Thursday, August 5, 2010

Save Money Attending Homeschool Days

Stone Mountain carving  As a homeschooling family living on one income, I’m aware of just how hard it is to stretch those hard earned dollars. Though we’ve traveled a lot with my husband’s job, there have been times when we just couldn’t afford big splurges. Thankfully we discovered that many attractions offer Homeschool Days or other deep discounts for home educators. 

Homeschool Days are an affordable way for homeschooling families to experience local attractions or to travel places that at times may be too costly. In addition to the deep discounts, you’re also likely to find special programming just for the occasion.

Though this isn’t an exhaustive list, I’d like to share some of the Homeschool Days that are of interest to my own family.

Dollywood

Gatlinburg, TN

Friday, August 20th

Admission prices are as follows: Students $34.95 (includes taxes), Adults $43.60 (includes taxes) an add-on to Splash Country Fair can be made at $27.95 for both students and adults that is valid Aug. 19, 21 and 22. Admission to Dollywood includes a meal voucher at select restaurants for students. You can also extend your day to the 21st for free if you arrive after 3pm.

You will need to act quickly if you want to attend this event because advance reservations are required to be made by August 13, 2010. Unfortunately online reservations are not available at this time, so you must call 888-428-6789 and speak to a real person.

Kings Island

(Mason) Cincinnati, OH

Thursday, August 26th 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Receive an incredible deal of $24.99 for all guests ages 3 and up with meal tickets available for an additional cost of $7.99.

Presentations are planned by COSI and The Creation Museum with a special guest performance.

Biltmore Estate

Asheville, NC

Thursday, Sept. 9th & Friday, September 10

This year the homeschool festival will focus on the Designs of Biltmore but no further information is listed on the website at this time. You can email your contact information to Kat Bartlett at kbarlett@biltmore.com to receive updated information as it becomes available. 

Walt Disney World Resort

Orlando, FL

Wednesday, September 8th and Thursday, September 9th and additional dates at the Animal Kingdom, Monday, January 24th & Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

The focus is on careers in the arts with additional programs available for a fee. There are many packages available, from a 1-Day Pass for Florida residents to 5-Day Premium Park Hopper Passes that include a presentation.

Colonial Williamsburg Fall Homeschooler Experience

Williamsburg, VA

Saturday, Sept. 11th through Saturday, September 25th

Immerse yourself in Colonial Life and the 18th century when you attend the Homeschool Days at Colonial Williamsburg. While you’re there make sure you check out the activities going on at Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center too!

Jamestown Settlement/Yorktown Victory Center Homeschool Program

Saturday, Sept. 11th through Saturday, September 25th

This program will include a variety of educational programs for a range of grade levels as well as hands-on programs and family tours. The homeschool ticket will include admission to both Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center for the entire date range! You can purchase tickets online at $10.25 per family member. After you purchase your tickets, you must call 757-23-4939 to reserve your spot in the hands-on class or tour as space is limited.

Plimoth Plantation

Plymouth, MA

Friday, September 18th 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Cost for students is $12, while adults will pay $20 for a 2- day admission pass. A variety of workshops will be offered.

National Museum of the US Air Force

Dayton, OH

Monday, September 27th

Activities begin at 9:00 a.m. with a variety of classes broken up into age/grade levels. Most of the activities and classes are offered for free, but you must register in advance.

Tennessee Aquarium Homeschool Days

Monday, September 27th

On homeschool day, you can choose to purchase a ticket for the aquarium, IMAX or a combination ticket that includes both. Cost for students will be $6.50 for the aquarium, $5.00 IMAX or $10.25 for a combo ticket to both. Homeschool Parents will pay the following: $22.50 for the Aquarium, $ 7.75 for the IMAX movie or $27.50 for a combo ticket.

Programs will be offered in the auditorium from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and will include the opportunity for a behind the scenes tour for an additional cost of $5.00. Homeschool students and parents will also receive a discount at the Aquarium Gift Shops and you know gift shops always have the coolest things!

Stone Mountain

Atlanta, GA

Friday, October 1st

Open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p. m., the discounted rate of $17 per person includes all activities offered at Stone Mountain except the Ducks.

Space Center Houston

Houston, TX

Beginning with a special after hour’s program on the evening of Tuesday, October 5th and all day October 6th, the Space Center is closed to the public for this special homeschool day. Advance registration is required with orders placed prior to September 28th receiving the biggest savings by paying only $8.95 per person. After the 28th, the cost will rise to $11.95 per person.

Kennedy Space Center

Cape Canaveral, FL

Saturday, October 2nd

You won’t want to miss out on participating in the special hands on activities while learning about NASA, enjoying the Space Shuttle Experience and meeting an actual astronaut. While you’re there, make sure you pick up a packet of educational materials before you leave. Cost is $31.50 plus tax. For more information call 866-737-5235.

Legoland

Carlsbad, CA

Legoland takes Homeschool Days a bit further by offering discounted admission on select Mondays throughout the year for homeschooling families who register prior to their visit. If you’re planning a trip to Legoland, make sure you take the time to check this out.

In addition to Homeschool Days, you’ll find that many attractions offer discounts to homeschool groups as well, while considering a group to be as few as 10 people. I don’t know about you, but in my circle of friends, that could be as few as one or two families. If you’re looking to save a bit of money and don’t mind organizing some low key field trips for a few friends, that may be just the ticket to reducing the cost on some high price attractions.

If you know of any Homeschool Days offered in your area, I’d love if you’d share it in the comments. And if you’ve attended a Homeschool Day in the past, I’d love to hear about your experience!

12 comments:

  1. This is a great list and a wonderful idea. Are you still going to be doing Field Trip Fridays?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Phyllis,

    Yes, I still plan to continue with Field Trip Friday and hope that the weather here cools off a bit so we can begin doing some of the really fun things I'd planned!:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. WOW thanks for that list. It is very complete! I hope someday to check a lot of them out!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow! I had no idea there were so many homeschool events as this... we are brand new to home learning and I joined your blog to keep up with the happenings. Thanks for so much info and inspiration.
    Blessings,
    Becky C
    A Country Classroom

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow! I had no idea there were so many homeschool events as this... we are brand new to home learning and I joined your blog to keep up with the happenings. Thanks for so much info and inspiration.
    Blessings,
    Becky C
    A Country Classroom

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a great list - I had no idea such days existed! Thanks for sharing - I'll definitely be checking out these types of deals in my area!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Awesome list! Thanks for sharing it. Stopping by from Mingle Monday!

    ReplyDelete
  8. LOVE your post here! Thanks for linking up with Hip Homeschool Hop! We're excited you're around.

    Meghan
    www.thetuckerstaketennessee.com
    www.facebook.com/hiphomeschoolmoms

    ReplyDelete
  9. THANK YOU FOR LINKING UP TO MY HOMESCHOOL BLOG HOP! IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU! I LOVE HOW YOU HOMESCHOOL, WHAT GREAT EXPERIENCES YOUR CHILDREN HAVE, TO SEE SO MANY AWESOME THINGS! PRAISE GOD FOR THIS BLESSING THAT HE HAS GIVEN YOU! I DON'T WANT TO MISS READING THEM, I SIGNED UP TO FOLLOW YOUR BLOG, CAN'T WAIT TO READ MORE! ENJOY YOUR TRAVELS! HAPPY SCHOOLING! :) <><
    NICOLE

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love this list! I'm going to send a few of my IRL friends to your site to check it out too. Thank you so much for all of the great info.

    I'm so glad that you joined the HIP HOMESCHOOL HOP today.

    Sue
    The Homeschool Chick

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is a great list! I hope to be joining the Friday Field Trip linky soon! I am loving your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Excellent list Tonya!

    We've also participated in the Six Flags Read to Succeed program through our homeschool group, and gotten free tickets to Six Flags for the kids and one adult (the teacher) for the last 2 summers. Definitely saved us some money there.

    Also, multi-day shows and festivals that have an educational component or a living history compontent like the Reinessance Festival and our local Gem & Mineral Show have "school days" that allow homeschool groups to also participate for a much lower cost and much more kid approriate content (especially with the Reinessance Festival). Booking in a "field trip" in the afternoon allows us to get a the lower price and avoid the school crowd.

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing what you think! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! Blessings!:)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...