By Holly Giles | Family , Florida , Florida Treasures , Great Outdoors
It was 4 a.m. when the dogs began barking from the kennel. They knew it was time to get up and head to Babcock Ranch for the youth quail hunt. It was not going to be an ordinary day. We wearily awoke to quite a chill in the air that made me want to stay snug […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Boy Crafting , Florida , Great Outdoors , homeschooling
Grant was nine when Bear Grylls became a person of interest. He was all about survival techniques and everyday carry packs. Grant enjoyed watching Bear Grylls shows and learning from his expertise.
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Field Trips , Great Outdoors
Did you know that many National Park Volunteers are serving our country by keeping parks and historical lands open to the public? Many of the beautiful places we visit would be closed if it were not for volunteers.
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Field Trips , Florida , Great Outdoors , homeschooling
Have you been to an aquarium lately? Grant, my 10-year-old and I took a mini vacation together to see Winter, the dolphin who lost her tail. My sister recently moved to Clearwater which gave us the perfect excuse to scoot down to see her and Winter, who we have wanted to visit for years. If you […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Family , Great Outdoors , handicrafts , homeschooling , Simple Living
Little House on the Prairie is just as much fun for boys as it is girls. When my sons decided on a prairie boy’s birthday party for their joint birthdays I knew I would be in heaven. Our homeschool year had been all about reading the Little House series.We enjoyed many activities and resources as […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Florida , Great Outdoors , homeschooling , Nature Study
Adding Wildflowers to your nature study is as easy as looking in your neighborhood. Yes, it can be easy! For some reason, studying wildflowers seems daunting. Where do you find them and how in the world do you figure out what they are? Start in your yard or your neighbors. Most of our area does not use herbicides on […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Boy Crafting , Florida , Great Outdoors , handicrafts , homeschooling , Nature Study
Nature study doesn’t have to be hard. It can be as simple as taking an egg carton on a walk down your street or running around your backyard. A simple way to get outside and look at what is happening in the natural world is a scavenger hunt. Grab an egg carton, 6 colors of paint or markers and […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Great Outdoors , homeschooling
It was going to be a good homeschool day. I was on fire about it. I had the planners filled out, the papers, books and necessary items within reach and the anticipation that THIS was going to be a good start to the week. The boys woke up a little late, which made them sluggish in […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Boy Crafting , Florida , Great Outdoors , homeschooling , Nature Study
We love nature study, but sometimes planning it seems to take the joy out of spontaneous interests in the out-of-doors. Although my boys love a good show from the hawks outback or a new bird that shows up, they can balk at a scheduled time to go sit and draw what they see in nature. (yes, those are pj’s, bird […]
Continue reading
By Holly Giles | Field Trips , Florida , Great Outdoors , homeschooling , Nature Study
Our homeschool co-op visited the Avian Reconditioning Center in Apopka, FL and were treated to a real wildlife show. ARC has been serving the bird of prey community for ten years by Carol and Scott. They have turned their property into a haven for rescue birds and rehabilitation. They work with area officials and clinics […]
Continue reading