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Programs 2009-2010

Whitestone Farm Canning Project in Pickens County,
July 22nd, 9:45 to 1:00, $15.00 per person ($10.00 for Members!),
FREE for Forest level members!

Join us as we return to Whitestone Farm in Pickens County for a lesson in canning. This is a tried-and-true method of food preservation... and it's fun!

Whitestone is a USDA certified organic farm located 1 hour north of Atlanta, in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains. Come escape the city heat as we visit this beautiful farm. We will be canning and/or pickling whatever produce is being harvested at the time....cabbage? greens? cucumbers? tomatoes? We'll know more later this month. Regardless, it's going to be an exciting hands-on adventure!

 

Fire By Friction with Russell Cutts at Whitestone Farm in Pickens County,
September 10th,9:45 to 2:00, $15.00 per person ($10.00 for Members!),
FREE for Forest level members!

Come learn abut fire! Russell will tell you everything you've ever wanted to know about fire... how to make it, the role its played throughout history, and its importance today. And you'll get to make your own fire by friction! You will meet few people who know more about fire than Russell. Come join us for this exciting program!

This program will be best enjoyed by kids aged 11 and older.

Please bring yor lunch. If you would like for Whitestone Farm to make lunch for you, you can directly contact them for details. There will be an additional fee, but it will be woth it! You may call them at 706.253.3775

 

Come Climb With Us! in Atlanta with Tree Climbers International,
September 22nd, 12:45 to 3:00, $30.00 per person ($25.00 for Members!),
FREE for Forest level members!
POSTPONED TO OCTOBER

The Tree Climbers International Beginners' Climb is meant for the person with no tree climbing skills. We make it safe and easy! You will love the "Peter Pan" effect of floating on air while suspended from a rope! All equipment is supplied; all you need is loose clothing (T-shirt and long pants recommended), light shoes (closed-toe preferable), and some extra energy.

 

City Chick: Learn All About Chickens, How to Raise Them, and More! in Atlanta,
September 23rd, 10:00 to 1:00, (time may change...check back for updates) $15.00 per person ($10.00 for Members!),
FREE for Forest level members!

This program is being hosted by both Homeschool Excursions and Wind, Water, and Wisdom. The class will be taught by Sure Foot Adventures.

We will tour several backyard chicken coops while we learn about basic chicken anatomy, how to build a coop, everyday care of chickens, raising chicks, and the use of chicken products. See the difference between store-bought, pluked roaster chicken, and a live chicken. Learn about predators, pests, brooding, molting, flight and wing clipping, and seasonal differences. By the end of the day, you'll be a chicken expert!

This program does include a tour of various coops in the Decatur area. These include the Oakhurst Community Garden, the Kramer-Dickie Family coop, the Waldorf School, and more. You will need to drive your family from coop to coop.... carpooling is definitely encouraged! Biking is also an option... let us know if you're interested in pedaling from coop to coop and we may modify the program depending on the interest of the group.

We will learn how to slaughter, pluck, and process a chicken, but you are welcome to excuse yourself from ths portion of the program if you choose.

 

Guided Tour of the Marble Festival Art Competition in Pickens County,
September 30th, 10:45 to 1:00, $5.00 per person (FREE for Members!),
Support Homeschool Excursions... become a member!

Join us for this exciting program! Plus, you'll have the chance to vote for your favorite piece as part of the Children's Choice Award!

This competition is a juried and judged Fine Art show that has 4 categories – 2 dimensional (paintings), 3 dimensional (sculpture, woodturnings, etc.), photography, and marble. It is a fine display of a variety of mediums. Our docent will share information about the techniques used, what the artist was trying to accomplish, where the creative process begins, and more. She will also share details of the creativity aspect and the sense of self and pride that comes with creating art.

This art show is a part of the Annual Marble Festival in Pickens County. The Festival dates are October 3rd and 4th. You should come back for this fantastic event!

 

Funky Chicken Art Project in Dahlonega,
POSTPONED TO SPRING, October 14th, 12:00 to 1:30ish,
$5.00 per person (FREE for Members!),
Support Homeschool Excursions... become a member!

The Funky Chicken Art Project is a gallery and studio for artists in Dahlonega. It started off being a dilapidated chicken house out in the middle of nowhere. In January, 1995, transformation began to turn it into an art gallery and an outdoor sculpture garden for whimsical, contemporary, and quality works of art. They represent many different artists from the Southeast, and bring in work from other areas as well. You'll find a wide selection of mediums including jewelry, oil and acrylic paintings, fiber art, sculptures in metal, stone, or cement and mosaic.

We will tour their gallery and sudio, and several of their artists in residence will be available for demonstrations and explinations. They currently have a woodcarver, potter, and glass painter in residence, and one or more will be on site to demonstrate their craft and answer our questions.

Visit their website HERE for more information about the Funky Chicken Art Project.

 

Bunnicula at the Hertz Theatre in Atlanta,
October 15th, 10:00 to 1:30ish, $20.00 per adult,
$15.00 per student (members: $15.00 per adult, $12.00 per student),
FREE for Forest level members!

Plus.... plan to stay for a talk-back with the actors and crew following the show!

Support our homeschool actors!

Homeschool Excursions homeschooling professional actors Tendal and Royce Mann have been cast in the kids' roles in Bunnicula for Synchronicity Theater showing at the Woodruff Arts Center Hertz Stage. Join us at this fantastic performance of this timeless tale!

What’s making the veggies in the Monroe family fridge turn white?! Harold the dog and Chester the cat have their suspicions, but surely it couldn’t be that cute little bunny … right? Bunny … Dracula … Bunnicula?! What do you think? Told from the point of view of Harold and Chester. A spooky mystery for ages 5+.

 

Come Climb With Us! in Atlanta with Tree Climbers International,
PROGRAM FULL, October 26th, 12:45 to 3:00, $30.00 per person ($25.00 for Members!),
FREE for Forest level members! (postponed from September)

The Tree Climbers International Beginners' Climb is meant for the person with no tree climbing skills. We make it safe and easy! You will love the "Peter Pan" effect of floating on air while suspended from a rope! All equipment is supplied; all you need is loose clothing (T-shirt and long pants recommended), light shoes (closed-toe preferable), and some extra energy.

 

Coal Burned Spoons at Whitestone Farm with Alice Craig,
PROGRAM FULL- kids 8 and older, November 12th, 10:00 to 3:00ish,
$25.00 per person ($20.00 for Members!),
FREE for Forest level members!

Join us as we return to Whitestone Farm in Pickens County for this exciting class!

You may have heard about the burn and scrape method used by many or our acnestors to make canoes. Here's some information: http://www.gastateparks.org/net/content/go.aspx?ran=1339878995&s=75146.0.1.5

In this class, we'll use the same method to make a spoon... on a much, much, much smaller scale. Here's the basics: carve a spoon's general shape (Be sure to bring a sharp knife! Or we'll have some for sale if you need one.), pull a small coal from the fire, put ot on your spoon, and blow on it to slowly char the wood in the bowl part of the spoon, use a sharp stone or a knife to scrape out the charred part, and continue burning and scraping until the bowl is the size you want. Come learn this traditional carving technique and go home with a new spoon.

 

Wren's Nest in Atlanta,
November 17th, 10:30 to noon-ish,
$11.00 per adult, $8.00 per student (members: $8.00 per adult, $5.00 per student),
FREE for Forest level members!

This country retreat on Snap Bean Farm was once the home of Joel Chandler Harris, author of the Uncle Remus Tales. Harris was also a prominent journalist and editor of the Atlanta Constitution newspaper. More commonly known as the Wren's Nest, today it is the oldest house museum in Atlanta. Largely unchanged since Harris's death, the historic home contains the original Harris furnishings as well as the original paint colors. It is an excellent and rare example of the early Victorian Queen Anne style in the Atlanta area. The house was dubbed the Wren's Nest in 1900, when the Harris children discovered a wren had built its nest inside their mailbox. They promptly erected a second mailbox so the birds would not be disturbed. The Wren's Nest was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962.

Join us at the Wren's Nest for a tour of the historic home and for an exciting story by one of their talented story-tellers.

 

CNN Studio Tour in Atlanta,
December 8th, 10:30 to noon,
$15.00 per adult, $12.00 per student (members: $11.00 per adult, $9.00 per student),
FREE for Forest level members!

Ever wondered what the inside of a news studio looks like? Take the Inside CNN Studio Tour in Atlanta and view for yourself. Guests can take a 55-minute CNN studio tour featuring the Control Room Theater, Special Effects studio and Interactive News Desk section.

Journey into the heart of CNN Worldwide for an exciting glimpse of news and broadcasting in action! The Inside CNN Studio Tour takes you behind the scenes of the Global Headquarters of CNN in Atlanta.

 

Alice's Woven Bag

Woven Bags with Alice Craig in Pickens County,
December 16th, 10:00 to 2:00ish, $15.00 per paticipant, (members: $10 per participant),
FREE for Forest level members!
* everyone must pay an additional $5.00 materials fee for the wool yarn unless you bring your own yarn

Alice Craig will lead us in another creative adventure... making woven bags! Join us for this unique craft, and you'll get to take a finished bag home with you... the perfect holiday gift!

 

Spoon Carving with Vered, at Whitestone Farm in Jasper,
January 6th & 13th (this is a 2 part class, so you'll want to come to both),
for kids ages 10 and older, 10:00 to 3:00ish each day,
$65 per participant for both classes, (members: $50 per participant),
Forest level members pay member rate, for ages 12 and older

Vered's Spoons

Yes... Vered is finally teaching a class for Homschool Excursions! If you've come to a program in the past, you'll know Vered as the Director and Program Coordinator of the organization who comes to all the events but lets the various instructors lead the activities. What some of you may know is that Vered has been an avid spoon and bowl carver for many years. Several families have asked for a carving class, so this is only the beginning... more will come in the future, but these initial classes will lay the foundation for the more complicated classes to come.

This is a two day class so be prepared to come to both. Here's what you can expect:

January 6th, Part 1:
Students will be introduced to various tools and types of wood. Not all wood is created equal, and some is better for carving, some is better for building, and some is better for burning. We will discuss why certain types of wood are preferred for dishes and cutlery, what to look for in the wood, and how to sustainably harvest it. Students will also be introduced to various tools: draw knives, gouges, carving blades, etc. We will learn how to safely use these tools, and also how to care and sharpen them. This class will consist of a discussion from 10:00 until lunch, and then we'll begin carving a small project such as a teaspoon or soup spoon.

January 13th, Part 2:
This portion of the program will focus on a more complicated carving project.... a large serving spoon! We will expand on the concepts learned in the first class. Most kids will most likely not have finished their project in the first class and will have completed them at home, so we'll spend a little time chatting about each other's spoons, where the challenges were, and ways to make the process easier. Then.. we'll start on the big spoons!

Spoon-making is a great introduction to the craft of wood carving. Vered uses only hand tools, so that's what her focus will be. Hand tools are great because they are portable and don't require electricity. Come get blisters with us!

 

 

Vista Garden Project at Sharptop Arts Center in Jasper,
December 29th, January 5th, and January 14th, 10:00 to 1:00, FREE for EVERYONE!

The Sharptop Arts Association in Jasper has developed an exciting project.
And we want to be a part of it!

They are calling the project the Sharptop Visionary Gardens. They have divided the space into 22 parcels, or Vistas, with each one offering a uniquely creative experience. Each Vista has different requirements, such as a sculpture, a water feature, seating, and various other elements.

Homeschool Excursions wants to adopt one of the Vistas...
You will design the garden space.

Here's a brief synopsis of the project:

  • Currently, the land surrounding the arts center is just grass.... They plan to transform it into a beautiful garden, but it's up to the community to help.
  • Each Vista has different requirements, such as a sculpture, a water feature, seating, and various other elements.
  • This program is free, but if you decide to participate, we ask that you remain active throughout the entire process.
  • If our proposal is accepted, we will construct our garden in the Spring (exact details still to be determined).
  • This is an exciting project that will benefit the community. It's a unique concept, and will result in a beautiful space for classes, meetings, or just to hang out.

A generous family has already agreed to
sponsor our vista if chosen!
They will supply the plants, art materials,
and anything else that's needed to complete our vision!

 

Soap Making with Christina at Whitestone Farm in Jasper,
PROGRAM FULL - we do have a waiting list, POSTPONED to January 27th, 10:00 to 1:00,
$15.00 per person (members: $11.00 per person),
FREE for Forest level members!, ages 8 and older

We all use soap on a daily basis.... at least I hope so! Come learn how to make it!

Christina Gordon-Cutts will lead us in this exciting project. We will learn about the ingredients, what makes soap a cleaning agent, and much more. Then, we'll get to make some! And everyone will go home with a little sample.

 

Winter Tree ID and What It Means To Me with Russell at Whitestone Farm in Jasper,
PROGRAM FULL - we do have a waiting list, February 8th, 10:00 to 3:00ish,
$15.00 per person (members: $11.00 per person),
FREE for Forest level members!, ages 12 and older

This program is part of our Monthly Hiking Program. Come join us for this Winter adventure!

Russell Cutts will lead us in this program, focusing on Ecology Awareness and Ancestral Knowledge. We will explore the forests at Whitestone Farm and he will show us how to identify the trees based on the bark and the shape of the tree. But then, he'll take it to the next level... as Russell usually does. He will teach us what these trees mean... what plants that can be found around certain types of trees, how they help signal different topographical features, and much more!

This is a rain-or-shine program and it will probably be pretty chilly, so make sure you're ready for this adventure regardless of the weather.

 

Worm Composting at Oakhurst Community Garden in Decatur,
PROGRAM FULL - we do have a waiting list, March 18th, 11:00 to 2:00ish,
$8.00 per student, $6.00 per parent (members: $4.00 per student/parent),
FREE for Forest level members!

Come learn all about worms! This class will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about worm biology and worm composting.

Worm composting is a method for recycling food waste into a rich, dark, earth-smelling soil conditioner. The great advantage of worm composting is that this can be done indoors and outdoors, thus allowing year round composting. In a nutshell, worm compost is made in a container filled with moistened bedding and redworms. Add your food waste and the worms and micro-organisms will eventually convert the entire contents into rich compost.

So come learn about worms! And you'll get to go home with your own worm composter!

You need to bring 2 10-gallon plastic tubs with the lids for your worm bin. If you are unable to bring your own, let us know by February 22nd and we'll provide them for you. Also, if you have a hand drill, please bring it....

 

Mapping, Orienteering, and Wetlands Exploration with Jonah McDonald in Atlanta,
PROGRAM FULL - we do have a waiting list, March 22nd, 10:00 to 1:00ish,
$15.00 per student/parent (members: $11.00 per student/parent),
FREE for Forest level members!

Have you ever wanted to know how to use a compass? Can you look at terrain and draw a map? Do you love exploring nature?

This class will teach participants how to think visually and translate land to map and vice versa. We will make compasses, practice compass skills, and learn about the elusive concepts of declination and solar noon!

Above all, this class will explore the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve, an intown natural gem alongside South Peachtree Creek. We will visit several ecological zones—marsh, creek, pine and hardwood forests, on the lookout for animals and plants. The class starts at the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve near the North Dekalb Mall

 

Nutrition and Healthy Habits at Oakhurst Community Garden in Decatur,
March 31st, 11:00 to 2:00ish,
$8.00 per student, $6.00 per parent (members: $4.00 per student/parent),
FREE for Forest level members!

Healthy:possessing or enjoying good health or a sound and vigorous mentality
Habit: an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary

Come learn lots of amazing things as we once again visit the Oakhurst Community Garden. Where to begin.... this day will include learning about healthy eating and living habits, how to grow veggies like peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers both in the ground and in containers, and how to make wise choices to promote healthy living.

And... we'll get to eat some delicious food prepared by us! So come learn lots and go home with a happy belly full of yummy treats!

 

Project Day at Whitestone Farm in Jasper,
PROGRAM FULL - we do have a waiting list, April 7th, 10:00 to 4:00ish,
$15.00 per student/parent (members: $11.00 per student/parent),
FREE for Forest level members!, ages 8 and older

There is always a lot to do on a working farm, and we're going to help with whatever needs to be done. We will most likely be planting seed starts into the fields.... but there's no telling what else will be on the agenda! Come join us for this fun day on the farm!

Whitestone Farm is a USDA certified organic farm located in Talking Rock, just north of Jasper in Pickens County. It had been an active farm for many years, but stopped production in the late 1990's. Russell Cutts and Christina Gordon-Cutts now manage the farm and have greatly expanded the growing acreage. They also have goats and chickens!

You will need to bring your lunch with you, or you can order lunch in advance from the Farm for $8.00-10.00 per person. Call them to order your meal by Friday, April 2nd...it'll be delicious! 706.253.3775

Come help out on the farm! You'll get dirty, you'll have a blast, and you'll learn a lot!

 

Bees! Bees! Bees! at Oakhurst Community Garden in Decatur,
PROGRAM FULL - we do have a waiting list, April12th, 11:00 to 2:00ish,
$8.00 per student, $6.00 per parent (members: $4.00 per student/parent),
FREE for Forest level members!

Oakhurst Community Garden has bees... and all of you hopefully know one of the best things about bees..... Honey!

This program will delve into the world of bees and bee-keeping. We'll learn about bee biology, native species, which flowers attract bees, hives, and much more!

Did you know that there are more than 20,000 species of wild bees? Many species are solitary, and many others rear their young in burrows and small colonies, like mason bees and bumblebees. Beekeeping, or apiculture, is concerned with the practical management of the social species of honey bees, which live in large colonies of up to 100,000 individuals. Collecting honey from wild bee colonies is one of the most ancient human activities and is still practiced by aboriginal societies in parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America. At some point humans began to domesticate wild bees in artificial hives made from hollow logs, wooden boxes, pottery vessels, and woven straw baskets or "skeps". Honeybees were kept in Egypt from antiquity. And now, urban beekeeping is an attempt to revert to a less industrialized way of obtaining honey by utilizing small-scale colonies that pollinate urban gardens.

So come learn all you ever wanted to know about bees.... and more!

 

Civil War Bicycle Tour: The Battle of Atlanta with Jonah McDonald
PROGRAM FULL - we do have a waiting list, April 28th, 10:00 to 2:00ish,
$15.00 per student/parent (members: $11.00 per student/parent),
FREE for Forest level members!

Instructor, Jonah McDonald will lead participants on a 10-mile bicycle tour of the Battle of Atlanta. We will travel to all of the key battle locations depicted in the famous 365 degree painting housed in the Atlanta Cyclorama: General McPherson’s last ride, Hardee’s night march, the fighting on Leggett’s Hill, the storming of the Railroad Cut, etc.

Jonah McDonald, a professional storyteller and history teacher, will tell us a new part of the story at each stop. By the end of the tour, we’ll be tired, but we’ll know what happened, why, and how it affected the conclusion of the Civil War.

Our class will end at the Atlanta Cyclorama and participants will have the option of viewing the painting after the class. Participants will need to bring their own bicycle, helmet, water, and snacks. Cyclorama admission is not included. The class begins at Grant Park in Atlanta.

Cyclorama Admission: $8 (adults), $6 (ages 6-12), Free (under 6)

 

Wild Salad Walk and Edible Landscaping with Russell at Whitestone Farm in Jasper,
PROGRAM FULL - we do have a waiting list, May 4th, 10:00 to 1:00,
$15.00 per student/parent (members: $11.00 per student/parent),
FREE for Forest level members!, ages 11 and older

Join us as we visit Whitestone Farm for this exciting and delicious program!

Russell will lead us in a walk through the farm showing us many of the yummy and healthy wild plants (also known as weeds to some folks) to make a delightful wild salad. Many people view plants like sorrell, chick weed, and dandelions as weeds. These are some of the many. many plants that Russell will bring a new light to. They are edible, delicious, and nutritious!

He will also show us how to grow various plants in your yard at home in an aesthetically pleasing way, but then you can go out and eat them! If you're growing plants, they may as well serve the dual purpose of being pretty and edible!

 

Backcountry Camp Cooking with Jonah McDonald near Helen,
PROGRAM FULL - we do have a waiting list, May 10th, 10:00 to 1:00,
$15.00 per student/parent (members: $11.00 per student/parent),
FREE for Forest level members!

Following Jonah's cooking class, we will hike to the cliffs - This is part of our Monthly Hiking Club.
This will add an additional 2-3 hours to the program.
It is optional and has no additional fee - just the opportunity to see a beautiful part of Georgia!

Instructor Jonah McDonald of Sure Foot Adventures will teach us his secrets to backcountry cooking. No more freeze-dried meals on camping trips.

We will cook Backcountry Shepherds Pie, African Groundnut Stew, Tortillini with Garlic & Tomato Sauce, and Indian Curried Lentils. Our class will start with a fire-building lesson and participants will learn to cook over a campfire and campstove using only utensils and ingredients available on a long-distance backpacking trip. Once we’ve cooked our meals, we’ll eat and then enjoy s’mores and storytelling around the campfire. This class will take place at Raven Cliff Falls trail, near Helen, GA.

 

Cheese Making with Christina at Whitestone Farm in Jasper,
PROGRAM FULL - we do have a waiting list, May 12th, 10:00 to 1:00,
$15.00 per student/parent (members: $11.00 per student/parent),
FREE for Forest level members!, ages 8 and older

Join us as we visit Whitestone Farm for yet another exciting adventure!

Cheese please!! Whitestone Farm has herd of adorable goats, and there should be many kids (baby goats) this Spring, which also means there will be lots of milk. Christina will show us how to make Mozzarella and Farm Cheese from their fresh milk.

On a personal note... I (Vered) never liked goat cheese until I ate some of Christina's delicious creations. It is so, so good!

 

Harry's Farmers Market Tour in Marietta, 8 spaces left,
May 21st, 10:00 to 11:30, $5.00 per student/parent
(members: FREE)

Join us for this uniqe tour of Harry's Farmers Market in Marietta (Power's Ferry and Roswell Road).

Our guide will teach us how to eat healthfully, affordably. We'll learn about label reading, the importance of organic growing, why Harry's focuses on supporting local farmers, and much more!!

See you at the Market!

 

A View of the Garden in Oil Pastel at Oakhurst Community Garden in Decatur,
May 24th, 11:00 to 2:00ish,
$8.00 per student, $6.00 per parent (members: $4.00 per student/parent),
FREE for Forest level members!

This is an exciting and unique program combining two of our favorite subjects.... nature and art. Come be creative with us! No previous drawing or painting experience needed.

This program will begin with an introduction to oil pastels. Oil pastel is a painting and drawing medium with characteristics similar to pastels and wax crayons. We'll learn shading techniques and other tip and tricks to working with this fun and exciting medium.

Then.... out into the garden we go! You will pick what you want to draw, whether it's a flower, a vegetable, a tree, the greenhouse, or even the compost bin! It's up to you!

There are many aspects to this program.... to notice the amazing color combinations in nature, to give you a different perspecitve on the beautiful gardens at Oakhurst, and most importantly, to get those creative juices flowing!

So come have fun with us! And go home with a masterpiece!


 
 
     


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