The Homeschool Resource

Safari Park

Luray Caverns are the largest and most popular caverns in Eastern America.  Adult tickets are $21 and children are $10 (under 6 are free).  Other caverns in the area are Endless Caverns in New Market,  Grand Caverns in Grottoes, Shenandoah Caverns and Natural Bridge Caverns.

Luray Zoo is a fairly impressive rescue zoo.

A couple of hours south of Harrisonburg in Natural Bridge, VA is  the Virginia Safari Park is a 180-acres drive-thru park featuring over 950 free-roaming animals!  The adjacent Safari Village is a walk-thru.  Not to be confused with the Natural Bridge Zoo  just a few miles away, which has the most complete collection of animals in the state of VA.  Located nearby are the Natural Bridge of Virgnia, a world-renowned rock bridge, and a toy museum  Of course campsites are nearby.

Wildlife Center of Virginia, located in Waynesboro, is a teaching and research hospital for wild animals.  Monthly, free open houses are scheduled, but reservations are required.  540-942-9453. 

Virginia Horse Center, located in Lexington, has many free events. 540-291-3205

The John C. Wells Planetarium at James Madison University offers free shows for the public as well as school group field trips.

The Edith Johnson Carrier Arboretum  at James Madison University is the perfect place for nature studies and picnics.   Check out their brown bag classes (for older children) and storytimes (younger children, 2nd Tuesday of the month, 11am). They also offer educational tours open to homeschool groups. 

• The Forest Web — discover how our lives depend on the inter-relationships of the forest biome.
• Virginia Natives — What plants and trees did Native Americans use?  Includes crafts
• Finding Your Way — Observe nature to find bearings and make choices that direct the future of forest lands
• Woodland Walk — Find creative inspiration through the beauty and wisdom found in nature.

Eden Arboretum is a 13-acre forest with mature native trees located at EMU on Park Rd.  There is also a small garden behind the Science Center.  Both are great spots for nature walks with kids. 

There’s one more small arboretum hidden in Bridgewater called Cook’s Creek Arboretum on Weeping Willow Lane, off Oakwood Drive.

 Farmer’s Markets and Farms. We can help our chidren understand where our food comes from and support local farmers at the same time.  This website from Harrisonburg Tourism provides a list of local options along with some u-pick Christmas trees and pumpkins sites.