Tag Archives: Learning

Remember When You Were A Kid?

when i was a kid interview sheet Tomorrow’s “Remember Our Roots” celebration kicks off a year of activities, learning and fun at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center, with kids taking the lead and connecting to their roots – their grandparents.

“We’d play catch, we’d play marbles, we’d play tag and baseball and football and throw snowballs in the winter, and we’d help each other do stuff- that was all fun,” said Cole Allen Vandygriff’s grandfather, Dido said in an email. “Sometimes we’d go to parks to play or even to the river (where we weren’t supposed go to) and even if we got hurt sometimes it was still fun to be with my friends. I guess our guardian angels had to work overtime sometimes but they did a good job.”

All grandparents and their grandchildren are invited to share their memories in the Go Green Center tomorrow, 3:30-5 p.m. either on video or by filling out the “When I Was A Kid” story form. The stories created, as well as the posts and pictures uploaded to the “Remember Our Roots” Facebook page, will be placed in a memory book for the end of the year.

We’ll also be planting bulbs, constructing mini-greenhouses, gathering knowledge on a nature detective hunt and creating family tree stories about life when grandparents were children.

Studies show that environmental education improves student achievement in core subject areas and also makes students more interested in learning overall. What’s more, getting kids outside and active promotes a healthy lifestyle that is essential to fighting obesity and reducing symptoms associated with attention deficit disorder, depression, and stress.

And for all generations, nothing beats being outside, enjoying God’s wonderful creation, and spending precious moments with family – join us!

 

 

Outdoor Experiences Bring Learning to Life – Join Us!

Scientists and researchers will tell you that children who have hands-on, real-world activities better understand concepts and processes. At Dani’s Dreams empowering children and giving them innovative opportunities to grow, to explore and to discover is the heart of our mission.20140407_220813

This Thursday from 3:30-5 p.m. children will be learning, growing, running, laughing and sharing those experiences with the most important people in their lives, parents and grandparents – simple basic enjoyment of the wonders of God’s creation.

Share your childhood story.

Plant a seed together and watch it grow over time.

Listen to the birds.

Feel the breeze.

Remember your roots.

All those families who complete the Nature Detective Quiz will be in a drawing to win an I Spy birdhouse. They can watch the birds in their backyard and also make reports on their activities and share that with others on Dani’s Dreams website and Facebook page.

 

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.

 

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

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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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.

Find Your Treasures of the Earth

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!

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

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.”

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.”

 

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

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.

Dream It, Do It! Planting Hope…

images-4How Does A Bulb Grow?

The last event of this busy year at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center will be this Thursday, December 5, 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!

Planting bulbs in the fall is the most effective time to plant because they blossom just in time for spring.
• Choose a healthy bulb.
• Choose a good location. The location needs to have good drainage and exposure to the sun every day.
• Plant the bulb with the pointed side up.
• Plant the bulb three times as deep as their width.
• Replace the soil on top of the bulb and water.
• Water your bulb throughout the fall and winter especially if it is dry.
• Enjoy your new flower!

Kids, we’ll not only be decorating for Christmas but for spring as well as we will be planting bulbs in the newly named Grandparents Garden in our Dreaming Tree Place. Plant and dream and hope for a colorful garden after winter’s cold and snow.

See you Thursday, Dec. 5, 3:30-5 p.m. at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center – Get Ready for Winter!