Favorite Field Trips

Webmistress:

Favorite Field Trips:

Glencairn Museum Bryn Athyn, PA
    Expect a 1 - 1 1/2 hour drive and a 4 hour visit. Call ahead for reservations. Also recommended is the church across the street.
UPA Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Philadelphia, PA (center-city)
    Parking is tricky but museum is inexpensive. Get kids handouts/worksheets on display for $1. Exhibits on Ancient Egypt, China, Greece, Africa, Mexico and more!
Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art Salisbury, MD (410) 742-4988
    Very realistic displays on almost all birds. Near the zoo.
Delaware Museum of Natural History Wilmington, DE (302) 658-9111
    Enjoyable museum on natural history. Has reciprocal agreements with other museums.
Gettysburg National Battlefield Park Gettysburg, PA
    Available anytime, Spring - Fall. Audio tours available as well as a vistor's center with re-enactments/events. Campground for camping and General Picket's Buffet for casual dining.
Maryland Science Center   Baltimore, MD (inner-harbor)
    Free admission. Lab/Class is $4.50 with admission. Park at Rusty Skipper Restaurant and get your ticket validated.
Ashland Nature Center   Hockessin, DE
    Overnight class recommended - very busy till noon the following day. Class held in March - about $30/person.
Waterhouse Museum   Philadelphia, PA (on Boathouse Row)
C & D Canal and Museum   Chesapeake City, MD
Rockwood Mansion   Wilmington, DE
    Hosts an annual Ice Cream Festival and Homeschool Days. The Butler's Pantry is great for a relaxing tea.
Zwaanendael Museum   Lewes, DE
    Free admission with donation
Johnson Victrola Museum   Dover, DE
Delaware History Museum   Wilmington, DE (302) 655-7161
    Educational tours available with hands-on activities.
Museum of Anthracite Mining   Ashland, PA (North of Reading)
    About a three hour drive but can also visit Centralia, PA to see an underground mine fire - great all-day trip. Mention you are from a school.
Lewes Beach Lewes, DE
    Go to the bay and see sea creatures for free!
Insectarium   Philadelphia, PA
Phlash Bus Philadelphia, PA
    $10/family for a bus tour of historical sites around Philly. Get on at Penn's Landing.
USS New Jersey Camden, NJ
    An extremely informative and fun-filled tour of a US Navy Battleship. Re-Enactors on site to answer questions. Tours available. (There is also a flight simulator at the dock which is fun as well.)
Valley Forge National Historic Park   Valley Forge, PA
    Audio tour available - open year round. Fun tour of the battlefield with cannons galore!
Shipwreck Museum   Fenwick Island, DE
    Free pirate museum - great after an afternoon in the sun.

Other Ideas:

Symphony:
    - University of Delaware (UD) offers student recitals for free
    - Newark Symphony - $5/adults; children free
    - Kennett Symphony - instrument "Petting Zoo" occasionally
    - UD - Bach's Lunch in Music Department on Wednesdays starting in October. Bring your own lunch.
    - Kimmel Center - $8/students (but $16/parking!) Tours available.
    - Wilmington Music School - occasional tours.
    - Dickerson High School - silent movies with original organ music accompaniment.
    - Accent Music - contact Joyce Harpey (owner) for "tours"

Drama:
    - UD Mitchell Hall hosts children's plays.
    - Contact local high schools for productions.
    - Pillow Plays performed by the Wilmington Drama League (WDL) at public libraries.
    - WDL has plays year round.
    - Wilmington Children's Theatre has year round plays.
    - Vagabond Acting Troupe - special rates for homeschoolers.

Free Tours:
    - Pepsi Plant (contact Education Department to schedule)
    - Pizza Hut (Kirkwood Highway)
    - Newark Police Station
    - Rita's Water Ice (Basin Road)
    - Dairy Queen (Rte. 4 and Narrows Road)
    - Commerce Bank (Rte. 7 and Rte. 40, across from the Bear Library)
    - Herr's Potato Chips (Nottingham, PA)