Tag Archives: Hancock County

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

Dream It – Do It!

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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 “Dream It – Do It!” and all Hancock County classrooms, Scout and youth groups are invited to participate in environmental educational activities, crafts, a movie and dinner at Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Dedication Event 3:30-5 p.m. at the new Go Green Center, 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 sixth annual memorial walk/run Aug. 3. 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. 3 at the beginning of the walk/run at New Palestine High School.
Last year’s winners:


2. WRITE AN ESSAY based on the theme “Dream It – Do It!” Entries from all ages will be accepted. Winners will be chosen in the following groups: grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Winners in each age category 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 10.
Entries will be picked up at each school April 10 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 12 3:30-5 p.m. Keep up with all the Dani’s Dreams news at http://www.danisdreamsoutdooredcenter.wordpress.com. Email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information.

Here’s the entry form for the T-shirt design and essay contest:
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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

Running for Dani’s Dreams. . .

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PHOTOS BY ELYSE SOMBKE, ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL
New Palestine residents, friends and family of Dani Griffin and others showed up in force for the fifth annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 4 at New Palestine High School, on what would have been Dani’s 30th birthday. The event raises funds for the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center at Zion Lutheran School, New Palestine.
Watch ‘Em Grow is the theme for this year’s event and the title of the new Go Green Discovery Center, open this fall, funded in part by the Hancock County Community Foundation. The Go Green Center is open to all Hancock County students and will be powered by solar and wind energy and contain interactive exhibits and activities to enhance science education in the area.
Hancock County students talents were on display at the walk/run and T-shirt design and essay contest winners were recognized: Katie Taylor, Zion Lutheran School is the winner and her design is on all the race shirts. Second place went to Lee Ann James, Sugar Creek Elementary and third place to Sarah Maynard, Sugar Creek Elementary. Drake Shadle, New Palestine Elementary and Ireland Crabtree, Zion Lutheran, are the essay contest winners.
Christina Harkleroad was also honored as the 2012 recipient of the Dani’s Dreams Memorial Scholarship.
Race winners are: Riley Wilson, men’s division and Sue Gaudreau, women’s division.
Thanks to all the race and event sponsors: Hancock County Community Foundation, Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District, who donated four rain barrels to the Go Green Discovery Center; Hillcrest Tree Farm, Noll Landscape Group, Team Image Screenprint and Embroidery, Hancock Regional Hospital Foundation, Dr. Brian Schoppel, McDonald’s of New Palestine, Mama Nita’s Pizza, K&K Fence Company, Auto Air and Heating, Greenfield Walmart, Greenfield Home Depot, Dr. Sharon Paluga, New Palestine Gentle Dentist, Sam’s Club, Greenfield Home Depot, 10th and Post, Johnson-Melloh Solutions and Michele Conti.
A special thanks goes to the Dani Griffin Innovation in Education Memorial Committee (you know who you are) who provide their time, talents, love and commitment to keeping Dani’s Dreams alive, including Claudia Griffin, Buttons and Bows, whose face painting made the day so special.
Love, you all!

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

Celebrate the Start of School and Help Dani’s Dreams

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Join us Aug. 1, 5-8 p.m. at the New Palestine McDonald’s to sign up for Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 4, 8 a.m. at NPHS and have dinner to raise funds for the new Go Green Discovery Center. Get details of all the fun activities on the way!

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.

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, Earth Day Dedication Event

Hey, Kids, Watch Your Ideas Grow!

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Hey, Hancock County Kids:
Watch your ideas and creativity grow in Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center’s annual T-shirt design and essay contest.
The theme for the event is “Watch ‘Em Grow!” and this year all Hancock County classrooms or Scout groups are challenged to compete in Dani’s Dreams Seed Starting Challenge now underway. 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 fifth annual memorial walk/run Aug. 4. 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. 4 at the beginning of the walk/run at New Palestine High School.
2. WRITE AN ESSAY based on the theme “How Can I Help My Community Grow?” Entries from all ages will be accepted. Winners will be chosen in the following groups: grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Winners in each age category 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 18.
Entries will be picked up at each school April 19 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 May 5 when we will determine the winner of our Watch ‘Em Grow seed starting challenge. Come and see the students’ demonstrations, create crafts and get a sneak preview of the new Go Green Discovery Center, sponsored by the Hancock County Community Foundation, scheduled for construction this spring.
Keep up with all the Dani’s Dreams news here at http://www.danisdreamsoutdooredcenter.wordpress.com. 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!

danisdreamsseedgrowingcontestindd

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