Dear Family, Friends and Friends of Friends – basically anyone within shouting distance – Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center needs your help! We are a finalist for a 2K Solar Renewable Energy System for our Go Green Discovery Center under construction. This would be a fantastic way to teach thousands of kids in Hancock County and surrounding areas about alternative energy and taking care of their world.
FIRST log on to WIBC’s Innovation in Action page
THEN REGISTER to VOTE
SEARCH for Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center
VOTE
Only one vote per email but you can register and vote twice if you have more than one email.
VOTING ENDS JUNE 27 – PLEASE spread the word to your friends. We’re up against some big organizations but we’re the only ones in New Palestine:)
Thanks so much!!!
Category Archives: Donations and Fundraising
Watch ‘Em Grow Winners!
Five Southern Hancock students’ creative talents will be on display this year in the fifth annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 4 at New Palestine High School.
Katie Taylor, a fourth grader at Zion Lutheran School is the winner of the T-shirt design contest. Taylor’s design will be featured on T-shirts for the event. Second place goes to LeeAnn James, a fifth grader at Sugar Creek Elementary and third place winner is Sarah Maynard, a third grader at Sugar Creek.
Their designs are featured online and will be used in walk/run brochures and on posters for the event.
Essay contest winners are Ireland Crabtree, a second grader at Zion Lutheran School and Drake Shadle, a first grader at New Palestine Elementary.
Check out their winning essays:
I CAN HELP MY COMMUNITY GROW
By Ireland Crabtree,Second rade,
Zion Lutheran School
We could plant some trees in a park or two. I would help grow gardens in my neighborhood. Instead of riding in a car, you could ride your bike or you could walk. We could grow a vegetable garden and give some food to a food pantry. You need to ride your bike because you don’t need to use gas. We should plant trees because it takes in carbon dioxide. I could have a neighborhood clean up. Reuse old shoes instead of buying new ones. Also you can reuse old backpacks too. We can recycle old cans, bottles and paper.
By Drake Shadle, First Grade,
New Palestine Elementary
I can can help my community grow by picking up trash. Trash can harm animals. Animals can also eat trash and get sick.
I can also help my community grow by recycling. Recycling is important because it saves trees. Let me explain how. We cut down trees for paper. If we throw away paper, that will waste trees.
Giving can also help my community grow. People can donate food to soup kitchens That way people with no food or money could have food.
Following the fifth annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, the new Go Green Discovery Center will be opened. Donate $100 and your name will be listed on the dedication plaque at the center. Email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information.
Send your donation to: Dani’s Dreams
Outdoor Education Center at
Zion Lutheran School
6513 W. 300 S.
New Palestine, IN 46163
Ongrowing Challenge. . .
Sixth graders at Zion Lutheran School are the winners of the first “Watch ‘Em Grow” Seed Starting Challenge at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center. Students from Zion brought their seedlings and participated in crafts, took a nature quiz and planted flowers and vegetables in the center’s Community Garden May 5.
Those attending the event also voted on designs and essays for the fifth annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 4 at New Palestine High School.
Plans were revealed for the Go Green Discovery Center, funded in part by a Community Development Grant from the Hancock County Community Foundation. Construction on the facility begins in June. The Go Green Discovery Center will open on Aug. 4 with a music festival celebration following the walk/run.
If you would like to be a sponsor and have permanent recognition, donate $100 and you will be listed on the sponsor’s plaque at the Go Green Center. Email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information.
Dani Griffin Innovation in Education Memorial Scholarship
The Dani’s Dreams Innovation in Education Memorial Fund Committee of Zion Lutheran School in New Palestine announces its annual college scholarship.
The Dani Griffin Innovation in Education Scholarship will award a $500 one-year scholarship to a high school senior with a 3.0 grade point average or above who attended Zion Lutheran School (in any grade, preschool through eighth) or is a confirmed Zion Lutheran Church member or is a Southern Hancock resident and plans to attend a university and major in education or the sciences.
Deadline is April 13, 2012. The winner will be announced at the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center Earth Day Dedication Event May 5 at Zion Lutheran School. All applicants are invited to attend. The winner will also be recognized at the Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 4.
Please contact Committee Chairperson Donna Griffin at 640-4430 or email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information. Forms can be downloaded below.
Applications are also available in area high school guidance offices, at Zion Lutheran School or can be obtained by emailing dgriffins@netzero.com.
Dani’s Dreams – Indiana’s Outstanding Outdoor Lab of the Year Winner
Thanks to all students, teachers, parents, Scout and everyone in the community who has had a hand in keeping Dani’s Dreams alive! The best is yet to come – be a part of it! Here is the official news release from Donna Rogler, Project Learning Tree Coordinator, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry:
Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center in New Palestine, Indiana at Zion Lutheran School has been awarded the Outstanding Outdoor Lab of the Year for 2011 by the Indiana Tree Farm Committee.
There are numerous opportunities for hands-on exploration, engaging learning and community service through a visit and participation in the activities of Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center. Features of the outdoor lab include: the Discovery Center containing a weather station, experiment tables, shelter with tables for classroom observation, recording and discussion; a tree seedling nursery; a butterfly garden/wildflower area; an archaeological dig area; bird feeders and houses; Indiana native plants and a vegetable garden.
The Dani Griffin Innovation in Education Memorial Fund at Zion Lutheran School began in fall 2007 in celebration of 150 years of Christian education in Hancock County and in response to a need for hands-on science experiences for the 100-plus preschool through eighth grade students at Zion. Currently, the center is free and also open to all area schools and community groups.
For thirty-four years, the Indiana Tree Farm Committee has selected an outdoor lab from throughout the state to be recognized as outstanding. The criteria used by the judges to bestow this award included: having a well-balanced program that goes beyond simple awareness and identification and including consideration of soils, water, wildlife, energy and, of course, forestry, and how these resources can be managed for production, recreation, aesthetics and other benefits. The facility should be used in many different subject areas and at many different grade levels.
Zion Lutheran School will receive two solid walnut plaques, a $500.00 check from the Indiana Hardwood Lumberman’s Association (IHLA) and a letter of appreciation from Senator Richard Lugar. The first plaque will be engraved with the name of the school and the second plaque is reserved for the person who has been most responsible for guiding the outdoor lab’s development. The State award will be presented at the annual IHLA convention in February.
For more information on this, please contact Donna Rogler, Project Learning Tree Coordinator, Indiana DNR Division of Forestry, Natural Resources Education Center, 5785 Glenn Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46216 317-549-0354, drogler@dnr.in.gov
Hancock County Students and Teachers: Think Outside the Classroom!
Construction of the Go Green Discovery Center at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center will begin in spring 2012. But before then, area students have a chance to make a difference in a variety of ways:
• Design The Facility: High School students can submit architectural/design plans to dgriffins@netzero.com or mail to: 6513 W. 300S, New Palestine, IN 46163.
Here are the specifications:
Go Green Center Specifications
The entries will be judged by local professionals and Dani’s Dreams Committee members. Deadline is March 1. The winner will be announced in March and will have recognition in news releases and publicity for the Go Green Center and with a plaque in the facility to be unveiled at the dedication August 4, 2012.
•Be a Dani’s Dreams Ambassador: High school students/cadet teachers:
Volunteer as a tour guide or visit classrooms and create and conduct classroom presentations.
• Hancock County teachers can sign up their students as reporters and anchors for Dani’s Dreams TV, conducting research and compiling multimedia reports on environmental issues answering the questions “What Can I Do?” “How is It Made?” and “How Does It Work?”. The reports will be shown on a solar-powered TV in the Discovery Center and on this website.
•Be a designer/graphic artist: Every aspect of the Outdoor Education Center will be explained inside and outside with signs explaining the irrigation system, solar and wind power, identifying plants and trees.
Inside the Go Green Center will be interactive solar and wind energy experiments – powered by solar/wind energy and rotating exhibits on seed growth (germination), farming, ecology, water conservation, soil erosion and photosynthesis explanation and displays written and designed by Hancock County journalism/desktop publishing students.
EMAIL Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center Director Donna Griffin at dgriffins@netzero.com or call her at 317-640-4430 for more information or to schedule a presentation to your school district, Chamber of Commerce or organization.
The Go Green Discovery Center is a 2011 Recipient of a Community Development Grant from the Hancock County Community Foundation and is also sponsored by the Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Hancock County Community Foundation Grant gives Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center a ‘Go Green’ light
The mission of the Go Green Discovery Center will be to empower students and involve them in both teaching and learning to develop knowledge of and responsibility for the world surrounding them.
Teachers, students, Scouts and community groups are encouraged to become a part of the center’s planning and operation. Architectural/CAD students throughout Hancock County can submit designs for the facility to be constructed this spring. The winning design will have credit in the dedication plaque. Teachers can also sign up to be eligible for a $200 Go Green Grant. More information on both contests can be obtained on Dani’s Dreams website, http://www.danisdreamsoutdooredcenter.wordpress.com or by emailing dgriffins@netzero.com.
You can also take a break from leftovers and turkey after Thanksgiving and have dinner at McDonald’s on U.S. 52 in New Palestine Nov. 28, 5-8 p.m. Dani’s Dreams committee members will be at the restaurant that night with free tree cookie nametags for children and information on the outdoor education center’s programs. Teachers and youth group leaders will be able to sign up for the Go Green Grant contest.
Community support will be needed for the center’s continued development. Dani’s Dreams is the only outdoor education center in Hancock County – if you would like to be involved through financial support or volunteering, email dgriffins@netzero.com or call 317-640-4430.
You Did It!!!
Watch for more great things to come as we work toward our Go Green Discovery Center that will grow Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center and expand its reach throughout Hancock County.
Check out more pics to come soon!
T-shirt Design Winners Make A Difference
Emily Kleiman, an eighth grader at Zion Lutheran School is the winner of the 2011 Dani’s Dreams T-shirt design contest. Kleiman’s entry was chosen by those attending the Earth Day Dedication Event April 9 as the design for participant T-shirts for the Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 6 at New Palestine High School.
This year’s theme for the Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run is “Make A Difference.” Registration brochures for the event will be available online at http://www.danisdreamsoutdooredcenter.wordpress.com and at area businesses and Zion Lutheran School.
Sam Spears and Anna Caster were chosen as essay contest winners; both are students at Zion Lutheran School.
Runners-up in the T-shirt design contest are Katie Gunn, fourth grader at Zion Lutheran and Kara Teipen, seventh grader at Doe Creek Elementary. Their designs will be on the Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run brochures and posters that will be on display at area businesses.
Winners of the T-shirt design and essay contest receive a free T-shirt and monetary prizes at the start of the Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run Aug. 6
Proceeds from the event will go toward continued development of the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center, open to the Southern Hancock community, featuring seven learning centers, including an archaeological dig, vegetable garden, butterfly garden, bird watching and Discovery Center learning centers designed for environmental and conservation education.
To become a sponsor, to donate or for more information, contact Donna and Dave Griffin at dgriffins@netzero.com, call Zion Lutheran School at 861-4210 or send to Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center at Zion Lutheran Church and School, 6513 W. 300S, New Palestine, IN 46163.
CHECK OUT THE WINNING ESSAYS:
I Can Make A Difference in My Community
By Sam Spears
I can make a difference in my community by picking up trash in the park and recycling all that I can.
I can pick up trash on the side of the road. I can use less water and electricity. I can plant a new tree and ride my bike to school.
I have not littered since I was 2 and a half.
By Anna M. Caster
I can make a difference in my community when I pick up trash anywhere lying on the ground. If nobody did that what would happen? I can save energy by turning off lights when I don’t need the lights. I also can ride my bike anywhere I need. I can also plant some trees in the ground. I can help animals not be endangered. I can also plant flowers. I also can use both sides of the paper when I’m drawing! And I can help Dani’s Dreams. I can also help the school. I could reuse a milk jug to make a birdhouse. I can bring my un-needed papers and magazines to the school to recycle.
Ready-Set-Go! Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run Year 3
The third time was definitely a charm for Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run July 31 at New Palestine High School. Nearly 70 community residents of all ages participated in the annual race that benefits the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center at Zion Lutheran School, 6513 W. 300 S, New Palestine.
Runners/walkers took to the NPHS track for the one-mile fun run/walk or the cross country trail for the 5K.
Michael Morris became a three-time winner of the 5K men’s run and Kinzie Alter took the women’s title.
T-shirt design, scholarship and Get Fit for Life winners were recognized before the event.
Rachel Rudicel’s first place design graced the race T-shirts and Audrey Kleiman and Ellie Roudebush received their awards for second and third place, respectively. Zoe Marcus won the essay contest and NPHS graduate Leslee Johnson received a scholarship to study at Indiana University.
Get Fit for Life program winners included Cheryl Singer, Leslie Grotelueschen, Kristen Brutcher and Helen Hefflemier.
The theme for this year’s event was “Go Green – Join Dani’s Dreams Team!” Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center is open for school and community groups to visit and take advantage of the seven learning centers and activities.
For more information, contact Zion Lutheran School, 861-4210 or email dgriffins@netzero.com.
Dani's Dreams Outdoor Education Programs 