Jul. 1, 2009
Pre-1840s Rendezvous and Civil War Encampment at Tomlinson Run State Park (northern panhandle)
Experience history hands-on and in living color. Tomlinson Run State Park will be having a pre-1840s Rendezvous and a Civil War Encampment from July 15 - 19, 2009.
Information from the Tomlinson Run State Park Website:
July 15-19
Pre 1840’s Rendezvous and Civil War Encampment
Travel back in time to our authentic rendezvous and visit our Civil War encampment.
Contact: Tomlinson Run State Park 304-564-3651
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Jun. 21, 2009
Eastern Woodland Indians Summer Camp (near Fairmont, WV)
Prickett's Fort State Park will be holding an Eastern Woodland Indians Summer Camp for student in grades 6 - 12 from June 29 - July 1, 2009.
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the culture of the Eastern Woodland people who lived in West Virginia and surrounding states for hundreds of years.
Information from Prickett's Fort State Park Website:
June 29 – July 1
Eastern Woodland Indian Summer Camp
Prickett’s Fort State Park
Campers will learn about the culture of the Eastern Woodland Indians. Camp is 10 am – 4 pm; on the third day, campers spend the night. Open to students in grades 6 – 12. $100 fee.
Free to students in GEAR-UP schools completing grades 9 or 10.
Call to register 304-363-3030 |
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Jun. 15, 2009
West Virginia Birthday Parties Around the State - Check for Your Location
Our beautiful state of West Virginia is having its 146th birthday in less than two weeks, and many of our scenic state parks are throwing a party! Have some fun, celebrate the state, and learn state history and geography while you're at it.
Prickett's Fort State Park:
June 20
West Virginia Day
Prickett’s Fort State Park
On June 20, 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state to enter the Union. Come and celebrate West Virginia Statehood with $1 park admission and free birthday cake and lemonade.
Contact: info@prickettsfort.org, 304-363-3030
Tygart Lake State Park:
Happy Birthday West Virginia! Tygart Lake is having a party, June 20, 2009 It's Free for the whole family!
Garry Boothe: Magician and Balloon Artist
4:00 PM at the Park Office/Recreation Hall.
Garry Boothe is a magician and children's entertainer, and performs magic and balloon art with a twist. A Great Family Entertainer! Bring your chairs and blankets. A concession sale (hotdogs, chips, beverages, and more) on site. After the show, Birthday cake for everyone.
Stepping Stone
Stay and enjoy live music, from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. Top quality, variety music! A father and son duo! From north central West Virginia! Features a family oriented band, appealing to all ages.
If it's a rainy night we will have Garry Boothe and Stepping Stone at the Lodge.
Contact: Tygart Lake State Park, 304-265-6144
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Jun. 8, 2009
Youth Fishing Derby at Tygart Lake State Park (near Grafton, WV - Taylor County)
Kids of all ages will have a blast at Tygart Lake's Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 13, 2009.
If you've never been to a fishing derby (or fishing rodeo), you're going to love it! The kids spend the morning fishing and then win prizes for biggest fish, most fish caught, longest fish, youngest angler, and more. In my experience, many many door prizes are also awarded so that virtually every child can take home a prize.
Information from the Tygart Lake State Park Website:
June 13, 2009 Youth Fishing Derby
Bring the kids! Begins at 7 am. All participants receive a certificate. Details posted online.
- Free Fishing Day – no fishing license required for anyone.
[June 13 and 14 is the 20th year for free fishing days in West Virginia]
- Bank Fishing Only – no boats allowed.
- Adults Welcome – bring your children; you may fish for free also.
- Four Age Divisions – 7 years old & younger; 8 to 10; 11 to 14; & 15 to 18 years old.
- Prizes!! 1st thru 5th place in each age division plus certificates.
- Misc: Fishing-guys-&-gals responsible for their own equipment and bait.
Power bait NOT allowed.
Children must be accompanied by an adult or guardian.
- Food & Drink: A concession stand will be on site throughout the day.
- Questions about Tygart Lake Fishing Derby?
Contact Sherri Dowling at (304) 265-6148 or tygartnaturalist@wvdnr.gov
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Jun. 5, 2009
Free Fishing Days!
It's time for some outdoor learning and summer FUN with West Virginia's annual Free Fishing Days!
Next weekend, June 13 and 14, WV residents can fish in any public waters without purchasing a license. This is a great opportunity for children and adults alike.
You can find public fishing waters near you with the WV Wildlife Resources' Public Fishing Areas tool. Or check out the Favorite Fishing Areas page to see where your favorite type of fish can be caught.
Have fun - and if you decide to cook and eat your fish, let me know! I'd love to post photos from your family's fun day of fishing here on the WV Blog. |
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Jun. 1, 2009
National Trails Day at Hawk's Nest State Park (near Anstead, WV)
How do you combine physical education, botany, and history with a big dose of fresh air and some community service? At Hawk's Nest's National Trails Day!
On June 6 beginning at 9am, Hawk's Nest State Park will host a nature hike on the Rail Trail - an easy-to-walk, almost 2-mile trail with gorgeous waterfall views.
Information from the Hawk's Nest State Park Website:
June 6
National Trails Day
Hawks Nest State Park
Event Time: 9 AM
Event Direction: Hawks Nest Rail Trail is located just off RT 60, Ansted, WV. Access to trail is by way of River Road. This is the newest trail that is shouldering our boundary and completes it travels near the park Nature Center. The 1.9 mile (one way) trail is an easy walking, gravel trail featuring two trestles and waterfall vantage points. This trail can be a circle trail using the River Road (minor vehicle traffic) or by connecting a lift on the tramway. No trail fee, tramway requires ticket purchase. No food will be provided. Box lunch can be purchased from dining room.
Event Description: This event will consist of a nature hike on the Hawks Nest Rail Trail to discover the plant life (herbaceous and woody) and learn some of Hawks Nest history during the hike. We will also do some minimal litter pickup as we hike along the trail. This will consist of only papers and other small item, trash bags will be provided for those wishing to participate. Hikers should come prepared for rain and wear comfortable hiking shoes. No food or drinks will be provided. Meet at the Main Trail Head on the Hawks Nest River Road.
Contact: willagrafton@wvdnr.gov – 304-658-5212
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May. 25, 2009
Birds of Prey Educational Program - various locations Statewide
The Three Rivers Avian Center (TRAC) will host its Birds of Prey Educational Program at various locations around the state this summer.
Event summary:
What bird says ‘who cooks for me, who cooks for you all?’ Don’t know! Come to the Birds of Prey Educational Program featuring live birds of prey native to West Virginia. Raptors including hawks and owls are part of this program. Learn about their habitat, diet and behaviors; most comment causes of injury. Open to the public. No charge to attend. Great family activity.
The event will be held at these locations:
June 12 - Twin Falls Resort State Park 304-294-4000
June 19 - Bluestone State Park 304-466-2805
June 20 - Watoga State Park 304-799-4087
July 7, 8pm - Pipestem Resort State Park 304-466-1800
July 11 - Hawk's Nest State Park 304-658-5212
July 13 - Greenbriar State Forest 304-536-1944
July 17 - Blackwater Falls State Park 304-259-5216
July 18 - Holly River State Park 304-493-6553
July 24 - Cedar Creek State Park 304-462-8517
July 25, 8pm - Beech Fork State Park 304-528-5794
Contact the park for details about time and specific location. I'll post the locations of Birds of Prey from August onward at a later date. |
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May. 20, 2009
Photography Workshop at Tygart Lake State Park (near Grafton, WV - Taylor County)
May. 10, 2009
Top of the State Show at Tomlinson Run State Park (northern panhandle)
Learn about automobile and farming history at Tomlinson Run State Park's Top of the State Show on Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 10am - 5pm.
The event will feature antique and classic cars, farm tractors, as well as crafts and games.
Information from the Tomlinson Run State Park Website:
May 16
Top of the State Show – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Antiques, classic, custom vehicles, crafts, games, raffles and food. Tractor and tractor games.
Admission: $1 per person
Contact: Tomlinson Run State Park 304-564-3651
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May. 8, 2009
Mountain Festival - Bluefield, WV
Homeschoolers can enjoy music and their West Virginian heritage at Bluefield's Mountain Festival May 19-25, 2009.
Information from the Mercer County Convention and Visitor's Bureau:
The Miss Mountain Festival Pageant will be held on Tuesday May 19. The Kingsmen Quartet, Christ Incorporated and The Neals will perform gospel music on Thursday May 21 at the Bluefield Auditorium. The City of Bluefield will present the country music group Taylor Made on Friday May 22 and The American Cancer Society will sponsor The Collegians on Saturday May 23, both at the auditorium. Other activities will include the James H. Drew Carnival, Magic by Chaz, fireworks, a bike race, Eudora Farms Exotic Petting Zoo and much more! Fun for the entire family. For information: (304) 327-7184 or visit www.bluefieldchamber.com.
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Apr. 7, 2009
Hike at Harpers Ferry, WV
All homeschoolers are invited to join the Western Maryland Homeschool Association for a hike to Harpers Ferry, WV, on April 9.
Hikers will meet at Boonsboro, Maryland, at the Thompson Gas Co. on Route 40 at 11:00am. After traveling to the beginning of the hiking area, the group will hike for two to three miles along the C&O Canal. They'll tour the Civil War area of Harpers Ferry and have lunch together in the afternoon.
Anyone interested in joining the hike can contact Pebs at 301-582-0716 or via email. |
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Apr. 2, 2009
High School Guidance Seminar
High School Guidance & 6 Thinking Hats Seminar
WHEN -
April 4 from 10-1pm
WHERE -
Full Circle Theater Co
113 Princess St, corner of New and Princess
Shepherdstown, WV
SPEAKERS -
Manfred Smith & Nancy Stempel
COST -
Pre-register for
$5 for The Learning Community International Members
$10 for non members
At the door for
$10 for The Learning Community International Members
$15 for non members
TO PRE REGISTER -
Contact Lise Sade
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Mar. 5, 2009
Invitation to Eastern Panhandle WV Homeschoolers
For all the Eastern Panhandle Homeschoolers:
The Hagerstown H.E.A.R.T.S Group has disbanded and would like to invite all folks from there to the Western Maryland H.E.A.R.T.S. Group. The link for it is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/westernmdhomeschoolhearts/?yguid=188090558
H.E.A.R.T.S. stands for Homeschoolers Educationg, Assisting, and Reaching out Through service. It is a program that encourages homeschoolers to reach out and get involved in their community and
beyond to make a difference. Its purpose is to bring together a huge diverse group of homeschoolers into community projects and create public awareness.
H.E.A.R.T.S. was begun in New Jersey by a homeschooling mom named Michele Pulis. It is now a national program.
This group is for homeschoolers in the Western Maryland area (Boonesboro, Cumberland, Fairplay, Frostburg, Hagerstown, Smithsburg, Williamsport, Fenzil, Flintstone, Oldtown, Oakland, Barton, Lonaconing, Westernport, or any where in Western Maryland ) as well as the outlying areas in WV, (Martinsburg, Sheperdstown, Falling Waters, Ridgely, Keyser, Wiley Ford, Romeny, etc.) and PA (Centerville, Bedford, Mann's Choice, etc). This group is where we will be posting all activities.
We will be following the national H.E.A.R.T.S. themes :
January/February: Valentines
March/April: Handmade Blankets
May/June: Food
July/August: School Supplies
September: Winter Warmth
October/November: Holiday Gifts
December: Holiday Cards
We also have special projects for some of the themes.
The National H.E.A.R.T.S. website is at :
http://www.H-E-A-R-T-S.org
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Feb. 25, 2009
Auditions for "Willy Wonka, Jr."
Young aspiring actors and actresses have an opportunity to audition for the production "Willy Wonka, Jr." at Fairmont State University in Fairmont, West Virginia. Performances of the play will be held on June 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, and 20.
Auditions will be held Sunday, March 20 from 4 to 6pm and 6:30 to 8pm and again on Monday, March 30 from 5 to 7pm.
Any children aged seven through high school seniors are welcome to audition. You must prepare an "up tempo song," and an accompanist will be provided.
To schedule an audition, contact Susan Bailey at 304-367-4203 |
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Feb. 20, 2009
Smithsonian Traveling Museum
Feb. 18, 2009
Eastern Panhandle Homeschool Conference
he Second Annual Eastern Panhandle Homeschool Conference will be held June 6, 2009.
The exhibit hall will be open from 9:30am to 6:00pm. Registration is $25 and will give access to learning and encouraging sessions, a catered lunch, and the opportunity to browse through the vendor hall. This one day conference will feature resourceful vendors and speakers who can encourage and inform area homeschoolers.
The conference will be held at Covenant Church located on Route 230 just one mile outside of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, which is conveniently located in the Eastern Panhandle with easy access to Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and of course West Virginia.
The mission of the Eastern Panhandle Homeschool Conference (EPHSC) is to support and encourage high quality Christian home education in West Virginia's eastern panhandle and surrounding areas by providing educational and informational sessions and an opportunity to review and discuss resources and materials developed for the purpose of home education and strengthening families. The EPHSC will bridge the gap that Christian home educators in this area have by providing the sessions and resouces in a location convenient to this region.
For more information, visit the EPHSC website. Here you'll find updates on vendors, sessions topics, and speakers. You can also register for the conference through the website. |
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Feb. 2, 2009
Sports Opportunities for Homeschoolers
Many children enjoy participating in organized sports, and homeschooled kids are no exception. A common question for new homeschoolers, especially those coming out of the public school setting, is "Can I still play sports on the public school teams?"
West Virginia state law does not allow homeschooled students to participate in extracurricular sports or activities organized by public schools. Information about attempts to challenge the law between 2002 and 2006 can be found at Home School Legal Defense Association and West Virginia Home Education Association.
Opportunities for sports participation abound outside of the teams organized by public schools. Baseball, basketball, football, soccer, tennis, and nearly every other sport can be found throughout West Virginia.
- Basketball
- Upward - also offers Soccer and Football in some areas
For football, tennis, and other sports, contact your local community or recreation center. Most leagues hold sign-ups at these facilities even if their games and practices aren't held there. Your local rec center can probably give contact information for the organizers of all youth sports in your area. |
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Jan. 9, 2009
New Requirement for Students Taking the WESTEST
Homeschooled Students Taking WESTEST 2 This Year Will Have Two Assessments to Take
Students in grades 3-11 in West Virginia's PUBLIC SCHOOLS will be taking a new state assessment-the WESTEST 2-this year.
In addition to the subtests in reading/language arts, math, science, and social studies taken during the week of May 18, students must also participate in the Online Writing assessment, administered in March and April according to a student's grade level.
Students' Online Writing score is combined with their reading/language arts score.
For parents of homeschooled students, this means that students must participate in the Online Writing assessment or they will NOT be permitted to take the remainder of the WESTEST 2 assessment.
Information for Cabell County students:
Cabell County parents who want their homeschooled child to participate in the WESTEST 2 assessment, must contact Clara Eastham, secretary to Sherri Woods, Director of Student Support Services for Cabell Schools, no later than Friday, January 30.
Mrs. Woods may be reached at 304/528-5206 or 5207, or via email at ceastham@access.k12.wv.us.
Home-schooled students will take the WESTEST 2 assessment at the public school where they reside.
http://boe.cabe.k12.wv.us/newsdetail.php?article=899
If you further information about this in your county, please contact me and I will share this information with all of our readers. |
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Dec. 12, 2008
Meteor Shower
Have some fun "live astronomy studies" tomorrow night!
Space Weather News for Dec. 12, 2008
http://spaceweather.com
WEEKEND METEORS: Earth is entering a stream of debris from extinct comet 3200 Phaethon, and this is causing the annual Geminid meteor shower. The shower is expected to peak on Dec. 13th and 14th. Normally, as many as 100 meteors per hour shoot out of the constellation Gemini, but this year a bright Moon will interfere with the display, reducing hourly counts to only 20 or so. That could still be a nice show. For best results, watch the sky from 10 pm local time on Saturday night (Dec 13th) until dawn on Sunday morning (Dec. 14th).
BIGGEST FULL MOON OF THE YEAR: The Moon that's causing trouble for the Geminid display happens to be biggest full Moon of 2008, as much as 14% wider and 30% brighter than lesser Moons we've seen earlier this year. An astronomer would say this is a "perigee Moon" because it occurs at perigee, the side of the Moon's elliptical orbit closest to Earth. Go outside tonight and take a look. The meteor rate may be low, but the lunar beauty index is off the charts. |
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Dec. 3, 2008
FREE Skiing at Canaan Valley Resort State Park
FREE Skiing at Canaan Valley Resort State Park Dec. 11
37th Anniversary specials offered throughout opening weekend
Davis, WV - Canaan Valley Resort in Davis, West Virginia, celebrates 37 years of skiing with free opening day skiing on Thursday, Dec. 11, from noon to 4:30 p.m. Enjoy the convenience of rentals on site with $20 ski and $30 snowboard rentals or bring your own and take advantage of free lift tickets for the whole family. The ski area will formally open for the season with normal operating hours on Friday, Dec. 12 at 8:30 a.m.
"With the fantastic weather conditions we've been experiencing, we've got, literally, tons of powder just waiting to be skied," said David Bostic, general manager of Canaan Valley Resort. "Additionally, guests can stay at the resort for $37 per night December 11-13. A free day of skiing and special room rates makes Canaan Valley Resort the ultimate destination for an affordable winter getaway for the entire family."
Throughout opening weekend (Dec. 12-14), lift ticket rates are $20 per person for a full day. For those renting skis or snowboards, the combined lift ticket and rental cost is $37 and $47, respectively. The resort plans to open the multi-lane Tube Park on Friday, Dec. 12, and the property's ice skating rink and cross-country ski and snowshoeing trails are already open.
Canaan Valley Resort was recently named by readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine as their favorite ski resort in the Mid-Atlantic and it was ranked as one of Men's Journal Magazine's top 10 ski towns in the nation in 2005. For additional information or reservations, contact Canaan Valley Resort at 800-622-4121 or visit the West Virginia State Parks Web site and click on Canaan Valley or the Calendar of Events for special events and packages at Canaan Valley and all West Virginia State Parks. |
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