By Holly Giles | Florida , florida vacations
Nine Best Summer Activities for Families on a Budget The summer vacation in America is usually about 12 weeks long, which can really be a challenge for busy parents. Finding the best summer activities for families can take time. In particular, working parents can really struggle if they have only limited vacation time. Weekends are […]
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By Holly Giles | Family , Florida , florida vacations
How to Save Money for Summer Vacation What should I do for summer vacation? Summer vacation savings. Planning can save you regardless of whether you travel or have a staycation. Summer vacations when the children are out of school can be very expensive if you don’t plan ahead and look for as many ways to […]
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By Holly Giles | Florida , florida vacations , Great Outdoors , homeschooling , Nature Study
What is the purpose of a nature walk? Having a natural curiosity to explore the world around us is what makes us human. Having the tools to explore makes it more interesting and easier to do. Create your own family nature kit. Fill it with items that will help you learn more about what interests […]
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By Holly Giles | Field Trips , Florida , florida vacations , Great Outdoors
Outdoor Adventures Living in Florida gives us a unique advantage to outdoor adventures all year long. City playgrounds to sportsman activities give families plenty of options to add adventure throughout all our homeschooling years. Toddler Years When my children were young, simple outdoor adventures were easy to find. Nature centers, museums, and many parks offer […]
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By Holly Giles | Florida , Florida field trips , florida vacations
Treasure the History of Florida It can be hard to treasure the history of Florida when you aren’t sure you like it very much. I am a native Floridian. Actually, I am a fourth-generation Floridian- a rarity these days. As a child, I did not think it was a special place but my grandparents did. […]
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By Holly Giles | Florida , florida vacations , Great Outdoors
Florida traditions Quail hunting was a staple in my grandparent’s generation in providing food for the family. However, I had not experienced a hunt myself, but I remember having quail for dinner. My grandfather cleaned and dressed them out behind the barn and my grandmother would coat them in flour and fry them up in […]
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By Holly Giles | Family , Florida , Florida Treasures , florida vacations , Great Outdoors
Florida quail hunting It was 4 a.m. when the dogs began barking from the kennel. They knew it was time to get up and head to Babcock Ranch for the Florida quail hunting youth hunt. It was not going to be an ordinary day. We wearily awoke to quite a chill in the air that made […]
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By Holly Giles | Field Trips , Florida , florida vacations
Clearwater marine aquarium Have you been to an aquarium lately? Grant, my 10-year-old, and I took a mini-vacation to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see Winter, the dolphin who lost her tail. The movie Dolphin Tale was made about her and her journey to receive a mechanical tail. My sister recently moved to Clearwater. So, it […]
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By Holly Giles | Florida , florida vacations
Debary Hall “We are called the best-hidden gem in Volusia County for Florida history!” said Betty, our tour guide at Debary Hall. A friend and I, along with our four children decided to take a tour of this historic home to learn some Florida history. This particular gem actually sits right within my own neighborhood. […]
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By Holly Giles | Field Trips , Florida , florida vacations , Great Outdoors , homeschooling , Nature Study
The wonderful weather beckons us to be outside! We met up with some friends for a day at Hontoon Island State Park. Come along with us to this hidden Florida gem. Hontoon Island sits along the St. John’s river in Volusia County. It is accessible only by boat. It is a treasure trove of […]
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