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LOCAL LEARNING OPPERTUNITIES

Learn American Sign Language. Classes taught locally by Christi McGee, who has a degree in ASL Interpreting. (863) 381-6188.

Archbold Biological Station - Lake Placid, FL
Phone: (863) 465-2571
is a non-profit research facility devoted to long-term ecological research on native plants and animals of central Florida. Archbold Biological Station is located far from city lights, so it also makes a wonderful place for families to enjoy star-gazing! Click on this link to learn more about evening programs offered by local astronomer Kye Ewing.

Children's Museum of the Highlands - Sebring, FL
Phone: (863) 385-5437
Hands-on museum for children ages 1-12. Discovery camp classes offered periodically during the school year and all summer long.

Create your own Fossil Expedition!
Search for fossils in Florida’s creek and river beds! Many fossil clubs around Florida offer digs for interested families; click on this link to find a club with meetings that fit your schedule. Or you can hire a guide to take your family on a fossil hunt right here in south central Florida.

Heartland Horses for the Handicapped, Inc. - Avon Park, FL
Phone: (863) 452-0006

Henscratch Farms - Lake Placid, FL
Phone: (863) 699-2060
Great fun for the whole family! You can tour the vineyards, pick your own berries, feed the hens that range freely under the vineyard canopy, and buy fresh eggs from the country store on the farm.

Highlands Art League - Sebring, FL
Phone: (863) 385-5312
Children’s art classes offered all year long.

Highlands Hammock State Park - Sebring, FL
One of Florida’s oldest parks, Highlands Hammock offers nature trails, tours and educational programs right in our backyard!

Highlands Little Theater - Sebring, FL
Phone: (863) 382-2525
Highlands Little Theater has occasional callings for children’s roles in productions.

Moore Performing Arts

SFCC Museum of Florida Art and Culture

SFCC Performing Arts

The Sebring Historical Society - Sebring, FL
Phone: (863) 471-2522
Learn more about the history of the Sebring area!  The Sebring Historical Society protects, preserves and shares records, photographs and stories of people, events and customs of the history of Sebring and Highlands County.

 

OTHER GREAT ACTIVITIES

Just Read, Florida! The Florida Department of Education strongly encourages families to read together during summer vacation.  They sponsor the "Just Read, Florida!" program, and also provide a recommended list of books for summer reading.  Click on this link to see what interesting titles they suggest for elementary, middle and high school students this year.

Book Clubs - Get a group of similar aged friends together this summer and form a book club. School web sites often list AR Listings and can help parents get an idea of appropriate level books. Meet every 2 weeks to discuss your book and perhaps do a project that ties into what you have read (treasure hunt, artwork, cooking projects, etc.).

Encourage your child to write a summer journal. It makes a great keepsake and helps to develop writing skills.

 

EASY TO DO ACTIVITIES

• “Research” and cook a meal from another country or another period in history. Have children plan a menu and help prepare the food. Invite a neighbor!
• Keep a nature journal. Encourage your child to write about what he/she sees, draw or take pictures of what he/she finds interesting.
• Volunteer as a family for the Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, etc.
• Do an arts and crafts project at home! Look for ideas at: http://familyfun.go.com/
• Have your child take music or voice lessons this summer. Teachers can be located through the phone book, word of mouth, or music store postings.
• Go to the library and check out an art book. Ask your child to pick his/her favorite artist and try to make a creation that is his/her interpretation of their style.
• Give your kids the video camera and let them “make” a movie. Use friends as actors in clever disguises! Plan your story plot and cast before filming to help keep them on track. Let them act out a scene from their favorite book. Show your production to relatives and friends while eating popcorn!