Homeschoolers braved the snow and cold Tuesday to venture outdoors for education at Mohican School in the Out-of-Doors (MOS) Homeschool Opportunity for Outdoor Training (HOOT).
HOOT offers hands on training for children, with an opportunity to explore a variety of educational subjects, both indoors and out.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to network amongst other homeschool families, and spend time outdoors, even if it is freezing cold,” said MOS Operations Coordinator Susan James, noting the chilly weather, “and get exposure to other activities you can do at home.”
Parents are welcome to attend and often pick up curriculum ideas and advice from MOS staff.
Steve James, MOS Program Coordinator, said that HOOT was founded in 2010. Currently, HOOT programs are geared for ages 5 and up, with Tuesday’s workshop playing host to a wide range of children, from ages 5 to 16. HOOT is held in the spring and fall, and the subject matter varies. Tuesday’s HOOT focus included weather and insects.
After exploring the basics in an indoor setting, the families bundled up and ventured outdoors for a weather scavenger hunt and a search for insects.
During the indoor part of insect studies, three stages of the Darkling Beetle were investigated via microscope, hand lens, and touch. Children were encouraged to explore and ask questions.
Jill Bauer said her son, Brodie, 11, hopes to become a naturalist. Bauer is from Crooksville, Ohio, and drove nearly two hours for the program.
“I drive two hours to come here so he can learn, because he likes nature,” said Jill Bauer, “I will drive as far as I need to drive for him to learn what he wants to learn.”
This was the Bauer family’s second HOOT adventure. When asked how Brodie Bauer liked his first HOOT experience, Jill Bauer said, “He really liked it. There were a lot of boys his age, and they were doing shelter building, so that really got them all doing something together, working together.”
At the end of the afternoon, when families were exchanging contact info, Susan James pointed out that not only were the parents that attend HOOT networking with other homeschooling families, but the children and parents were making new friends.
Previous HOOT classes have included: Pioneer cooking; fire building; building a survival shelter; natural dyes; dendrology; mammal studies; and bird studies, among others.
HOOT workshops run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., with a lunch break around noon. Families bring their own sack lunch.
Cost for the workshop is currently $10 per child, with no charge for caregivers.
The next HOOT class will be held in the fall. More information can be found at the website. MOS can also be found on Facebook.
MOS is a nonprofit organization that is currently involved in the Young Gimbel Challenge Grant Program, noted Susan James. Through June 30, the Milton and Beulah Young Foundation will match any donations, up to a total of $2,500, that come to MOS from individuals or organizations who either have never given to MOS in the past or are increasing the amount of their current gift when compared with their most recent previous donation. Any and all gifts for the Young Foundation challenge will be directed to the MOS Scholarship Fund.
The Russell and Mary Gimbel Foundation, throughout this same time period, will match donations, also up to a total of $2,500, that come to MOS from individuals or organizations who either identify themselves as MOS Alumni or are making gifts that are designated for the MOS Animal Care Fund.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to network amongst other homeschool families, and spend time outdoors, even if it is freezing cold,” said MOS Operations Coordinator Susan James, noting the chilly weather, “and get exposure to other activities you can do at home.”
