Outdoor Activities

Visiting the Orlando Science Center

By on February 16th, 2017

This post was originally published on the blog of an FLVS Flex Elementary parent. 

Orlando Science Center Field TripRea is homeschooled and a part-time elementary student at Florida Virtual School. I supplement the rest of her life with educational goodness…at least I try.

Rea’s school recently planned a state-wide field trip. These field trips took place in six different cities across the state. We opted for the Orlando one, since Rea’s teacher would be there. So, the kids and I got up early on Friday morning and drove to the Orlando Science Center.

If you have never been, and happen to be in the area, GO! It’s so cool! This place is four floors of interactive science exhibits. I’ll be honest, my son was NOT happy that I dragged him along with his sister. He told me many times he wished he was at his school.

He looked at the map with me, and he decided seeing dinosaurs wouldn’t be too bad. His grumpy attitude disappeared when we made it up to the fourth floor. The dinos did not disappoint. Continue reading


Outdoor Education and National Safe Boating Week

By on May 23rd, 2016

Boating Safety WeekOne year old. That’s how old my daughter was the first time we took her to the Florida Keys with us to go lobstering on our 20-foot Proline Center Console. While she was too little to help us catch anything, it was the start of her love for boating. My son’s experience was similar.

It was easy to fall in love with being out on the water. In fact, I think I could say that both of my kids spent half of their time in high school on the water as both were on the crew team. My daughter continued this in college. Today, as an adult, she and her husband just bought their first boat, a 21-foot Dual Console Chaparral! (Looks like boating will be a family tradition for her growing family, too!) Continue reading


Outdoor Education Video Contest Winners

By on March 6th, 2015

OE Contest coverLast month, FLVS held a contest asking students to create a video describing the benefits gained by taking Outdoor Education.

We received an overwhelming number of submissions during our final hours and everyone really stepped it up. A big thank you to all of our participants for taking the time to submit an entry! There were so many great submissions that it was hard to choose only three winners. We are very appreciative of our judges who helped us narrow it down!

And now it’s time to unveil the winners… Continue reading


Lifetime Sportsman’s License Video Contest

By on January 14th, 2015

outdoor education contest
Calling all past, present, or potential Outdoor Ed Students!

Are you taking or planning to take Outdoor Education at FLVS? Enter to win a Florida Lifetime Sportsman’s License!

In partnership with Fresh Air Inc., Future Hunting in Florida Inc., and the Florida Wildlife Commission, FLVS is conducting a contest with former, current, or future Outdoor Education students and those with an interest in fishing and hunting.

Students are invited to create a 2-3 minute video describing the benefits they have gained (or expect to gain) by taking the FLVS Outdoor Education course. Videos can be uploaded to YouTube and submitted here.

Continue reading


Keep Them Learning All Summer Long (2 of 3)

By on July 18th, 2014

geocachingEnrichment Activities for Families

It’s summer! In between the summer camps, pool parties, and lazy summer days, I encourage parents to add one more activity to their summer calendar: enrichment.

In part one of this three-part Virtual Voice blog series, I shared enrichment opportunities that could be found at your local public library.

For part two, I will be sharing another enriching activity that will keep students learning all summer long: geocaching. Continue reading