Tag Archives: Zion Lutheran School

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.

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

Dream It, Do It! Planting Hope…

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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!

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

Get Ready For Winter at Dani’s Dreams This Thursday!

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imagesThe 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 keep everyone warm and fed. All children in Southern Hancock are invited.

Dream It – Do It!

Tips on caring for our feathered friends:

• Provide the essentials to attract winter birds to your backyard:

• Birdhouses and piles of tree limbs give birds places to stay warm and avoid predators.

• Small fountains, with running water, won’t freeze over like birdbaths can in cold weather.

• Bird feeders will keep the birds coming back. Different types of food appeal to different species. Look at pet stores for suet, a solid cake made of lard,berries, seeds and nuts, and black oil sunflower seeds, which almost any bird will eat. Both are good high-fat energy sources for winter birds, according to Bird Watchers Digest.

All area children are invited this Thursday, 3:30 to 5 p.m. to Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center – Dream It – D0 It – make your own bird feeder, paint bird houses and fill bird feeders and string popcorn for old fashioned garland the birds love!

Donations and Fundraising, Dream It - Do It!, Special Activities

Dig It – Look What We Found!

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Discovery 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.

Teachers, Scout Leaders, and other community groups, contact Dani’s Dreams 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.

Donations and Fundraising, 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!