Posted in General Information

Below is a list of my top 10 list (ok, I made it 11) list of fun field trip locations in Florida. 

1.  Sea Monsters: Fact or Fiction, St. Augustine, FL
April 4, 2006, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum
Is the Loch Ness Monster real? Are today's modern crocodiles related
to the dinosaurs? Through a series of education and craft stations set
up along the grounds of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, these
questions and more will be answered. Students will learn about some of
the creatures that roamed the prehistoric seas. Students will also
learn some of the present-day myths of creatures such as Loch Ness and
Champ. This new program put together by the museum's education
department concludes the 2005-06 Home School Days season. Cost is $3
per student and $1 per parent/chaperone; St. Johns County students and
parent/chaperones are free. If you have any questions, please contact
Paul Wenglowsky, director of maritime education for the museum, at
(904) 829-0745 or paulw@staugustinelighthouse.com.
Directions: The museum is on A1A, 1 mile south of the Bridge of Lions
or 2 miles north of SR 312 and A1A.


2.  Age of Discovery Home School Day, St. Augustine
Age of Discovery Home School Day, St. Augustine
March 14, 2006, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum
Why did Columbus cross the Atlantic? Was it in search of gold or silver? Who were some of the famous explorers who followed him?

Students will learn the answers to these questions during this new Home School Day program developed by the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum's' education department. Students learn about the voyages and travels of Christopher Columbus, James Cook, Juan Ponce de Leon, and Joliet and Marquette. They will also have the opportunity to see, touch and smell some of the items these explorers were in search of.

Students will also make their own astrolabe and quadrant to take home to reinforce their learning for the day. Admission is $3 for students, $1 for parents/chaperones, and free for students and parents/chaperones from St. Johns County. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Paul Wenglowsky, director of maritime
education, at (904) 829-0745 or paulw@staugustinelighthouse.com.

Directions: The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum is on A1A, 1 mile
south of the Bridge of Lions or 2 miles north of SR 312 and A1A.


3.  The first ever World's Fair for Kids will debut in Orlando April 15-23, 2006
in the new addition of the Orange County Convention Center covering 1 million
square feet.
The event promises to be one of the country most exciting interactive events for
you to enjoy with your family. Orlando World's Fair for Kids will feature experiential
activities to educate as well as entertain. Pavilions will highlight the latest developments in
sports, health, food, science and technology, communications, fashion, travel, learning,
toys and games.
Our entertainment line up includes, Raven, Jillian Wheeler, Billy Ray,
Christy Carlson Romano, Jump 5, Vitamin C, The Bellamy Brothers, Riders in the
Sky Trout Fishing in America, Everlife, The Big Comfy Couch, Bob the Builder, B5 and
Caillou.
Orlando World's Fair for Kids at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando,
FL
http://www.officialticketcenter.com/kidsfair.htm


4.  Historic Light Station Information & Photography

FLORIDA
ALLIGATOR REEF LIGHT
ALLIGATOR REEF LIGHTHOUSE;
AMELIA ISLAND LIGHT
AMELIA ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE;
AMERICAN SHOAL LIGHT
AMERICAN SHOAL LIGHTHOUSE;
ANCLOTE KEYS LIGHT
Original Lens: Third Order, Fresnel, 1887
ANCLOTE KEY LIGHTHOUSE;
CAPE FLORIDA LIGHT
Cape Florida Light Station;
CAPE ST. GEORGE LIGHT
1833 CAPE SAINT GEORGE LIGHT TOWER;
CAPE SAN BLAS LIGHT
1859 CAPE SAN BLAS LIGHT TOWER;
CARYSFORT REEF LIGHT
CARYSFORT REEF LIGHTHOUSE;
CEDAR KEYS (SEAHORSE KEY) LIGHT
CEDAR KEYS LIGHTHOUSE;
CHARLOTTE HARBOR LIGHT
CHARLOTTE HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE;
CROOKED RIVER (CARRABELLE) LIGHT
CROOKED RIVER LIGHTHOUSE;
DOG ISLAND LIGHT
DOG ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE;
DRY TORTUGAS (LOGGERHEAD KEY) LIGHT
DRY TORTUGAS LIGHTHOUSE;
EGMONT KEY LIGHT
EGMONT KEY LIGHT TOWER WITH LANTERN ROOM
FORT BARRANCAS RANGE LIGHTS (PENSACOLA)
FORT BARRANCAS REAR RANGE LIGHT;
FORT MCRAE RANGE LIGHTS (PENSACOLA)
FORT MCRAE RANGE LIGHT STATION;
FOWEY ROCKS LIGHT
FOWEY ROCKS LIGHTHOUSE
GARDEN KEY/TORTUGAS HARBOR (FORT JEFFERSON) LIGHT
GARDEN KEY (FORT JEFFERSON) LIGHTHOUSE;
GASPARILLA ISLAND (BOCA GRANDE) LIGHT
GASPARILLA ISLAND ENTRANCE REAR RANGE LIGHT;
HEN AND CHICKENS SHOAL LIGHT
HILLSBORO INLET LIGHT
HILLSBORO INLET LIGHTHOUSE;
JUPITER INLET LIGHT
JUPITER INLET LIGHT;
KEY WEST LIGHT
PRE-1894 KEY WEST LIGHT TOWER;
MOLASSES REEF LIGHT
MOLASSES REEF LIGHTHOUSE;
NORTHWEST PASSAGE LIGHT (KEY WEST)
NORTHWEST PASSAGE LIGHT;
PACIFIC REEF LIGHT
PACIFIC REEF LIGHTHOUSE;
PENSACOLA LIGHT
PENSACOLA LIGHTHOUSE;
PENSACOLA BAR BEACON
PENSACOLA BAR BEACON LIGHT;

5.  CRYSTAL RIVER STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
CRYSTAL RIVER is the largest Indian site on the Florida Gulf Coast and was occupied for 1,600 years (200 B.C. to A.D. 1400) by Florida tribes. The site was started by Indians of the Deptford culture.
The fourteen acre site contains two large temple mounds, one located on the Crystal River. There are also two stelae - carved limestones used by the Indians during the Weedon Island period (c. 400-500 A.D.) for ceremonial purposes. The large Plaza (flat plain) where the individual dwellings were located are surrounded by high middens, collections of refuge, and three burial mounds.
Visit:  http://www.floridahistory.org/crystal.htm

6.  Equestrian Program:
Hire-a-Pony is offering a four week course for homeschool kids
starting in January. They will be held once a week from 9-12.
The total cost is $95.00. Kids will be assigned their own horse, learn to
groom, saddle, and ride as well as other horse education.

They held one last year which was great fun. My daughter has been
going there for several years and has learned so much through taking
care of horses.

If you are interested call Armando Gort at (813)855-8992. The farm is
in Oldsmar.

7.  Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center
851 N. Maitland Ave.
Maitland, FL 32751-4461
Venue phone: (407) 628-0555
9am-4pm Mon-Thurs; 9am - 1pm Fri; 1pm - 4pm Sun (info updated as of 12/4/02)
Schedule of Events: http://www.orlandoweekly.com/calendar/clublist.asp?c=1036

8.  Morse Museum of American Art
Public Hours: 9:30am-4pm Tues-Sat; 1-4pm Sun
Add'l Friday hours; Sept - May; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.   
All free Fridays 4-8 pm, Sept-May

Admission: Adults $3, Students $1; Under 12 free;

(407) 645-5311; (407) 645-5324 for recorded information   
Location: Take the Winter Park exit off I-4 (Exit 87); Fairbanks Avenue; east to North Park Avenue; left for 4 traffic lights to the Museum; 445 North Park Avenue Winter Park; Florida 32789
www.morsemuseum.org/visitorinfo.html


9.  The Mennello Museum of American Folk Art
900 East Princeton Street, Orlando, Florida 32803
(407) 246-4278 (tel)
Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 5pm Sunday Noon - 5pm
Closed Major Holidays
$4 Adults, $3 Seniors (60+), $1 Students w/ ID
Free for Members and children under 12
http://www.mennellomuseum.com/

10.  "Crafting with a Purpose"
FOR: homeschoolers ages 6 & up
WHERE: Michaels in Oviedo, across from the mall
WHEN: 2nd/4th Thursdays 11:00-12:00 and 1:30-2:30 (subject to change).
COST: $3, to be paid at the door (subject to change).
INSTRUCTOR: Donna Grant a 16-year homeschool veteran.
RSVP: 8 per class quota.   407-971-9119

ALSO - ALL Michael's Stores have Kid's Club on Saturdays at 10 am for $2 per child.  Check your local store and sign-up ahead.

11.  The Silver Museum
The Silver Queen
1350 West Bay Dr
Largo, FL 33770
Valued at more than a quarter of a million dollars, the collection at
the Silver Museum includes more than 400 pieces of antique treasures
and collectibles in china, silver and crystal. It includes rare and
unusual pieces by historic designers, including Tiffany & Co., Georg
Jensen and Christofle. The museum even boasts a spoon personally
crafted by Paul Revere. For more information, call 727-581-6827.


If you have any other places that I did not list here, please feel free to email me your favorites and I'll add them too!!!