Homeschool HUB News Update--May 1

Homeschool HUB News Update--May 1 Homeschool HUB phone: 269-240-6094 email: homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   website: www.hshub.org Editor: Andrea Bikfalvy   The information below is offered to you as a service.  Please research and decide for yourself the value to your family.  The Homeschool HUB does not endorse any programs or services other than those offered by the Homeschool HUB.     Send information to be added to the update no later than the Thursday before the week you want it to appear:  homeschoolhub@yahoo.com ON THE CALENDAR: Details for the following events are on the calendar at: www.calendar.yahoo.com/homeschoolhub May 6--Bowling at Strikes and Spares, 1:00-3:00, $5/pp May 5--Homeschool Showcase 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, Lake Michigan College's Bertrand Crossing campus in Niles May 12--HUB Board of Directors Meeting 7 pm, Niles Police Complex May 20--Homeschool Skate at USA Skate 1:00-3:00, $3/pp including skate rental. GENERAL INTEREST: G1) Homeschool HUB website G2) Fun Scholarship Opportunity G3) Bookit Program G4) FREE ADMISSION TO THE 2011 CHICAGO HOMESCHOOL EXPO G1) New at hshub.org Added this week to the web site: Random Fun Stuff It's called parcour, or free running.  Your kids will love these videos .  Check them out at http://www.hshub.org/Random_Fun_Stuff.html G2) Flash Card Scholarship This is a fun one!  Make a creative video showing flash cards being destroyed, submit it and post it on youtube.  Maybe you will win the $500 scholarship.  http://www.flashcardscholarship.com/ G3) Pizza Hut BookIt Reading Incentive Program This program is for students in grades K-6.  You keep track of books read for the six months Oct. – Mar.  Each month students meet their goals they get a coupon for a personal pan pizza.  Homeschool groups may no longer sign up for their group, so the HUB will not be doing it for you from now on.  Instead, each family must sign up individually at: http://www.bookitprogram.com/default.asp.   There is a link for Homeschoolers in the 3rd FAQ question that takes you to your registration area.  Sign-ups for the following school year are taken from April until September.  To guarantee getting the materials sign up by early June.  After that they continue filling orders until they run out of materials or until September, whichever come first. G4) FREE ADMISSION TO THE 2011 CHICAGO HOMESCHOOL EXPO! HURRY! LIMITED TIME ONLY! WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CLOSE FREE REGISTRATION EARLY SO GET YOURS NOW! TELL YOUR FRIENDS! ENDS MIDNIGHT, MAY 11, 2011! THIS IS A RARE OPPORTUNITY!   For a limited time only, we are giving away admission to the 2011 Chicago Homeschool Expo. Yes, that's right! F_R_E_E Admission, no strings attached. THIS FREE ADMISSION DOES NOT INCLUDE WORLDVIEW TEEN TRACK, HOMESCHOOLING FOR EXCELLENCE 101, OR KIDSZONE EVENTS. Click here for more information:   http://www.chicagohomeschoolexpo.com/free-admission-give-away   AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS! Pass on this email to ANYONE who would like to attend. SPREAD THE WORD! Warm Regards, Randi St. Denis ChicagoHomeschoolExpo.com http://www.chicagohomeschoolexpo.com/ MICHIANA EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES 1) Homeschool Spring Showcase 2) In the Beginning: Making Sense of the Creation Evolution Debate 3) Bethel Offers Academic Camps with $250 Scholarship 4) INCH Homeschool Convention in Lansing 5) Urban Adventure in South Bend 6) Bike the Bend 7) Volunteer Opportunities 1) Homeschool Spring Showcase THIS THURSDAY Don't miss it!  Come and see what local homeschoolers have done this year!  There will be robotics demonstrations, Fab Lab demos, music, videos, homeschool info, free curriculum, refreshments, and more. May 5, 2011 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm at Lake Michigan College's Bertrand Crossing campus in Niles   There will be representatives from both the Berrien Springs and Niles Parent Partnership programs available to discuss their offerings for next year.   There will be exhibits regarding community education classes available on a self pay basis and through the Partnership Programs.  Movies made by the Video class students will be shown at 6:45 and 7:15.  If you are a teacher or parent who offers a service or class and would like to inform homeschoolers about it, please get in contact with the Hub and they will be happy to provide you with a table. The Homeschool Hub will have an area to receive any of the following donations: Homeschool Curriculum Unwanted textbooks of any kind Box Tops for education Campbell's Soup labels We will also have some used curriculum available for free that has been donated for that purpose. Please mark your calendars to attend this event!  It is a wealth of information as to what is available to your homeschooler in the surrounding areas. If you have any questions, please call Diane Day 269-370-4589. 2) In the Beginning: Making Sense of the Creation Evolution Debate Science claims that the universe evolved over an extremely long period of time.  But the Bible says that the world was created in six days.  Some have attempted various means of reconciling the two views, yielding a third view, that God was involved with creation but used the evolutionary process. What is the truth?  Can the Bible be trusted?  Can we take it just as it reads?  And if so, do we have to throw out science? In the Beginning: Making Sense of the Creation Evolution Debate is a 5-night lecture series that provides answers to these questions.  Research biologist, Dr. Timothy Standish, and Seminary Professor, Dr. Ron Clouzet, will discuss genetics, radiometric dating, the age of the earth, and the flood and fossils. The seminar will air on the Hope Channel May 4-8 beginning at 7:30 each evening.  Public showings will be held at the office of dentist, Dr. Richard Beckermeyer, 123 Marmont Street, Niles, Michigan.  For more information and to register, please call Dorothea Sarli at 269-684-3590 or dsarli@melwade.com. 3) Bethel Offers Academic Camps with $250 Scholarship   Bethel will offer its fourth annual Academic Camps taught by Bethel professors along with students and staff during the months of June and July. The cost per camper is $125, with the exceptions of the Entomology and Youth Gospel Choir camps. New this year, campers who successfully complete one week of camp will receive a $250 financial award toward Bethel College. This award is repeatable up to four times. Academic camps include: Theatre with D. Swerman-Godwaldt June 27-July 1 Ages 9-13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Ages 14-17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Entomology with Kevin Drury, Ph.D. ($150) June 27- July 1 Ages 10-14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Creative Writing with Jennifer Ochstein June 27- July 1 Ages 11-15 from 9 a.m. to 12  p.m. Project Showtime: Music, Monologues, and Movement with Vicky Garrett and Jim Pickley July 11-15 Ages 11-15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Anatomy with Dr. Steve Galat July 11-15 Ages 11-15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sculpture with Suzanne Mauro July 11-15 Ages 12-17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Modern Art Masters with Suzanne Mauro July 18-22 Ages 7-11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Music Theory with Vicky Warkentien July 18-22 Ages 7-10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Instrumental & Choral Ensembles with Vicky Warkentien July 18-22 Ages 7-15 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sports Communication with Theo Williams July 18-22 Ages 11-15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Youth Gospel Choir with Zachary Gillis June 13-17 Ages 8-14 from 9 a.m. to noon ($50) Two weeks prior to each camp. If space is available, late registrations will be accepted up to the first day of camp for an additional $10.00 fee. For more information, visit www.BethelCollege.edu/Camps/Academics. 4) INCH Homeschool Convention in Lansing   This event is happening in just a few weeks, on May 20 & 21.  For complete info go to www.inch.org 5) Sign up now for Urban Adventure fun in July On July 30 South Bend is holding it's Urban Adventure Games.  It's a really fun day, and there is a junior division for ages 13 -17, and a family division.  You need a buddy, it's done in teams of two.  The cost is $40/person, and you get to zipline across the river, kayak the east race, do a climbing wall, and lots more.  They have a good video that describes it on the homepage of their web site here:  http://urbanadventuregames.com/ 6) Bike the Bend   This is a family friendly bike ride event in South Bend on May 7.   Cost for an adult rider is $30, ages 17 and under are free.  Go here to check it out and to register:  http://www.bikethebend.com/registration/ 7) Volunteer Opportunities A) Blossom Time Parade will start in St. Joseph and end in Benton Harbor on Saturday, May 7.  They are looking for volunteers that will collect banners from the floats and bands at the end of the parade, roll them up and load them on to a truck.  If you have happy memories of watching the parade as a kid and now that you are a "big kid" you like to be of assistance behind the scenes so the parade can roll with success, contact the Volunteer Center for additional details. B) Tire Recycling Collection Do you like to see clean road sides, free of garbage?  Encourage people to discard old tires properly by volunteering at a tire collection.  Volunteers will help unload tires from residents' vehicles, so some lifting and dirt will be involved.  Jill Adams, the lead person in the event says, "I'm a girl, and I unload tires at every event (except at the event the day before my son was born), so it's not so bad."  Jill is looking for individuals, groups of friends, employee groups - whomever!  Work gloves will be provided. WHERE:   Berrien County Road Commission, 2860 E. Napier, Benton Harbor WHEN:    Thursday, May 5 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.          Friday, May 6 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. WHERE:   Berrien County Road Commission, 1940 Bakertown Rd. , Buchanan WHEN:    Thursday, May 5 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.          Friday, May 6 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. C) Harbor Habitat for Humanity is having a very busy month of May with a variety of activities.  If you have the time and energy to volunteer, especially on a Tuesday - Friday, they would welcome your assistance.  Everyday will be different and you may be involved with deconstructing a house in south St. Joseph, doing construction on a new house, or working at the ReStore on Plaza Drive in Benton Harbor .  Do you have a few hours or a couple of days to give?   Contact: Lori Csintyan,  Director of Volunteer Services, Harbor Habitat for Humanity 785 E. Main St. - Benton Harbor , MI 49022 Phone: (269)925-9635 or email: lcsintyan@harborhabitat.org  www.harborhabitat.org   For more info on these opportunities, contact: Debra Panozzo Adult and family volunteer coordinator Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan 269-983-0912 ext 13 St. Joseph 269-683-5464  Niles www.volunteerswmi.org   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LINKS TO SHARE: Check out the new links on www.hshub.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CLASSIFIEDS Looking for a group?  Join the HUB! There are several benefits of membership including a travel club and a resource library that includes things like books, games, laptops, video cameras and other items to borrow (free, members only). Members receive first chance at events and classes when availability is limited.  The cost of membership is only $24/year.  Information about becoming a member is on the website at www.hshub.org   BIRD-A-THON On May 14, some local homeschool students will be raising funds to care for Mud Lake Bog in Berrien County.  They have formed a bird-a-thon team and are looking for sponsors and pledges.  You can make a flat donation or a "per bird" donation.  The kids expect to identify 50-100 species of birds on May 14 during the Bird-a-Thon event.  The money will be used to help get rid of glossy buckthorn, an invasive species of shrub that is clogging the bog. If you would like to donate or pledge, please contact Nathan, 7th grade novice birder, at writermom@surfbest.net. MATH TUTOR Need Help With Math? (Grades 7-12, South Bend/Mishawaka area)   My name is Caleb Noble.  I'm a private math tutor (and former homeschool student) in South Bend. I have a bachelor's degree in mathematics and over two years of tutoring experience, ranging from pre-algebra to calculus. As a former homeschool student, I know the challenges that parents can face, particularly with high-school math, and I have experience with the Saxon math curriculum (both as a tutor and as a student). I can meet with you and your child in your home or at any other location in the South Bend/Mishawaka area.  To set up an initial meeting or if you have any questions, you can reach me at caleb_noble@hotmail.com or at 574-229-4657. First session's free! Have something for sale, free or trade?  Advertise here! Homeschool groups are welcome to advertise their group, too.  It's free! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LETTING IT RIDE: Amazon.com--Please come to www.hshub.org before you shop at Amazon.  You can either shop the Associate Store listed in the Menu bar or click on the "Help the Homeschool HUB - Purchase at Amazon" link just below the Menu bar. By using this link to Amazon The Homeschool HUB will earn money through Amazon's Associates program on everything you purchase. So whenever you think "Amazon" please remember your purchase can help The Homeschool HUB. The Homeschool HUB is collecting used textbooks.  Contact Diane Day:  joharding_20@yahoo.com or 269-445-1900. The Homeschool HUB is continuing to collect Campbell Soup labels, Campbell's Chunky Soup labels, Campbell's Healthy Request labels, Campbell's Select harvest, Franco-American, Pepperidge Farm, Spaghettios, Swanson, V-8 Beverages, V-8 Fusion, Prego Italian Sauces and Campbell's Food Service.   Give your labels to any board member or bring them to our homeschool functions. --AND-- We are still accepting Boxtops for education labels.  You can find these on many products. Go to Boxtops for Education.org for more info, and then SAVE SAVE SAVE  those labels.  Each one nets 10 cents and every 10 cents adds up. You can give them to any HUB board director or bring them to any of our functions that we will be having.  Thank-you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DISCLAIMERS: While the Homeschool HUB believes that these events or opportunities may be of value to home educators, announcements do not constitute an endorsement by the Homeschool HUB, or its Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of individual parents to determine the appropriateness of any event or opportunity for their children. Participation in any event is voluntary and the participant assumes complete responsibility and liability for themselves, their family, anyone accompanying them, and their personal property.