Tag Archives: Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Earth Day Dedication Event, Remember Our Roots

Dani Says, You Could Be A Winner to Remember!

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dani logoTO ALL KIDS IN HANCOCK COUNTY:
Enter the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center’s annual T-shirt design and essay contest.
The theme for this year’s event is “Remember Our Roots” and all Hancock County classrooms, Scout and youth groups are invited to bring a grandparent or parents and participate in environmental educational activities and crafts at Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Dedication Event April 10, 3:30-5 p.m. located at Zion Lutheran School in New Palestine.
There are now TWO WAYS for you to show your talents.

1. DRAW A PICTURE using the theme for the front of T-shirts. Your drawing could bring Dani’s Dreams to life on T-shirts for the seventh annual memorial walk/run Aug. 2. If your picture is chosen, you will receive a free T-shirt and $50 and your name will be on every shirt. You will be introduced Aug. 2 at the beginning of the walk/run at New Palestine High School.

2. WRITE AN ESSAY based on the theme “Remember Our Roots” Entries from all ages will be accepted. The winner will receive a free T-shirt and $25. Money raised at this event will go to fund the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center, open to all students in Hancock County.
Turn in your drawing or essay to your teacher by April 9 or bring it to Dani’s Dreams April 10, 3:30-5.
Entries will be picked up at each school April 9 or they can be dropped off at Zion Lutheran School. The best of the T-shirt designs and essays will be on display for voting during the Earth Day Dedication Event at Dani’s Dream Outdoor Education Center April 10 3:30-5 p.m. Keep up with all the Dani’s Dreams news at http://www.danisdreamsoutdooredcenter.wordpress.com. Email dgriffins96@gmail.com for more information.Here’s the entry form for the T-shirt design and essay contest:

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Children's Museum Night, Dani's Dreams Club, Donations and Fundraising

Treasure Found at Children’s Museum Night!

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Hancock County families found the real treasure by shaking off the winter doldrums Feb. 26 at Children’s Museum Night, sponsored by Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center at Zion Lutheran School’s gymnasium. The evening included free, educational and entertaining activities designed for families to learn and interact together when the Children Museum’s, National Geographic’s “Treasures of the Earth” came to New Palestine. Zion’s PTL  provided concessions for sale.

Children and their families:

• Examined and identified authentic tools in an archeologist’s pack;

• Assembled a take-home science experiment to observe and learn about what happens to metal objects in saltwater environments;

• Wrote their names in hieroglyphs in a pharaoh’s cartouche, and

• Created their own “Terra Cotta Warriors” in Emperor Qin’s tomb

This entertaining and educational science program kicked off the year’s activities at Hancock County’s only outdoor education center.

Teachers, Scout Leaders, and other community groups, contact Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center to schedule your specially designed educational opportunity. We’ll tailor your experience to your needs at NO CHARGE. Contact Donna Griffin, director, at dgriffins96@gmail.com or 317-640-4430.

 

Children's Museum Night, Dani's Dreams Club, Donations and Fundraising

Ready for Adventure? Discover the Treasures of the Earth Feb. 26!

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Kids, get your family and head to Zion Lutheran School, 6-8 p.m. Feb. 26 to explore the wonders and treasures of the earth when the Children’s Museum’s “National Geographic’s Treasures of the Earth” exhibit brings free family educational activities and fun, sponsored by Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center.

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Children's Museum Night, Dani's Dreams Club, Donations and Fundraising

Explore the Treasures of the Earth this Wednesday

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From National Geographic for Kids: The Great Pyramid was once encased in a dazzling layer of polished limestone and topped with a golden capstone. The casting was stripped away long ago as building material for Cairo.

FACT: Of the seven wonders of the ancient world, The Great Pyramid is the only one left standing.

Find many more fun facts and explore the wonders and treasures of the earth when the Children’s Museum’s “National Geographic’s Treasures of the Earth” exhibit comes to Zion Lutheran School’s gym, 6-8 p.m. this Wednesday, Feb. 26. Free family educational activities and fun await you at this special event sponsored by Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center.

Children's Museum Night, Donations and Fundraising

Find Your Treasures of the Earth

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members.nationalgeographicCheck out this video, The Making of “Treasures of the Earth”, from National Geographic about the creation of the “National Geographic Treasures of the Earth” exhibit at The Children’s Museum. This special exhibit is coming to New Palestine this Wednesday at Zion Lutheran School, 6-8 p.m. and is open to all area families for a FREE educational experience, which is the REAL TREASURE!

Children's Museum Night, Dream It - Do It!, Remember Our Roots, Special Activities

Families, You Can Find the ‘Treasures of the Earth’

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useDSC_0425Hancock County families can beat cabin fever and shake off the winter doldrums with a family “treasure hunt” Feb. 26, 6-8 p.m. at Zion Lutheran School’s gymnasium. Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center is sponsoring an evening of free, educational and entertaining activities designed for families to learn and interact together when the Children’s Museum comes to New Palestine, with the National Geographic’s “Treasures of the Earth.” Zion Lutheran’s PTL will be providing concessions during the event.

A few of the 7 activities and interactive presentations planned:

Tools of Discovery Examine and identify authentic tools in an archeologist’s pack: pointed trowel, margin trowel, line level, folding ruler, hand sifter, brushes and more. Learn how each tool is used in an archaeological excavation.

Secrets under the Sea For years, no one recognized the “rocks” and coral in 10 feet of water in the Caribbean Sea as a pile of 26 cannons among pieces of anchors. Assemble a science experiment and take it home to observe and learn about what happens to metal objects in saltwater environments.

Tomb Readers Families will translate hieroglyphs in a pharaoh’s cartouche to discover who was buried in the longest, deepest, and most complete tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings.

Dani's Dreams Club, Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Dream It - Do It!, Earth Day Dedication Event, Go Green Discovery Center

No Dreamer Too Small in 2013 at Dani’s Dreams…

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Dani’s Dreams hosted so many memorable moments in 2013…check out these last five of our Top 10:

Teachers, Scout Leaders, and other community groups, contact Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center to schedule your specially designed educational opportunity. We’ll tailor your experience to your needs at NO CHARGE. Contact Donna Griffin, director, at dgriffins@netzero.com or 317-640-4430.

6. Celebrating Our Farmers

useDSCN7196Southern Hancock students jumped on the haywagon when Dani’s Dreams honored the contributions of farmers Sept. 19. Nearly 40 children of all ages descended on Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center 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.

7. Peace Bear Building

use20131011_175751Dani’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.

8. Trunk or Treat

danisdreamsDSC_0355Despite 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”.

9. Dig It!

useDSC_0399Discovery was the name of the day Nov. 25 when Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center took Zion Lutheran preschoolers on a special “Dig It” expedition. About 80 preschoolers became archaeologists and found “treasures” of the earth –  rocks and minerals, gemstones, fossils and arrowheads. They then filed their collection reports and took home a favorite item to show their parents.

10. Get Ready for Winter

useDSC_0469Ol’ Man Winter paid an early visit to Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center, arriving just in time for the “Get Ready for Winter” event Dec. 5 at Zion Lutheran School. Children of all ages   made ornaments, strung popcorn, painted bird houses and enjoyed dessert pizza from Mama Nitas and hot chocolate before venturing outside to decorate the trees and fill bird feeders in the snow. These activities were the last of a busy 2013 for Dani’s Dreams.

Coming UP After our two month “hibernation,” an exciting year begins. . . Mark your calendars for Feb. 26, 6-8 p.m. – the annual Children’s Museum Night with this year’s theme, “National Geographic Treasures of the Earth.”

Dani's Dreams Club, Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Dream It - Do It!, Earth Day Dedication Event, Go Green Discovery Center

No Dream Too Big in 2013 at Dani’s Dreams

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“No dream is too big, no dreamer too small,” says the movie, “Turbo.” At Dani’ Dreams, a lot of little hands plant the seeds of big dreams through innovative activities and events each year at Hancock County’s only outdoor education center.

Teachers, Scout Leaders, and other community groups, contact Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center to schedule your specially designed educational opportunity. We’ll tailor your experience to your needs at NO CHARGE. Contact Donna Griffin, director, at dgriffins@netzero.com or 317-640-4430.

 Check out the first five of the Top 10 Dani’s Dreams memorable moments in 2013 (in chronological order):

1. April 12 Earth Day Dedication Event

useDSC_0847The highlight of Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Event was a special presentation by Mrs. Deb Weiler’s fourth grade students at Sugar Creek Elementary in New Palestine. They are partnering with Dani’s Dreams on a composting project and are the perfect example of how young people can truly “Dream It – Do It” and share that knowledge with others. Thanks so much Mrs. Weiler and her smart and caring students – Sarah Adam, Sierra Patrick, Madison Schmitt, Mia Thomas, and Laney Scott.

2. Opening of Go Green Center

useDSC_0836Dani’s Dreams is all about growing, discovering, becoming – little seeds are planted, take root and reach toward the sky. The Go Green Discovery Center opened April 12, 2013, is in the seedling stage, changing and morphing to meet the needs of Hancock County schoolchildren. Now it is the site of meaningful, environmental activities, crafts and demonstrations for all students in Hancock County. Watch it Grow!

3. Dream It – Do It! T-shirt Design and Essay Contest Winners Chosen

First Place - Ali Kinder
First Place – Ali Kinder

Hancock County students put their talents and creativity on display for the annual Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center T-shirt design and essay contest for 2013. Ali Kinder, a student at Zion Lutheran School is the winner of the T-shirt design contest. Kinder’s design was featured on T-shirts for the event. Second place went to Katie Taylor, a fifth grader at Zion Lutheran School and third place winner was Rylee Morris, sixth grader at Zion Lutheran School. The students’ interpretations of the “Dream It – Do It!” theme brought color and life to race T-shirts and even jump started a new organization that brought peace, comfort and hope to others – Emma Mann’s Peace Bear Project. Emma is the 2013 Essay Contest winner. Brock Turner, 2013 Lutheran High School graduate received the Dani Griffin Innovation in Education Memorial Scholarship.

4.  Northern Night Concert kicks off Sixth Annual Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run

DSC_0171Up-and-coming band, Northern Nights set the stage Aug. 2 with a benefit concert at Zion Lutheran School. The next morning, more than 100 runners/walkers braved a damp summer morning to race/exercise on the cross country course and stadium track at New Palestine High School to raise funds for environmental education in Hancock County.

5. Dani’s Dreams Club Activities

useDSC_0154Dani’s Dreams Club took root in 2013, as members filmed an informational video and environmental reports, planted and tended vegetables and flowers in the Community Garden and went on a bug expedition. Join Dani’s Dreams Club when it expands this year to include an online component as well as the popular after school events and activities. Be a part of our reporting team, which will be covering environmental issues in videos to be aired in the Go Green Center and also creating an online newsletter.

Check out the next post for the other five Top Memorable Moments at Dani’s Dreams in 2013!

Dani's Dreams Club, Dream It - Do It!, Special Activities

Ready or not…Winter’s Here!

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Ol’ Man Winter paid an early visit to Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center, arriving just in time for the “Get Ready for Winter” event Dec. 5 at Zion Lutheran School. Children of all ages made ornaments, strung popcorn, painted bird houses and enjoyed dessert pizza from Mama Nitas and hot chocolate before venturing outside to decorate the trees and fill bird feeders in the snow. The activities are the last of a busy 2013 for Dani’s Dreams. We’re hibernating a bit for the holidays and will spend the time planning exciting events in 2014. Mark your calendars for Feb. 26 – the annual Children’s Museum Night with this year’s theme, “National Geographic Treasures of the Earth.”

 

Dani's Dreams Club, Donations and Fundraising, Dream It - Do It!, Go Green Discovery Center

Today’s the Day – Get Ready for Winter at Dani’s Dreams!

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WintersignbirdareaTODAY IS the last event of this busy year at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center, from 3:30-5 p.m. We will be getting ready for winter – planting fall bulbs, making bird feeders, painting bird houses,  and talking about migration and hibernation. We’ll also be decorating for the holidays, making and hanging ornaments, and stringing popcorn. Make an ornament to take home for your tree! Hot chocolate and Mama Nita’s special cinnamon pizza will be keep everyone warm and fed.

All children in Southern Hancock are invited – Dream It – Do It!

Find out what will happen this winter and how God’s creatures and our environment adapt and change. Dream It, Do It! You can make a difference in your world. Join us after school at 3:30 at Dani’s Dreams, 6513 W. 300S, New Palestine.