Summer Educational Hotspots

from NewsTribune_IV Parent_072421

by Shaw Media

A Kid’s Perspective

Summer

Educational Hotspots

Teach Your Kids While Entertaining Them

Story by Summer Traver

Are you trying to keep your children from becoming video-game-playing zombies all summer long? If you want to take them somewhere educational, but fun while school is out, here are some ideas that will keep them active but learning.

CEDAR CREEK RANCH

A trip to Cedar Creek Ranch in Cedar Point can teach your children how to respectfully interact with animals. They’ll learn as they ride horses on a trail, go fishing, or stop by the petting zoo.

“We have stuff to do for all ages out here,” Paul Williams, the owner of the ranch, said. “Kids don’t want to leave.”

If you have a child who doesn’t enjoy playing outside and would rather be inside with electronics, this might be the answer to teach them an appreciation for nature and the great outdoors.

PUTNAM COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Putnam County Historical Society in Hennepin is a great place to visit with lots of items to learn about. These local items can help children make the association that history is all around us. There are uniforms from the Civil War era that were donated from Putnam County families. There are also weapons used during that time that kids can view.

Debbie Pletsch, a McNabb resident and teacher, recommends the Putnam County Historical Society because it is

PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE Petting zoos, like this one at Cedar Creek Ranch in Cedar Point, offer kids a chance to learn about animals and treating all living things with kindness and respect.

Depending upon the age of your child, you can take them for a summertime trail ride at Cedar Creek Ranch. It’s educational because they’ll be learning something new, and they’ll get more practice with following instructions. Ranch owner Paul Williams stands with one of his horses.

PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE

a local place and parents do not need to travel far to learn more about history.

“A lot of Putnam County families have donated to the museum,” she said.

MATTHIESSEN STATE PARK

This state park in LaSalle County is an excellent place to explore, and there are many activities to do as well. It’s a good idea to have a camera ready to take pictures of all your child’s findings during your hike.

The trails alone will be a day-long adventure. There are five miles of trails, and you may choose a relaxing trail or a more vigorous trail depending on your purpose.

And while on their hike, your child will be learning, too. There are many different rock formations and geodes to observe and take pictures of while hiking. On your adventure, you may run into some Native American artifacts. You can’t remove them from the state park, but you can take a picture to remember it.

Matthiessen State Park also has trails for mountain biking if you are not a fan of hiking. There are wild animals to observe throughout the trails and many native plants to see. Before going or after your visit, go to IDNR State Parks website for more information so you’ll be able to discuss everything you take in.

PULSIFER HOUSE

The Pulsifer House, located in Hennepin, was built in 1844. It’s now a museum managed by the Putnam County Historical Society. The house is staged as it would have been when people actually lived there in 1844.

The Pulsifer House would be a great place to visit to learn about why Edward Pulsifer built the house in Hennepin and then later moved to Chicago. It is also amazing to see how people lived in that particular time period.

PUTNAM COUNTY’S AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

What family doesn’t like to learn about agriculture? This museum is located near the Pulsifer House. In order to visit the Agriculture Museum, you’ll need to make an appointment.

There is antique farm equipment that your family can view to compare and contrast all of the changes then and now. There is also an interesting Illinois River display. Your child can also check out an old school room and kitchen. It

See HOTSPOTS page 21

PHOTO BY SHANNON SERPETTE Friendly baby goats greet Cedar Creek Ranch owner Paul Williams. The goats have a starring role in the ranch’s newest activity, goat yoga.

will help you strike up conversations with your children about how life has changed and what possible ways they might contribute to the future.

Kirsten Augspols, a teacher who lives in Hennepin, recommends taking children to the museum because there are a variety of tractors for the children to view and see how it stacks up to what is being used today.

“It is interesting for children to see the different styles of tractors,” she said.

HENNEPIN CANAL LOCK 19

The Hennepin Canal Lock 19 is part of the Grand Illinois Trail. There is fishing, biking, canoeing, hiking, and picnicking, and it’s all walking distance from Wyanet. Three miles north of the village, there is Fort Thomas and also two locations where stagecoaches stopped at one time. The Henry Thomas Lock Museum is open on weekends and by appointments.

Visiting this museum will provide you with information about the history of Wyanet. Does your child like trains? If so, there is a spot to photograph passing trains, and at one time, there used to be a three-story train station.

MITCHELL’S GROVE NATURE PRESERVE

Do you have a budding botanist on your hands? There are over 300 kinds of plants at Mitchell’s Grove Nature Preserve and some are close to being extinct in Illinois. This location also has evidence of some major glacial action, making it a wonderful choice for teaching your child something new.

OWEN LOVEJOY HOMESTEAD

Lovejoy Homestead, which is located in Princeton, is a great place to learn about the history of the Underground Railroad. There is also a one room schoolhouse located on the property, which gives kids a fascinating peek into what the world of education used to look like.

DIXON WATERFOWL REFUGE

Does your child like nature? This waterfowl refuge along Route 26 in Hennepin is open 365 days a year. This 3,000-acre field used to grow corn and soybeans, but now it is all natural. There are lakes, marshes, savannah, prairie, and many native plants.

Thousands of waterfowl migrate and use Hennepin and Hopper lakes to stop as they pass through in the spring and fall. There are seven miles of hiking trails to observe, as well as the opportunities for fishing and paddling. There are over 230 different birds to try to spot, and a huge observation tower to do it from.

SHADOWS OF THE BLUE AND GRAY

If you’re looking for something to do this fall, save the date for the Shadows of the Blue and Gray in Princeton, which will be Oct. 9 and 10. It normally is a 3 day weekend because of Columbus Day. This even educates people on the roles of soldiers and civilians during the Civil War.