Join us on Wednesday May 24th for a visit to Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke. We will explore the zoo, take a ride on the “Zoo Choo”, have a picnic lunch, and finish the day with free play at Mill Mountain Park! Plan to spend the day together!

ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Cost is $8/person and includes a ride on the zoo train. Please pay through paypal paypal.me/payrawlearning

Mill Mountain Zoo is a refuge to animals that are critically endangered, vulnerable, or otherwise non-releasable due to injury or captive birth. Not only do they protect and preserve the health and viability of these vulnerable animals in their guardianship. MMZoo is the region’s leader in wildlife conservation. Additionally, they participate in research and species survival programs.

Directions: For GPS, search for Mill Mountain Park, which we share our parking lot with; we are located off of the Mill Mountain Spur. Please DO NOT use the 2404 Prospect Road address as this does not take you to the Zoo.

Raw Learning is an educational non-profit organization with no religious or political affiliation. We have a focus on self-directed education and nature connection. We are an inclusive group, and welcome everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status, or educational beliefs.

Email rawlearninginfo@gmail.com to get all the details and register for this field trip.

Join us on Wednesday, May 10th at 11am at Natural Bridge State Park for a wildlife education program presented by the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center especially for Raw Learning. We will meet at the Interactive Classroom at Natural Bridge State Park for an hour long talk from the SWVA Wildlife Center and their Animal Ambassadors at 11am. After the talk we will take a guided walk with a ranger to visit the Natural Bridge, have a picnic lunch, and explore the park with the option to hike the Cedar Creek trail and/or visit the Kids Discovery Area depending on what the group wants to do. Plan to spend the day together!

Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke is a non-profit (501(c)3) state and federally licensed veterinary hospital and wildlife rehabilitation facility that offers quality care and veterinary treatment to native wildlife of the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas. SWVA Wildlife Center offers off-site wildlife programs with the aid of their Educational Ambassadors, they share their knowledge of wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. Their Educational Ambassadors are formerly wild animals –  which due to various circumstances cannot be released. So, they now dedicate their lives to educating our community in southwestern Virginia. Meet the Educational Ambassador animals and learn more on their website swvawildlifecenter.org/education/

Natural Bridge State Park is located in Rockbridge County. The 215-foot tall Natural Bridge is a limestone gorge carved out by Cedar Creek. The park is more than just the bridge; beautiful forests and rolling meadows showcase the area’s karst terrain, and vistas of surrounding mountains and the James River valley display nature’s splendor. The park contains 7 miles of hiking trails including the Cedar Creek Trail. The Children’s Discovery Area is an outdoor experiential area for families to have fun enjoying nature. It includes a play space using natural features to engage children and immerse them in an outdoor environment of creative play.

Cost: $10/person ages 13+, $7/person ages 3-12 please pay through paypal paypal.me/payrawlearning
The cost includes admission and parking anywhere in the park as well as the wildlife program.

Where: Natural Bridge State Park
6477 South Lee Highway, Natural Bridge, VA 24578

Raw Learning is an educational non-profit organization with no religious or political affiliation. We have a focus on self-directed education and nature connection. We are an inclusive group, and welcome everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status, or educational beliefs. Email rawlearninginfo@gmail.com with any questions.

Advanced registration is required. Register here.

Raw Learning is hosting a community connection event for area homeschoolers and unschoolers at Douthat State Park Whisper Circle Playground near Clifton Forge on Wednesday, April 26th at 10:45am. This is a simple park playdate and meet and greet for families interested in connecting with other homeschooling families in our area. This playground is right on Wilson Creek. Bring bathing suits or extra clothes to splash around in, and fishing gear if you want! Pack a lunch or snack and plan to stay a few hours if you can! We’ll meet in the parking lot so we can introduce ourselves and walk over to the playground together.

When: Wednesday, April 26th at 10:45am

Where: Douthat State Park – Whisper Circle Playground. This is in the southern portion of the state park before you reach the park office. The parking lot is off Whisper Circle. If you put “Whispering Pines Campground Clifton Forge VA” in Google maps it will get you close to the parking lot. The parking lot is located on the right side of the road just after you pass Buckhorne Country Store and just before you reach the Whispering Pines campground entrance. The playground is a short walk from this parking lot. Please make sure you know how to get there before leaving because cell phone reception is spotty in the park.

Parking: Parking is $7 per vehicle. The parking fee can be waived by providing proof of homeschool status such as current ID card from a state or national homeschool organization (HEAV, HSLDA, etc.) or a copy of the letter from the school district that acknowledges “Notice of Intent” to homeschool for that school year to the park office. Alternatively you can pay with cash at the “self-pay” station in the parking lot or drive up to the park office to pay via cash, credit, or check.

Raw Learning is an educational non-profit organization with no religious or political affiliation. We have a focus on self-directed education and nature connection. We are an inclusive group, and welcome everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status, or educational beliefs. This meet-up is free and open to all interested homeschooling families. No need to register in advance. Email rawlearninginfo@gmail.com with any questions.