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Geocaching 101: Fun for Homeschool Families

September 25, 2018 Leave a Comment

Did you know that right now at this very moment there many hidden treasures surrounding you? They’re waiting to be discovered, but can only be found by those who know where to look. Those people are called geocachers and you can become one. If you’ve never gone geocaching, you and your family are missing out on many fun and educational opportunities!

What is geocaching?

Geocaching is the fun and recreational activity of hunting for and finding a hidden object using GPS coordinates posted on a website.

What does the cache look like?

This is where things really become interesting because you’re never quite sure what you’re looking for. This just makes the hunt event more fun. Caches usually come in the following sizes:

  • Nano: Tiny and usually magnetic
  • Micro: Usually fits inside the hand, like a decorated pill bottle
  • Small: Container such as a plastic peanut butter jar
  • Regular: Tupperware container size
  • Large: A large bucket (such as a 5-gallon bucket)

Cache containers are not made of paper because these materials do not fare well outside for long periods of time and in varying elements of weather. Look for plastic, usually clear, containers and sturdy metal containers. For detailed information about cache containers, check out this post, Cache Containers Explained.

How do you hunt for a cache?

Begin by downloading the official geocaching app and creating a free account. Log in and you’ll be able to see icons for all the caches hidden around you. (Make sure your GPS/location service is running; you’ll need it for directions.) Next, take a look at the map and tap the icon for the cache you want to find.

You’ll then see the name of the cache and how far it is from you. You’ll also see ratings for difficulty, terrain, and size. Tap the Hint button to see if the cache creator has offered any hunting hints. If you wish to message the person who created the cache, tap the Message button. You can also check out the following info:

  • Description: You’ll usually find information about who created the cache and why. (We recently found a hidden cache in the parking lot of hospital. A mom stashed it there as a way to remember here son’s birth there.) You may also be given additional information about finding the cache and its log book.
  • Activity: Here is where you can find information about when the cache was last discovered. Once a person finds a cache and logs it as found, they are required to leave a comment about the find. Most people leave a comment such as TFTC (Thanks for the cache!), but sometimes finders leave interesting clues about the cache. We’ve found these to be particularly helpful when trying to locate a hard to find cache.
  • Attributes: You’ll want to read this because it gives pertinent information about each cache. This tells about parking options, whether the cache is kid and/or pet friendly and what the ground conditions may be like (poison ivy, thorns, etc).

Once you’ve read up on the cache, tap the start button and begin your search by following the GPS instructions.

What do you do once you find the cache?

You’ll be excited once you make a find, but you’ll need to be discreet when retrieving the cache. You don’t want to draw excess attention to the hiding spot because after you leave, a muggle, someone who is not a geocacher, may tamper with the find or throw it away. For a list of additional geocaching jargon, check out this link.

Once you have the cache in hand, if possible open it up and take out the log page. Sign and date the log and place it back inside the container. Some logs may already be full or they may be in poor condition due to outdoor conditions such as rain. When that happens, let others know by sending a message to the creator or by leaving a comment when you list the cache as found.

After you’ve found the cache, go back to the app and click the green button labeled Log Geocache. This will record your find by changing the green icon to a yellow smiley face.

What do you need to geocache?

You’ll need the geocache app to know where to look. In addition, I also keep some things stashed in our van.

  • Gloves: Cache containers can be dirty, so you’ll want to use gloves when handling them.
  • Insect repellent: Your hunt will be outdoors, so repellent can help keep pesky bugs away.
  • Hand wipes/sanitizer: Allows you to clean your hands in between hunts.
  • Long sleeve shirt and pants: Sometimes your hunt takes you into grassy or woods areas. Protect yourself from ticks, thorns, branches.
  • Proper footwear: Sneakers are good because they’ll allow you to cover various types of terrain and protect your feet.
  • First aid kit: Sometimes we’ve been scraped by thorns or branches. Ointment, antiseptic wipes, and bandages are helpful for addressing little cuts or abrasions.
  • Tweezers: Log rolls come in various sizes. Tweezers can be used to pull out small logs.
  • Pen: You’ll use it to sign the log page.

Geocaching Photos

Here’s a photo of a recent magnetic nano size find. It’s pretty tiny. The log needed to be removed with tweezers.

This is a photo of a micro size find. This log was tucked away inside the decorated pill bottle.

Here’s what a log looks like. After it’s signed, the log is placed back inside the bottle.

Whether you’re heading out for a full afternoon of geocaching or making a quick “dash and cache” on your way to a particular destination, you’ll still have fun. There’s something rewarding about finding something the average person walks by without noticing.

Have you gone geocaching? If so, let us know by leaving a comment. We’d love to hear about what you’ve found. Are you inspired to head off on your first hunt? Let us know that too. We hope you’ll have as much fun as we have. Happy hunting!

Filed Under: Activities & Projects

A Summer of STEM: Internet Activities

June 6, 2017 Leave a Comment

Shortly before our homeschool year ends, I start researching fun kid-centered activities for my trio. Summer library programs, vacation Bible school, pool visits, and day trips often top my activities list, but I’m careful not to schedule too many activities outside the house. There are days when we just want to hang out at home rather than wage war against searing summer temperatures and crowded venues.

The internet is one of the best places to find great summertime activities for kids. Online STEM activities are excellent choices because they’re both fun and educational. In addition, online STEM activities offer kids opportunities to complete interesting hands on projects while fine tuning their technical creativity.

Would you like to offer your child a fun summer full of STEM? Check out this list of great websites!

Camp Wonderopolis: This year Camp Wonderopolis invites kids to build their own version of Wonderocity by working their way through 42 lessons about engineering, construction, and city planning. As they complete activities, kids enhance their vocabulary, build background knowledge in science, strengthen reading comprehension, and boost critical thinking skills. Kids are invited to grab their hard hats and tool belts and head on over to Camp Wonderopolis for a summer of STEM themed fun.

Code.org: Coding is all the rage and it’s never been easier for children to learn how to code. Code Studio offers self paced courses for children of all ages and Hour of Code features programming activities based upon popular themes such as Frozen, Star Wars, and Minecraft. If you’ve got high schoolers or advanced techies, head over to the App Lab where young adults can learn how to use JavaScript to create their own apps.

DIY.org: This is thriving online STEM community designed for kids ages 6-16. The site features a skills library with thousands of challenges organized into categories called Skill Patches. Once a child joins DIY, he or she can participate in challenges and even create a personalized portfolio to showcase creative works.

Engineering is Elementary (EIE): This organization is driven by the belief that children are natural engineers. The site offers a variety of fun and engaging self paced unit studies for children in grades 3-8.  Engineering Adventures features ten free unit studies for children in grades 3, 4, and 5, while Engineering Everywhere provides free unit studies for children in middle school.

Maker Camp: If you’re new to STEM and are looking for your first foray into the maker community, Maker Camp is the place to start. Through a series of informative and funny videos, students gain  inspiration to complete a variety of amazing projects and learn about careers in the STEM community. Follow along each day to learn more and then share the projects your kids create by heading over to Instagram using the hashtag #makercamp. The 2017 sign up begins on Monday, June 19.

Summer is the perfect time for children to enjoy a leisurely exploration of STEM activities. The internet is home to many websites that will help children do so. Bookmark these websites today and return to them all throughout the summer!

Filed Under: Activities & Projects

Cooking School: Black YouTube Chefs

September 30, 2015 1 Comment

During the past year or so, my oldest daughter has taken an interest in cooking. She’s learning how to prepare family favorites and she is also trying to create her own unique recipes. And so, our quality time has moved past the books and into the kitchen, where we chat over the din of clanging pots and pans, laugh above whir of the dishwasher, and chew along side the rhythmic sounds of chopping.

Since her interest has expanded into the exploration of cooking videos as well, I’m sharing a list of six fabulous Black YouTube chefs we enjoy watching. Trust me, you’ll want to hit the subscribe button for each and every one of these channels! Grab a fork and head off for a kid friendly YouTube cooking tour!

Afro FoodTV: Each recipe Yeti Ezeanii shares includes her taste of Africa! We enjoy her soothing voice, interesting food stories, educational tidbits, and beautiful ingredient photos. Her easy to follow, step by step, detailed cooking instructions make her recipes easy to follow. Try her South African Sosaties and Sweet Potato (Mbatata) Cookies.

Carribean Pot: Host Chris de la Rosa is a joy to watch! The kids love his accent and his vibrant personality. His food is easy to prepare and full of flavor. We started with his hack for Jerk Chicken Fried Rice and Cheesy Garlic Bread (far from Caribbean, but super tasty!). Up next for us? His Ultimate Grilled Chicken Wings.

Divas Can Cook: We adore Monique! She is adorable, effervescent, and skilled! Her videos are clear and concise, which makes them perfect viewing for young chefs. Preheat the oven and make her Mini Pumpkin Pies or serve up her Rainbow Cake (a much requested cake in our house!).

I Heart Recipes: Are you looking for comfort food? If so, you and your young chefs will want to make time to watch Rosie! Her explanations are detailed and her food is delicious! I recommend her Mixed Beans and Smoked Neck Bones and the girlies suggest her Southern Fried Chicken. Yes!

Smokin’ and Grillin’ with AB: This is my FAVORITE YouTube cooking channel. AB’s recipes are the best! If you’re looking to up your mealtime offerings, you must subscribe to AB. His Dirty Rice recipe is regularly served in our house and my cast iron pans are well seasoned workhorses thanks to AB’s awesome tutorial.

Tasha Edwards: She’s known as The Sweetest Vegan and all her recipes are free of animal products. We love her signature pink apron and her down to earth approach. Her Poached Pear Salad is a pretty and beautiful recipe for beginning chefs. If you’re interested in vegan fast food alternatives, try Tasha’s take out recipe remakes. It includes her ten part series on McDonald’s Made Vegan.

Cooking with our kids can add a fun and natural teaching component to the homeschool day. Teach them how to prepare the old family standards and then let the kids experiment with recipes of their own. Incorporate some of the terrific recipes from these awesome YouTube chefs. Who knows? Your child may become a great chef as well!

Photo credit: Kreator @ Dollar Club Photos

Filed Under: Activities & Projects

Back to Homeschool Printable Game

August 20, 2015 Leave a Comment

School Board Game

Pencils? Check!
Crayons? Check!
Notebooks? Check!
Curriculum? Check!

Back to homeschool season is in full swing here at our house. School supplies have been purchased, our schooling area is neat and well organized, and curriculum has been delivered. We’re almost ready to begin!

However, before we pick up pencils and dig into our books, we always enjoy one of our favorite back to homeschool rituals, a pancake breakfast at the local IHOP or the nearby diner. And while we wait for our food to be served, we love to play The Back To Homeschool Board Game!

It’s a fun and easy to play game that launches great discussion about the upcoming school year and gets us giggling. To obtain your copy of The Back To Homeschool Board Game, click the red button Download below. Then, print out the game and laminate it for durability. Grab a few pawns (coins will work too!) and a die and you’re ready to play.

Enjoy and may this homeschool year be the best one yet!

BCH

 

Filed Under: Activities & Projects

Ballerina Themed Activities

August 1, 2015 Leave a Comment