Homeschool Happenings at ONSC

Join us for afternoon programs from mid-September to mid-October. These sessions are designed for homeschoolers and other students with alternate/flexible schedules.

Class Overview: Afternoon sessions from 1:30-5:00pm with optional night programs and overnight lodging. Our classes are primarily geared to 4th-8th grade curriculum, but can be modified for younger students. You may sign up for some or all. Sessions are arranged as 2-day topics, but it’s okay to attend just one if that works best for your schedule. 

Age Range: 7-14 years old; Parents may attend as chaperones, or drop off children (drop-offs only for children 9 or older). Parent or chaperone must be present for student to stay overnight.

Location: Ozark Natural Science Center, 1905 Madison 1305, Huntsville, AR 72740

Lodging: Optional overnight accommodations are available for families who want to stay for both days of each session. Stay in a private room in one of ONSC's lodges (tickets below). Parent or chaperone must be present for students to stay overnight. See descriptions and pictures of our facilities here: www.onsc.us/facilities

Meals: Optional meals are available for families who want to stay for both days of each session. ONSC is pleased to accommodate food allergies and dietary preferences.

Instructors: Learn more about ONSC's Teacher Naturalists and staff.

Frequently Asked Questions: Click here for a list of FAQs about our Homeschool Happenings!

Schedule: Sept 17 and 18: Water Scouts

Aquatic ecology, creek critters, creekside trail hike, water testing, frog watch class, The Incredible Journey game, big smith trail hike, watershed lesson

Day 1  

1:00-1:30 Arrival and Move-in (if staying overnight)

1:30-2:30 Class

2:30-3:00 Field Group Orientation

3:00 Field Investigation (snack on trail)

5:00 Restrooms, Tick Check

Optional Night Programming:

5:30-6:15 Dinner

6:30 Class or Nature Game, Activity, or Craft

7:30 Campfire and activities

8:30-9:15 Night Hike

Optional Overnight Lodging

Day 2  

7:30-8:15 Optional Breakfast

8:30-12:00 Independent Lessons and Exploration - parent or chaperone must be present

12:30-1:15 Optional Lunch

1:30-2:30 Class

2:30-3:00 Field Group Orientation

3:00 Field Investigation (snack on trail)

5:00 Restrooms, Tick Check

UPCOMING SESSION TOPICS:

Sept 20 and 21: Geo-Explorers

Geology class, geography lessons, Boti trail hike, astronomy, discovery of the specimens class and/or climate class, bluff trail hike, rock testing

 

Sept 24 and 25: Budding Botanists

Botany class, reverse boti trail hike, trees and wildflowers, plant pressing, leaf and flower craft, pollinator class, Rookard/old farm loop trail hike, wild edible plants

Sept 27 and 28: Biodiversity Blast - Bugs & Birds

Entomology class, conifers trail hike, food chains/web, phenology, seasonal changes, blacklight entomology evening activity, ornithology class, bluff trail hike, insect and bird identification

Oct 1 and  2: Astro-Adventurers

Astronomy class, solar system hike, telescope time, lunar cycles class, boti trail and wishing rock hike, seasons/weather/clouds exploration

Oct 4 and 5: Journey Through Time

History theme, botany class (focus on historic use of plants), bluff trail hike, Osage/native american history, astronomy evening activity (stories from many different cultures), climate change class, Rookard House and/or Yarborough Cabin hike, settler history

Oct 8 and 9: The Cycle of Life

Fall changes, decomposers, mushrooms, breaking it down class, symbiosis, mushroom hunting, night hike with UV lights, entomology and/or discovery of the specmens class, big smith trail hike, fall leaves and colors

Oct 11 and 12: Herps Galore: Frogs, Turtles, and Snakes - 

*SPECIAL EXTENDED SCHEDULE*

Herpetology class, boti trail hike, reptile habitat, frogwatch class, campfire and the Lorax play, radio tracking class, turtle tracking hike, creekside trail hike to turtle rocks

Day 1

1:00-1:30 Arrival and Lodge Move-in

1:30-2:30 Herpetology Class

2:30-3:00 Field Group Orientation

3:00 Field Investigation - Reverse Boti Trail (Reptile habitats, Food Chains/Webs) (snack on trail)

5:00 Restrooms, Tick Check

5:30-6:15 Dinner

6:30 Frogwatch Class

7:30 Campfire and The Lorax play

8:30-9:15 Night Hike (Including pond exploration)

Day 2  

7:30-8:15 Breakfast

8:30-9:30 Radio Tracking class

9:30-11:30 Turtle Tracking hike

11:30-12:30 Restrooms, Tick check, Store time

12:30-1:15 Lunch

1:30 Field Investigation - Creekside to Turtle Rocks & back

4:00 Restrooms, Tick Check

4:15 Group Photo & Departure