Category Archives: Special Events

Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources

Go Green Discovery Center Update

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Work is continuing on the Dani’s Dreams Go Green Discovery Center. The outside is nearly completed and inside the walls are going up and soon activities will begin. Remember there are seven learning centers available for area classes, preschools, scout troops and other community groups – Dani’s Dreams is FREE! We will design a lesson and activities around your class or group needs. Special activities will be held each month after school involving environmental education. Be a part of Dani’s Dreams team! For more information, email Donna Griffin, director, at dgriffins@netzero.com.

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events

WATCH US GROW! – Sign up now for Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run

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This is your chance to make a difference in your community and grow environmental education in Hancock County! Sign up for the fifth annual Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run Aug. 4, 8 a.m. at New Palestine High School. The event benefits the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center at Zion and the construction of our Go Green Discovery Center that will focus on environmental education for grades preschool through 8 in Hancock County – with a community garden, greenhouse, interactive exhibits and experiments in solar and wind energy.
To sign up, download a form from the link below and mail it to Zion Lutheran Church and School, 6513 W. 300S, New Palestine, IN 46163. Forms are also on the Dani’s Dreams Facebook Page.
5K/1 Mile Family Walk
Register for the 5K walk/run or 1-mile family walk that begins 8 a.m. Aug. 4 at NPHS and receive a cool commemorative T-shirt with this year’s theme, “Watch Us Grow.” The winning shirt is designed by Zion Lutheran student Katie Taylor.
Registration for the 5K Run/Fitness Walk is only $20 Individual and $30 family. Pre-registration includes a specially-designed commemorative T-shirt; No T-shirts guaranteed for race day registration. Family registration includes 2 T-shirts. Pre-registration ends July 31.
Registration after 7/31 and on race day is $25 individual; $35 family.

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NEW! Come to the Go Green Center’s Open House/Music Festival Aug. 4, 12-2 at Dani’s Dreams for a music festival from Zion youth, tours, crafts, snacks, demonstrations and a preview for teachers of the ways Dani’s Dreams can enhance hands-on science education.
If you would like to perform at the music festival or help in any way, contact Donna Griffin, 640-4430 or email dgriffins@netzero.com.

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events

Check it Out – What’s Growing in the Community Garden?

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Despite drought and hot sun, the plants in Dani’s Dreams Community Garden are thriving thanks to TLC from volunteers, including Don and Pat Adam, Kara and Katie Morris, David Griffin and Courtney Sloan who weeded and watered recently. Broccoli was ready for the picking, cucumbers and a small pepper are gaining in size and zuchini and cauliflower plants are budding. Green bean plants, grown from seeds by Noah Finchum, are shooting up.
More seeds were planted for a bountiful fall harvest, including a sunflower garden and a Dani’s Dreams pumpkin patch for mid-October.
Check out the Community Garden page for the progress and come to Dani’s Dreams new Discovery Center opening August 4!

Donations and Fundraising, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events

Vote for Dani’s Dreams!

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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!!!

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Special Events

Lutheran High School senior awarded Dani’s Dreams Scholarship

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A 4.0 grade point average and a wide range of extra-curricular activities and community service hours characterize Christina Harkleroad, the 2012 winner of the Dani Griffin Innovation in Education Memorial Scholarship. Harkleroad will attend Indiana University, majoring in biology with plans to attend the IU School of Medicine.
A job shadowing experience and watching a surgery at Riley Children’s Hospital inspired her chosen career path.
“It was the most incredible experience that I have ever had. It was life-changing to see what medicine can do for children,” Harkleroad wrote in her scholarship essay. “That was the pivotal moment in my career decision. I knew I wanted to be a doctor after seeing that surgery. Medicine and science affects each of us and I cannot wait to change the lives of children and their families.”
Harkleroad, daughter of Barry and Barbara Harkleroad, is the Saints’ varsity soccer co-captain, a member of the choir and theatre productions at Lutheran High School, a senior mentor and a member of the Zion Lutheran Senior Youth Group.
“God gave me a love for children. I want to use that motivation to become a pediatrician and help children who need medical care,” Harkleroad wrote.
“I work at Zion’s Daycare and Child Care Ministry. When any of the children are sick, I feel bad for them and wish that I could help them. Children do not fully understand what is making them sick or why they are sick. I want to help them understand and recover.”

Donations and Fundraising, Earth Day Dedication Event, Special Events, Teacher Resources

Ongrowing Challenge. . .

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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.

Earth Day Dedication Event, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources

Come Grow With Us!

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Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center hosted a special thank-you event for Zion Lutheran School students April 19. Hedgehog Hannah brought her educational exotic animal show to the school. Students got an up-close view of a tarantula, ferret, chinchilla and more and learned about their habitats and lifestyles. Dani’s Dreams can design an experience for your class or group in our seven learning centers. Email dgriffins@netzero.com.
Mrs. Deb Weiler’s class at Sugar Creek Elementary received a special delivery April 19: a worm farm for the composting station they will create. The class received a Go Green Grant from Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center and will establish the composting station at the center.
Come, Watch ‘Em Grow and participate in nature in action at Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Dedication Event May 5, 12-2 p.m. at Zion Lutheran School, 6513 W. 300 S, New Palestine.
Join the student-led demonstrations, Be a Dani’s Dreams Nature Detective and win a prize, create crafts, plant flowers and vegetables in the Community Garden and get a sneak preview of the plans and the site for the Go Green Discovery Center to be powered by solar and wind energy and that will feature interactive exhibits on environmental and conservation education.
The winner of the Watch ‘Em Grow Seed Starting contest will be revealed, and vote on drawings for the T-Shirt design contest for the Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run Aug. 4.
Be a part of Dani’s Dreams Team! Dani’s Dreams is open to all classes, Scout Troops and community groups for tours, special events and projects at no charge. Log onto to http://www.danisdreamsoutdooredcenter.wordpress.com or email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information.

Earth Day Dedication Event, Special Events

Watch ‘Em Grow!

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Hancock County classes grades K-6
Sign up for the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center Seed Starter Challenge
DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM from http://www.danisdreamsoutdooredcenter.wordpress.com or
email dgriffins@netzero.com by March 23
YOU WILL RECEIVE FREE SEEDS, SOIL AND GROWING CONTAINERS, then – START your seeds and watch them grow!
BRING THEM TO DANI’S DREAMS Outdoor Education Center MAY 5, 12-2 p.m. and PLANT THEM in our Community Garden.
THE CLASS WITH THE MOST SEEDLINGS WINS free Dani’s Dreams T-shirts, a plaque and a class pizza party!
KEEP UP ON WHO’S AHEAD by logging onto to:
http://www.danisdreamsoutdooredcenter.wordpress.com – let us know how it’s going!

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Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Earth Day Dedication Event, Special Events

Dani Griffin Innovation in Education Memorial Scholarship

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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.

scholarship app

Donations and Fundraising, Special Events

Dani’s Dreams – Indiana’s Outstanding Outdoor Lab of the Year Winner

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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:

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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