Your Metroparks aren’t just for casual recreation or weekend outings. There are many events and programs regularly scheduled throughout the week for adults and children to explore nature. The Homeschool Series is one event that gets kids out of the classroom and into nature, using newfound skills and knowledge to interact with the world around them. The benefits are endless, and the events are engaging! See what this series can offer your children this season.

Why Join a Homeschool Series Event?

Socialization Opportunities

If you’re new to homeschooling, you may be worried that your children won’t get enough social interaction since they aren’t in a physical building with dozens of other kids. If you’re a veteran homeschooler, you may be looking for new and exciting ways to introduce your kids to diverse communities and people. Either way, the Homeschool Series at your Metroparks is an excellent solution. Research suggests that homeschooled children do not struggle with socialization primarily due to their caregivers’ efforts to find engaging activities throughout the community. With a team of experts and volunteers leading the Homeschool Series events, your children will enjoy working with a new group of peers and developing lasting friendships.

Cognitive Benefits from Nature

Studies show that being in nature—even for a short time—can improve cognitive functioning. Greenspaces help reset your brain and engage the executive functioning areas responsible for focus and productivity. Children experience the same benefits and can enhance their performance on “traditional” academic tasks just by spending more time in nature. The Homeschool Series at your Metroparks provides learning opportunities in nature and about nature, further enhancing these cognitive benefits.

Learning to Respect and Understand the Natural World

Students who engage with nature hands-on are likely to develop a connection with the world around them. Instead of viewing wildlife from afar, they can explore up close, ask questions, and see firsthand how humans and the rest of nature interact. Kids also retain new information better by engaging multiple senses and using their new knowledge immediately. At the Homeschool Series events, students will have the chance to put their skills to the test as they’re learning! If you’re hoping to encourage responsibility, respect, and curiosity in your children, the Homeschool Series is an incredible addition to your curriculum.

Upcoming Events to Enjoy

The school-year portion of the Homeschool Series wraps up this month, with a few activities planned over the summer. All events include time indoors and out, with guided lessons and hands-on activities.

Wildflower Ephemerals

The first flowers to bloom in early spring are often called the “ephemerals” since their growth dies back as the trees fill out and block the sun and the days get hotter. Learn about the wildflowers in the area and which ones to look out for as you count down the days to warmer weather!

Bird Migration

Curious about some of the local birds? Want to know more about the birds migrating into the parks, including their habitat, diet, and preservation needs? The Bird Migration course is for you. The location is perfect for this even—Bald Eagles have been nesting in this Metropark since 2013, so students might glimpse these birds during class!

Reptiles & Amphibians

Who knows what creatures live in and around the lakes, ponds, and rivers? Can you identify their different sounds, diets, and preferred habitats? These are some of the questions students might explore during this event. Come prepared to be amazed by the diversity of the amphibian world.

Whether you enjoy these upcoming events or make plans to join in the fall, the Homeschool Series at your Metroparks is an excellent way to encourage your student’s love of nature!