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, ages 7-14.  

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. 

Overnight accommodations and meals are available for families who want to stay for both days of each session. Parents may attend as chaperones, or drop off children (drop-offs only for children 9 or older).

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

DAILY SCHEDULE:

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

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

SESSION TOPICS:

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

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

Herpetology class, Boti Trail hike, reptile habitat, Frogwatch blass, campfire and The Lorax play, radio tracking class, turtle tracking hike, Creekside Trail hike to Turtle Rocks

Lodging: Stay in a private room in one of ONSC's lodges. Purchase lodging below and see descriptions and pictures of our facilities here: www.onsc.us/facilities

Meals: ONSC is pleased to accommodate food allergies and dietary preferences

Instructors: Learn more about ONSC's Teacher Naturalists