Homeschool programs are designed to meet state and national standards and are appropriate for students age 5 and older. If you are a homeschool parent or organizer and are interested in more in-depth programs for older students or topics that are not covered in these offerings, please contact David Pragoff, School and Group Programs Team Leader at 302-239-2334, ext.133 or
. Advance registration for all programs is required.
OVERNIGHTS WITH THE ASHLAND NATURE CENTER:
Join other homeschoolers for an 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 for dinner and breakfast. Meals will be cooperative. Participants will be asked to bring grocery items to share. One adult per family should plan to accompany their child. There is no charge for adults.
Cost is $20 per student for Delaware Nature Society members, $30 for non-members. Price includes lodging and instruction. Families may register individually, but a minimum of 15 students is required to run the overnight so please bring your friends! For further information contact Judy Montgomery, Overnight and Outreach Coordinator at 302-239-2334, extension 127 or
E-mail.
Program #1: Animals and Math Overnight
Thursday, February 11, 10:00 am to Friday, February 12, 1:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $20/$30
Course #: W10-133-AS
Meet some of your favorite animals and use your math and observational skills! Compare the lengths of snakes, the wing-spans of raptors, and the weight of turtles. Create a food pyramid for a top predator. Learn how animals "add up" by taking part in a national bird survey. Target age group is 5 - 11.
Program #2: Geology, Watersheds and Orienteering Overnight
Thursday, March 25, 10:00 am to Friday, March 26, 1:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $20/$30
Course #: W10-134-AS
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. Target age group is 12 - 16.
Overnight Retreats at the Ashland Nature Center - Hockessin, DE
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. Contact Judy Montgomery by phone at (302) 239-2334 ext. 127 or
E-mail.
FIELD STUDY PROGRAMS THROUGH THE ASHLAND NATURE CENTER:
Program #3: Skull Study
Friday, February 26 - 1:00-3:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $7/$12
Course #: W10-135-AS
Handle and classify a variety of skulls from local mammals, birds, and reptiles. Examine teeth, eye and nose structures to determine if unknown animals are carnivores, herbivores or omnivores. Discover how different animals survive in their environments. Program meets at Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin, DE.
Program #4: Maple Sugaring
Friday, March 12 - 1:00-3:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $7/$12
Course #: W10-136-AS
Learn to identify maple trees and the function of roots, branches and leaves. Discover the history of maple sugaring, tap a tree, observe the changes in maple sap as it is boiled and becomes maple syrup, and taste the final product. Program meets at Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin, DE.
Program #5: Land & Water
Friday, March 26 - 1:00-3:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $7/$12
Course #: W10-137-DC
Look at the land from the perspective of an osprey, raccoon and snapping turtle. In the marsh, find evidence of water interacting with the land. Investigate how humans affect soil erosion and deposition. Program meets at DuPont Environmental Education Center, Wilmington, DE.
Program #6: Cycle of Life
Friday, April 9 - 1:00-3:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $7/$12
Course #: W10-138-AS
Learn about producers, consumers and decomposers and their importance in Earth's cycle of life. Use magnifiers, collecting containers and guidebooks as you hike through a marsh, forest and field to discover live organisms. Program meets at Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin, DE.
Program #7: Farm Photography
Friday, April 23- 1:00-3:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $9/$14
Course #: W10-139-CF
Discover farm life through a camera lens! Use cameras to learn photography skills and compose digital photos. Create your own "Farmer's Almanac" calendar page to capture the month of your visit. The cost of this program includes photo paper, almanac matting page and use of camera. Program meets at Coverdale Farm, Greenville, DE.
