11 Hot Travel Retailers on Groupon Coupon

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I am sure you are all well aware of Groupon, but did you know that Groupon also offers coupons? This was NEW news to me and I just spent about 20 minutes browsing the list of retailers and deals! Groupon has over 9,000 retailers and over 70,000 deals! That is money just waiting to be saved in your pocket.

I decided I needed to highlight some of these amazing deals for you. With back to school right around the corner I know many of you are looking for some last minute travel deals and ideas. So I rounded up all the great Groupon travel related deals for you.

1. Hotwire - right now there are 38 amazing coupon offers for Hotwire. Including flights, hotels and car rentals.
2. Orbitz - right now there are 32 deals on Orbitz including flights for just $97.
3. Travelocity - Travelocity has 41 deals currently, how does 40% off a hotel sound?
4. Biltmore - if the Biltmore is in your Summer plans check out the great $10 off coupon deal.
5. Ticketmaster - perhaps some concerts are in your near future? How does a 2 for 1 deal sound to you?
6. Expedia - Expedia has a whopping 51 coupons available. 
7. Extended Stay America - if you need to plan an extended trip then you will love the coupons 20% - 40% coupons available for Extended Stay America.
8. Sea World Parks - perhaps Orlando is on your list for a splashing good time. Then head over to check out the 53 coupon deals for Sea World Parks.  
9. Booking.com - right now there are 58 ways to save at Booking.com.
10. City Pass - if you are hitting a big city like New York or Atlanta then be sure to get a City Pass to get the most bang for your buck. Plus you can save even more by visiting Groupon Coupon first. 
11. Zipcar - if you are not interested in driving to your destination then Zipcar has over 15 coupon offers for you to choose from. 

These are just a few of the many retailers on Groupon. Other companies that might interest you include Amazon, Target , Macy’s, Walmart, Walgreens, and Aeropostale. No matter what your shopping need may be, Groupon has a deal for you!  

5 Ways to Plan a Frugal Family Getaway

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If you’re looking for ways to plan a budget-friendly family vacation, you may be wondering what you can do to save money. Fortunately, there are a number of easy ways to make your trip more affordable. Here are five ways to plan a frugal family getaway. 

1. Book your trip at the right time. When you plan your vacation during the off-season, it can save you a lot of money in the long run. Rather than going to Walt Disney World during the summer months, why not book during the schoolyear? If you can’t manage to take your kids out of school, you might consider going over a holiday weekend. You’ll spend less time there, but the savings may be worth it. 
 
2. Use credit card rewards to your advantage. Cashback rewards can work in a cycle. You can use your cashback money to put towards your vacation, but you can also earn more cashback rewards by using your cards while you’re on vacation! If your cards offer frequent flyer miles, you can also use them to your advantage. To come up with a plan to get free plane tickets using credit card rewards programs, you may want to check out RewardExpert. 
 
3. Consider taking a staycation. Who says you need to go far in order to have fun? You can create lifetime memories just by going to a local amusement park or the nearest beach. You may even consider going camping at the nearest state or national park. The possibilities for a frugal family staycation are endless! 

4. Rent or share a vacation home. Renting a house can be cheaper and also gives you more space than a hotel room would. If you have friends or family who are traveling to the same location at the same time, why not see if they want to share a house? I’ve had good success finding vacation homes to rent on HomeAway and FlipKey.
 
5. Consider renting a car for your road trip. Although it seems cheaper to take your own car on a road trip, there are a few scenarios in which renting a car can be a wiser option. If your car already has a lot of miles on it, road tripping too frequently will just decrease its value. If you lease a car, you may also go over your mileage and end up owing more at the end of the year. To find the cheapest car rental, check out AutoSlash, which helps find you discounts and even re-books you when it finds better deals. 

These are just five of the things you can do to plan a frugal family getaway. Whether you’re going to Walt Disney World or your local amusement park, it’s possible to make a trip fit into your family’s budget! 
 
Erin Gifford is a mother of four who looks up and down for ways to save money on travel for her big family. She has a family travel blog, Kidventurous, which was recently selected as a top family travel resource by Parents magazine. 

Everglades Holiday Park Limited Time Coupon Offer #usfg

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We are really excited to be heading to Florida soon for our family vacation. We have some fun things lined up one of which is Everglades Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale, FL. As you know we are a nature loving family so it should be no surprise that we would choose an airboat tour though the swamp as one of our activities. Everglade Holiday Park is home to the Gator Boys Alligator Rescue. The park has been in operation for nearly 3 decades and promises visitors a one of a kind, unforgettable experience. Be sure to follow us on Instagram to see photos from our Florida adventure.

At Everglades Holiday Park your family will glide across the River of Grass in a state-of-the-art airboat before taking in an alligator presentation performed by the Gator Boys from Animal Planet's hit TV series, where you'll learn all about the American alligator. Included with the adventure is 1 free group photo to remember your fun-filled day. Everglades Holiday Park has endless options for continued fun, including animal encounters, fishing, bike trails and more!

After our visit to the park we plan to hit up Everglades National Park so we can get in another National Park visit this year as we celebrate the centennial anniversary of the National Parks System.

Don't worry after our visit I will be sure to do a follow up post reviewing our experience. In the meantime check out the reviews on Trip Advisor.

Limited time offer - SAVE $4 Off Adult and $2 Off Child Airboat Tour, Gator Presentation & FREE Group Photo Ticket - Everglades Holiday Park -- home of the GatorBoys! Click here to obtain your coupon.

There's Only One Everglades, and Only One Way to See it!

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Vote For Nature Travel

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For the third year in a row I am participating in the World Traveling blog series. This years theme was, "vote for." It didn't take me long to come up with the perfect topic for my post. It is something our family is very passionate about and something we make a point of exploring just about every week...nature! Nature is all around us so it is one of the easiest and most inexpensive things to explore when you are traveling either in your home state or to another state.

One of my many passions is exposing adults and children to nature. All around us we are surrounded by nature which makes it one of the most effortless travel experiences. Yet so many families don't take advantage of the natural world and all it has to offer our children. Over the last decade there has been a great disconnect between children and the natural world and it is up to us to make a change today. So I, "Vote for Nature Travel."

To read the rest of my post visit Wordtraveling.com.

Make sure you click over to Wordtraveling.com and Cast your "Vote for Travel' by entering the awesome $1500 vacation giveaway to the incredible Beaches of Ft. Myers/ Sanibel and to read more posts from other bloggers and family travel experts in our third annual series!

No purchase or real voting necessary!

*Terms and prize details can be found at WordTraveling

Click the image below to read the rest of my post and ENTER TO WIN:

These Are A Few Of Our Favorite Ruins (Georgia)

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One of our favorite ways to learn about history is through experiential experiences. And thankfully Georgia is full of historic ruins for us explore and observe. Every year we find more ruins to explore, and some are in the most unlikely of places, like in the middle of a busy city. Here are the top 10 ruins you need to visit in Georgia. Many of these ruins are mills that Sherman burned during his march through Georgia. These ruins are a fun, unique way to teach children about the history of Georgia, the Civil War, and life during the 1800 - early 1900's. We have visited all but 3 of these ruin sites (but the other 2 are on our list to visit soon).

Many of these sites are also located in State and National Park properties and you know I am a huge supported or our parks systems! Don't forget that April 16 through 24 is National Park Week! Many of the National Parks will have events going on like tours, etc. Check each parks website for more information!

1. Sweetwater Creek State Park - Take a short hike down to the river to see the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company. These ruins might look familiar and that is because as several movies have filmed here, like the Hunger Games. This 5 story  textile mill which produced cotton yarns and cloth. It employed 60-70 people supported a town of 200 people. But on July 9, 1864 the factory buildings and the company store were burned to the ground by Union soldiers. The ruins are fenced in to preserve their history. During your visit be sure to ask about a Ranger led tour of the ruins. 
2. Old Mill Park - Nestled in downtown Roswell you will find Old Mill Park which boasts several ruins. This is one of our favorite places to explore and splash around in the Summer. On the Old Mill Park side of the river which is the area closest to the parking area (owned by the city of Roswell) you can explore the 30-foot dam and millrace that was constructed on Vickery Creek in the mid-to-late 1830s to supply power for the mills. You can also check out the 1853 Machine Shop which is the only extant building left of the original 1839 Roswell Manufacturing Company. If you cross over the pedestrian bride to the other side of the river you will be on Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area property (NPS Property). Here you can find the ruins of Allenbrook, an antebellum home constructed between 1845-1857. And Laurel/Ivy Mill. This woolen mill was burned by federal troops in 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign. Women operatives of the mill were sent north after Roswell’s capture so that their skills would not benefit the Confederacy. The mill stood from about 1855 until 1864 and then was rebuilt by Barrington King and his son, James Roswell Kin. You can view a map of historical areas in Roswell here. 
3. Sope Creek Park - This is another Chattahoochee River National Recreation area (NPS Property). The Marietta Paper Mill is an amazing site to explore. They are tucked into a high-end neighborhood just outside Atlanta. There are over 3 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails to explore. The multi-story ruins were destroyed by Union troops during the Civil War. Make sure you walk across to the other side of the river too to view a few more ruins. 
4. Fort Mountain State Park - It's no secret we love exploring state parks and the ruins are definitely one perk. This is the second state park on the list that features some unique ruins. The mysterious ancient rock wall stands at the highest point of the mountain. The 855-foot-long wall is thought to have been built by early Indians as fortification against more hostile Indians or for ancient ceremonies.  It is definitely worth the hike.
5. Cumberland Island NPS - Revolutionary War Hero General Nathanael Greene purchased land on Cumberland Island in 1783. Following his death, his widow Catherine Greene, constructed a four-story tabby home that she named Dungeness. Thomas Carnegie and his wife Lucy began building another Dungeness on the original foundation in 1884. The Carnegie's Dungeness burned in 1959 and today only the ruins remain on the site. 
6. High Falls State Park - Visitors can hike along the river’s edge and through hilly forest to the remains of a hydroelectric power plant foundation.  In the early 1800s, this area was a prosperous industrial town with several stores, a grist mill, cotton gin, blacksmith shop, shoe factory and hotel. High Falls fell from prosperity in the 1880s when a major railroad bypassed it.
7. Lullwater Park - Lullwater Park offers multiple scenic walking and running trail loops nestled within Emory University’s North Decatur campus near Atlanta. The Lullwater Trail passes the Lullwater House mansion, skirts Candler Lake and crosses a span bridge to explore a mill beside a tumbling spillway waterfall. The 1920's two-story powerhouse tower is constructed in a octagonal shape. It now stands open to the sky above, ivy climbing skyward across its stone walls.
8. Arabia Mountain NPS - Not only can you find ruins at this fabulous National Park Site you can also explore the exceptional ecological wonders. As you explore the large granite outcrop be on the lookout for the evidence of quarrying activities. You will find industrial debris left on the mountain and abandoned structures once used by workers for storage, offices and shelter.  The ruins of quarry buildings are found interspersed throughout the park and metal spikes that were used to split the granite are still embedded in the rock.
9. Rope Mill Park - Located just North of downtown Woodstock is a park with hiking trails, bike trails and historic ruins. For the best view of the ruins cross over the bridge, and take the unpaved hiking trail to the right. On the banks of the Little River are the remains of a grist mill from the late 1840s. In the 1870s it it evolved into a cotton and wool yarn mill. Eventually the mill produced cotton rope that was used for well rope and plow lines. The mill was constructed out of wood orginally and replaced by brick in 1903. In 1949 it closed in anticipation of the construction of the Allatoona Dam. 
10. Ivy Creek Greenway - We stumbled upon this place by accident, well not really by accident we were on the hunt for a geocache that is in the area of the Woodward Mill ruins. You can reach these ruins by taking the Ivy Creek Greenway. There are multiple access points, we generally start at the Gwinnett Environment Heritage Center. I haven't found a lot of information on these ruins but it is a great and totally worth mentioning. The kids love taking a dip in the ater here. There are some nice water cascades and an old rusted water mill, which is all that remains of the Woodward Mill.
    
    

Hollywild Animal Park SC - Kids Go FREE With Paid Adult

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During our travel adventures we always hit up at least one animal related venue. Both of my kids love animals especially my daughter who is passionate about conservation and caring for injured and abused animals.

Hollywild Animal Park, is a gem among parks and zoos, actually they are both! They are located in rural Upstate SC  The natural pathways and open spaces with plenty of picnic areas make it a great place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of life and explore: the laughter of your children, time together, and the great outdoors. But there's more - more than 500 animals native to countries around the globe make their home at Hollywild. In the walking area of the park, you are close to all kinds of animals from the curious camels and humorous bears (who can be seen playing on the park's webcam www.hollywild.org Eyes on Hollywild) to the majestic great cats (lions, tigers, leopards, and cougars), striking baboons and ambassador wolves. Petting areas are intentionally placed throughout the park. Children wanting to pet the "kitty" may need to be redirected if that "kitty" happens to be a 500 pound Siberian Tiger, but just a few feet away you find a petting area where donkeys, alpaca, goats, and even pigs can be found ready for some attention. Free roaming birds like the brilliant peacocks, guineas, and exotic chickens show their colors throughout the grounds adding another element of fun to your visit. A bit of learning is tucked into a Hollywild visit too, with the aid of signage and the Creature Feature programs in the park's amphitheater. Both showcase details about the featured animals and give you the inside scoop on their unique adaptations and behaviors. There just aren't many places where you learn a little then spread out a picnic blanket beside a waterfall in view of a rare white lion, one of the newest additions to the Hollywild family. His inspiring story and Hollywild's partnership in an international effort to conserve the rare white subspecies make it easy to see why this place is a treasure on so many levels.

Included in your admission is the Safari Bus Ride you won't want to miss. Converted old-style school buses take you and yours on a journey you'll not soon forget - on the ride you meet all kinds of herbivores: emu, donkeys, water buffalo, bison, watusi, and zebras who come to the bus for snack time. You just can't see the foot-long tongue of a watusi up-close from anywhere - but you can at Hollwyild! From the bus, catch a glimpse of "Tank" the park's rare white rhino and star of many television commercials. In fact, that's where the park's name originated - through the movie industry. Hollywild has a 40+ year history - starting from a modest private backyard collection of animals to the nearly 100 acre public access park it is today. It grew as a result of Hollywood movie makers calling founder David Meeks and asking to film his animals. The funds raised by those efforts built the park to be the great resource it is today. Walking through the park you can see the star signs indicating the movies that Hollywild animals have appeared in during the park's history.

The park converted to a non-profit organization more than 15 years ago so that it would be run by a board of directors who could see to it that the park lives on as a great resource for generations to come. Many animals have been born here or brought here as rescues and some as 'retirees' from circus acts. Each has a special story worth hearing. Though staff recommend at least 2 hours for a visit during Park Season, others recommend just planning to spend the whole day as you can ride the bus as many times as you like and just relax enjoying the nature abundant around you. Picnics are welcome or you can purchase light concessions on-site. The park's website www.hollywild.org has links to places to stay, eat, and play nearby making it easy to plan a weekend getaway to the Upstate area convenient to I-85 and I-26.

Be sure to get your coupon for FREE Child's Admission with purchase of an Adult Admission .

Celebrating 100 Years Of The National Parks System

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Our family loves the National Parks system. Currently we are working through visiting all of the National Parks in our home state of Georgia, we have done 6 of the 15 so far. Did you know that this year the National Parks System is celebrating their 100 year anniversary in 2016? National Parks are not only beautiful and fun to visit they are super educational too. You can check out all the educational activities they offer in a previous post I wrote here.

Did you know right now every 4^th grader can get a National Parks pass FREE through Every Kid In A Park?

So far this year we have celebrated the 100 year anniversary by completing the Junior Ranger program at the Martin Luther King Historic Site, watching the National Park Adventure IMAX at Fernbank Museum and by reading several amazing National Parks courtesy of National Geographic.

More about National Parks Adventure IMAX:
This amazing 40 minute documentary will definitely inspire you to go exploring. During the film you soar over red rock canyons, up craggy mountain peaks that touch the clouds and into other-worldly realms found within America’s most legendary outdoor playgrounds. The film is narrated by Robert Redford and follows world-famous climber Conrad Anker, adventure photographer Max Lowe, and artist Rachel Pohl as they hike, climb, and explore the wild places that belong to us all.

We watched the IMAX with about 40 of our homeschool friends and I think it is safe to say that both the moms and kids thoroughly enjoyed it. You could hear giggles, wows, gasps, ohs and ahs throughout the theater. After the movie I asked the kids what their favorite parts were. One said the prairie dogs, one said the bison, one said the ice/waterfall climbing and another said the guy riding bike on the rocks. As you can see it inspired everyone. One family actually hopped on a plane a few days later to head to the everglades (they were the winners of the book giveaway I had too for a copy of National Parks Guide - USA)

National Parks Adventure has also put together some great resources for educators and parents.

• Official Site
• Educator Film Trailer
• Georgia Performance Standards
• Educator Guide
• Activity Map
• National Parks Adventure Journal Page 

After the movie each child made an arrowhead necklace. Amazon had a great deal on agate arrowhead's. This craft was super simple too. Just choose some string and beads and

More about National Parks books from National Geographic:

• Junior Ranger Activity Book - Calling all explorers and nature-lovers! From Acadia to Zion, discover all 59 of the United States' amazing National Parks in this jam-packed book of games, trivia, jokes, fun facts, and so much more, all inspired by the National Parks outdoor-based Junior Ranger Program. This book is guaranteed to keep the kids busy before, during and after your adventures! Check out the most amazing park habitats, plus awesome sights and animals you might see, from birds to bears. Fun facts are jam-packed onto every page, so kids learn something amazing about each cool park.
• Buddy Bison's Yellow Stone - This adorable 32 pg paper back story book is the perfect way to learn about Yellow Stone. Join Buddy Bison and his two new friends as they explore the majestic Yellowstone National Park. Breathtaking photographs of Yellowstone serve as the backdrop for the wacky adventures of a curious pair of twins, Elena and Christopher, who are spending the summer with their aunt Rosa, a park ranger. This charming tale is sprinkled with helpful tidbits about the park, weird-but-true facts about the animals, and more fun facts kids adore. A comprehensive afterword offers a short history of the park and ways kids can get involved in parks preservation. 
• National Parks Guide USA Centennial Edition - Happy 100th Birthday, National Parks! Join the 100 year celebration by reading all about these greatest of American treasures -- from Acadia to Zion -- in preparation for a parks visit sometime soon. This book is AMAZING. It is filled with color photos, information on animals, fascinating lists, fun facts, maps, cool things to do, conservation tips, and much more. It is the perfect travel guide for children as they travel to these amazing places.

Here are 25 FUN National Parks facts to hopefully spark your interest to explore:

1. In GA there are 15 National Park sites. However we do not actually have an official National Park, but there have been talks to add Ocmulgee as Georgia’s actual 1^st National Park. GA currently has Andersonville Historic Site, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, Augusta Canal National Heritage Area, Chattahoochee National Recreation Area, Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Fort Frederica National Monument, Fort Pulaski National Monument, Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Area, Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, Kennesaw National Battlefield Park, Martin Luther King Historic Site, Ocmulgee National Monument, Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.
2. So what do I mean by National Park? Well the National Parks system breaks up the more than 400 nationwide protected properties into several categories: National Parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historical sites lakeshores seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails and the White House. Notice none of the national park sites in GA are actually parks yet. Sometimes national parks and national monuments are confused. National parks are chosen for their natural beauty, unique geological features, and unusual ecosystems.  Landmarks are chosen based on their historical importance to ALL Americans.
3. The Native Americans believed that the greatest natural wonders belonged to no one and that they belonged to all. And it is that belief that the national parks were founded on. On the Roosevelt arch at Yellowstones north entrance is a quote from the act that created the park “For the benefit and enjoyment of the people”
4. There are 51 million acres of National Parks. 
5. President Theodore Roosevelt is credited with championing the establishment of the parks. But it was Ulysses S Grant that actually established the world’s first national park which was Yellowstone. It was created in 1872 and its caretakers were the the cavalry.
6. However it was conservationist John Muir, who recognized the value of America’s wild places and worked towards finding a way to protect them. Muir explored many “wild” places, took people on guided hikes of these uncharted areas and wrote many articles on conservation. In 1890, there was only one national park - Yellowstone. Muir, however, wanted the area of the Yosemite region that was currently a state park to become a national one. Because of his many impassioned articles that were being published, much of the public was persuaded and wrote letters to congress in support of Muir's beliefs, and other outside groups also lobbied congress for the establishment of a national park. In March of 1903 Muir and Roosevelt met and went camping high above Yosemite Valley. Muir took full advantage of the opportunity, calling for Roosevelt's help to save the trees and preserve the natural beauty of the region. Roosevelt was very impressed with Muir, and the experience re-enforced his conservationist stance. Over the rest of Roosevelt's administration, he set aside 148,000,000 acres of forest reserves and the number of national parks doubled.
7. In 1916, the National Parks Service was created to regulate the national parks. The National Park Service which overseas the National Park System is part of the US department of interior. The U.S. Department of the Interior is a Cabinet-level agency that manages America's vast natural and cultural resources. 
8. The arrowhead is the symbol of the national park service. It is a reminder of the culture and history the national parks protect. Each image on the arrowhead represents something protected by the national parks. So what do you think the arrowhead itself represents? History and culture of our nation. What about the sequoia tree? The plants protected. What about the mountain? The scenery and land protected. What about the lake? The recreational values protected. And what about the bison? The wildlife protected.
9. Buddy Bison is the beloved mascot for the National Park Trust.
10. Wind Cave National Park is the first cave to be named a national park in the world. In addition to its length (currently sixth longest in the world), Wind Cave is known for its calcite formations known as “boxwork.” About 95% of the world’s boxwork is found in Wind Cave.
11. The smallest national park is Hot Springs National Park.
12. For a very long time poor Delaware, the country’s 1^st state, was the only state not lucky enough to have either a National Park or National Monument. But in 2013 it finally got one! 
13. Death Valley National Park, which has the lowest elevation in the U.S. at 282 feet below sea level. The highest point in North America is Mt. McKinley in Denali National Park, which stands at 20,320 feet tall.
14. The Grand Canyon is both a record of history and source of mystery. The Colorado River running through the canyon cuts through metamorphic rock called schist, which is about 1.75 billion years old. However the beginnings of the canyon are much debated by scientists. Did the Colorado River carve the whole canyon or was there already an ancient gorge waiting for the new river millions of years ago?
15. Crater Lake, the U.S.’ deepest lake and seventh deepest in the world, took 250 years of rain and snow accumulation to reach its current water level.
16. The Appalachian Trail is a 2,185 mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains.
17. Mammoth Cave National Park is the longest cave system known to the world, with more than 400 mapped miles of caves.
18. The Yellowstone Caldera, in Yellowstone National Park, is a super volcano that is responsible for three of the world’s six biggest volcano eruptions. It is on pace to blow about 100,000 years from now. More than 3 million people visit Yellowstone each year.
19. National park visitors generate 100 million lbs of trash each year.
20. The national parks contain at least 247 species of threatened or endangered plants and animals, more than 75,000 archaeological sites and 18,000 miles of trails.
21. The largest living things in the world are in National Parks: Sequoia trees and Alaskan brown bears (the world’s largest living carnivores).
22. Over 250 million people visit national parks each year.
23. Although the distribution of National Parks is fairly spread out through the United States, the most concentrated area lies within the states of Colorado, Utah, and Cal­i­for­nia. 
24. In February 2016 three new national monuments in the California desert: Mojave Trails National Monument, Sand to Snow National Monument, and Castle Mountains National Monument.
25. Today there are more than 6,000 national parks in nearly 100 countries that support wildlife conservation and ecotourism.

Media to watch:

And if all that wasn't enough to get you running out the door to your nearest National Park check out these media resources too.

• Ken Burn’s “The National Parks – America’s Best Idea” - this documentary  provides an in-depth look into the creation and meaning behind our National Parks. It explores the amazing views, the political history, and the intricate story that is behind all of our Nation’s favorite spots; this documentary will give you the wanderlust needed to pack up the tent.
• Rock the Park - this show taps into America's love affair with our national parks. Our hosts, Jack Steward and Colton Smith, have made it their life's mission to explore every national park in this country. In the process, they come face to face with nature and push their physical limits as they go off the beaten path to discover some of the most awe-inspiring places on earth. The series is designed to inspire other Americans to seek adventure in the national parks.
• YouTube National Parks Channel

Let us know where you are headed first for your National Parks Adventure!

Why You Should Invest In Memberships?

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As you may know I admin a large homeschool group for the Southeast United States, called SE Homeschool Fieldtrips. There are over 2,000 families now in the group and well it keeps me VERY busy which is why you don't see me blogging as much as I used to :) You see we have embraced a different way of educating our children. Rather than sitting at the kitchen table reading about animals, nature, wars, knights, etc in a textbook we go out and experience them. Don't get me wrong books are awesome and we love and use them a lot too (especially in the car while we are driving to our destination for the day), but we also take full advantage of the world around us. I have found that the experiences are more memorable and unforgettable. And that is one of the many reasons I created the SE Homeschool Fieldtrips Group. It is a place for me to share with other families the amazing, educational opportunities we have available to us. It is a place for me to share tips and tricks for fieldtripping and traveling with children. And it is a place for me to share my passion for experiential learning.

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" - St. Augustine

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” – Saint Augustine - See more at: http://wanderingtrader.com/list-of-best-inspirational-travel-quotes/#sthash.0FhAK0I5.dpuf

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” – Saint Augustine - See more at: http://wanderingtrader.com/list-of-best-inspirational-travel-quotes/#sthash.0FhAK0I5.dpuf

In Georgia and our neighboring states there are endless educational opportunities for families. I often hear families say that they don't take advantage of these opportunities because of the expense involved with visiting some of them. And that is why today I am going to share some information about memberships and the reasons you should invest in them, how to save money on them and even how to get one for FREE in 2015.

Just about every museum, zoo, aquarium, history center, nature center, state park, amusement park, etc offers a membership of some sort. Since we cannot obviously purchase a membership to all of them every year we rotate our memberships. We generally have 3-4 memberships at a time. Some of our local favorites have been the HIGH Museum of Art, Georgia State Parks Pass, Fernbank, Atlanta History Center, Legoland Discovery Center, Zoo Atlanta, Elachee Nature Center and Chattahoochee Nature Center.

Reasons to invest in them:

1. Save Money - of course the number one reason is that they save you money. Most memberships pay for themselves after 2 visits
2. Special Perks - who doesn't love some special perks? With a membership you can almost always guarantee that you will receive discounts in the cafe and gift store. But you can also sometimes get additional benefits like early registration to special events or discounts on special events.
3. Friend Benefits - sometimes things are way more fun with friends! Most memberships provide you with several guest passes that you can share with friends or extended family members. Some even allow you to bring friends for FREE (like Legoland Discovery Center on Friend Fridays, Atlanta Zoo). And others provide your friends with a generous discount every time you bring them (like the HIGH Museum of Art).
4. Reciprocity - if you travel often than this is a great reason to get a membership, because you can take advantage of reciprocity benefits (FREE or discounted admission) at participating attractions around the country, thanks to programs like the AZA, ASTC, NARM, ACM and others.
5. Discounted or More Accessible Parking - there are quite a few museums where the only parking available is paid parking. But if you have a membership you can receive discounted, FREE or more accessible parking.
6. Tax Deductible  - many memberships are tax deductible possibly saving you even more money come tax time. 
7. Homeschool Days - many attractions offer homeschool day programs and if you are a member they are often discounted or even included in the cost of your membership.
8. Support - by purchasing a membership your money is supporting a cause/effort ie: art restoration, animal conservation, etc.
9. Make Great Gifts - if you need to purchase a gift for a family and have no idea what to get consider an attraction membership. It is a gift that keeps giving and a great way for families to create special memories together.
10. Endless Learning Experiences and Memories - museums, zoos, state parks, etc are not only fun, but they are also great learning experiences for both kids and adults. And they are a great way to create special memories with your family. 
11. Changing Exhibits - exhibits, animals, and experiences come and go so you are always in store for something new at an attraction. Some obviously change more than others but by having a membership you can experience those changes and maybe even have some input into them. 
12. Freedom - have you ever been to a museum that is so large that you are overwhelmed and worried you won't be able to see it all? Or maybe you visited a museum with young children...and ended up having to leave earlier than you wanted?  Well having a membership gives you the freedom to enjoy the attraction without feeling rushed, stressed and overwhelmed.

But you don't need to take my word for it....check out what some of my fellow homeschool group members have to say about why they purchase memberships:

• "I love the freedom it gives us to explore places more deeply and fully, without feeling the need to see it all in one day. With a membership, we can spend 3 hours observing lions and not feel like we are missing out on anything else. We'll hit the other stuff a different day." - Betsy S.
• "With a family of 5 to buy one visit is just slightly less or sometimes more than buying an annual pass / membership. So we usually get the membership. It is also nice when a membership has extra perks like a discount at the cafe or gift shop. I like memberships that include grandparents or extra kids. RECIPROCAL memberships are the BEST I love when being a member to one place gets us in for free or a discounted rate at another place." - Elizabeth M.
• "We have several memberships , of course it saves money but for the major we really want to support the organization. The Atlanta Zoo, The High Museum , The Fernbank Natural History Museum and the Atlanta Botanical Gardens ETC... all have wonderful community programs. They give back in so many ways. Those are the memberships I feel are worthwhile for our family." Barbara BS
• "I also like memberships for the discounts it gives us on things like classes, gift shops, parking, etc. We really like being able to take out of town friends and family places. Either our membership gets them a discounted ticket, or we can take them in with our family pass." - Christina G.
• "A membership / and the membership card in my wallet is a gentle reminder to get out and enjoy life" - Alana G.

How to save money on them:

1. Educator Discount - if you are a homeschooler or teacher ask about receiving the educator discount. Many of the Georgia attractions offer about $10 off memberships if you show them proof that you homeschool or teach in the public school system. 
2. Split The Cost - many family memberships get in up to 4 kids and 2 adults. So if your spouse doesn't go often with you split the cost of a membership with a friend instead. 
3. Deal Websites  - take advantage of deal websites like Groupon, Sweet Jack, etc. Often attractions offer membership deals on these websites sometimes saving you up to 50% off.
4. Swaptember Savings - take advantage of Swaptember Savings which happens every September in Georgia. During the entire month you can show your membership from a participating attraction and save up to $10 off a membership or discounted admission at another participating attraction.
5. 4th Grader FREE National Park Pass - in 2015 every 4th grader can receive a FREE National Park pass thanks to the Every Kid In A Park initiative. The park pass will benefit the entire family of the 4th grader for 1 year.

And there you have it! So which memberships will you be investing in this year?

Boredom Busters For Road Trips #NGKinsider

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

We have all heard it. Those dreaded words....."Mom I'm bored." But what if I told you there were some really awesome books from National Geographic that will keep your kids busy for hours? Seriously!!! I recently spent 5 hours in the car with 2 kids while we went on vacation to Myrtle Beach. I handed them a bag with some National Geographic boredom busting books and ta-da they were occupied, learning and having fun and most importantly not stating that they were bored every 5 minutes.

Here are the 5 books I included in their bag:

• Funny Fill In - My Rain Forest Adventure - this book will keep your kids (and maybe even you) busy for hours as you fill in blanks to create silly (ok hilarious) stories. This book is fun and a great way to teach kids the parts of speech. Your kids will have a blast, learning and giggling as they learn about the sights, sounds and animals of the rain forest. It is great for kids ages 8-12 years old. $4.99
• Funny Fill In - My Amusement Park Adventure - this is another fun fill in the blank book that will take kids on fun crazy ride through an amusement park.  It is great for kids ages 8-12 years old. $4.99
• Just Joking Animal Riddles - this 208 page soft cover book is loaded with animal-focused jokes and riddles and is guaranteed to keep your kids reading, rhyming and howling like a chimpanzee. There are over 150 hilarious and riddles to be exact. The book was authored by former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate, J. Patrick Lewis. This book is great for kids ages 7-10 years old. $7.99
• Quiz Whiz 5 - this 176 page soft cover book is a great way for kids to discover fun, fascinating and funny quiz questions. This is the 5th installment in this popular series. Kids will love the beautiful photos and have tons of fun quizzing family, friends and themselves. It is great for kids ages 8-12 years old. $9.99
• Shark Sticker Activity Book - this 56 page soft cover activity book is perfect for kids ages 4-10 years old. It is not only very educational but it lots of fun too. Activities include mazes, spelling and pattern games, drawing activities, shark facts and more! And of course there are stickers....what kid doesn't love stickers? $6.99

Be sure to download your very own activity pack for FREE here.

Giveaway:
Guess what? One winner will win their own set of these 5 books thanks to National Geographic. Just fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below. Only the first entry is mandatory. Other entries are optional and give you extra chances. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. The winner will be posted on the blog and will be emailed. Winner must reply within 24 hrs with their contact information or another winner will be chosen. Prize will be shipped by National Geographic. Wait a moment for it to load....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top 10 Favorite Camping Games

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

One of our favorite camping activities is playing board games....but not just any board games. We enjoy playing educational board games and/or board games that incorporate the great outdoors. So here are our top 10 favorite camping board games. Whenever we head out on a camping trip we select 3-5 of these games to go along with us.

1) Camp Board Game - Camp Board Game is a FUN outdoor-themed game that is great for the whole family! Who will be first to arrive at camp? Find out with this fun, educational Board Game. By answering questions about animals and the great outdoors, players compete to be first to arrive at camp. The questions start out easy and become more challenging as the game progresses. It's a great way for kids and parents to learn fun facts about the outdoors while having a great time! Read our full review on Camp Board Game here.
2) Young Scientists Club Animal Tracks - Animal Tracks is a 3 in 1 game combines the excitement of memory, matching and learning games all into one. Play the traditional game of concentration, bingo and guess-the-tracks with a science twist. Animal Tracks comes with high quality and colorful cards with animals and their tracks that need to be matched to win the games.
3) Appalachian Trail Game - The Appalachian Trail Game is a fun game for the entire family. Its mission is to inspire and prepare you to step outside and have your own hiking adventure, which makes it the perfect game for camping trips. The game is simple to set up and play...it is so easy that even kids can play it. The game is basically a trivia game with questions about the AT. Along the way though there are obstacles like Poison Ivy, Hypothermia or getting lost. We all learned a great deal about the AT after playing this game. You can even through the game cards in your backpack to play it on the trail!
4) Sciology - Sciology is fun game of memory and strategy. The object of the game is simple collect 4 cards of each scientist category (12 different scientist categories  included)

5) Snake Oil - Snake Oil will cure your doldrums. This crazy fun game is great for then entire family. This game is not only fun but super educational too. It promotes oral presentation skills, creativity and innovation, risk taking, communication skills, vocabulary building, empathetic persuasion strategies and more. Read our full review on Snake Oil here.
6) Mancala - Mancala is an ancient game of strategy that is very challenging yet simple enough for even kids to play.
7) Dominoes - Dominoes is a fun, classic game great for the entire family. A good game of dominoes helps you to relax and to clear the mind, so why not enjoy a game or two using these double Mexican train dominoes from Cardinal.
8) Reverse Charades - Reverse Charades is a hilarious twist on the classic charades game. In Reverse Charades a team acts out clues for one person to guess. The goal is simple guess as many words as possible in 60 seconds. It is fast-paced and tons of fun! Read our full review on Reverse Charades here.
9) Gravity Maze - Gravity Maze is an addicting logic puzzled game powered by gravity. You can spend hours playing this game and never get tired of it...especially since it has 60 challenges ranging from beginner to expert! The game is a one person game or you can play it competition style to see who can get through the maze quicker.  Read our full review on Gravity Maze here.
10) Apples to Apples Disney Edition - App;es to Apples Disney Edition is super simple to play and great for expanding your kids vocabulary and thinking skills. Players select a card from their hand that they think is most like the card played by the judge. If the judge picks your card you are the winner of the round.

What are some of your favorite board games to take with you on camping trips?