Tag Archives: Family Activities

Change the World, Donations and Fundraising, Dream It - Do It!, Special Activities, Spread Your Wings!, STEM Education, Teacher Resources

Local Scout makes dreams come true for Southern Hancock families

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Dani’s Dreams Innovation in Education Corp. is all about empowering young people to “Change the World”, and New Palestine High School sophomore Zachary Mitchell is making his commitment a reality.

Zachary grew up alongside Dani’s Dreams and now wants to give back by making a lasting impact for families in Hancock County.

“I grew up with Dani’s Dreams and I’ve heard the story of Dani all my life,” Zachary said. “I chose the outdoor lab as my Eagle Scout project because I saw the lab and wanted to help.”

A Hancock County Scout for nine years, Zachary Mitchell has an Eagle Scout project that will benefit Hancock County residents of all ages and bring families together to share the wonder of nature through his “Dreaming Tree Porch” project.

“I talked with Donna (Griffin, Dani’s Dreams president and CEO) and found out what she needed at Dani’s Dreams,” Zachary said. “I saw that the lab needed more work and outside displays, so I decided we could do benches, tables and a patio.”

Zachary has raised about $1,200 of the nearly $1,700 project, including a donation from the American Legion, and hopes to get about $500 from the community to be able to put in a paver porch, benches and display tables in front of the Go Green Center at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center at Zion Lutheran School in New Palestine.

Zachary has spent this year fundraising, including a Pancake Breakfast in June at Zion and hopes to begin construction of the “Dreaming Tree Porch” for Hancock County families later this fall.

“The project will includes a 12 x 25-foot paver patio, two benches and two plexiglass tables for displays of rocks, insects and other interesting information,” Zachary said.

To donate for Zachary’s Eagle Scout Project, email him at noblemit@msn.com or call 861-4915

“I’ve been a Scout ever since first grade,” Zachary said. “It’s been a long journey, but I wanted to stick with it and help the community.”

And his project will have a lasting impact on outdoor education and families throughout Hancock County.

“I’ve learned through this project how to be a strong leader, help others and to teach them how to use tools – tools for life,” Zachary said.

The Go Green Center, funded through a Hancock County Community Foundation Grant in 2012, serves K-8 students in Southern Hancock Schools with STEM and environmental education displays, activities and projects, including fully-functioning solar panels that power the building.

“The porch will be an area for student work/collections to be on display and for parents/grandparents and children to walk, rest and spend time together sharing and learning,” Griffin said.

Griffin added the new tables will allow Dani’s Dreams to bring out displays and hands-on items that would normally be locked inside the building.

“He’s inspired us already,” Griffin said. “We’ve repainted and are currently reorganizing our materials and activities as well as working with teachers to develop lessons to meet their curriculum needs.”

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Eco Lessons, Spread Your Wings!, STEM Education, Teacher Resources

Spreading our wings…the journey is just beginning!

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Photos by Elise Sombke

Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run once again gave the New Palestine area community a chance to “Spread Their Wings” and support innovative educational projects in Southern Hancock Schools.

At the heart of the event is giving children a chance to create, explore and discover this amazing planet we all call home – our common ground.

The Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run is also about celebrating the energy, spirit and accomplishments of our young people: Our T-shirt design contest winner, Paige Taylor, and second place winners, Kate Taylor and Danielle Taylor, and our scholarship winner Tara Morey.
The youth theme continued with the walk/run winners – Michael Morris (a record 8 out of 9) took the men’s division and Amanda Stewart won the women’s division in a photo finish with Paige Taylor and Emily Adam was a close third.

Thanks to all our community sponsors and volunteers who participated and made this special event possible.

If you missed the walk/run, you can still purchase a shirt ($10) or donate online at www.danisdreamsoutdooredcenter.com. All proceeds will go to support the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Trail at Sugar Creek Township Park and our Eco Lessons in Southern Hancock classrooms this school year!

Dani’s Dreams Innovation in Education Corp. is a 501c3 organization with a mission to provide innovative, hands-on educational projects for grades preschool through 12 and to connect and empower children in their community.

Contact President and CEO Donna Griffin at (email) dgriffins96@gmail.com or call 317-640-4430.

Change the World, Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Hibernation, Membership, Special Activities, STEM Education, Teacher Resources

‘Hibe and sleep’…

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Drawing by Sarah Adam, 7th grade, Doe Creek Middle School

By Christina Harkleroad, intern coordinator

Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center
Now in the midst of winter, some animals are in a stage called hibernation. This is a state of inactivity where their body temperature decreases and their heartbeat and breathing slow down. Their bodies go through this to conserve energy that the animals spent all fall saving up. During fall time, the animals eat an increased amount of food to increase their overall body fat. This allows them to be insulated and they will use it throughout their hibernation period for energy.
Many animals hibernate. Some animals in our area that hibernate are skunks, chipmunks, some squirrels, and some bats. Also, bears hibernate but those are not in our area. They are mainly in mountain regions to our south and east. These animals hibernate to conserve energy in the winter months when food is hard to find. As animals prepare for hibernation, they eat enough food to last them through the upcoming winter months. Their bodies produce special fat tissues around their brain, heart, and lungs to provide extra insulation in those areas.
Animals who use lots of energy throughout the winter days, but do not hibernate, become dormant during parts of the day. This is similar to hibernating however instead of sleeping throughout winter, they sleep for a major part of the day in order to conserve energy. Hummingbirds and some small bats are examples of animals that are dormant for parts of winter.
During winter you see less squirrels, chipmunks, and skunks, now you know that they’re just in hibernation and once spring rolls around, they’ll be back to their playful ways. In my next column, I will be exploring what germination is as spring time grows closer and the flowers begin to bloom.

Check out the Dani’s Dreams Facebook Page to see the Top 10 Coolest Hibernators! Become a Dani’s Dreams Team Member here and find out how to track animals with our winter newsmat! You’ll get a wristband and a certificate, too!

 

Change the World, Children's Museum Night, Donations and Fundraising, Membership, Special Activities, Special Events, Special program, STEM Education, Teacher Resources

Exploring Our Water, Our World at Children’s Museum Night

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Southern Hancock families enjoyed going with the flow at Children’s Museum Night, Feb. 3 in the Zion Lutheran Gym, sponsored by Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Programs. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis traveled to New Palestine, bringing hands-on activities, conservation information and lots of fun facts, including the fact that we use 360 million gallons of water a day in the United States!
During the activities, families learned about the different properties of water, watersheds and how pollution affects the water supply; they made water cycle bracelets, participated in a low-flow shower demonstration, watched water filtration in action, and created oil-and-water drawings.
Children’s Museum Night kicked off the year’s activities at Hancock County’s only Outdoor Education Center! Support STEM and environmental education in Hancock County and receive a membership kit TODAY for your child to “Change the World!”
Don’t miss out on your chance to plant the seeds of innovative education opportunities for New Palestine area children – Join Dani’s Dreams Team and become a yearly member for as little as $25 per individual or $50 for everyone in your household! Each child who joins Dani’s Dreams team will receive a membership certificate, wristband, a seasonal e-newsmat and admission to all Dani’s Dreams events during the year.

Businesses can sponsor Dani’s Dreams environmental education lessons for a Southern Hancock or Zion Lutheran classroom for $100!

Call 317-640-4430 or email dgriffins96@gmail.com for marketing, promotional and sponsorship opportunities for your business with Dani’s Dreams community facilities and events!

Children's Museum Night, Donations and Fundraising, Earth Day Dedication Event, Membership, Special Activities, Special Events, Special program, Teacher Resources

Join Dani’s Dreams Team Today! Celebrate “Our Water, Our World” at Children’s Museum Night Feb. 3

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Dani's Dream Museum Night Flyer

Southern Hancock Families – join Dani’s Dreams at Zion Lutheran School Feb. 3, 6-8 p.m. for the annual Children’s Museum Night with hands-on family activities focusing on “Our Water, Our World.”

Children’s Museum Night marks the beginning of a special year at Hancock County’s ONLY Outdoor Education Center, which is “Spreading Our Wings” to Sugar Creek Township Park and to Southern Hancock Schools with ECOFEST lessons and projects.

We are also kicking off our first annual MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN! Don’t miss out on your chance to plant the seeds of innovative education opportunities for New Palestine area children – Join Dani’s Dreams Team and become a yearly member for as little as $25 per individual or $50 for everyone in your household! Each child who joins Dani’s Dreams team will receive a membership certificate, wristband, a seasonal e-newsmat and admission to all Dani’s Dreams events during the year.

Businesses can sponsor Dani’s Dreams environmental education lessons for a Southern Hancock or Zion Lutheran classroom for $100!

Call 317-640-4430 or email dgriffins96@gmail.com for marketing, promotional and sponsorship opportunities for your business with Dani’s Dreams community facilities and events!

 

 

Change the World, Donations and Fundraising, Special Activities, Special Events, Sustainability, Teacher Resources

See what Dani’s Dreams is growing at Sugar Creek Park!

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family tree day at Sugar CreekAll New Palestine families are invited to Family Tree Day at Sugar Creek Park this Wednesday, 4-5:30 p.m. Join us for fun, outdoor education activities and be a part of the plans for “Our Common Ground.” Contact Donna Griffin at dgriffins96@gmail.com for more information. Stay tuned to http://www.danidreamsoutdooredcenter.com and the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center Facebook Page for more details.

Donations and Fundraising, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Activities, Special Events, Sustainability

Second graders step up to learn, grow and share knowledge about Monarchs

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They flitted, they flew, and they soared – Monarchs and kids alike – at the Butterflies UPCLOSE event at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center at Zion Lutheran School. More than 100 kids, parents and butterflies celebrated the joy of nature and God’s creation, led by teacher Brenda Kreutz and her second graders who were the tour guides for the butterfly house. The 14 students spent the last six weeks learning about the life cycle of a Monarch by growing close to 30-40 caterpillars, observing and recording the process in reports they shared with those in attendance. They worked with Betty Bemis of Backyard Butterflies who provided the caterpillars and her expert advice. The New Palestine community joined forces to support this innovative STEM educational event for area children. Willing Hands Entertainment provided face painting, New Palestine High School environmental education students and teacher Brittany Bennett helped with Monarch tagging and event organization. Dani’s Dreams thanks all those who attended for making the day so special and being active participants in creating, exploring and discovering!

Change the World, Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising

Only a week left to ‘Change the World!’

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danis dreams poster 2015Southern Hancock families can “Change the World” Aug. 1, 8 a.m. at New Palestine High School at the eighth annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run.

Register for the 5K or the 1-mile family walk/run and kids of all ages are encouraged to run and participate in the fun activities (bubbles and paper airplanes) and meet Ralph Sean Green, the coolest caterpillar/butterfly you’ve ever seen!

Each registration for the Aug. 1 Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run supports another innovative, exciting and education year at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center with lessons and special projects that give Southern Hancock children, grades K-8 unique science activities focusing on environmental education.

Register for this year’s Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 1, 8 a.m. at New Palestine High School and help us grow Dani’s Dreams and “Change the World.” Even if individuals cannot attend the actual race event, they can still register and receive a T-shirt.

Everyone can register or donate online NOW click the link above!

 

Change the World, Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Earth Day Dedication Event, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources

A grand day for an Earth Day Challenge!

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We’re all looking to “change the world”…the funny thing is we don’t realize that every day our actions, big and small make a difference in our families’ lives, our schools, our jobs and our communities.

Kids are often told they are too young, that they must wait to “change the world.” But at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center kids are changing the world every day – by learning, by growing and by caring about God’s great creation.

At Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Challenge April 17, children teamed up with their grandparents to make crafts, take a “How well do you know me?” quiz, plant bulbs and had old-fashioned fun with bubbles, made paper airplanes and shared a Frosty Boy ice cream treat. Every child who attended the challenge received a prize – a “Change the World” wristband!

In celebration of Earth Day, families also learned how their home can be a Certified Wildlife Habitat, and about the importance of sustainability in protecting the planet.

Those attending cast their votes for the winning T-Shirt Design for the Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 1 at New Palestine High School.

Events like Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Challenge are only possible through the generous donations of Southern Hancock families, businesses and community members who support innovative education activities for our children.

Sign up now to register for the eighth annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, donate or become a business sponsor by clicking here!