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Just in case you stumbled upon this blog, I want you to know that I have a more up-to-date version at COLORADO.
Please stop by there and say hi! I am always looking for more information from "your neck of the woods" to post, and would love some feedback!
You are more than welcome to leave a comment here, but remember, I won't be updating this blog --- any upcoming activities and announcements I receive will be posted on the COLORADO page. You can, however still check out the links here on this side bar.
Thanks!!!
Happy Homeschooling,
Nancy |
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Hi there everyone! HSN (Homeschool Nation) is standardizing everyone's state blogs, so this one will be transitioning over to just COLORADO.
I will be moving stuff over as fast as I can--bear with me!
Blessings, Nancy |
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HI! Please check out the new group links added to my sidebar. Be sure to look at "The Homeschool Book For Colorado Springs." It is a great resource for all things Colorado Springs pertaining to Home Education!
And, if you had the opportunity to hear Treon speak yesterday, please comment and let us know what you learned. :)
Blessings, Nancy |
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Hi! Here is info on an upcoming (this weekend) seminar being held in Divide, Colorado. It is being hosted and presented by Treon Goossen of Concerned Parents of Colorado.
Dear CPCO,
Here is information about a seminar I am holding on January 28th. Please register by email with the appropriate information. You can pay at the door at no extra cost. I need a head count for lunch. The seminar is for singles and couples. The morning session is general and not geared specifically for homeschooling families. The afternoon session will be packed with encouragement for homeschoolers, information on the law, legal options, and a legislative update.
I have had requests to hold meetings and seminars on the law, etc. from groups around the state. Please feel free to contact me for dates available.
Thanks,
Treon
Encouragement Seminar
by Treon Goossen
January 28, 2006
Mountain Area Calvary Chapel
Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. The morning session will begin at 10:00 a.m. and go until 11:45 a.m.
Lunch from 11:45 until 1:00 p.m. and is included in the cost.
Afternoon session begins at 1:00 p.m. and goes until 3:00. Questions and answers may go longer.
Cost: $10 per single, 18 and older, $12 per married couple.
Children 5-17: $2 for lunch.
No cost for infants-age 4.
No child care is provided. A cry room with speakers is available for moms with infants/toddlers. Children will have to stay with parents.
Morning session: This is entitled "Entering God's Rest." It will include what is God's rest, who can get there, how do you get there, staying there, and the benefits of being in His rest.
It is filled with encouragement for daily life as well as for marriages, children, and personal growth.
Afternoon session: "Heaven Not Harvard: Keeping the Right Perspective in Your Homeschool." This session emphasizes the perspective Christians should keep while homeschooling their children. It is so easy in today's world to get side-tracked and over-whelmed by curriculum, college, peer and "relative" pressure, socialization issues, and life in general. This presentation will comfort and encourage.
The afternoon session will also include an explanation of the exceptional Colorado homeschool law - probably as you have never heard it before! Legal options, a legislative update, and a question and answer time will end the afternoon.
Mountain Area Calvary Chapel is located at 11361 U.S. Highway 24, in Divide, CO. Divide is 25 miles west of Colorado Springs on U.S. Highway 24. The church is north of the highway and shares a driveway with the Western Convenience Gas Station. After turning, go past the station and bear left. The church is the only other building there.
Email Treon at treon@peakinet.net to register. You may also fax the info to 719-748-8360.
I need names of adults planning to attend and names and ages of children. You can send a check or pay at the door. Registration deadline is January 26th.
Make checks payable to: Treon Goossen. Mail to:
Treon Goossen, 80 Hobe Creek Trail Florissant, CO 80816 |
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Here is a very long, but very nice list put together by a local group here in Colorado Springs called H.O.M.E. They said I could share it with you all!
*_The Whys of Homeschooling_* |
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Hey, I know your out there! Please stop and and comment, and say Hello! I'd like to be able to link to you all as my friends :) And get some great links from you---tell me about your local groups (if they don't mind) and what kinds of resources you have for homeschoolers in your area!
Thanks so much! Nancy |
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Favorite Field Trips in Colorado
Wow, there are all kinds of great places to go, just in the Pikes Peak region where we are! Some of our best trips are not necessarily "canned" visits, but just excursions out in nature! I'll put several here which are nature locations, then the rest will be more commercial!
Pikes Peak America's Mountain Of course, the peak is closed right now because of all the snow ---but you can go up from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This site also has a coupon link AND a whole lot more links for attractions in the Pikes Peak region!
Garden of the Gods Fabulous Views of the sandstone cliffs and monoliths! Pikes Peak in the background, nothing like it! Miles of park trails for hiking and biking etc. And a super gift shop to boot!
Red Rocks Open Space Just south of Garden of the Gods, across Hwy 24 lies a fabulous place to hike and explore! Still in the process of building some trails, this area of red sandstone is amazingly beautiful. There is a few ponds, and a magnificent stone quarry to climb through and it's beautiful in Summer or Winter!
Chatfield State Park and reservoir (Denver ) A lovely place for just about anything outdoors. Check out their website!
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Known for their giraffes, and also for the fact that they are America's only Mountain Zoo, this is a beautiful place to engage some animals! You will get a workout unless you ride the shuttle, but the veiws are exhilarating. And Mom, don't forget to ride the carousel WITH the kids. You will never stop laughing!
Denver Zoo I haven't been here "yet" so please, comment and let us know whats up at the Denver Zoo if YOU hve been there.
Butterfly Pavilion We went on a homeschool field trip here a while back and it was so wonderful! They had great educational programs for us and the butterflies were amazing.
Florissant Fossil Beds A great place to see the biggest collection of fossilized insects anywhere! Be prepared for the "millions of years" theory.
May Natural History Museum An amazing collection of insects collected all over the world by John May. I highly recommend this. It may not be high-tech, but it is absolutely stunning.
So there you have just a drop in the bucket of all the tremendous places to visit here in our lovely state. Please let us all know what YOUR favorite place to go is, and post in the comments!
Blessings, Nancy
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Check out this wonderful website with free museum days, free events of ALL kinds in our beautiful state of Colorado! |
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There are tons of great events happening at the Littleton Museum, including a free concert! Check it out! |
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Hello Coloradans! I have been searching for group info for our lovely state and have found several new resources to share with you. I hope some of this is new to you also. IF you have any group information you would like to share, or any activites or ideas, please post them in the comments section.
Blessings, Nancy Baetz
Homeschool Central---regional and state info. (Please let me know if you find a broken link)
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I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! It was a wonderful time of being with family here at home and just living in Colorado makes it so special around the holidays. So why did I mention Hannukah? I sure hope I spelled it correctly! A friend of ours invited us to her religious festival, and we would have loved to join her if it wasn't for the flu virus we are battling right now. But more than just the invite being worth the mention, the story behind this wonderful Jewish festival is just one more example of how rich the homeschooling lifestyle is! Just being exposed to different clebrations, and learning the meanings behind them is one more avenue for education in our homes. And it's not just information, it is deep relational, inspirational and spiritual all at the same time. A feast for the senses, and that is what our kids thrive on when it comes down to ways of learning.
Now, even though the end of this year is coming quickly I know that it simply means that a new beginning is just around the corner. What do you do when January rolls around? Do you just start up where you left off before Christmas? Do you start fresh with a new round of activities, classes or lessons? What do you like best about the "newness' of the coming year? I hope you will share some ideas here on the Colorado Homeschool Lighthouse, and tell us what kinds of things you are planning to do in the next month that might just inspire some other homeschool families along the way!
Blessings in 2006!
Nancy
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Hi everyone! It's early, it's a beautiful, brand new day full of promise! Anissa asked me to post a bio here for you all----those who have already stopped in may already know me, but for those of you who don't I would like to introduce myself.
I am Nancy Baetz, and I am "just" a mom seeking after God's heart and hoping to help others on the journey. Thankfully, His mercies are new every morning! I have been homeschooling my kids for a zillion years, and it has had it's ups and downs, and life always throws "wrenches" into the mix. But I have tried to turn those wrenches into tools that help us with our learning. Turn the problems into projects. Every new circumstance has a way of becoming a "curriculum" if you only will let it!
I have been hosting newcomers meetings for my local group here for several years. Lots of things have changed, but whether it is 20 or 1 that come to the meeting, I try to help them see that "they can DO IT!" I don't think there is a difference between everyday life and homeschooling. We try not to put it in a box, but we tend to. We are not without struggles ---but we are hanging in there.
It doesn't take anyone super special to do any of the things I am doing today! Just be willing, be confident. Not necessarily only in your abilities, although those are a gift, just be confident that the God who made you, will help you.
Over the years I have had a varied life experience, and now I am seeing how all those seeminly disjointed jobs and positions have "morphed" into a tapestry that God is now using in several ways. I give Him all the glory, He is the one who put me here. Don't discount any experience or expertise that you have in YOUR life, put them to the test and use them in your homeschooling and life. You will be so glad you did!
If you are just beginning or thinking about homeschooling, a friend of mine who is the publisher of TEACHmagazine, teamed up with The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and we put together a brochure for you, all about homeschooling. It is available online right now on the website! GO HERE to check it out!
Let me know what you think, and have a super day! Happy Homeschooling, Nancy |
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There are many homeschool family businesses that are willing to donate a portion of their proceeds to help the relief effort. Here is one for all those model airplane enthusiasts out there! If you know of more, please post them in the comments section. Nancy
I just wanted to let you all know what we are doing through our business to |
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I just got my official Colorado Newsletter from Colorado.com and it is just bursting at the seams with tourist info for Colorado----or for us homefolks how are just WAITING for all the tourist activity to settle down so we can go out and enjoy our beautiful state! Check out the link, and be sure to get on the newletter list. Also, if you are studying U.S. geography, what greater way than to get the official state tourism publications!? You can sign up for that too, and while you are at it, check out the other 49 states and get THEIR books too!
Blessings, Nancy |
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Frank J. Sherwin of The Institute for Creation Research is going to be presenting this program on Friday and Saturday- September 9 and 10 at the World Prayer Center, 11005 Voyager Parkway in Colorado Springs, Colorado. You can get more info on the event by clicking this link. There are several offerings for both middle school and high school aged kids and of course, for parents. |
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Join me for some Mom-time! Do you need A time of refreshment, friendship and an evening to recharge your heart and mind? I know I do! CSHSG is sponsoring one night each month where Mom's can get together and listen to an audio message by a variety of well respected homeschool speakers. Dates and tentative speaker list: (These are Audio Tapes of past presentations)July 28--6:30 to 8:00 "7 Habits of Highly Effective Homeschoolers" by Chris and Ellyn Davis August 25--6:30 to 8:00 "Teaching Children With Special Needs" by Teri Spray September 21--6:30 -8:00 "Conquering Corrupt Culture by Raising Christian Communicators" by Andre Pudewa October 26--6:30-8:00 MEETING CANCELLED Novemeber No Meeting due to holiday December 22--6:30 to 8:00 (special holiday message!) (Messages have come from Christian homeschooling conferences, and ALL are welcome to come hear them---and also all may be subject to last minute changes, call if you have questions.) All meetings are held at the Sand Creek Library at S. Academy/Chelton Don't forget that we still hold monthly getting started meetings for anyone interested in the homeschooling lifestyle! ~~ Getting Started Meetings cover the basics of the law, requirements, testing and/or evaluation; what homeschooling is, what it isn't, how all families are unique and also free resources are always given out. Location: Conference Room at Sand Creek (PPLD) library.* * Plus this this seminar doesn't cost you a dime :) August 8, 7:00 p.m. (approx. 1 hour 45 min.) September 12, same time October 10, same time November 21, same time December, no getting started meeting, but join us on the 22nd for a special nite of fellowship and a great Christmas message--6:30! If you have any questions or would like to help out, please email me (Nancy Baetz) at library@hschool.com. The Colorado Springs Homeschool Support Group is a networking group endeavoring to connect homeschoolers with activities and group support to suit their personal needs and lifestyles. We are inclusive and all homeschooling parents are welcome to come and benefit from our experience and information. If you feel led to teach your children at home, come and let us help you know how to get started! See our website at: www.hschool.com. (be sure to click the link for our email list to join our online discussion and support, via the website)
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Today through Friday, by mentioning either Homeschool Nation or HomeschoolBlogger when you call in (1-888-718-HOME), take 10% off a two year subscription to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine - and you get literally $300 in curriculum gifts, free! |
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Post in the comment section, and let us know all about your group, and how it supports you in your homeschooling efforts! |
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Please tell us about your favorite educational museum in Colorado! |
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Please post your favorite field trip here in the comments section! |
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There are SO many great things to do as homeschoolers here in Colorado! I would like to start categories for field trips, camping spots, favorite museums, support groups, and anyting else that you would be interested in.
But I need your help too! By posting your comments for each section, we should be able to get a great list here of resources for all of us here in Colorado---we should never have to use the word "Bored" again! Nancy |
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Hello from the base of the Rocky Mountains, in beautiful Colorado Springs. I am just getting this blog for Colorado Homeschool support going, and it may take me a little time to put together the information I feel would be most helpful to you.
It is very warm here today, and it is a good day to be inside! While we long for the Summer, it tends to be unpredictable, weather wise~ as you may have heard about the flooding and hail storms we had earlier this week. If we want to enjoy the day before the heat or hail hits, we have to get out early.
Many homeschoolers spend the Summer months getting geared up for their next year's homeschooling adventure, while other's enjoy family vacations and take a break from any formal academics.
Whether that sounds like YOUR family or not, all are welcome to check in here and find links to fun/educational or otherwise helpful information for your journey! I do hope this will be a lighthouse for you, while you sail the sometimes calm, sometimes stormy sea of homeschooling in Colorado!
Nancy |