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"Field Trips" or "Family Fun"?
by Todd Wilson, Familyman Ministries Want to hear a sad story? The only field trips I experienced in all of my growing up years were to the Wonder Bread Factory, the zoo, the state museum, and as a senior in high school, a day in Chicago doing . . . something. That's it. In contrast, my children have been to civil war battlefields, national monuments, museums of every variety, historical sites, and hometowns of famous Americans... all because they are homeschooled. I can remember standing in line to tour a lighthouse on Anastasia Island near St. Augustine, Florida a couple of years ago. There were just a few people behind us because it was in late spring and 'real' schools were still in session. As is often asked, the lady behind the counter said, "So, no school today?" "Oh, we homeschool," I answered a little reluctantly. "Our kids get to SEE what most kids just read about." The words were barely out of my mouth before a lady behind me spoke up. "I'm a public school teacher," she said boldly as I prepared to be blasted, "and I think what you're doing is WONDERFUL." I smiled, thankful that she hadn't blasted me and that she encouraged us in the direction we had chosen to go. A few minutes later, we stood atop the St. Augustine Lighthouse stunned by the view and the history we were experiencing. Now we don't record our field trips, make the kids write reports, or have them take a test on what they saw . . . in fact, we don't even call them field trips. It somehow desecrates the good name of fun and family outing and stifles learning. We just experience the moment and enjoy it with the people we love most... and buy a few souvenirs. I'm telling you, that's a lot better than a trip to the Wonder Bread Factory. |
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| Todd Wilson, author of Help! I'm Married to a Homeschooling Mom and The Official Book of Homeschooling Cartoons, is a dad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd's humor and gut-honest realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions across the country. He is also a regular contributor to The Homeschool Minute and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. To find out more about Familyman Ministries, go to www.familymanweb.com |
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