 27, 2010. Location: Meadow Event Park off 1-95 Exit 98, next to Kings Dominion, Thanks to HEAV's partnership with the State Fair, you and your family can visit the State Fair at a reduced price on Homeschool Day!
   
   
5. Wed, October 6, 2010: Virginia Air and Space Center Homeschool Open House, Hampton VA
   
   
6. Thursday, October 21: Homeschool Day at the Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton, VA. Special rates for homeschool families: $3/student and $5/adult if purchased in advance; $5/student and $7/adult if purchased at-the-door; free for children 5 and under. Registration: Call 540-332-7850 to purchase tickets in advance. Pre-registration deadline: Monday, October 18, 2010.
   
   
7. Friday, November 5, 2010: Homeschool Day at Mount Vernon - Friday, November 5, 2010. Special rates for homeschool families: $7 for homeschool students (age 6-18); $10 for adults; free for children 5 and under. Registration: Visit www.MountVernon.org/Homeschool to purchase tickets in advance.
   
   
8. Nauticus (Norfolk, VA) is a contemporary museum that uses the natural setting of Norfolk's harbor to showcase global maritime commerce and the world's largest Navy. Annual homeschool day. $12.95 per child (ages 4-17); $14.95 per adult; children 3 and under complimentary includes "first come, first served" workshops.
   
   Last year it was: December 9, 2009 (but it was January 15th in 2008.) Register online up to about a week before VIA their SECURE SERVER! or call 757-664-1021 for more information. http://www.nauticus.org/homeschool.html
   
   
9. (Newport News) Virginia Living Museum Homeschool Day: March 3, 2010: The Virginia Living Museum in Newport News will open its classroom doors to homeschoolers with a selection of fun and engaging classroom programs that highlight important natural science and earth science concepts for elementary and middle school grades. Handle critters, planetarium, special labs for high schoolers. Advance registration is required. Call 757-595-9135 for information and to register. Free curriculum support materials will be provided when registered for classroom programs. Registration deadline is noon on Tuesday, March 2.

Last updated: August 2010

Homeschool Days: Maryland

Be sure and check out the Virgina Days too!

• September 2010: 9/7 thru 9/24 Maryland Science Center Homeschool Days. Visit www.marylanddsciencecenter.org for more information
  
  
• January tbd, 2011: MACHE HS Day at MD Capitol and Old Annapolis Walking tour. See www.machemd.org for more details.
  
  
• April: Friday, 4/15 and Saturday 4/16: MACHE Homeschool Curriculum Fair at Frederick Fairgrounds. TLC Members get in Free! Visit www.machemd.org for more information.

many are sponsored by the Maryland Association of Christian Home Educators.

Equality Day

Did you know that today's the 90th anniversary of a woman's right to vote?

Equality Day

Perhaps we all should be celebrating this right to vote and "Remember the Ladies" who worked so hard for this.

National Fossil Day: October 13

To help you prepare for the first annual National Fossil Day (October 13), the National Park Service recently launched a new website full of educational resources and information designed specifically for students and teachers.

National Fossil Day is now part of Earth Science Week!

Homeschool Aquarium Days (Camden,NJ)

Camden's Adventure Aquarium is offering homeschool weeks --- where you get the group rate discount, even if you're going with just you & yours on any of these dates:
Dates Available:
September 13th - 17th
October 4th - 8th
November 15th - 19th
December 13th - 17th
Pricing: $11.00/person

*All prices do not include additional 7% NJ State tax. However, advanced reservations are required. Please complete their order form and mail/fax with payment at least 10 days prior to chosen date. Walk-up customers will receive regular admission prices.

Lunchroom reservations can only be made for groups of 15 or more. Please plan ahead and complete a reservation request form and a representative will contact you within 1-2 business days.

Interested in adding a film from our 4D Theater to your visit? Click here to learn about all of the movies now playing in the 4D Theater.

Advance reservations are required. All orders must be in ten (10) days prior to your requested visitation date. No orders will be taken over the phone. The above admission rate applies to orders made in advance only. Walk-up customers will receive regular admission prices. Thank You!

Adventure Aquarium
1 Aquarium Drive
Camden, NJ 08103
P: 856.365.3300 x.7544
F: 856.365.3311

UACNJ observatory at Jenny Jump

The United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey (UACNJ) operate an observatory in Jenny Jump State Park in Hope, NJ.

Public programs are offered every Saturday evening from April through October. These programs begin at 8 PM with a lecture on an astronomy-related topic and include observing with the 16” Greenwood telescope if the weather cooperates. Lectures are held rain or shine. Star-gazing until 10:30, weather permitting.

See www.uacnj.org for more information.

Upcoming programs (for the latest, see their website):

- 10/16 - Getting started in Astronomy

United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey operates an observatory in Jenny Jump State Forest off Far View Road in Hope Township. Public programs are offered every Saturday evening from April through October. These programs begin at 8 PM with a lecture on an astronomy-related topic and include observing with the 16” Greenwood telescope if the weather cooperates. Lectures are held rain or shine.

For more information, see www.uacnj.org or contact Diane at jefferfamily@gmail.com.

All ages are welcome to attend. See the latest schedule under "Public programs".

Past Programs included:

• Buying or Building a Telescope - Finding our how to get your own telescope
• Astrophotography - An amateur astronomer takes you on a photographic tour of his universe.
• The Latest Findings in Astronomy - Our present understanding of the celestial phenomena in our Cosmos.

If you have an interest in astronomy or just need an excuse to get out on a Saturday night, UACNJ is seeking adult volunteers (observers) to help with these public programs. Observers help with all aspects of the public program – directing cars for parking, setting up a/v equipment for the speaker, handling sales of astronomy books and trinkets, preparing the lecture hall, etc. – and need not have a vast knowledge of astronomy. Those who are interested can train to become qualified to use the Greenwood telescope.

See www.uacnj.org for more information.

If someone wants to arrange for a private session (lecture and observing) for a homeschool group, this can be done for a nominal fee (probably $3 per person). If you are interested in something like this, please let Diane Jeffer know (jefferfamily@gmail.com) and he will put you in touch with the appropriate person.

CCM's Longo Planetarium

CCM's planetarium has been renovated & renamed & re-opened!!

Next public shows: August 13, 2010, 7:00 pm

August 14, 2010, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm & 5 pm

Peer deep into space through the eyes of the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope and travel back billions of years to witness the birth of our universe. On this breathtaking excursion you'll witness the formation of galaxies and explore some of the most wondrous nebulae and astronomical structures yet discovered. As your travels continue, you'll fly deep into our own Milky Way galaxy and return home to Earth on a spectacular tour through the solar system.

Cohen Hall building is currently being renovated which could affect the air conditioning in the Longo Planetarium. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

CCM Planetarium admission prices for their monthly programs look the same as in 2007 & 2008!

$5 for adults, $4 for CCM students/faculty/staff and seniors,
$3 for kids 12 and under

Earth Science Week 2010: Exploring Energy

AGI invites you to take part in Earth Science Week 2010! Being held October 10-16, Earth Science Week 2010 will encourage people everywhere to explore the natural world and learn about the geosciences.

“Exploring Energy,” the theme of Earth Science Week 2010, will engage young people and the public in learning about Earth's energy resources.

Measure The Earth

The "measure the earth like the ancients" Noon Day Project is done twice a year. (Fall registrations close around 9/14. They do it again in March.) You may enjoy reading the "Measuring With the Mind chapter of Joy Hakim's The Story of Science first.

Fall Time Frame: September 7th – October 11th
Target Measurement week(s): September 17-28

Purpose: To recreate the remarkable measurement of the circumference of the earth that was done over 2000 years ago. Using only simple tools such as rulers, protractors, and meter sticks, students will measure shadows cast by a meter stick at different locations on the earth.

Liberty Science Homeschool Days

The Liberty Science Center will be Hosting a more Home School Days.

September 28, 2010,
February 8, 2011

Give your child in-depth science knowledge through Liberty Science Center's hands-on experiences. For more information, please contact Ruben Rosario at 201.253.1533 or rrosario@lsc.org.

In the past special pricing has been arranged for the Home School groups attending that day. Group Rate Cost: $10.50 per Child/ $5.00 for accompanying adult

Your students can travel to fascinating lands, through amazing ecosystems and even back in time with eye-popping films shown on the nation's largest IMAX Dome screen. You'll all feel a part of the action! You can also choose a 3-D experience in the Joseph D. Williams 3-D theater. Check the website for movies and times http://www.lsc.org

FREE: Your class will enjoy Free Live Science Demonstrations and Labs they can participate in throughout the day. See the website for the variety we offer, and check at the Welcome Desk for the schedule that day.

Lunch : we have space for you to bring your own, and a full service café to
select on the spot.

They look forward to seeing you soon!

for more information, visit their website or contact: Mary McDonald
Director, Group Sales & Telemarketing
Liberty Science Center
(T) 201-253-1214
(F) 201-434-6100
(mailto:mmcdonald@lsc.org)

Two and under are free for the exhibits only. We have a wonderful area on our second floor that was created with the younger children in mind. I Explore is a restricted area for children under 5 years of age and it is wonderful! They will touch, play and learn all on their level…. A Great Area! The IMAX Theater is one area that we do not recommend until a child is about 5. However it is up to the parent discretion.

Homeschool Days - NJ

at least the following places have special homescholing days at their sites in NJ:

1. Liberty Science Museum, NJ

2. Camden Aquarium, Camden, NJ
   
   
3. Historic Speedwell, Morristown
   
   
4. Sculpture Garden
   

National Night Out: 8/3/2010

Enjoy a night of FREE food, soda, ice skating, and more. Explore police vehicles, ambulances, fire engines, helicopters, and the Red Cross Fire Safety House. Skate with the NJ Devil, mascot of the New Jersey Devils and get an autograph from Grant Marshall, alumni of the New Jersey Devils.

Date: Tuesday, August 3
Time: 5 - 9 p.m.
Location: Mennen Sports Arena, Morris Twp.
Cost: FREE
Contact: 973-326-7600