Category Archives: Dream It – Do It!

There’s so much smore at Dani’s Dreams…

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Despite chilly autumn weather, Dani’s Dreams warmed up those who attended Zion Lutheran School PTL’s Trunk or Treat Oct. 26 with make-your-own smores, complete with a fire to roast marshmallows. Director Donna Griffin also treated the children to a storytime rendition of, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”.

Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center is a resource for Hancock County schools, teachers, Scouts and all community groups for hands-on, innovative environmental education opportunities and state standards-based activities and projects. We’ll design a one-of-a-kind tour, activity or project for YOUR CLASS, based on YOUR NEEDS at NO CHARGE. Email dgriffins@netzero.com or call 317-640-4430 – Dream It, Do It!

Building Peace Bear Dreams with Emma

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Dani’s Dreams Club members partnered with New Palestine Elementary fourth grader Emma Mann to build a dozen bears for her Peace Bear Project Fri. Oct 11 at the Castleton Build A Bear Workshop. Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center received a grant from the Hancock Regional Hospital Foundation to purchase the bears that will be given to patients at the new Hancock Regional Cancer Center. Build A Bear also donated 10 Peace Bears to be distributed at the Hancock Regional Cancer Center.

In addition to building the white Peace Bears, the students, from Sugar Creek and New Palestine elementary schools, including Emma, her sister Kendall, brother Cameron, friends Sadie Miller and McKaylah Flagle, and Dani’s Dreams Club members Sarah, Emily and Sam Adam wrote letters to the patients and will be delivering the bears personally in the coming weeks.

Emma is the winner of this year’s Dani’s Dreams Essay Contest with the theme, “Dream It – Do It!” The Peace Bear Project is her dream and here is how it began in her own words:

“My name is Emma Mann and I am 9 years old. Two years ago my Aunt Julie got colon cancer. As she got sicker and sicker I gave her my bear from Build-A-Bear that was blue and had different colored peace signs on it. I gave it to her because she was going to have surgery. I gave that bear to her because it had peace signs on it so she could have peace in her surgery. Julie said the bear made her smile even though it didn’t cure her.

About a month after surgery she passed away and I got the bear back. I then found out one of my teachers got cancer, so I sent the bear to her. My teacher loved it too. So now I am trying to find other people with cancer so I can give them bears too.

I think this is a good idea because it helps people with cancer smile even on a bad day.”

 

Farmer Fun at Dani’s Dreams

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With fall and harvest approaching, nearly 40 children of all ages descended on Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center Sept. 19 to “Celebrate Our Farmers.” Local farmer Brian Kleiman talked about the technology and science of farming and answered questions from the students. The competition began soon after and teams took off on a Nature Scavenger Hunt, returning with fuzzy wooly worms, sticks, leaves and lots of beautiful things! After a bountiful harvest of farmer’s market snacks, the afternoon event ended with a haywagon ride generously provided by local farmer Doug Schildmier.

Thanks so much to Mr. Kleiman and Mr. Schildmier, men who contribute so much to our community! Dani’s Dreams thanks our farmers for all they do!

Shine On, Shine On Harvest Moon…

The FarmSuper-Harvest-Mooner’s Almanac says…

FULL HARVEST
MOON
September 19, 7:13 A.M. (Eastern Time)

The Harvest Moon is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. At this time, crops such as corn, pumpkins, squash, and wild rice are ready for gathering.

Today from 3:30-5 p.m., Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center will be celebrating the harvest moon and the people who make the harvest happen – our farmers.

Local farmer Brian Kleiman will talk with the children about his career, haywagon rides, Farmer’s Market snacks and Farmer’s Almanac activities are planned.

The first 20 students will receive a FREE Dani’s Dreams T-shirt. A limited number of Dani’s Dreams Dream It-Do It race T-shirts will be available at half price – $5. The class with the most participants (at least 5 people) who attend and sign in will receive a $50 classroom grant.

Email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information.

High Noon – Fall’s on It’s Way!

september-equinoxFARMER’S ALMANAC – FASCINATING FACT

At the September equinox: * Autumn starts in the Northern Hemisphere, and spring begins in the Southern Hemisphere. * The Sun is directly over the equator at local noon.

The autumnal equinox brings fall at 4:44 P.M. this SUNDAY, SEPT 22.

Look up to the sky and marvel at God’s majestic creation!

Come to Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center 3:30 p.m. Sept. 19  and Celebrate Our Farmers. Find out about farming, enjoy farmer’s market snacks, haywagon rides and Farmer’s Almanac activities.

Email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information.

Celebrate Our Farmers…

Celebrate Farmers at Dani’s Dreams

Farmersfarmer-clip-art-4-1 feed us, grow with us, and care for our land. Thursday, Sept. 19 from 3:30-5 p.m., Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center will host special activities to celebrate these important people in our community. Local farmer Brian Kleiman will talk with the children about his career, haywagon rides, Farmer’s Market snacks and Farmer’s Almanac activities are planned.

The first 20 students will receive a FREE Dani’s Dreams T-shirt. A limited number of Dani’s Dreams Dream It-Do It race T-shirts will be available at half price – $5. The class with the most participants (at least 5 people) who attend and sign in will receive a $50 classroom grant.

Email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information.

 

 

Planting for the Future at Dani’s Dreams

product_204Plant for the future at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center….we need your help! Brighten your spring with these beautiful fall bulbs and make a difference for science education in Hancock County. Your order is shipped directly to you. Order now and get a free gift!

Order your FALL BULBS HERE

All ‘Bout Bugs at Dani’s Dreams….

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Children at Zion Lutheran Daycare emerged victorious from their expedition to explore Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center in search of the littlest creatures. They took off in teams for a bug catching competition July 26 and celebrated with a popsicle picnic on Dreaming Tree Hill. Special experiences like theirs are made possible by your support of the upcoming Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 3, 8 a.m. at New Palestine High School. Register online now or come to the Northern Nights Concert Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m. and get your specially designed race T-shirts to wear for the big event!

Northern Nights coming to Dani’s Dreams for FREE concert!

northern nights posterBreaking news — Northern Nights is coming to Zion Lutheran Church for a free kickoff concert to benefit Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m. Register for Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run the next morning, Aug. 3, 8 a.m. and get your race T-shirts early. Come for the music and to see what Dani’s Dreams is all about. Thanks so much to Thomas Finchum and Northern Nights for making this special event happen!
You’re all invited!

Register Online For Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run Aug. 3

discover posterddJoin the Sixth Annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 3. The event includes a 5K race on the New Palestine High School cross country course or a one mile family fun run/walk on the NPHS football stadium. Your registration fee includes specially designed T-shirts with this year’s theme “Dream It – Do It!” Family registration fees includes 2 T-shirts

Register online today – CLICK HERE

Registration price goes up the day of the event and T-shirts are NOT guaranteed for late registrations.

Links for the registration forms are below – you can also bring or mail the forms to Zion Lutheran School, 6513 W. 300 S., New Palestine, IN 46163

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