Field Trip to Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park.

Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park located north of Santa Barbara, CA is an amazing field trip to take your children to.  This historic location provides evidence of our local Native American families and showing the artistry and communication left by their ancestors. Address: Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park, Hwy 154, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

The Chumash Native Americans called home in the coastal area between Malibu and Paso Robles extending inland to the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley.  Noted as hunters, gatherers, and fishermen, the Chumash were considered more prosperous than other tribes due to their access to land and sea resources.  The Chumash found caves to use for sacred religious ceremonies using charcoal for their drawings.  Colorful pigments of red, orange and yellow depicted human and animal figures with dots to make them more distinct.  Chumash was passed down from generation to generation until the 1700 and 1800's when the Spanish decimated the population.

The site is located 3 miles south of the San Marcos pass:  Take Hwy 154 out of Santa Barbara and turn right onto Painted Caves Road.  This is a steep, narrow and winding road so caution should be taken and we recommend an experienced driver on this road.  The cave is located about 2 miles up the mountain.  The pullout will only accommodate one or two cars.  There are several resident drives so please be respectful of the neighbors.

This is a fantastic trip to make as the Chumash were vital to the California Mission System.  This topic is studied in depth in 4th grade.  Bringing it to life for your children is a great way for them to remember this topic.  Make an effort to stop at Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Inez, San Miguel or San Buena Ventura as part of your trip.  This makes an amazing addition to the learning experience and your field trip.  We hope you enjoy this family field trip as much as we did.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Saturday, October 6
10am - 10pm
Gourd Dance: 12pm & 6pm
Grand Entry: 1pm & 7pm
Dinner Break: 5pm

Sunday, October 7
10am - 6pm
Gourd Dance: 12pm
Grand Entry: 1pm

The pow-wow is open to the public, free admission. Dance contest, drum contest, food booths and arts and crafts vendors. This is a drug and alcohol-free event.

Parking: $5 per day (including motorcycles)

Camping: $35 for weekend
Camping spots are assigned on a first come, first serve basis.

Check in with the pow-wow staff on site for payment and restrictions.

Find a P

OW WOW near you....

https://calendar.powwows.com/events/celebrating-life-creation-pow-wow-2018/

SHERLOCK GNOMES - Book Giveaway

Giveaway!!! We are hosting a fun book giveaway for school-age kids. The prizes are (3) three Sherlock Gnomes books levels one and two and a pair of movie tickets. This giveaway runs through Rafflecopter. There are three ways to enter this giveaway. You may enter on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter by leaving a comment and liking our page. Giveaway starts March 14, 2018, and ends March 22, 2018. All entries must be through:
https://www.facebook.com/FieldtripmomFTM/
https://www.pinterest.com/fieldtripmom/
https://www.pinterest.com/fieldtripmom/

Juliet Saves the Day! Garden gnomes Gnomeo & Juliet work with renowned detective Sherlock Gnomes to investigate the mysterious disappearance of other garden ornaments in this Level 2 Ready-to-Read that’s based on the upcoming film, Sherlock Gnomes!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: Must be 18 years or older to enter the giveaway. Only residents of the Continental United States are eligible to enter. Prizes will be mailed to home addresses only no PO Box will be accepted. Total prize value is $40.00 and there is no cash value if lost or stolen. Field Trip Mom is not responsible for lost or stolen items or taxes on the prize. No substitutions. You may enter by sending me an email via fieldtripmom@gmail.com if you do not have social media.

U-Pick Strawberries: A fun activity for the whole family. #PYO

Strawberry season is now open and ripe for the picking. It is a very sweet adventure!!! In Southern California, we have several farms that offer the option to pick your own fruit to take home. The admission sometimes offers a fun wagon ride that drives you around the farm before you pick. One of those fun farms is Tanaka Farms. They are located in Irvine, California, right off the 405 freeway and Jeffrey. Follow the link to their site at 5380 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612 http://www.tanakafarms.com/ for more information

For those of you who can't make it to Irvine, there are plenty of other local strawberry farms who allow you to pick the fruit.  I have a few of their websites listed below.  Enjoy the berry good time!

http://kennysstrawberryfarm.com/
http://www.fieldtripmom.com/2016/06/local-farms-that-offer-pick-your-own.html
http://www.carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com/
http://southcoastfarms.com/u-pick-strawberries/
https://underwoodfamilyfarms.com/pick-your-own-blueberries/
#PYO

Brené Brown: Why Your Critics Aren't The Ones Who Count

Great TED X Talk video that will help you make 2018 a great year!!!

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

Community Day Legoland California hosted by The Kid's College.

Legoland of California is partnering up with The Kid's College of San Diego. This once a year event offers discounted tickets to the community.  The tickets are $30.00 for adults and kids. Ticket pre-sales for this special day are sold through The Kid’s College  website prior to the event.  Log on to The Kid's College website at: http://thekidscollege.org/community-day-information/

Community Day at LEGOLAND® California
1 Legoland Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Sunday, March 4, 2018
11:00 am – 8:00 pm

Advance purchase is necessary to attend this event. Regular admission prices will be charged at the gate on the day of the event, $95.00 adults and $89.00 for children. Make sure to order them online via The Kid's College website to receive the special price of $30. While supplies last. 

The Kid's College is one of the largest and consistent enrichment organizations in North County San Diego, The Kid’s College currently serves over twenty elementary and middle schools in five districts in San Diego’s North County. In addition, we have provided GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) programs and camps, chorus and drama productions, ballroom dance for all 5th graders at a school, summer camps and supplemental enrichment programs for ASES programs and for educationally disadvantaged youth. In the 2012-2013 school year, we provided enrichment classes to over 5,000 students. In our 15+-year history, we have provided enrichment to over 60,000 student

Disclaimer: Not a sponsored post. Community announcement.

The Flower Fields in Carlsbad will open soon!

The Flower Fields in Carlsbad opens March 1st through May 13th, 2018. Many Southern California families will soon be flocking to the famous Flower Fields of Carlsbad. This working farm grows Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers for sale.  During their harvest season, they open it to the public. We visit every year as part of our Spring family field trips. Family conversations and sharing a picnic fill the day along with enjoying the beauty of the flowers.  This involves playing, riding a tractor and walking the entire field. It is an all-day event.

What you need to know before you travel:
Address: 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 920082018 Season: March 1 through May 13
Prices: $16.00 for Adults, $14.00 for Seniors 60+,
$8.00 for Children ages 3 – 10,
Children ages 2 and under are Free.

Season Passes: $35.00 for Adults, $30.00; Seniors 60+,
$18.00 for Children ages 3 – 10.
Wagon Rides: $5.00 for Adults,
$3.00 for Children ages 3 – 10.

-For the protection of the flowers and the health and safety of your pet, pets are not permitted.
-The Flower Fields are an alcohol and tobacco-free environment. Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted onsite.
-No Bicycles, hoverboards or drones are permitted.
-Wheelchairs are not provided.
-Parking is free.

One of the things we look forward to doing is walking through the fragrant Sweet Pea Maze. The sweet fragrance attracts honey bees, beetles, and other beautiful bugs. A slow walk will provide you with an unforgettable sight to see as bees search for pollen. You will want to take your time walking through this maze. Ignore the folks who run through it and miss the beauty.

The flower field gives us time to reflect and just clear our minds from the daily grind. It is one of our favorite things to do to welcome spring in Southern California. 

When we visit the Flower Fields in Carlsbad we usually bring water, fruit, and sandwiches because we enjoy eating under the sun and among the flowers. We bring extra money for snacks or shopping. Nearby you will find a large Outlet mall that will call your name. You can also go across the street and have a pizza at Costco. There are eateries in and around the outlet mall and across the street a little past Costco. 

The Carlsbad Premium Outlets, Carlsbad State Beach, Legoland, and Museum of Making Music are other fun things to do with your family in the local area. 

Presidential Libraries and Museum in Southern California.

Presidents' Day 2018 is coming February 19th. It is a great time to go and visit the local Presidential museum and library. Southern California is home the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, CA.  Home and birthplace to our former President. It is a great way to learn about history, politics and our government process. At the Richard Nixon Library and Museum, you will find the historical home where President Nixon grew-up, a retired Marine One helicopter, political advertisement of the 1960's and more. 

American history is in every room of this Presidential Library and Museum. As you walk through the halls, it is like walking back in time. Exhibits with fashion, a piece of the Berlin Wall, dishes from the personal kitchen of the first lady, black and white photographs and posters that were used in the political race back in the 1960's, all line the rooms. It all reminds us that time does not stop for us and change is just around the corner. 

Simi Valley is home to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. This elegant museum provides the opportunity to board Air Force One. Once you enter the retired Air Force One, the feeling of excitement will take over. We stood there saying, "This is where our President walked, sat down & ran our country. Our imagination runs to those Presidential moments. Inside the library, you and your family will discover private photos that uncover intimate moments with Mother Teresa and other important world leaders. Outside, there is a piece of the Berlin Wall that reminds you that peace is stronger than war. We recommend this museum for kids 12 years and older. A basic understanding of culture, politics, and government is recommended to enjoy the museum.

The Richard Nixon Library and Museum and The Ronald Reagan Library and Museum are both located right here in Southern California. They are both great places to visit history, politics and the past American culture. Seeing history and touching it makes for a better experience than just reading about it.
Please check with the museums for times and dates of operation. They are sometimes closed for special events. 

You can also visit other presidential libraries and museums throughout the United States. Here is a list of places you may want to visit this year:

Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum  - Kansas

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum  - Texas

William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum - Arkansas

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum   - Iowa

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum   - Massachusetts

Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum -  Illinois

William McKinley Museum and Presidential Library - Ohio

Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum   - New York

Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum - Missouri