Tag Archives: outdoor classroom

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.

Get Ready For Winter…The Trees Are!

images-2The 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!

WHY DO TREES LOSE THEIR LEAVES?

Many of the trees around this area are deciduous trees. This means the trees lose their leaves every year during fall/winter. The reason a tree will lose its leaves is because if the leaves on deciduous trees did not fall, the water in the leaves would freeze and the tree would die. http://www.wisegeek.com/why-do-some-trees-lose-their-leaves.htm

allegheny-outdoor-treeEVERGREEN TREES

Evergreen trees keep their leaves year round. They also mostly have needle type “leaves.” Deciduous trees lose their leaves seasonally and are also known for being brightly colored before they shed their leaves during the fall.

Join us at Dani’s Dreams as we decorate the trees in the Outdoor Education Center for this Holiday Season! Take an ornament home as well. – Dream It, Do It!

There’s so much smore at Dani’s Dreams…

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Despite 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”.

Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center is a resource for Hancock County schools, teachers, Scouts and all community groups for hands-on, innovative environmental education opportunities and state standards-based activities and projects. We’ll design a one-of-a-kind tour, activity or project for YOUR CLASS, based on YOUR NEEDS at NO CHARGE. Email dgriffins@netzero.com or call 317-640-4430 – Dream It, Do It!

Farmer Fun at Dani’s Dreams

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With fall and harvest approaching, nearly 40 children of all ages descended on Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center Sept. 19 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.

Thanks so much to Mr. Kleiman and Mr. Schildmier, men who contribute so much to our community! Dani’s Dreams thanks our farmers for all they do!

Shine On, Shine On Harvest Moon…

The FarmSuper-Harvest-Mooner’s Almanac says…

FULL HARVEST
MOON
September 19, 7:13 A.M. (Eastern Time)

The Harvest Moon is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. At this time, crops such as corn, pumpkins, squash, and wild rice are ready for gathering.

Today from 3:30-5 p.m., Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center will be celebrating the harvest moon and the people who make the harvest happen – our farmers.

Local farmer Brian Kleiman will talk with the children about his career, haywagon rides, Farmer’s Market snacks and Farmer’s Almanac activities are planned.

The first 20 students will receive a FREE Dani’s Dreams T-shirt. A limited number of Dani’s Dreams Dream It-Do It race T-shirts will be available at half price – $5. The class with the most participants (at least 5 people) who attend and sign in will receive a $50 classroom grant.

Email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information.

High Noon – Fall’s on It’s Way!

september-equinoxFARMER’S ALMANAC – FASCINATING FACT

At the September equinox: * Autumn starts in the Northern Hemisphere, and spring begins in the Southern Hemisphere. * The Sun is directly over the equator at local noon.

The autumnal equinox brings fall at 4:44 P.M. this SUNDAY, SEPT 22.

Look up to the sky and marvel at God’s majestic creation!

Come to Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center 3:30 p.m. Sept. 19  and Celebrate Our Farmers. Find out about farming, enjoy farmer’s market snacks, haywagon rides and Farmer’s Almanac activities.

Email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information.

Celebrate Our Farmers…

Celebrate Farmers at Dani’s Dreams

Farmersfarmer-clip-art-4-1 feed us, grow with us, and care for our land. Thursday, Sept. 19 from 3:30-5 p.m., Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center will host special activities to celebrate these important people in our community. Local farmer Brian Kleiman will talk with the children about his career, haywagon rides, Farmer’s Market snacks and Farmer’s Almanac activities are planned.

The first 20 students will receive a FREE Dani’s Dreams T-shirt. A limited number of Dani’s Dreams Dream It-Do It race T-shirts will be available at half price – $5. The class with the most participants (at least 5 people) who attend and sign in will receive a $50 classroom grant.

Email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information.

 

 

All ‘Bout Bugs at Dani’s Dreams….

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Children at Zion Lutheran Daycare emerged victorious from their expedition to explore Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center in search of the littlest creatures. They took off in teams for a bug catching competition July 26 and celebrated with a popsicle picnic on Dreaming Tree Hill. Special experiences like theirs are made possible by your support of the upcoming Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 3, 8 a.m. at New Palestine High School. Register online now or come to the Northern Nights Concert Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m. and get your specially designed race T-shirts to wear for the big event!

Register Online For Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run Aug. 3

discover posterddJoin the Sixth Annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 3. The event includes a 5K race on the New Palestine High School cross country course or a one mile family fun run/walk on the NPHS football stadium. Your registration fee includes specially designed T-shirts with this year’s theme “Dream It – Do It!” Family registration fees includes 2 T-shirts

Register online today – CLICK HERE

Registration price goes up the day of the event and T-shirts are NOT guaranteed for late registrations.

Links for the registration forms are below – you can also bring or mail the forms to Zion Lutheran School, 6513 W. 300 S., New Palestine, IN 46163

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