Sylvan’s Seven Summer Learning Wonders

Unique Destinations Offer Children a Fun and Educational Experience

(Baltimore, MD, July 2008) - Summer 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.

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.”

Maine

Seashore Trolley Museum
Kennebunkport, 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 Direction: 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 Gardens
http://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 Direction: 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 Tour
Nashville, 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 Direction: 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 Park
St. 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 Museum
Dickinson, 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 Direction: Work with your child to map your trip around the museum based on which exhibits he wants to see first.

Colorado

Solo’s Restaurant
Colorado 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 Direction: 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 Tour
Fairfield, 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 Direction: 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.

Visit each location’s Web sites for additional information including rates, reservations and hours of operation.

“Experiencing unique trips over the summer will help keep children enlightened and entertained, while also providing a bonding experience for the whole family,” continued Bavaria.

About Sylvan Learning

Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring at home to students of all ages, grades and skill levels. With approximately 30 years of experience and more than 900 centers located throughout North America, Sylvan's proven process and personalized methods have inspired more than 2 million students to discover the joy of learning. Sylvan's trained and Sylvan-certified personal instructors provide individual instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, study skills and test-prep for college entrance and state exams. Sylvan helps transform unique kids into uniquely inspired learners with the skills to do better in school and the confidence to do better in everything else. For more information, call 1-800-31-SUCCESS or visit www.SylvanLearning.com.