Dream and Discover

Wide World Fridays

Special activities offered each Friday. Fun is the order of the day . . . .

May 6, 10:30 a.m. – Wade into May
We sneak in a visit to the beach at Jordan Lake while the park is free (there's a fee during the summer months) and the water cool. Offerings include a sandy beach, wet lake, playground, and shady picnic tables. Also bathrooms and showers for rinsing. Pack up your suit and enjoy a quiet day while school remains in session. (The entrance to Seaforth is on US 64. Traveling west on US 64, go over the bridge on Jordan Lake. The Seaforth entrance is on the left. More detailed directions at the link below.)
Directions
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

May 13, 9:30 a.m. – Inside the Metal Boxes
The drama meter is high as the NC Museum of Art pumps up their new building. Some teasers: "Stunning light-filled galleries. Lush sculpture gardens. Shimmering reflecting pools. Dozens of new works of art." We check it out in a docent-led tour, highlighting select works of art, all housed in the new space. We can reflect on it all over lunch and play afterward, in the Museum Park. Perhaps we can even walk to the Greenway Bridge -- it's the longest pedestrian bridge in NC (660 feet) -- and lots of fun to walk across. Meet at museum entrance. 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh 27607.
NC Museum of Art
Museum Park

*Friday*, May 21, 10:30 a.m. – Kite Day
Cross your fingers for a blustery day. Aimee and Erin take us up to the highest heights as we make and fly our own kites. We'll craft soaring creations with materials from plastic to paper. $2/family covers kite supplies for all. 3200 Pleasant Union Church Road, Raleigh 27614.
Blue Jay Point County Park

May 28, 10:30 a.m. – Break in the Action
Even homeschoolers feel the hustle and bustle as "end-of-year" activities make life extra busy. And so we'll take a breather with a simple park day. Playgrounds, ball fields, plenty of shade, and ample space to run await at Piney Wood Park. 400 East Woodcroft Parkway, Durham 27713.
Piney Wood Park

June 4, 10:30 a.m. – Field Work
Prairie Ridge Ecostation is just one of those places -- somehow, time spent here feels valuable. With educator Kim Smart as our guide, we'll explore these special 40 acres. We'll look for tracks, examine the garden, watch flying critters from the bird blind, and talk it all over in the cool shade of the green classroom. Bring nature journals and pencils for drawing, and dress for trudging through Piedmont prairie and lowland forest (close-toed shoes, for sure). A native wildflower guide would be useful, too. $6/family. 4301 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh 27607.
Prairie Ridge Ecostation
What's Blooming Now

June 11, 10:30 a.m. – Remedies at the Ready
Since none of us are strangers to bumps, bruises, and blood, we're gonna do something about it. Erin leads us in making herbal first aid kits for each family. Some items will be made with the kids: insect bite oil, aloe gel, arnica oil, and garlic oil ointment. Other items will be ready-made to tuck in our kits: tea bags, crystallized ginger, bandages, lavender and tea tree oils, ingredients for herbal ice, cayenne, and echinacea tincture. Each kit will include a handout, reminding us which remedies to use in particular situations. So put down that big bottle of Bactine and come to the cabin for a morning of potion making. $20/kit.

June 18, 10:30 a.m. – Suit Up
Swim season is upon us. Pull on your suit and head to the Ridge Road Pool. There's a wading pool for wee ones, a spray ground with water dumping from above and squirting from the ground, plus a big pool for diving and swimming. A tent covering picnic tables provides a shady spot to snack and relax. 1709 Ridge Road, Raleigh 27607. Children (1-12), $1. Adults, $3. (Prices are for Raleigh residents -- they'll assume you live in Raleigh unless you tell them otherwise.)
Ridge Road Pool

June 25, 10:30 a.m. (tour begins promptly at 10:30) – Body Art
It wouldn't be summer in the Triangle without the glamour and sweat of the American Dance Festival. On this ADF tour, we'll observe classes and rehearsals, getting a behind-the-scenes look at these six intense weeks of modern dance. For anyone who loves theater and physicality, this tour is a heady, wonderous experience. Tour begins in Epworth Residence Hall on Duke's East Campus: 2 Epworth Lane, Durham 27708. [Use parking lot on right of Epworth (parking passes are not necessary). Take stairs near the handicap ramp; meet in office on right (don't worry, signs will direct you to tour location).]
Directions (see "Get Directions" link on right)
American Dance Festival

July 2 – No outing.

July 9, 10 a.m. – Cool Down on the Farm
It's mid-summer and water play is high on the agenda. Find your way to the swimming pool at The Farm (a low-key tennis and swimming spot for UNC staff). There's a big, fantastic pool with graded entry, plus deep spots for diving boards and a slide. Also a separate kiddie pool. The big bonus is bountiful shade, even while in the pool. Lots of comfy chairs and tables. Pack a lunch and plan to stay a while. Let the kid at the desk know that you're the guests of "Grandma Sally" as you arrive. Bring tennis rackets if you want to give the clay courts a whirl. 1 Alice Ingram Circle, Chapel Hill 27517.
Swimming at The Farm

July 16, 10:15 a.m. – Civic Duty
Much North Carolina history has happened under the dome of the capitol building. We venture inside for a guided tour. We'll glimpse the remaining working government areas: offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, and their staffs. The tour includes other historic chambers, plus the fantastic third floor -- home to the marvelously paneled and mysterious state library room and state geologist's office. After the tour, if heat permits, we'll explore the statues & monuments of the capitol grounds on our own. Allow plenty of time for parking & walking to the capitol (see map below for public parking lots). 1 East Edenton Street, Raleigh 27601.
Tour of the State Capitol
Downtown Parking Map

July 23, 1:45 p.m. (show begins promptly at 2) – Adventure by Ear
A rare *afternoon* gathering for some first-rate storytelling. Donna Washington will take center stage to spin a few yarns. Donna is full of energy -- her intense presence and distinctive voice fill space and grab attention. We'll be treated to original stories and classic tales with twists. $6/person (age 3 and older). 300 East Main Street, Carrboro 27510.
ArtsCenter - Directions
Donna Washington, Storyteller
Donna's Stories on YouTube

July 30, 10:30 a.m. – Fish Frenzy
You know that kid, Trey? The one you've seen in sleek competition swimwear since May? We gather at his home pool, to test the waters for ourselves. Lots of spots to dive and soak. Highlights include a waterslide and separate shaded wading pool. Also a large shaded area with tables for breaks and lunch. 4818 South Roxboro Street, Durham 27713.
Hope Valley Farms Swim Club

August 6, 11 a.m. – This Little Light of Mine
From the familiar firefly to the alien-looking angler fish, enter the realm of bioluminescence in Glow: Living Lights, a special exhibit at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. We'll discover creatures that make their own light and see the techniques and equipment that scientists use to study bioluminescence. $4/person (4 & younger are free). [If you're a member of the Museum, just show your membership card for free admittance.] Meet on first floor of Museum, as we must pay for group tickets with a single check. 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh 27601.
Directions & Parking
Glow: Living Lights

August 13, 10:30 a.m. – Care Package
Well, sigh. The bad news is that there are enough oil-soaked critters to clean that Craft Hope is accepting washcloths and towels until the end of August. The good news is that we can help. We'll gather in Barbara's basement to cut old t-shirts (any knit fabric, actually) into cloths and towels to be used by the staff of The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies. The first link below has a detailed FAQ that answers questions about sizes of cloths, acceptable fabric, and more. So clean out your closets and come for a few hours of cutting and packaging. We'll keep the tone positive and proactive, for sure. If you'd like to make a further contribution, the organization also needs Dawn dishwashing liquid. $2/family covers mailing costs.
Craft Hope: Project 8, Gulf Oil Spill
Craft Hope on Facebook

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