We are always looking for community resources that would benefit homeschooling families in our area. If you know of a community resource that has benefited your family, chances are it will benefit another. Please let us know about these valuable resources so we can add it to the list.

Arts and Crafts | Cultural Programs | Environmental Programs | Historical Activities
Field Trip Ideas | Businesses | Sports and Recreation | Summer Programs | Teen Activities

Arts and Crafts

A.C. Moore has a Birthday Club for children up to age 12.  Simply fill out a card at the register with your child's name and address and every year they send them a $5 gift certificate to spend at the store for their birthday. 

A.C. Moore - Hagerstown, MD
www.acmoore.com 
Kids can make a "make and take" craft on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-5 p.m.. Children are allowed to make one fun craft free of charge. Crafts change weekly. 
There is also a wide variety of classes you and your children can take. See there website for classes schedule for this month. 

I Made This! - Frederick, MD
www.geocities.com/imadethispottery
A paint-your-own pottery studio, at 10-B N. East St. in Eveready Square, Frederick

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Cultural Programs

Cumberland Valley School of Music (CVSM) - Chambersburg, PA
www.cvsmusic.org
The school offers many choices of lessons in instrumentals, vocals and drama. Call 261-1220 for a brochure.

Hagerstown Community College - Hagerstown, MD
http://www.hcc.cc.md.us/coned/?PHPSESSID=00f687ad12358f76d078f206fa4baf66
HCC offers a variety of workshops for preschool and school age children. Call 301-790-2800 Ext. 236 for a free Continuing Education Schedule or check out their website under Lifelong Learning.

Chambersburg Council for the Arts - Chambersburg, PA
www.innernet.net/councilforthearts
Call 264-6883 for a free bi-monthly newsletter that contains the details on the multitude of events happening locally.

Washington County Museum of Fine Arts - City Park, Hagerstown, MD
http://www.washcomuseum.org
A wide range of classes are held for toddlers to senior citizens covering studio arts, art appreciation and crafts. Call 301-739-5727 or e-mail us your name and address for a list of current classes being offered and registration information. WCMFA@aol.com 

TGIF Brown Bag Series - Chambersburg, PA
www.innernet.net/councilforthearts/tgif-schedule.html
12 noon - 1 pm, Courthouse Plaza. Free entertainment.
Held at the Capitol Theatre. 717-264-6883

The Maryland Theatre - Hagerstown, MD
http://www.mdtheatre.org/ 
The Maryland Theatre was built in 1915, partially destroyed by fire in 1974 and reopened in 1978. The marvelous acoustics are only surpassed by the wonderful ambiance of The Theatre. The Theatre provides comfortable seating for 1325 at performances of country artists, comedians, orchestra concerts, children's shows, musicians, recitals, stage shows, and others. Over 81,000 patrons, including more than twelve thousand children, attended performances here in 2001.

Arts Express Downtown! - Chambersburg, PA
Chambersburg's only free fine arts enrichment program for kids in grades 2-8 is coordinated by the Chambersburg Area Council for the Arts. Workshops with professional artists providing a hands-on experience for our future "artists" to "express" themselves. Class size is limited to 25, so pre-registration is required by calling the Council for the Arts at 264-6883 or via e-mail: caca@innernet.net.  There will be 2 artists (participants must choose one) at each session, with classes focusing on a variety of artistic disciplines:  the visual arts, crafts, dance and movement, theatre and storytelling. 
www.innernet.net/councilforthearts

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Environmental Programs

Kings Gap Environmental and Training Center - Carlisle, PA
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/kingsgap.aspx
Sitting astride South Mountain, Kings Gap offers a panoramic view of the Cumberland Valley. Sixteen miles of hiking trails interconnect three main areas and are open year-round. Kings Gap offers environmental education programs from the pre-school environmental awareness program to environmental problem solving programs.

Fountain Rock Park and Nature Center - Walkersville, MD
www.co.frederick.md.us/Parks/nature.htm
Offers natural and historical interests to visitors. Features include group nature programs, a historic battery of limestone kilns, a beautiful water-filled quarry, a new boardwalk with observation areas and a hands-on nature center designed with children in mind. Group Programs available by request. Call 301-694-1646 for information.

Crystal Grottoes Caverns - on Md Rt. 34 near Boonsboro, MD
www.goodearthgraphics.com/showcave/md/crystal.html
Only caverns open to the public in the entire state of MD. 
301-432-6336

Catoctin Mountain Park/Cunningham Falls - Catoctin, MD
www.nps.gov/cato/
1,500 acres including waterfalls, hiking trails, 42-acre lake for swimming, seasonal camping and cabin rentals, picnicking, fishing, boating, riding, mountain climbing. Visitors Center open weekdays 10-4:30 and 8:30-5 on weekends.

Strawberry Hill Nature Center - Fairfield, PA
www.strawberryhill.org/
Offers trails and grounds that are open dawn to dusk, daily and year round free of charge. Nature Center hours are Tuesday— Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A self-guided trail map is available at the center and groups should call ahead to ensure adequate picnic facilities or to rent the picnic pavilion. Check their web site for a list of children's nature programs available throughout the year ($2 each)

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Historical Activities

The State Museum of Pennsylvania - Harrisburg, PA
www.statemuseumpa.org
Located in Harrisburg, the State Museum hosts a Public Archaeology program and takes groups of school students on a 2-hour visit to City Island to observe archaeologists and learn about their record-keeping and lab procedures. Experimental archaeology is also a part of this program, where kids learn how Native Americans built structures and obtained food. To sign up for the class, call (717) 772-6997. For more information on the training program, call (717) 772-0925.

Living History Encampment - Gettysburg, PA
National Civil War Wax Museum, 297 Steinwehr Ave. Life during the Civial War. Hands-on experience. Free. 717-334-6245

Spruce Forest Artisan Village - Grantsville, MD
www.spruceforest.org/
Village features working artisans inside authentic and historic log cabins, Bear Hill School and plankhouses. Buildings date back to pre-Revolutionary War era. Open year round, Mon - Sat., 10-5. Various festivals and music concerts throughout the year.

Fort Frederick State Park - Off I-70 between Hancock & Hagerstown
www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/fortfrederick.html
A massive stone fort built in 1756 as a defese during the Frence & Indian War. Reenactments the last full weekends of June, July, August and September. Admission fee on the weekends of the military pageants.

Rural Heritage Museum - Sharpsburg, MD
www.washco-md.net/public_works/parks/museum.htm
Antique farm equipment, country store, 19th century post office, Conestoga wagon, Victorian era rooms, and much more. Open 1-4 pm Sat & Sun. April thru October. Free. 240-420-1712
7313 Sharpsburg Pike, 7 miles South of Hagerstown at Washington Co. Ag Center

Antietam National Battlefield - Sharpsburg, MD
www.nps.gov/anti/home.htm 

Rose Hill Manor Park - Frederick, MD
www.co.frederick.md.us/parks/rosehill.html
This is a historic manor and outbuildings with a strong emphasis on interpreting for children.  There is a two hour educational tour with hands-on museum exhibits.  The standard tour of the farm is led by costumed interpreters, which may be joined at any point in the circular route. 

The National Museum of Civil War Medicine - Frederick, MD
www.civilwarmed.org
Dedicated to telling the medical story of the Civil War, the aftermath of battle, the care & comfort of the wounded, the caregivers, & the medical innovations of the period. Newly designed exhibits, educational tours, special events, annual conferences, memberships, and museum store.

Renfrew Museum and Park - Waynesboro, PA
http://www.waynesboro.org/renfrew/ 
107-acre park along the Antietam Creek, features a Pennsylvania-German farmstead, an extensive collection of John Bell Pottery, and features Nicodemus collection of American decorative arts. Admission.

Gettysburg National Military Park - Gettysburg, PA
www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm
Gettysburg has just too much to offer! Stop at the Visitors Center and ask for details on their Junior Ranger program. After completing three park centered activities you can earn a special Junior Ranger Badge. 
This web site has teachers guides for the Battle of Gettysburg
http://www.nps.gov/gett/getteducation/teachguide.htm 

Old Bedford Village - Bedford, PA
www.oldbedfordvillage.com/
Our living history village brings the past into the present. Old Bedford Village offers a rich variety of educational and entertainment activities. Visitors of all ages will enjoy our military and civilian re-enactments, colonial crafts, exhibits and instructions, festivals, murder/mystery evenings, old fashioned Christmas celebrations and more!

Rose Hill Manor - Frederick, MD
http://www.co.frederick.md.us/Parks/RoseHill.htm
 

Landis Valley Museum - Lancaster, PA
http://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/
Landis Valley Museum, a Pennsylvania German living history village, invites you to visit a place where the present meets the past. The museum contains a diverse collection of artifacts and historic buildings. It tells a simple story with a common theme. We call it Pennsylvania German Life - the historical identity of the 18th and 19th century German population in Pennsylvania and Lancaster County.

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Field Trip Ideas

Are We There Yet? -- The Ultimate Fieldtrip Resource
www.fieldtrip.com 
This is a must see site if you are planning a field trip! It features museums, nature centers, historic sites, farms, zoos, aquariums and many other attractions for families and groups in the Northern Maryland and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania areas.

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Sports and Recreation

Camp Joy El - Greencastle, PA
http://www.joyel.org/
Camp Joy El is a Christian camping and conference facility located near Greencastle, PA. This nondenominational is available for use year round by groups of all ages. In addition to holding their own programmed summer camps and retreats for children and youth, they also hold Spring and Fall Home School Retreats designed especially for home schooled children and their families. Camp Joy El can be contacted at 717-369-4539 or through their Website at www.joyel.org.

I-Skate 81 - Greencastle, PA
www.iskate81.com
Brand new Roller Rink on Grindstone Hill Road in Greencastle. 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month from 1:00- 4:00 p.m. Cost is $3 for admission and skate rentals. $4 for admission and in-line skates.
(717) 597-2291

Cove Valley Christian Youth Camp
www.covevalleycamp.com
At Cove Valley Christian Youth Camp, our mission is to provide a place and the opportunity for Christian teaching and fellowship along with wholesome and guided recreation in a spiritual atmosphere without discrimination of age or race

Antietam Recreation - Hagerstown, MD
http://www.antietamrecreation.com/
Antietam Recreation is a family owned and operated facility designed to provide exciting, active, and educational fun in a Christian atmosphere.

Martial Arts Program - Chambersburg, PA
www.chambersburgacademy.com
For ages 6+, developed with Home School students in mind. See web site for current class schedule.

YMCA Homeschool Gym and Swim - Chambersburg, PA
Each Monday, starting in September, the gym will be available to be used from 1-3 P.M. and the pool for swimming from 2-3 P.M.  This is for use of any homeschoolers. There will not be instructors holding classes.  There is no registration.  Come any week that it suits your family.  The cost is $2 per student in grades 1-8. This is free if you are a member of the YMCA.

Hagerstown Sports and Ice Arena
www.hagerstownice.org
Every Tuesday from 2 - 3:50 p.m. for $3.50.
Anyone can skate during the homeschool skate however, only homeschoolers will be allowed the discount.

Homeschool Students Athletes in NCCA
www.ncaa.org
Homeschooled student-athletes who attend an NCAA Division I or Division II institution can have their eligibility status determined by having the NCAA college or university they addend submit an initial-eligibility waiver application to the NCAA national office. The waiver application must include the following items:
Homeschool transcript; ACT/SAT score; evidence of outside assessment, if available (tutors, tests graded by an outside agency); evidence that homeschooling was conducted in accordance with applicable state laws; detailed description of homeschool teaching environment (e.g., name of instructor(s), methods of instruction, number of hours of instruction per day); lists of titles of all textbooks for all homeschool courses; copies of the table of contents for textbooks utilized in core courses; samples of work completed (tests, papers) by the student; and initial eligibility Certification Report from NCAA (only if student has attended some traditional schooling).
The application must be sent to the NCAA national office. A decision is given within 3 weeks. For more info, call317-917-622, or visit www.ncaa.org

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Summer Programs

Franklin County Library System Summer Reading Program Schedules
http://www.fclspa.org/
Check your local library schedule for fun activities planned this summer.

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Teen Activities

Worldview Academy Leadership Camp - Center Valley, PA
www.worldview.org
This is a leadership camp that is designed to train Christian Leaders of tomorrow. Teens participate in a variety of workshops including topics on worldviews, servant leadership, and  apologetics and Evangelism.

TeenPact - Harrisburg, PA
www.teenpact.com 
TeenPact 's goal is to train today's youth to passionately and effectively impact government and culture for Christ. It is a one week class during your state's legislative session where teens are able to interact with legislators and see how our government works close up. 

California University of Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh, PA
Science & Technology Leadership Academy
www.cup.edu/hsacademy
Here’s how to instantly energize your college career.  Make an early connection to college at the Science & Technology Leadership Academy (STLA).  At STLA, you can transform your knowledge and creativity into college credits.  In just 3 weeks, you can earn 6 honors-level college credits that can transfer to any college or university.  You’ll learn from members of our highly regard faculty.  You’ll participate in hands-on activities, field trips, projects, and group activities.  In addition, when you enter the Academy, you’ll stay in a room equipped with air conditioning and a computer with free high-speed Internet access.  Upon completion of the Academy, we’ll give you the information you need to apply to California University of Pennsylvania or to transfer your grades to another school.

Pennsylvania Colleges, College Scholarships and Financial Aid
http://www.college-scholarships.com/pennsylvania.htm
Students, parents, and educators may use this page to request college and university catalogues, admissions applications, and information about scholarships and financial aid.

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This page was last updated on
01/07/07

MDHSA does not discriminate against families based on race, color,
national or ethnic origin.