HURRY! Space is extremely limited and goes fast! Registration is open NOW for the Homeschool Jamboree at Eagle Creek Park. Students will attend 4 environmental classes throughout the full day. Here’s the info from their site as well as the step-by-step instructions on how to register:
Where: Eagle Creek Earth Discovery Center within Eagle Creek Park
Date: Friday, March 27, 2015
Time: 10am-2:35pm
Ages: 8-14 years
Cost: $15/student due at time of registration, plus $1/fee per transaction.
Registration: begins on Monday, February, 23rd at 9am. Please note, program fills very quickly (our record in Fall 2013 was 30 minutes, in Spring 2014 it was 90% full in the first day, but space was still available for a few days afterwards.) Online registration will not be available until Monday at 9am, but we encourage you to set up your Indy Parks account ahead of time, as the process can take several minutes, and you may need to call customer service for an access code if you’re already in the system.
Online registration instructions:
1) Go to https://online.activenetwork.com/IndyParks/Start/Start.asp
2) Click the green “login” button in the upper right hand corner if you already have an Indy Parks account, or click “create new” to create a new account. If you have registered for programs at Indy Parks before (including previous Homeschool Jamborees), you will get a “duplicate error message” if you try to create a new account, and you’ll need to call customer service at 317-327-7275 to get your login code and PIN.
3) Enter information in your account for all students you will be registering by clicking “add family member” in a new account, or “create new registrant” if you already have an account.
4) Once you have created your account, click “programs, courses, events” at the top and enter course code 226931
5) Click the green “add” button
6) Click on “select a client” and choose your student from the drop down menu (if your student’s name is not there, you will need to go back and edit your account to add that name).
7) Answer course prompts by selecting your six class choices. If you would like your student to stay in the same classes with a sibling or friend, please enter those names at the prompt. If some of the class topics do not show up on the prompt list, it means that class topic is full.
8) If you are registering another student, click “add a client”
9) Once you have registered all of your students, click “go to checkout” and enter your payment information.
Phone registration:
You may also register by phone by calling the Earth Discovery Center at 317-327-7148 or Indy Parks Customer Service at 317-327-7275 (customer service can enter registrations, but may not be able to answer specific questions about the program).
Please Note: leaving a message on the answering machine will not reserve your spot in the Jamboree, and it is possible the program could fill before we can return your call.
Information to have handy before you register:
Complete names and birthdays of students
Address and phone number
Email address – this will allow us to send your students their class schedules before the actual day of the event, as well as notify you of any last minute changes due to weather, etc.
Six class choices for each student (see below for topics, or information is also available at www.indy.gov/eaglecreek on the homeschool pages) ranked in order from 1 (first choice) to 6 (last choice). Students will be assigned four of their six choices. We try to get each student in their top two choices if at all possible, and assign choices 3 and 4 as space and time slots allow. If there is a class your student particularly wishes to attend be sure to designate it as their #1 or #2 choice.
Payment information – we accept Master Card, VISA, Discovery, and American Express over the phone or online.
PLEASE READ:
In accordance with city policy there will be NO REFUNDS. If you cancel before March 26, 2015, you will receive a credit to your account that can be used for other Indy Parks programs. In addition there is a $1 transaction fee for each phone transaction (i.e. if you sign up 4 students, you will be charged the $1 fee – $61.00. If you call later to add an additional student, there will be a $1 fee for that transaction – $16.00.)
Schedule of the day:
9am-10am
Students may begin arriving for check in (please note: you do not have to arrive at 9am – this is just the earliest we will be ready to check you in, if you’d like to avoid the 10 o’clock rush), where they receive name tag with class schedule and locations and we will collect waiver forms and emergency contact numbers if needed. All parents need to come inside with their students for check in.
10am
All students should be present for final check in
10:20am
Students gather in front of building for welcome and instructions
10:30am-11:15am
CLASS #1
11:25am-12:10pm
CLASS #2
12:10pm-12:55pm
LUNCH (outside or EDC hallways – please bring a sack lunch)
12:55pm-1:40pm
CLASS #3
1:50pm-2:35pm
CLASS #4
2:40pm
Student pick up.
Spring 2015 Program
Topics:
(printable pdf version available at www.indy.gov/eaglecreek on the homeschool page)
Archery
Maximum 12 students per session. No prior shooting experience necessary, learn the basics of archery in this intro archery class. We will go over safety, terms to know, and then get to try our hand at shooting!
Birds of Prey
Do you know what kinds of birds are raptors? Can owls really turn their head all the way around? In this class, we will see live birds of prey up close and learn where they live, what they eat, and other interesting facts about their behavior.
Boating and Water Safety
Join Conservation Officers Jeff Wells and Jet Quillen in a brief introduction and overview of the duties of a conservation officer and water/boater safety. This program will involve both class discussion and demonstration with students on a canoe without ever getting wet. Each participant will learn about general safety concerns around water and water related activities.
Identifying & Labeling Insects
Come discover how insects are identified and labeled from a local entomologist who will share what is involved. He will also cover other basic facts such as capturing, storing, displaying, and using collected insects. This indoor presentation should be educational, interesting, and helpful for anyone interested in our six-legged friends.
Landscape Architecture and Nature Journaling
Sigma Lambda Alpha, an honor society for Ball State’s landscape architecture students, will provide a workshop in Nature Journaling. In this workshop, students will be given the opportunity to become a landscape architect for the day. An important piece of landscape architecture is examining the landscape and recording discoveries in nature by sketching in personal journal books. Participants will be instructed in basic sketching techniques. Each student will be provided with their own homemade sketchbook and pen to use and keep, as Ball State student leaders guide them through nature to observe and sketch the surrounding environment.
Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics
Camptown will teach participants the 7 Leave No Trace principals. You will learn how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly through games and hands on learning. Leave No Trace refers to a set of outdoor ethics promoting conservation and positive recreation decision making.
Reptile & Amphibians
Creepy, Crawly, and Cool collide for this program with an Eagle Creek Park Naturalist. Join this class to learn more about Indiana Reptiles and Amphibians. Learn the similarities and difference between these groups, information about species within the park, and get an up close look at some of our resident herps.
Salamander Survey
Learn about the many kinds of salamanders that live in Indiana and be a wildlife biologist as we monitor salamander populations in Eagle Creek. One to two mile mildly strenuous hike outside; wear comfortable clothes and be sure to dress for the weather. Program takes up two class sessions. (90 minutes).
Spring Hike
Spring is when plants and animals start venturing out into the warm sunshine. Explore the forest with a Southeastway Park Naturalist looking for early wildflowers and searching for animals waking up from their winter dormancy or migrating back to their summer grounds.
Tree Climbing
Maximum 12 students per session. Get a bird’s eye view of the park while getting to know your trees. Join us “Up a tree without a paddle”. Learn to climb a tree using arborist equipment. *Due to the popularity of this class, please do not choose this topic if you’ve already done Tree Climbing in previous Jamborees, so everyone can get a chance to participate.
Tree ID and Hike
Learn how to identify trees. This is more than a brief walk in the woods while trying to learn trees by memory. You will learn how to go through the step by step process of identifying the trees of Eagle Creek Park. About half the class will be the step-by-step process of learning how to identify a tree you do not know, and the second half will be in the woods putting to use what you have learned.
Venomous Animals
Watch Out! Discover what venomous animals live right here in Indiana! Learn how to identify them, avoid them and seek treatment. Get a close look at a Black Rat Snake, commonly mistaken for the venomous Cotton Mouth.
Wild Games
Learning through play is not only fun, but extremely effective. During this session we will play a variety of nature-themed games. With these games, students will learn about predator/prey cycles, natural resources, adaptations, pollution, and more! Who says learning can’t be exciting?!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need to stay with or my student can I just drop them off?
You are welcome to stay with your student and attend the event, or you may also drop them off. You know your student the best – some children are mature enough to attend Homeschool Jamboree on their own, while others may need you to stay with them. Students are responsible for finding their way to their classes and have a 45 minute lunch period on their own. We have several adults around to assist and monitor students throughout the day, but if you have any concerns about your child’s safety, maturity, or ability to follow instructions and stay with their class, please plan on attending the event with them. For a few classrooms with limited space, you may be asked to wait outside in the hallway. If you will be dropping off your student, we will ask you to fill out emergency contact information at the time of check in.
Student Pick Up Procedure – due to the large number of students, it is not practical to have a formal check out procedure. The end of Homeschool Jamboree can be very busy, with lots of students, parents and cars moving in and out of the parking lot. Please talk to your students ahead of time about safety – you may wish to determine a pick-up spot in advance, or meet them at their last class location.
If I am staying with my child, can I bring my younger children along?
Yes, you may bring younger siblings with you to Homeschool Jamboree; all we ask is that you remove them promptly from the program if they become restless or disruptive. Be aware that a few of the program sessions involve longer hikes that may not be suitable for younger children. There are several playgrounds and hiking trails in the park that you are welcome to enjoy during your visit, and you may wish to bring along books, toys, or other items to keep younger children entertained.
My child is seven; can I still sign him up for HSJ?
Even if your child is working at an advanced level, this is a very long day for younger children and we strongly recommend waiting until they are at least eight before attending. Our absolute cut-off for signing up for Homeschool Jamboree is 7 1/2 years (must have turned 7 on or before September 27, 2014).
Why did you decrease the age range?
The vast majority of students signing up for Homeschool Jamboree are age 14 and younger, and repeated feedback indicated that older students felt out of place at the event.
What if the weather is bad, will you cancel the program?
Homeschool Jamboree is a rain or shine event – we only cancel if weather conditions are dangerous – thunder, lightning, extremely high winds, etc., and since Indiana weather can change very quickly, we may not know until the day before or even the morning of the program. Cancellation information and updates will be emailed to registered participants and posted on the www.indy.gov/eaglecreek homeschool page as soon as it is available. We do not generally cancel for rain or cold temperatures. Since many of the program sessions are outdoors, please check the weather forecast carefully and dress accordingly.
Will we have to pay the gate entrance fee to get into the park?
Gate admission is included in your registration fee. Please check in with the gate attendant at the 71st or 56th street gates with the name(s) of your registered student(s).
What about lunch?
Please have your students bring a sack lunch. Lunches can be carried with students, or may be dropped off in the pantry after check in. Due to cold weather over the last few Jamborees, students have been allowed to eat lunch in the hallways of the EDC rather than having to go outside. Because of their excellent behavior and clean up afterwards (thank you!), lunch will be allowed either inside or outside, regardless of weather. Students are not directly supervised during the 45 minute lunch period, although we do have volunteers walking around to assist students during this time if needed – please take this into consideration when deciding whether or not to stay with your students for the day.
Can we find out what classes we got into before the day of the event?
When you sign up for the Jamboree, we have you choose your top four classes with two alternates. In order to fit everyone into as many of their top choice classes as possible, we must wait until everyone has registered to start assigning classes (it’s like a giant, complicated, jigsaw puzzle). As soon as the Jamboree is full, we will assign classes and send out schedules by email. Please leave your email address at the time of registration if you wish to get your class schedule early.
If we don’t like our classes, can we switch them the day of the event?
Due to the nature of the program and the high number of students, we are unable to switch classes the day of the event. Make sure when registering that your students will be happy with all six of their class choices and if there is a class they particularly wish to attend indicate it as their #1 or #2 choice. We will do our best to make adjustments if there are extenuating circumstances (i.e. student sprained ankle the night before and is not able to go on hikes, but still wants to attend), but please be aware that staff will be very busy at the beginning of the event as we get 150 students signed in and off to their first classes, so we may not be able to address your concerns immediately.
Why don’t you offer more Homeschool Jamborees at different times of the year?
To be able to offer the variety of class choices that we do, we pull in favors from staff at Holliday Park, Southeastway Park, Garfield Park, IDEM, IDNR, Camptown, our talented Indy Parks Volunteers, and countless others. Most of these parks and organizations become extremely busy from spring through fall with school field trips, daycamps, park visitors, etc. Early spring and late fall are the best compromise for the event – the best variety of presenters are available, and we try to push the date as close to busy season as possible to give us the best chance for good weather.
