From the Inbox: - Nov 10-13 (Fall Camp for Homeschooling Families (San Bernardino Mtns)

There is still space for your family at this fall's Camp for Homeschooling Families at Camp de Benneville Pines in the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear.


For the past 6 years, homeschooling families have gathered 2 or 3 times a year for a
week at camp. We've made new friends, and connected with families from all over
California, Arizona and Nevada.




The next camp will be
Monday, November 10 - Thursday, November 13, 2008

During the week, camp activities are offered: crafts, tie dying, archery, hiking, a photo safari,
karaoke, a talent show. We'll also have several special activities planned.

Donna Schrokosch of the Hawthorne Center for Innovation http://www.hawcenter.org/
will be our special Guest Instructor one morning. She will teach us how to use the open source
(free) 3D animation & CAD program http://www.blender.org/ Blender

Download the program at home, then bring your laptop to learn how to make animated
movies, design your next house and more.

We'll also visit our local organic apple orchard http://www.stetsoncreekranch.com/
picking the yummy MacIntosh and Rome apples.

When we return to camp, we'll make pies and applesauce from our booty. This local orchard
is over 100 years old. We'll have a chance to visit with the goats, walk around the pond
and listen to Patti, the owner tell the history of the ranch. It's a wonderful opportunity to
see a sustainably-run farm---and to enjoy the delicious apples we pick ourselves!

The camp facility is located at 6'800 feet, within walking distance of Jenks Lake in a forest of towering pines, oak and cedar. You'll experience the crisp fall air and see the changing of the leaves.

Our cabins are comfortable, if rustic, with heat and bathrooms complete with hot showers.
The food is delicious, with vegetarian and vegan options available if requested with your registration.



To learn more and to register
please click the link:
Flier & Registration Form
http://www.debenneville.org/homeschooling_families/FlierRegHomeschoolNo\
v08.pdf

We hope your family will join us!


Caroline Quintanilla
Camp de Benneville Pines
909-794-2928
909-725-2787
caroline@uucamp.org

Field Trip - History, Culture

I got this off of a board I'm a member of so I thought I would share:

Little Tokyo Walking Tour - December 27

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Found this while looking through Sushi&Sake Magazine (pg 6)

Little Tokyo was once a thriving residential business and cultural center of one of the largest Japanese American Community in the U.S. until World War II. On Saturday, December 27, relive history and learn about present-day Little Tokyo with National Museum docents on this historic walking tour. Reservations, along with comfortable clothes and walking shoes are recommended. The fee is $8 for National Museum members, and $13 for non-members, which includes Museum admission. Weather permitting, meet at the National Museum on First and Central at 10:15 a.m. The tour concludes at 12: 15 p.m. (213) 625-0414

Field Trips: Riley's Farm - Oak Glen, CA

I feel that we are so fortunate to live in California. There are so many possible field trips to go to and they appeal to such a variety of interests and ages.

One place you may want to check out is Riley's Farm located in Oak Glen.

Here is a bit of information on what could be a great family or group trip:

Now you can explore with us the domestic, agricultural, and cultural heritage of Colonial America with
“hands on” demonstrations of

17th & 18th Century Children’s Games
Cheese Making
Butter Making
Feather Quill & Ink Calligraphy
Cider Pressing
Weaving
Bread Baking
Etiquette
Colonial “Fire Bucket Brigade!”
Candle Making
Caramel Apple Dipping
Calico Fabric Stamping

(Each tour will include at least 8 of the above activities at our discretion)

All staff will be wearing authentic 17th or 18th century attire.


General Information
This tour is two hours in length.

We consider this program appropriate for young and old, and we vary our presentation according to age group.

This tour includes one free hot dipped caramel apple for each participant. Call 909-797-7534 or visit

To book your passage!
(Summer Guests MUST reserve ahead)

$9.00 Per Person (Groups of 30 or More)
$10.50 Per Person for individuals and groups of less than 30 People. This is not a "walk-on" tour; please call 909-790-TIME to make a reservation or use the reservation link.

(One free adult for every 15 students, 30 person minimum)
Smaller groups and families may book on days when other groups are present, so please call for a reservation.)

Schools and Groups of 30 or more
($9.00 Per Person, Includes Caramel Apple)

Book your reservation by signing the
RILEY'S FARM ADVENTURE TOUR GUEST BOOK

Individual and Family Reservations
($10.50 Per Person, Includes Caramel Apple)
(**You Must Confirm Date & Time FIRST
at 909-790-TIME)

Freebie: Acton: Animal Acres

They have a free tour on Sundays. Learning about animals is a great and fun homeschooling activity. Also this tour would fit nicely in a unit - Read non-fiction and fiction books about animals, watch a video about an animal, the child can draw their favorite animal or even write a story about an animal. You can create a vocabulary list having to do with animal, talk about various careers involving animals. Look for the opportunities to learn each day and soon you will find out you don't have to look. Learning will be living.

This was taken from their homepage:

Animal Acres is a farmed animal sanctuary and compassionate living center located just 45 minutes from Los Angeles.

Animal Acres works to promote compassionate living through its farmed animal rescue and refuge efforts, public education and outreach, and advocacy projects to prevent cruelty to farmed animals. Since we opened our doors in 2005, thousands of people have visited the sanctuary and learned that farmed animals need protection, and love, too.

Animal Acres is "Home Sweet Home" to rescued cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, sheep, goats, and other "country critters. We invite YOU to become a member of our sanctuary family too! Members contributing $25 or more annually receive our quarterly newsletter and FREE ADMISSION TO SUNDAY TOURS so you can visit your farmed animal friends as much as you’d like. An Animal Acres membership is the best way to keep our doors open to needy animals, and educate your friends and family about compassionate living choices.

You can be a part of Animal Acres by:

Pitching in for our daily farm chores. Volunteers are needed every day of the week to help us clean barns.
Feeding and caring for a rescued farmed animal through our Adopt-a-Farmed Animal Project. Your sponsorship saves lives.
Bringing your friends and family to Animal Acres — public tours are held every Sunday. Our beautiful sanctuary is also available for weddings, birthday parties, and other special events.
Having a barn stall in your name by becoming a member of our Gandhi Society, the Animal Acres distinct donor club.
Teaching children to be kind to all animals by bringing your school or youth group to Animal Acres for a fun and educational learning experience.
Placing our banner on your web site to let others know about L.A.’s new farmed animal sanctuary and compassionate living center (click here for details).