DJ Angus - Research Vessel

It was perfect weather for a field trip on the water.

Through Grand Valley State University, school groups can book field trips on the DJ Angus research vessel. Once aboard, the kids learn how to test water samples in Spring Lake and Lake Michigan. While the boat is cruising, they learn how the water has changed over time, about invasive species, runoff zones and other issues effecting the water of the Great Lakes.

Hands on science rocks. This is a wonderful spring time/early summer field trip and kids learn so much participating in this activity.

USS Silversides - Submarine Tour

There are only 24 submarines operating as museums across the United States and we have one in Muskegon. The USS Silversides is an operational submarine that ran missions in the South Pacific during World War II.

 Do you see the basketball hoops without nets on the top of the sub? Those are not really basketball hoops at all, but locations men stood watch while the submarine was on the surface recharging its batteries. The red and white icons below the flag mark the number of sunk or damaged enemy vessels.

There we three primary reasons a submarine would end a mission: out of food, out of battery power, or out of torpedos.

Inside the submarine, the kids got to try out the births. Large groups can even spend the night on the submarine.

 Inside the mess officer's mess hall the kids learned food was stored in every nook and cranny of the submarine.

 The museum had several displays on World War II, including a display on Nazi book burning.

 An engaging movie brought life aboard a submarine closer to home.

Kids could see the controls aboard the submarine and try out a periscope inside the museum.

Did you know World War II soldiers going to war were given books to read? These specially printed books contained small font and were the perfect size for a pocket. Books solved a major issue of troops waiting to be deployed. - Boredom. Very few books were left behind once troops were sent into battle. 

Frosty Cove - Ice Cream Tour

Mackinac Island Fudge, Black Cherry, Peanut Butter Cup, Coffee, Strawberry or Chocolate... What's your favorite flavor? Our tour of the Frosty Cove Ice Cream Shop on Lakeshore Drive in Muskegon, was a great way to end the school year.

 The kids learned ice cream is stored at different temperatures depending on when it will be scooped.

They learned how soft serve machines turn a liquid mix to solid, frozen, delicious ice cream.

 How many homeschoolers can you fit in a freezer? Brrr...... It's cold in there.

 How could we tour an ice cream store without sampling the merchandise?

Once the ice cream was gone the kids had just as much fun playing tag on the hill as they did playing on the swing set.

 

Outdoor Discover Center

Can you see the frog? It was hiding in the water with lots of others in early May at the Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland, MI.

This was one of the very first Grand Haven Open Homeschool field trips. The Outdoor Discovery Center has a small wildlife museum and grounds with trails, a picnic and play area. Inside the kids who wanted to got to hold a snake. Best of all was the birds of prey exhibit. Most of the birds were injured or illegal pets and can no longer survive in the wild on their own. 

The nature center offers classes for homeschoolers. If you are interested, sign-up right away as the classes fill up fast. Please call the center for more information.

Field Trip Etiquette

Please take a look at our Field Trip and Event Etiquette Guidelines! It is important for our group to leave a good impression when we visit a location in our area. The following guidelines will help to ensure that homeschoolers are welcomed back to the wonderful venues we have available here. Leaving a site with a good impression is the best way to ensure that future members of our group are able to enjoy the same wonderful experiences that we have the opportunity to participate in now.

1. Please realize that organizing events and field trips is a volunteer job for the organizer.
2. When you plan to attend an event, please be sure sign up. This ensures an accurate headcount, which is vital when minimum or maximum participants are required. 

3. If plans change and you cannot attend, PLEASE BE SURE to delete your sign up.
4. Because many of our event venues require an accurate headcount, please don't cancel at the last minute, unless there is a true emergency. 

5. The weather in Michigan can be unpredictable, but most events will run as scheduled rain or shine. Dress appropriately!
6. Respect the facility's rules. Observe guidelines for eating, drinking, smoking, petting and/or feeding animals, and remaining in authorized areas.
7. Be on time for events. This usually means arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled time in order to allow time for check-in and payment.
8. Be respectful and courteous to the speakers, tour guides, and employees of the facility. It is possible that they are volunteering and their time is valuable. 
Respect any age restrictions. These are given to enhance the learning for all children. 

9. Students are expected to follow directions, participate with a good attitude, use polite manners and refrain from fighting and negativity.
10. Parents are responsible for their children at each activity, not the event organizers or presenters.  Please be an active participant.  If necessary, please address any discipline issues with your own children so that the activity doesn’t need to be interrupted for the others. 
11. Please note the date and time of any field trips you sign up for.