Lake Iowa launches homeschool programs

LADORA — Growing up in northwest Iowa, Molly Minnich enjoyed going to programs offered to homeschooled students by her county conservation department.

Now that she’s working for Iowa County Conservation, Minnich wants to offer the same experience to homeschooled students there.

Minnich joined the staff at Lake Iowa about five months ago as administrative assistant. Previously she served as administrative assistant and naturalist with Mahaska County Conservation in Oskaloosa. It’s a hybrid role, she said, which she likes because it keeps her from getting bored.

Minnich noticed that Iowa County Conservation had programs for public schools but hadn’t reached out homeschool groups. She’s planned programs for September, October and November and is trying to make contact with as many homeschoolers as she can.

Though she hasn’t received much interest yet, Minnich thinks the program will take off. “It’s something I’m just starting to get out,” Minnich said. “My goal is to hopefully have around 30 kids per program.”

Minnich could also schedule additional days to accommodate larger homeschool groups.

“I’ll just keep planning them and try them for a few months,” Minnick said. She’s set them for the third or fourth Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. for now.

Minnich said she tries to keep the programs appropriate for the time of year.

The September program, set for Sept. 23 at 10 a.m., is Seeds on the Move: Prairie Hike and Seed Balls. Minnich planned to take children on a guided hike to look for prairie plants and learn how their seeds travel by wind, water and animals.

The students would make seed balls using clay, soil and prairie seeds to take home.

“I think it’s a really fun way to spread the seeds,” said Minnich.

For October, Minnich planned a Halloween theme: Whooo Ate That? Owl Investigations, scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 21.

“It kind of goes with the spooky time of October,” said Minnich, though she won’t be calling owls because that’s more of a January or December activity.

Students will dissect owl pellets and identify the tiny bones to discover what the owl ate. Minnich enjoyed that when she was a child, she said. She used to imagine how the owl hunted, how long the fight lasted before the victim succumbed.

They’ll also play a predator/prey game in which one student plays the predator in a circle of prey. “It’s a game where they’re up and moving and running around,” said Minnich. She likes to have games or hikes that get children out of a classroom environment.

It’s especially helpful with younger children who can’t sit still as long, Minnich said.

Minnich wants families to come to the programs, so all programs are designed for kindergarten through 12th grades.

For Nov. 18, Minnich has planned a program called Hidden Colors of Fall: Leaf Chromatography. The students will become nature scientists as they uncover hidden pigments inside autumn leaves. They’ll explore the trees at the lake, compare species and learn how deciduous trees prepare for the winter.

Homeschool families can sign up for the programs at mycountyparks.com/County/Iowa/Events.