virginia field trips homeschool edition summer 2013

Virginia Field TripsVirginia Field TripsINCLUDES DCINCLUDES DCVolume 13 Number 1Volume 13 Number 1

A guide to...A guide to...

INCLUDES DC

A guide to...

www.VirginiaFieldTrips.comwww.VirginiaFieldTrips.comwww.VirginiaFieldTrips.com

Inside this issue...

Cover Spotlight

see story on page 10

LivingVIRGINIA

museumVolume 13 Number 2

Homeschool EditionHomeschool EditionSummer 2013Summer 2013Homeschool EditionSummer 2013

Upcoming Homeschool Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3

Travel Tips from www.homeschool.com . . . . . . . page 4

Hampton - 400 Years of History. . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6

Centerfold Locator Map. . . . . . . . . . . . page 8-9

Virginia State Parks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 13

Resources for Homeschoolers . . . . . . . . page 15

VIRGINIA FIELD TRIPS GUIDEis published twice a year by EC Publishing, Inc,

located in Abingdon, Virginia.

We welcome Homeschooler letters, story ideas and

photos from all over Virginia and Washington, DC

Homeschool Summer 2013 Issue

Forward all correspondence to:

Echo Charlie Publishing, Inc.P.O. Box 845, Abingdon, Virginia 24212

Phone: 1-800-357-0121 • Fax (276) 739-0015

www.virginiafieldtrips.com

Keith RobinsonPublisher

[email protected]

Angela LiskEditor

[email protected]

Virginia Field Trips – Homeschool - Summer 20132

The Frontier Culture MuseumThe Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Virginia offers

homeschool families the opportunity to learnhistory in the way that homeschoolers learnbest - through active involvement in the day-to-day activities of the past. Students are en-couraged to participate in cooking,gardening, wool and flax processing and ani-mal care.

Special events can also be foundthroughout the year, just for homeschoolfamilies. On May 3, 2013 and October 4,2013 the Museum will host a HomeschoolDay with reduced rates offered for early registration and on theday of the events. Winter Workshops are also available January

through February and are designed with homeschoolers in mind.Classes include blacksmithing, cooking,woodworking and much more.

For groups of 15 or more interested insetting up a specific program, the Museum’sGroup Reservationist will work with you tocreate a memorable experience! For additionalinformation contact the Interim Education Di-rector: Andrew Richardson at [email protected]. To book field tripsor group tours please contact Support ServicesCoordinator: Sarah Puckett at

[email protected]. Contact the museum at(540) 332-7850 or visit www.frontiermuseum.org.

In our nation’s capital, where there are a millionthings to do and see, there is only one place whereyou can take an interactive, immersive journeythrough American history, meet all 44 Presidents,shake hands with influential leaders, get photographedwith sports icons, and rub shoulders with Hollywoodstars! That’s Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C!

Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C. is a mu-seum unlike any other in Washington, D.C. Gone isthe glass and red rope. At Madame Tussauds you getto touch and feel American History. Whether you’resailing across the Delaware River with George Wash-ington or meeting Obama in the Oval Office, you’llfeel like you’re a part history at our attraction.

Your interactive experience will take you on a journey throughour nation’s history. You’ll meet everyone from our founding father,George Washington, to the current president of the United States,Barack Obama. From there, you’ll make your way to our Glamourroom, where JLo, Beyonce and many more will be waiting for you tojoin them on the dance floor!

Our educational seminars offer the perfect plat-form for a fun-filled learning experience. Seminar topicsinclude; Behind-The Scenes: The Wax-Making, ThePresidents and Their Hobbies or our Marketing andTourism Seminar.

Plus, with our new VIP dinning space, you can sitback and enjoy lunch. We offer a wide variety of mealoptions, including pizza party, boxed lunches, sandwichbar, pasta party or baked potato lunch with all the fix-ings! Our experienced staff are happy to assist with all ofyour requirements.

So, if you want an interactive experience thatyour student will never forget, book your next field tripat Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C.

For more information email [email protected]/[email protected] or call (866) 823-9569. Residents of Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia savemore on Madame Tussauds tickets by booking online atwww.madametussauds.com/Washington!

Madame Tussauds Washington D.C –Home of the Presidents Gallery

Teresa ChristianArt Director

Virginia Field Trips – Homeschool - Summer 2013 3

The season for Leesburg Animal Park in Leesburg, Virginia officially opens on March 16, 2013! The 21 acre zoo is home to avariety of animals but also offers fun park activities to highlight each trip. Discover something exotic at the park! Unique animals in-cluding Lemurs African Serval Cats, White-Handed Gibbons, Giant AldabraTortoises, Zebras, Macaws & Lorikeet Parrots, Patagonian Cavy and an African-Crested Porcupine. Kids always want to know what can they touch? At LeesburgAnimal Park kids are encouraged to interact with a variety of animals in the pet-ting and feeding area such as Llamas, Alpacas, Donkeys, Cows, Bunnies,Ducks, Goats, Sheep, Lambs, Pigs, Nilgai, Deer & Camels. For a truly memo-rable experience ride a pony, camel or the Explorer Wagon and feed passingcreatures!

Families may also feed the lorikeet parrots in the walk-through aviary orjoin the LIVE Animal Encounters to meet special animals such as a porcupine,giant Aldabra tortoise or a piglet. Additionally the Habitat Hut will teach kidsabout their own backyard habitat. Have lunch at one of the picnic areas and letthe kids exercise on the playground complete with a Moon Bounce and playtrain!

Want to celebrate at the park - no problem the animals would love to have you! Enjoy birthday parties or group celebrations!Additionally Zoo-To-You, DC area's premier petting zoo service, can bring the excitement to you! Fully insured and USDA licensed, Zoo-To-Youhas been in business for 30 years and continues to highlight some of the largest fairs and festivals in the region, school events andbirthday parties. Choose from a variety of packages including a Full Zoo, Mini Zoo, Baby Zoo, Exotic Zoo, Pony Rides and cus-tomized animal packages to suit your needs. Each package includes at least one animal handler, fencing and cleanup.

Find your favorite creature at the Leesburg Animal Park! For inclement weather call (703) 433-0002 before your visit and therecording will indicate if the park is closed. For additional information email [email protected] or visit www.lees-burganimalpark.com. See you at the Zoo!

The Leesburg Animal Park

March 29, 2013 HAMPTONFlight of the Butterflies 3Din IMAX at the Virginia Air and Space Center(757) 727-0900

March 30-31, 2013 Easter Egg Hunt at the Zoo!Leesburg Animal Park (703) 433-0002

April 5, 2013HAMPTON Asphalt Orchestra at TheAmerican Theatre(757) 722-2787

April 11-13 & May 9-11 &September 12-14, 2013WALLOPS ISLAND Homeschoolers Marine Sci-ence Adventure at the Ma-rine Science Consortium (757) 824-5636

April 12, 2013HAMPTON Performance by pianistPhillipe Bianconi at TheAmerican Theatre (757) 722-2787

April 19, 2013 SMITHFIELD Isle of Wight Homeschool Day (757) 356-1223 (HEAV-Sponsored Event)

April 20, 2013 BEDFORD Living History and ScoutDay at the National D-DayMemorial(800) 351-DDAY

April 20, 2013 HAMPTON International Children’s Festival (757) 727-8311

April 22, 2013NEWPORT NEWSThe Mariners’ MuseumHomeschool Day(757) 591-7743 (HEAV-Sponsored Event)

Upcoming Homeschool Events

contined on page 10


A R T S C E N T E R

Spring & SummerCamps, Classes

& Workshops

Mention this ad to recieve member pricing on classes!*

Spring Classesstart on April 1

9601 Ox Road, Lorton VA 22079

Summer Classesstart on June 17

View classes & register online!www.WorkhouseArts.org

or register by phone703-584-2900

Summer Campstarts on June 24

*Discount not applicable to summer camps.

Another world of learning awaits as students explore 15galleries, 15 theaters and dozens of displays and interactivespaces at the Newseum. Make the Newseum your next stop inWashington, DC and learn about the history of journalism inall aspects as well as the importance of the First Amendment.

Visit the Newseum hands-on laboratory and classroomwhere educators can select various learning experiences andpick the lessons that suit their students’ needs and interests.Learning Center classes meet national standards of learningand are taught by educators with experience in history andjournalism. Many resources are available on location and on-line that include video lessons, trivia, games, resources for stu-dents and teachers, posters and much more. Students are alsoinvited to participate in the Newseum Student Advisory Team.

This year will mark the milestone anniversaries of severalkey events in U.S. history, and the Newseum will debut new exhibits to highlight them. Now open- ‘Jailed in Birmingham’ exhibit featuring a casting of the original jail cell door in Birmingham,Ala., behind which Martin Luther King Jr. was confined after his arrest for leading nonviolentprotests, and where he penned his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail."

Upcoming exhibits include ‘Marching for Women's Rights’ coming in March, ‘JFK’ exhibitwith are artifacts, intimate photographs and historic news coverage in April and ‘Make SomeNoise: Civil Rights at 50’ in August. Don't miss out on special events and priority seating at allNewseum programs, become a Press Pass member today.

Contact Crystal Andrews, Field Trip Coordinator at (202) 292-6650 or email your group reser-vation today at [email protected]. For registration, prices/discounts, digital class-room activities, policies and procedures visit www.newseum.org.

New Exhibits in 2013 at the Newseum

1) Try a Campground

2) Keep a daily journal ofyour adventure

3) Collect postcards along theway. Hole punch the corner andattach the postcard to a keyring. After the trip go throughthe postcards and write a mem-ory on the back.

4) Travel in the off seasonsuch as September and Octoberfor discounted hotel prices andother great deals.

5) Search before traveling andfind out if a “City Pass” isavailable which allows familiesto receive discounts to thearea’s museums and attractions.Additionally discounts may

also be available through AAAmemberships to certain loca-tions.

6) Adopt a Pre-Trip PlanningProcess. Engage children invideos, maps and books aboutthe proposed destination. Investin the adventure!

7) Give each child a backpackwhich they can fill with toys,games etc. They are responsiblefor keeping track of their be-longings and can easily cleanup after the trip rather thanleaving a messy car for Mom.

8) Try a seating rotation.When traveling with youngerand older children it is usuallythe older child who caters tothe younger children. After a

few days give that older child achance to have a day off with-out that responsibility.

9) Often coolers are broughtalong the trip. Find a squarecooler that can fit convenientlybehind the drivers seat so that itcan be easily reached by thepassenger. It also doubles as afoot rest for kids in boosterseats - preventing their littlelegs from falling asleep.

10) Many parents recommendsurprise bags! Include travelgames, small hand toys etc.Wrap them up and reward goodbehavior as needed. Even if thetoy only costs 50 cents, it willbe a treasure to them. It keepstheir hands and minds busy.

We found a great list of travel tips! Some that you may have neverthought about - provided by mothers and fathers at

www.homeschool.com.

Travel Tips for Homeschoolers


Take advantage of the opportunities all in one place at the Home Educa-tors Association of Virginia (HEAV) - 2013 Virginia Homeschool Convention.This awesome family-event will be held on June 6-8, 2013, at the GreaterRichmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia. This years theme“Home Education: A Bountiful Harvest” will help celebrate 30 years of help-ing families and home educators! Special guests include Jim Bob andMichelle Duggar (19 Kids and Counting) and keynote speakers Jeff Myers(Summit Ministries) and Michael J. Farris (HSLDA).

Many of last years favorite features are back and include one low pricefor the entire family, children of any age may attend workshops with parents,hands-on science and technology demonstrations, Robotics Expo, Young En-

trepreneurs, demonstrations in the Exhibit Hall, Instru-ment “Petting Zoo”, more than 140 workshops,

Graduation Ceremony, expanded Chess Champi-onships and movie previews. The Virginia Homeschool

Convention will also feature brand new kids programs, largest Exhibit Hall ever and a huge Used CurriculumSale with faster checkout.

Even if you can’t attend the convention, sign up for HEAV - Home Educators Association of Virginia that commit-ted to promote, protect and support homeschooling throughout the state of Virginia. Take advantage of the services offered including afree quarterly magazine, ever-expanding website, which is a treasure trove of information and experienced knowledgeable staff to helpanswer any questions you may have. Visit www.heav.org, call (804) 278-9200 or email [email protected] for additional information.

2013 Virginia Homeschool Convention “Home Education: A Bountiful Harvest”

HEAV - Serving the homeschoolers of Virginia through information, legislation, and resources for almost 30 years.

Virginia Air & Space Center

PEOPLE HAVE Explored HERE FOR OVER 400 YEARS .

COME HAVE AN ADVENTURE. Contact Bruce Newton at 800.487.8778 VisitHampton.com

Hampton, Virginia welcomes families and educators to discover atreasure trove of fascinating sites spanning a timeline that begins withthe arrival of three sailing vessels in 1607 and discoveries have beenintegral to Hampton since it was founded in 1610, making it the oldestcontinuously occupied English settlement in theUnited States.

No matter what your interests, you are sure tofind it in Hampton. Begin your journey with theCivil War, a significant chapter in Hamptons his-tory, and explore historic military forts, the Battleof Big Bethel, the Peninsula Campaign and the fa-mous "Battle of the Ironclads". Take the MissHampton II harbor tour and get a glimpse of FortWool - an island fortress dating to 1819. A shorttrip down the road allows visitors to stand on the1619 landing of Fort Monroe, a Union-held fortification where thou-sands of slaves sought shelter during the Civil War. Then view a liv-ing symbol of freedom for African-Americans and a National HistoricLandmark at the entrance to Hampton University. The expansiveEmancipation Oak grows ninety-eight feet in diameter and is desig-nated as one of the "Ten Great Trees of the World" by the NationalGeographic Society, it continues to be a source of inspiration for allHamptonians. For additional Civil War sites and information visitwww.visithampton.com/discover/civilwar/ and download a Civil Warbrochure.

Hampton is the original home of NASA and continues the explo-ration of outer space at the Virginia Air & Space Center. Get a hands-on look at the innovations of flight as well as a thrilling Digital 3D

IMAX® theater experience. International Space Day will be held atthe center on May 4, 2013 and features liquid nitrogen demonstra-tions, make-n-take activities and a Space Quest gallery. Additionallythe Virginia Air & Space Center offers numerous events and programs

throughout the year including Science Camps,the Mindbender Mansion Traveling Exhibiton May 25, 2013 and many more. For addi-tional information call (757) 727-0900 or visitwww.vasc.org.

Nature fans will be delighted with a nar-rated cruise or explore Grandview Nature Pre-serve's ecosystem by kayak through theserene Chesapeake Bay estuary. Spend a fewhours among the paintings, sculpture and pho-tography on exhibit at The Charles H. Taylor

Arts Center or take in a show at The American Theatre. On April 5,2013, New York City's Asphalt Orchestra redefines and re-contextual-izes music at the American Theatre and a special recital will be heldby Phillipe Bianconi, pianist on April 12, 2013. Visit www.hamp-tonarts.net or call (757) 722-2787 for a complete schedule.

Additionally among the Hampton History Museum, HamptonRoads Convention Center, stunning Hampton Coliseum, AberdeenGardens Historic Museum, Bluebird Gap Farm (with over 150 domes-tic and wild animals), BMX Super Track, Grandview Nature Preserve,Langley Speedway and many more - it is clear that all members of thefamily will come home with a deeper understanding of history, admi-ration for art and music, knowledge of space exploration and perhapseven a new appreciation for life as we now know it.

Over 400 years of history awaiting you in Hampton, Virginia



Fun Facts About MusicLegend has it Franz Schubert composed his music on a guitar hung from a hook over

his bed, as he couldn't afford a piano. Berlioz also did his composing on a guitar!

Warner Communications paid $28 million for the copyright to the song"Happy Birthday".

The National D-Day

MemorialLocated in Bedford, Vir-

ginia the The National D-DayMemorial is a powerful per-manent tribute to the valor, fi-delity and sacrifice of D-Dayparticipants. The Memorialhonors the Allied forces thatparticipated in the invasion ofNormandy on June 6, 1944during World War II. Features

of the Memorialinclude a styl-ized EnglishGarden, haunt-ing invasion

tableau and striking VictoryPlaza. On May 9, 2013 home-schooled families are invitedto attend the HomeschoolEvent Day and experienceWorld War II history throughinteractive stations and livinghistory. Activities are gearedfor homeschool students nineyears old and up, but all agesare welcome. Registration isrequired before April 30 andfees are $4 per person. Con-tact the National D-DayMemorial’s Education Depart-ment at (540) 587-3617 toregister. Also don’t miss otherexciting events including Liv-ing History and Scout Day onApril 20, Patriotic Concert onMay 25, Memorial Day Cere-mony on May 27 and FamilyDay - 40’s Festival on July20, 2013.

For more information call(540) 586-DDAY or visitwww.dday.org.

Fun Facts

about Music

Compact Discs (CDs)were first introduced in

1983 - how long willthey last with technology?

Statewide Virginia State Parks www.dcr.virginia.gov/parks

Bedford National D-Day Memorial www.dday.org

Hampton Hampton CVB www.visithampton.com

Leesburg Leesburg Animal Park www.LeesburgAnimalPark.com/

Lorton Workhouse Arts Center www.workhousearts.org

Massanutten Massanutten Resort www.massresort.com

Newport News Visit Newport News www.newport-news.org

Newport News Virginia Living Museum www.thevlm.org

Palmyra Camp Friendship www.campfriendship.com


LOCATION ATTRACTION WEBSITE

Virginia Field TripDestinations

Dublin

Big Stone Gap

Ewing

Huddleston

Lynchburg

Max MeadowsWythevilleSaltville

Breaks

Shenandoah

New Marke

Stuart

NaturalBridge

6

7Millboro

8

28

26

1513

Gladstone

20Duffield 30

3129

3

35

Austinville

Scottsburg

Randolph

The numbers insidethe indicate aVirginia State Park.Locate any park byusing the Map Legend on Page 12.

Mt. Jac

Massanutten

Staunton

Quicksburg

Independence

11

Riverton, West Virginia

Mouth of Wilson

Abingdon

Harrisonburg

The National D-Day Memorial Foundation

RoanokeBedford Appomattox

21Foster Falls

Marion14

Fun Facts

about Music

Most toilets flushin E flat.

Termites eat woodtwice as fast when lis-tening to heavy metal

music.

Richmond Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) www.heav.org

Riverton, West Virginia Seneca Caverns www.senecacaverns.com

Staunton Frontier Culture Museum www.frontiermuseum.org

Washington, DC The Newseum www.newseum.org

Washington, DC Madame Tussauds www.madametussaudsdc.com

Williamsburg Colonial Williamsburg Foundation www.colonialwilliamsburg.com

Williamsburg Jamestown Settlement www.historyisfun.org/jamestown-settlement.htm

Williamsburg Yorktown Victory Center www.historyisfun.org/Yorktown-Victory-Center.htm

Winchester Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum www.discoverymuseum.net


LOCATION ATTRACTION WEBSITE

Chesterfield

Luray

Surry

Ashland

Cumberland

King William

Jamestown

et

2

5

12

417

22

232433

2725

Rice

Bentonville

Winchester

Moseley

10

RICHMOND

NewportNews

16

KingGeorge

Fredericksburg

Stafford

CapeCharles

ckson

Delaplane

Clifton

Leesburg

19Midland

Washington, D.C.

18

34 Montross

Woodbridge

VirginiaBeach

McGaheysville

Norfolk

Williamsburg

Spotsylvania

3632

Stratford

Greenbay

Manassas

9

Chester

Lancaster

1

Palmyra

Clarksville

Green BayHampton

Lorton

The Shenandoah Valley Discovery Mu-seum in Winchester, Virginia is not a typicalmuseum, as a matter of fact children are en-couraged to touch the exhibits! The museumignites creativity, sparks cu-riosity and inspires learn-ing in patrons of all agesby providing a rich vari-ety of interactive, hands-on exhibits and programswhich focus on the sciencesand mathematics, the hu-manities and the arts.

Explore life along the Moccasin Trail inthe Native American exhibit or learn aboutsimple machines while playing in an appleshed. Experience the laws of physics whileracing balls over ramps and through loops ortest your agility while scaling a climbing wall.Get attracted to magnets, dive into atoms,wrap yourself up in the weather or gaze at thestars. To touch is to explore, to explore is todiscover, to discover is to learn. Additionallythe Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museumwas recently named a ‘Favorite HomeschoolField Trip’ by www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org. Special events this year include WackyWednesday- ‘Wear your Boots Day!’ on April24, 2013. Fly into fun on May 12, 2013 forParachute Man with Jon Gemmell and enjoyHead to Toe - Drawing People with Jim Moyer(part of Visiting Artist Series) on July 14,2013! Call (540) 722-2020 or visit www.dis-coverymuseum.net for group rates.

The Shenandoah ValleyDiscovery Museum


Summer brings lots of opportunities for family FUN! But asHomeschool families know, valuable learning doesn’t end when thebooks are closed or the computers are off. The Virginia Living Mu-seum in Newport News is your summer gateway to discovering thewonders and excitement of live animalspresented in a variety of Virginia habitatscombined with the thrill of soaringthrough the starry cosmos in our planetar-ium theater. The excitement of discoveryand learning never stops – not even for thesummer - at the Virginia Living Museum!

There are a variety of ways to experi-ence the Museum including the Virginia’sCoastal Plain Gallery where students willdiscover the shallow salty waters of thewondrous Chesapeake Bay to the gentlysloping sandy beaches and muddy grass-fringed marshes of our coastline. Learn how the simple wooden pil-ings under a pier can become an “apartment building” whose diverseoccupants prefer different “floors” – from the basement to the pent-house. Heading west from the flat Coastal Plain, your student familybegins to climb ever higher in elevation in the Virginia’s Piedmontand Mountains Gallery. Spotted turtles bask in a freshwater bog,chipmunks scurry and forage but the colorful corn snake coilednearby may be looking for his own meal! This is a great place topiece together the connections between habitat, adaptation and sur-vival.

Darkness doesn’t just mean when the sun goes down – whatabout the inky twilight under deep water?Discover the Virginia’sWorld of Darkness Gallery where animals have no eyes! Find outabout how amazing animal adaptations can be. Want to go “under-ground” without getting dirty? You can in the Virginia’s UndergroundGallery! Walk through an amazingly accurate recreation of a Virginialimestone cave complete with dripping pools and bizarre geologicformations. The ancient fossils of shelled animals, fish and evenmammals are preserved and displayed in this intriguing full-wall ge-ology exhibit. Visit the two-story, glass-covered walk-through habi-tats of the Appalachian Cove & Cypress Swamp. The cool, moistAppalachian Cove features a waterfall, a swift-running mountainstream and lake filled with mountain fish, plus free-flying birdswhere the sounds, sights and communities of native plants and ani-

mals is like taking an instant hike through our western mountains.The Cypress Swamp exhibit is an amazing recreation of a vital andendangered wetland habitat, complete with an entire community ofliving plants and swamp creatures, freshwater turtles … even an alli-

gator!Adjacent to each gallery are different in-

teractive Discovery Centers that await yourhands-on exploration. These centers arebrimming with specimens from the worlds oflife science, space science and geology. Froma visible bee hive “buzzing” with activity toour Chesapeake Bay Touch Tank, each centeris sure to engage and delight your family oflearners – of all ages! In the Abbitt Planetar-ium your intrepid family can blast off to visitthe planets, learn the secrets of our solar sys-tem’s stars, observe spinning galaxies or

study our Earth from space. Before you leave stop by the CoastalPlain Aviary & Outdoor Boardwalk. The museum's 3/4 mile, elevatedboardwalk crosses Deer Park Lake and winds through a shady wood-land and wetlands area, showcasing animals native to Virginia in nat-uralized habitats. Interpretive stations help explain the criticalimportance of wetlands in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, highlightdifferent life forms in the pond and showcase native wetland plants.Wow... a visit to the Virginia Living Museum is quite an adventure ofexploration, discovery, learning … and of course, summertime FUN!For more information visit thevlm.org or call 757-595-1900.

Summer learning and fun go together at the Virginia Living Museum!

April 26-27, 2013WILLIAMSBURGRamp Jam at Busch Gardens (800) 343-7946

April 29, 2013HAMPTON Hampton’s AnnualLanding Day (757) 727-8311

May 4, 2013HAMPTONInternational Space Day at theVirginia Air and Space Center(757) 727-0900

May 4, 2013HAMPTON Hunt for Hampton History at the Hampton History Museum(757) 727-1610

Upcoming Homeschool Events continued from page 3

continued on page 12


Learn why art is important at the Workhouse Arts Center inLorton, Virginia this summer! The Workhouse Arts Center be-lieves that an Arts Education is basic to an individual’s percep-tion and understanding of the world in which we live. TheWorkhouse Arts Center provides art in-struction that helps develop basic artsskills, encourage visual awareness andare fundamental to intellectual growthand creative self-expression.

At the center, explore everythingfrom ceramics, creative writing, culi-nary arts, fiber arts, glass, music, pho-tography, art of movement, jewelry,theatre & technique, dance and othervarious forms of art. This year theWorkhouse Arts Center is excited toannounce five unique summer campexperiences for young people. Buddingartists, actors, painters, dancer sculptor or musicians (or all of theabove!) look no further for an immersive and memorable sum-mer guided by professional artists and art educators. The summerof 2013 will be an exciting season as it marks the 8th anniversaryof the ArtStar Theatre camp (with a twist this year!) and the 5thanniversary of Visual Arts Explorers Camp!

Make plans to attend one of the summer programs in whichstudents learn to increase positive attitudes towards self, others,

and the environment through creative experiences. Choose fromKindergarten Creations, Drawing For Teens, Traditional Quiltingfor Kids, "And I helped!" Parents and Kids Cooking, Steppin'Out! Dance Camp, Project: Animation and many more. In addi-

tion to an immersive arts experience,time is built into each day for physicalactivity, lunch and a few surprises!

The Workhouse is also proud to pres-ent the Summer Game Institute (SGI)with George Mason University! TheSGI Camp is a computer game designcamp that incorporates technology, vi-sual arts, storytelling and music withcreative and critical thinking and prob-lem solving skills. All skill levels wel-come for kids ages 6-8. Two sessionswill be held on July 8-19, 2013 and July22-August 2, 2013. Registration and ad-

ditional details for all programs are available online. Scholar-ships are available! Call (703) 584-2900 to inquire or email theeducation department at [email protected]. Multiplechild discount available by phone only. Visit www.workhouse-arts.org for additional information.To find the most up-to-date in-formation on classes and workshops including classroomchanges, time changes or date changes please check back to thissite often!

Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia

Name Location Phone1) Bear Creek Lake State Park Cumberland (804) 492-44102) Belle Isle State Park Lancaster (804) 462-50303) Breaks Interstate State Park Breaks, Virginia (276) 865-44134) Caledon State Park King George (540) 663-38615) Chippokes Plantation State Park Surry, Virginia (757) 294-36256) Claytor Lake State Park Dublin, Virginia (540) 643-25007) Douthat State Park Millboro, Virginia (540) 862-81008) Fairy Stone State Park Stuart (276) 930-24249) False Cape State Park Virginia Beach (757) 426-712810) First Landing State Park Virginia Beach (757) 412-230011) Grayson Highlands State Park Mouth of Wilson (276) 579-709212) High Bridge Trail State Park Green Bay (434) 315-045713) Holliday Lake State Park Appomattox (434) 248-630814) Hungry Mother State Park Marion (276) 781-740015) James River State Park Gladstone (434) 933-435516) Kiptopeke State Park Cape Charles (757) 331-226717) Lake Anna State Park Spotsylvania (540) 854-550318) Leesylvania State Park Woodbridge (703) 730-820519) Mason Neck State Park Lorton (703) 339-238520) Natural Tunnel State Park Duffield (276) 940-267421) New River Trail State Park Fosters Falls (276) 699-677822) Occoneechee State Park Clarksville (434) 374-221023) Pocahontas State Park Chesterfield (804) 796-425524) Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historic State Park Rice (434) 315-034925) Shenandoah River Raymond R. "Andy"

Guest Jr. State Park Bentonville (540) 622-684026) Shot Tower State Park Austinville (276) 699-179127) Sky Meadows State Park Delaplane (540) 592-355628) Smith Mountain Lake State Park Huddleston (540) 297-606629) Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park Big Stone Gap (276) 523-132230) Staunton River State Park Scottsburg (434) 572-462331) Staunton River Battlefield State Park Randolph (434) 454-431232) Tabb Monument State Park Amelia (800) 933-PARK33) Twin Lakes State Park Green Bay (434) 392-343534) Westmoreland State Park Montross (804) 493-882135) Wilderness Road State Park Ewing (276) 445-306536) York River State Park Williamsburg (757) 566-3036

Virginia State Parks

Find locations on centerfold map pages 8 and 9


May 9, 2013BEDFORD Homeschool Event Day at the National D-Day Memorial(800) 351-DDAY

May 10, 2013 EWINGRaid at Martin's Station atWilderness Road State Park(276) 445-3065

May 18, 2013Discovery Story Theater atthe Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum(540) 722-2020

May 25, 2013 HAMPTONMindbender Mansion Traveling Exhibit at the Virginia Air and Space Center (757) 727-0900

June 14, 2013HAMPTONFREE Admission for Dad! (757) 727-0900

June 22, 2013 LORTONWorkhouse Community Arts Festival (703) 584-2900

June 22, 2013STUARTFamily Summer Fun Day atFairy Stone State Park(276) 930-2424

June 24-July 12, 2013 LORTON ArtStar Performing ArtsCamp at the Workhouse ArtsCenter(703) 584-2900

June 25-July 4/July 8-19/July 22-August 2, 2013LORTONVisual Arts Explorers Camp atthe Workhouse Arts Center(703) 584-2900

June 26, 2013Wacky Wednesday- ‘Come asa Space Alien Day’ at theShenandoah Valley DiscoveryMuseum (540) 722-2020

July 8-19/July 22-August 2, 2013 LORTON Summer Game Institute atthe Workhouse Arts Center (703) 584-2900

July 15-26, 2013 LORTON Steppin' Out! Dance Camp atthe Workhouse Arts Center (703) 584-2900

Upcoming Homeschool Events continued from page 10


Lake Anna State Park Visitor Centeroffers new exhibits for 2013

Virginia Association for Parks and the Friends of Lake AnnaState Park partnered with Imperial Multimedia to bring new andexciting exhibits to the park in Spotsylvania, Virginia. The ideawas to create technology based exhibits using resources and

techniques avail-able to reducecosts. Touchscreen displays, a3D theater room,huge 70" flatscreen TVs show-ing educationalfootage and naturescenes, animals,colorful muralsand much more

will enhance the visitor's experience. In today's multi-mediaworld you need a lot more to capture the attention of youngpeople and adults alike. These exhibits combine nature andtechnology to highlight all the things that can be learned at aVirginia State Park and and entice kids to get outdoors! For ad-ditional information visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks orcall (540) 854-5503.

Let nature be the teacher in a Virginia State Park...Nature and History Programs at

First Landing State ParkThe First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, Virginia wel-comes families and educators to absorb history and naturethrough a variety of settings. Situated on 2,888 acres, the parkoffers various self-guided and guided programs that cover crab-bing, junior rangers, beach walks, nature hikes and structuredenvironmental education programs. Camp or stay in a cabin at

one of Virginia’smost visited parksand take advantageof the amphithe-ater, courtyard withgazebo, luxuriouscabins, camp sites,Bay Store, TrailCenter and giftshop and muchmore. The FirstLanding Chesa-peake Bay Center

features educational displays that focus on the First Landing byEnglish settlers in 1607. A visitor information center at the parkalso has information on area tours and attractions. For detailscall (757) 412-2306 or visit www.dcr.virginia.gov.


Camp Friendship in Palmyra, Virginia has so many programs and facilities that the numberone question asked by parents is “When can I come to camp?” So they answered with Family

Camp! Enjoy a great family vacation with fun recre-ational activities that meet the interests of all ages! Theprogram for Family Camp is organized so that familiesmay choose to attend scheduled activities, participate infree choice activities (where you show up if you wantto), or do nothing at all.

Some activities are instructional, where you can learnor improve skills, and other activities are simply “hangout and enjoy”. Activities include tennis, archery, canoe-ing, kayaking, riflery, fishing, river canoe trips, pottery,

river tubing, arts & crafts, biking, fencing, mountain boarding, high ropes & low ropes, Africandrumming and much more.

Most of the camp activities and supplies are included in the program fee. We do have an addi-tional nominal charge to participate in the following horseback riding and pony rides, waterskiingtrips - off-site to Lake Anna, cooking classes, private tennis lessons, golf, and a caving trip -off-siteto West Virginia. Families may also take a break from one another with special organized time incamp just for kids and time for parents without them! There has been no complaint about the foodat Camp Friendship either - with plenty of options served buffet style including entrée selectionsfor lunch and dinner. Additionally a large salad bar, fresh fruit, beverages, soups and vegetarian al-ternatives will keep everyone full of energy throughout the day. Besides all the great programs,Camp Friendship also rounds out each night with traditional campfires, talent shows, dances,theme nights, games and much more! So pack up the kids and teens and make a memorable vaca-tion at Camp Friendship! For details call (800) 873-3223, email [email protected] or visitwww.campfriendship.com.

“When can I come to camp?”

Fun Facts

about Music

At age 4, Mozart composed a concerto

for the clavier.


Give your student groups a special outdoor adventure in Newport News, complete with animals, activities and adventures! Get up-close-and-personal with nature in our 8,000-acre park or take a stroll on an elevated boardwalk. Guests may try theirhand at geocaching or plan your naval battle aboard a wooden “sailing ship.” Other activities include pad-dle boating, guided nature tours, biking, hiking, bird watching and disc golf.The five-mile Noland Trail at The Mariners' Museum, includes views of Lake Maury and the James River.

The small-scale wooden replicas of the USS Monitor and a 19th-century sailing ship are perfect climbingand pretending. Visit the 276-seat Ella Fitzgerald Theater at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center,acoustically-superb Ferguson Center for the Arts, the beautifully restored Peninsula Community Theatreand the ever-changing world of art at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center. For an indepth look at history, tour theJames A. Fields House, Lee Hall Mansion, Endview Plantation, Newsome House Museum & Cultural Cen-

ter, U.S. Army Transportation Museum (Shown Here) and the Virginia War Museum! To create a customized student itinerary, discuss accommodation needs and learn more about our student-friendly attractions, contact Trista

Attoh at (757) 926-1442, (888) 493-7386, or email [email protected].

Find Activities and Adventures... in Newport News

Old-time-style music evolved from traditions brought by the first settlers from the Old World to North America. We can trace manymodern genres of American music to the old-time string band. String bands formed when rural farming families called upon neighbors forassistance with labor-intensive tasks, such as harvests or barn-raisings. In exchange for help, the host family hired local musicians to providean evening dance. Along with old-time string bands, bluegrass, and blues, Virginia's musical legacy includes ballad traditions, gospel, shout-bands, rock 'n' roll, and other types of music.

While many famous musicians have hailed from all parts of the world - many were born and raised right here in Virginia.Dock Boggs, a white musician from West Norton, Virginia, played a banjo style and repertoire influenced by African American banjoists hemet while working in the coal mines. Other well-known musicians include The Carter Family, Patsy Cline, The Stanley Brothers, DaveMatthews Band, Jason Mraz, Missy Elliott, Toby Mac and many more.

Music - an invaluable source for rich and detailed accounts of Virginia history

Young Musicians of Virginia (YMV)Sure, you can find private lessons for your homeschooled child throughout Virginia but they will not necessarily interact with

other children during these lessons. Since 1991, the Young Musicians of Virginia (YMV) has served homeschoolers with exactly thatpurpose. Today, YMV serves home-school families and the community with a faculty and staff of over 40, dedicated to teaching andtraining students from Preschool through High School. In addition, YMV are dedicated to assisting the home-schooling parent to pro-vide their children with extracurricular musical opportunities, such as summer classes, seminars, concert opportunities, performancesand ministry outreach. Last year under the direction of Gary Garlic, a group named ‘The Staccents’ won the Music in the Park com-petition at Busch Gardens. The Young Musicians of Virginia (YMV) is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia and are now registering forthe 2013 school year. Call (757) 420-1961 or visit www.ymv.org for additional information.

ARTistic Pursuits - The Curriculum for CreativityThe ARTistic Pursuits approach to teaching art is a welcome departurefrom typical art instruction books. The award winning homeschool artprogram meets the specific needs of homeschoolers at home. ARTisticPursuits also offers books, art supplies and much more.www.artisticpursuits.com

StartWrite - The Handwriting Worksheet WizardHandwriting is an art and a physical skill that is essential to communi-cation, even in our electronic age. StartWrite offers parents handwrit-ing software for Windows and Mac that allows you to createcustomized handwriting worksheets. Start with a free trial and you’llbe hooked! www.startwrite.com

The Critical Thinking Co. - Empower the MindFor more than 50 years, our award-winning products have helped stu-dents of all ages and abilities achieve better grades and higher test

scores with highly effective lessons that sharpen the mind as theyteach standards-based reading, writing, mathematics, science, and his-tory. We do not use drill and memorization or teach to the tests —weempower the mind! Find core curriculum, downloads, free printables,demos articles and much more.www.criticalthinking.com

Bagaduce Music Lending LibraryBagaduce Music Lending Library was founded in 1983 to collect,preserve and lend printed music. Over 250,000 printed music titlesare available for rent and a recent study by library professionalsshowed that nearly half of the documents in the collection are notfound in anyof the four other major music libraries in the country. Youare invited to search the holdings online, become a member and bor-row music. If you have any questions, staff and volunteers are avail-able five days a week.www.bagaducemusic.org

Resources for Homeschoolers


800-933-PARK (7275) | www.virginiastateparks.gov |

Give students the gift of connecting classroom knowledge with real world situations. Allow them to make new discoveries and understand their world on a whole new level. Explore nature, history and culture with a park ranger or on your own!

Ranger led programs provide experientiallearning for the whole family. Outreachprograms are available in many locations. Contact us to find a park near you and arrange a visit.

Hands On Learning let nature be the teacher in a Virginia State Park

virginia field trips homeschool edition summer 2013

Documents

virginia field trips

homeschoolers page

virginia state parkspage

years of history

field tripsor group

dchomeschool summer

museum at540

interactive experience