Sylvan’s Seven Summer Learning Wonders
Unique Destinations Offer Children a Fun and Educational ExperienceSummer is in full swing and among the usual camps, trips to the pool and visits to the local theme park, thinking of original places to take children during the summertime can be difficult.Avoid learning loss with Sylvan's summer camps!
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The good news is that several unique destinations around the U.S. offer children fun and educational experiences that will stimulate their minds and their interests. To track down the best and brightest, Sylvan Learning did some digging and discovered the top seven educational wonders to visit this summer. From New England to The Golden State, these family friendly attractions are just around the corner.
“Rather than filling summer days with video games and TV, there are a number of places for parents to take children that have educational but fun aspects,” said Richard E. Bavaria, Ph.D., senior vice president for education outreach for Sylvan Learning. “Each of Sylvan’s Seven Summer Learning Wonders has a tie to school subjects such as science, history and technology, and also make great back-to-school stories to share with classmates.”
Explore the Seven Summer Wonders
Maine
Seashore Trolley MuseumKennebunkport, Maine
www.trolleymuseum.org
Founded in 1939, the Seashore Trolley Museum is the oldest and largest electric railway museum in the world, containing more than 250 classic streetcars and other pieces of transportation history. The combination of social studies, science and technology embodies an educational and fascinating trip to remember.
Dr. Rick’s Tip: Ask your children to find the oldest railcar and to count how many streetcars are from your home state.
Washington, D.C.
Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardenshttp://www.nps.gov/keaq/
In a beautiful preservation of nature, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens allows visitors a glimpse at the Nation’s Capitol before the days of high-rise office buildings and rush-hour traffic. Summertime highlights the wetlands, including ponds adorned with striking Victoria Waterlilies.
Dr. Rick’s Tip: While taking a leisurely stroll, have your children point out and describe at least three different kinds of animals, flowers and plants.
Tennessee
Purity Dairies Plant TourNashville, Tennessee
www.puritydairies.com
Just outside Nashville, the Purity Dairies Plant provides tours five days a week to learn how their various products are made. In addition to learning about agriculture and technology, the tour features free admission and ice cream.
Dr. Rick’s Tip: Ask your children to list their favorite ways to eat the products they come across (cereal with milk, sour cream on a baked potato, etc.).
Florida
St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological ParkSt. Augustine, Florida
www.alligatorfarm.us
Located in the nation’s oldest city, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm features wildlife from turtles, monkeys and wild birds, to the main attractions of crocodiles and alligators, including rare albino alligators and the 15-foot, 1200-pound giant, Maximo.
Dr. Rick’s Direction: Pick up a visitors guide and have your children choose a few exhibits from the descriptions. Ask them why they chose each and how it is different from others in the park.
North Dakota
Dakota Dinosaur MuseumDickinson, North Dakota
www.dakotadino.com
The Dakota Dinosaur Museum is 13,400-sq. ft. museum with multiple exhibits, including seashells, ancient rocks and minerals and dinosaur fossils, featuring full-scale dinosaurs and, according to the museum, one of the best authentic Triceratops skulls ever found. This lifelike experience offers visitors a look back into geological history.
Dr. Rick’s Tip: Work with your child to map your trip around the museum based on which exhibits he wants to see first.
Colorado
Solo’s RestaurantColorado Springs, Colorado
www.coloradoeats.com/Solos
Solo’s Restaurant is located inside of a stationary 1953 Boeing KC-97 tanker, where guests dine inside the plane. The restaurant is rich in aviation history with an abundance of pictures, memorabilia and rare artifacts.
Dr. Rick’s Tip: Read some of the history displays as a family and play an interactive game with your child, such as covering the description and asking her the date or other simple trivia questions.
California
Jelly Belly Candy Factory TourFairfield, California
www.jellybelly.com
Guides explain the intricate process involved in creating delicious treats on this 40-minute walking tour through the colorful and fragrant world of the Jelly Belly Visitor Center and Candy Factory. This educational field trip is a tasty lesson in invention and technology.
Dr. Rick’s Tip: Before you leave the factory, have your child tell you three steps to making jellybeans and reward him with a few of his favorite flavors at the gift shop.
