F.O.P. / C.H.A.O.S Homeschoolers
Event & Field Trip Information

Master Calendar

PLEASE READ THIS
BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR ACTIVITIES!

This year, a number of people are planning activities of various kinds for our growing, informal network of families.  Please respect the event coordinator’s time by doing your best to find the information you need here before asking them.  We’ll try to post the information you need to have a successful, low-stress trip.  This page is “activity central”, and should explain most of what you need to know.  Bookmark it!

FIELD TRIP RULES

-- Directions:  We have posted links and/or addresses to help you figure out how to get to each event.  Sometimes  Mapquest can be helpful.  Event coordinators generally do not organize carpooling – you may want to arrange to go with a friend.

--For guided field trips, please plan to meet at the venue 15 minutes early, so we can get organized and begin promptly.  If you are not there, we will have to start without you.

--Please understand that often the event coordinator is putting out her own money up front for deposits, tickets, etc.  If your plans change and you cannot use your tickets, please understand that the event coordinator cannot buy them back or take on the task of finding someone to buy them. (You are welcome to use the FOP/CHAOS Yahoo group to find someone who can use them.)
However, if you can't use them, even at the last minute, please notify the event coordinator, for three reasons: 1) So that the group is not waiting for you, 2) In some cases there is a waiting list for tickets, and 3) You can donate the tickets to the event coordinator, who can pass them on to someone who, for financial reasons, otherwise would not have been able to attend.
(It is not always necessary for the actual tickets to change hands - talk to the event coordinator.)

--Please double-check your calendar before signing up for a trip, to make sure it fits your schedule.  Once tickets are ordered they cannot be “un-ordered”.

--Sometimes, there are unexpected problems with the event providers (snow, change of date, etc.)  In these cases we will do our best to keep you informed by emailing the FOP/CHAOS Yahoo group.  The event coordinator often cannot contact each person individually.  Please understand that the event coordinator can only refund money if and when the venue refunds money to her.

--In case of snow, please contact the event coordinator or the venue to see if the activity has been canceled.  Some events, like the Student Discovery Series, go on regardless of weather. If it is an outside event that is not canceled, please dress your kids for the weather. We will most likely use email to notify people in case of bad weather.  The event coordinator cannot refund your money if an event goes on and you can’t attend, so please take this into account when ordering tickets.

--Please mark field trip dates on your calendar – We probably won’t be sending out reminders.

--While on the trip, please keep in mind that we want the children to learn from the teacher.  Please don’t disturb the class with adult conversations, and remove fussy little ones until they are quiet.

"A good education for every child does not mean the same education for every child.  "

This Web Page by Pauline Harding for Art Nurk, askpauline@comcast.net
Contents of this page may not be copied.  Please ask for permission before use. 

Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival– See here for more info.

Penn Presents: Student Discovery Series/Dance Celebration – See here for more info.

FREE! à Dance Celebration Master Classes - See here for more info.

FREE! à  Pennsylvania Ballet Dress Rehearsals – See here for more info.

PA Homeschoolers Fall Testing in Brookhaven, using the Terra Nova, Oct. 26 2009. Testing of some sort is required for home educated kids in 3^rd, 5^th, and 8^th grades, and there are lots of ways to do it.  This is one that some F.O.P. members have used in the past.  See askpauline.com for details of the law’s requirements and other options.

Homeschooling co-op - A variety of activities for kids ages 10-14, based in Delaware County. Includes a math class for 7th/6th graders. Also unit studies, craft activities, board game days, Threadbanger Sewing Club, LEGO, field trips. contact Pauline.

Assorted general field trip ideas. Please schedule these on your own or with a few friends.

Hope Lodge - Whitemarsh Encampment. Meet reenactors portraying common soldiers, officers, camp followers, and sutlers of the American and British troops during the Revolutionary War. Step back in time as the grounds and 18th century barn are transformed into a Revolutionary War military encampment. Colonial crafts, activities, special tours, dirt redoubts, military skirmishes (Sat only), and drills await. Admission charged. FOP Brooke says "One of the best Colonial reenacting experiences we've been to is the Whitemarsh encampment, the first weekend of November near Germantown. All the things you're talking about doing as workshops, candle dipping, etc, we've done there, in a small local space with really GREAT acting and a fast program. We wouldn't miss it."

Sheep Shearing -- Typically in the spring
A demonstration of sheep shearing will be done for school groups and home schoolers who visit Hope Lodge. Come by to learn how sheep are shorn and wool is processed to make yarn for weaving and knitting. Living history stations including shearing, washing, dyeing, weaving, and spinning. Please contact Sarah Gallagher at 215-646-1595 or sargallagh@state.pa.us for more information or to register.

Philadelphia International Children's Festival -- at the University of Pennsylvania, in the spring. I suggest doing a show in the morning, then breaking for lunch and activities on the plaza, then doing another show. Or, you could go to just one show and the activities. The shows in the smaller venues will fill up fast. I will probably not do a group order for these tickets - please order on your own.

Meadowset Farm & Apiary -- These folks sell wool, dairy products, lamb (meat), and honey. They hold an annual sheepshearing day.

World War II Weekend - At the Midatlantic Air Museum in Reading. A weekend in June. A must-do, huge event for those interested in World War II and/or aviation.

FREE! à  The Hadley Memorial Fund – FREE events throughout the year.  No advance tickets needed – just show up! (Double check their web site first to be sure there haven't been any last-minute changes to the schedule.) (Driving Directions)

FREE! à  The Curtis Institute of Music – FREE evening concerts.  They also have free family concerts, typically on Sundays. See also their Curtis Institute Student Recital Series.

FREE! à  Martin Guitar Company Factory Tour – This is an awesome tour.  Be warned – you’ll want to buy a Martin!  Here are the  Map + Directions.

Brandywine Valley Association Classes – Held at the Myrick Conservation Center, located on Route 842, 6 miles west of West Chester, 3 miles east of Unionville.  (Directions)  In the past the BVA has offered several classes for homeschoolers from tots to teens. 

www.fieldtrip.com - This web site has a ton of information for field trip planning all over our local area. A must-see!

Tyler Arboretum – A number of field trips available, mostly at either preschool or about 4^th grade level.  About $5 per child (preschoolers & moms may tag along free).  Arrive 15 minutes early so the class can start promptly.  You may bring a picnic lunch and eat it in the picnic grove before or after class.  Dress appropriately for the weather – classes are outside.  You may not take anything from the arboretum (flowers, pine cones, sticks, etc.).  Directions:  Visiting Tyler

Colonial Plantation -- Very worthwhile programs.

Brandywine Battlefield -- Assorted colonial topics. You might enjoy reading The Riddle of Penncroft Farm before going. It is a historical fiction novel which takes place in our area and includes the Battle of Brandywine. It's a pretty engaging story and a fairly easy read.

Kimmel Center, Inc. > Visiting Artists Events. 

Ashland Nature Center – Directions:  Location - Ashland Nature Center

Conowingo Hydroelectric Plant – This looks like a great trip.

Philadelphia Museum of Art – Directions to the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Kimmel Center, Inc. > Subsidized Ticket Program –

Eastern State Penitentiary

The Barnes Foundation Art Museum–

You must see the Barnes before it moves. Call them for details on arranging a field trip. We found it's best to arrive early, so the tour can begin promptly.  There is a bathroom across from the bus drop-off area (ask a security guard to help you find it), so you can use the facilities before going in. Assemble the kids into pre-determined groups before entering the museum.  Moms who are not attending may wait at the nearby playground.  Exit the parking lot onto the side street, and turn left onto Latches Lane.  It dead-ends into the park. The Barnes Foundation - Directions – Do not follow the Mapquest directions- they are wrong.  (Ask me how I know…)
To prep for the trips, you may wish to go over these things:
 The Barnes Foundation - Kids Page – this series of pages introduces kids to what Dr. Barnes felt were the basic elements of art – color, line, light, shape, and space.
The Barnes Foundation - Biography of Barnes – a basic timeline of Barnes’ life.

Are We There Yet? is a great way to find field trip possibilities in our area.

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.  A must-see if you are studying ancient history.

Hawk Mountain –1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA  19529. 
The Visitor’s Center is worthwhile.  You can purchase a flight guide at the Visitor's Center for $3.50.  It helps you identify the birds you are seeing.  The trail guides are free and have a chart where the kids can keep a tally of what they see.  
Bring:  sturdy shoes that will support your ankles, binoculars if you have them (you can rent them for $5), layered clothes (it can be chilly at the lookout), something to sit on (folded towel, seat pad, extra sweatshirt), water, lunch, snacks, camera, sunscreen, hat. 
Don’t bring:  pets, radios, gameboys, cigarettes, beer, bikes, or horses.