Grove Homeschool Week 2026

9:30-11:30am
Nature Explorers
The children will observe and learn about Illinois’ interesting species of reptiles and amphibians. They will be exploring multiple areas as well as hands-on activities.
Grades: K-1
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

Blacksmithing 101
This exciting program takes place in our pioneer Blacksmith shop. Participants will learn how to work with the forge, anvil hammer under the guidance of our staff. They will make useful household items a trammel or “J” hook. Everyone will have a finished project to take home. Safety guidelines: proper dress of long sleeves, jeans and closed two shoes and having your hair tied back. Leather gloves and goggles will be provided if you do not have your own.
Grade: 5-8
Fee: $46 adult & child. Additional child within the same family is $23.

Habitat and Life Cycles
This program introduces students to the basic needs of all living things and how a habitat meets these needs. There will be an overview of all life cycles and a guided trail walk through our diverse grounds and close look at the soil creatures below their feet!
Grades: 1-4
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

1:00-3:00pm
Archeology
Students will learn the different dating techniques of artifacts and learn the history of the Kennicott House reconstruction in the Archive building. The students will take part in an archeological “dig” in the root cellar of the historic Kennicott home to uncover secrets of the past.
Grades: 3-8
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

Blacksmithing 101
This exciting program takes place in our pioneer Blacksmith shop. Participants will learn how to work with the forge, anvil hammer under the guidance of our staff. They will make useful household items a trammel or “J” hook. Everyone will have a finished project to take home. Safety guidelines: proper dress of long sleeves, jeans and closed two shoes and having your hair tied back. Leather gloves and goggles will be provided if you do not have your own.
Grade: 5-8
Fee: $46 adult & child. Additional child within the same family is $23.

Birds’ Adaptation
Students will take a closer look at our feathered friends to learn the adaptations for survival. They will explore the beaks, talons, and unique feather characteristics as well as experience hands-on activities.
Grades: 3-8
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

Animal Adventures
A guided walk to focus on the animals’ behavior at the change of seasons. The students will also have close up experiences with the animals and hands on activities with natural artifacts.
Grades: K-2
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

9:30-11:30am
Native Traditions
This unique program explores how the Woodland natives lived and impacted the land and look closely at their heritage and culture. The students will make a special tool that gives them courage to speak truth and the power to speak from the heart.
Grades: 1-3
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

Blacksmithing 101
This exciting program takes place in our pioneer Blacksmith shop. Participants will learn how to work with the forge, anvil hammer under the guidance of our staff. They will make useful household items a trammel or “J” hook. Everyone will have a finished project to take home. Safety guidelines: proper dress of long sleeves, jeans and closed toed shoes and having your hair tied back. Leather gloves and goggles will be provided if you do not have your own.
Grade: 5-8
Fee: $46 adult & child. Additional child within the same family is $23.

Fiber to Thread
Learn how to create wool to thread from one of our talented instructors in our historic Kennicott House’s Beck Room. It will teach wool preparation, carding, plying, and drop spindling. Each student will make their own spindle to take home.
Grades: 5-8
Fee: $20 adult & child. + each additional child is $10 within the same family.

Cooking on the Homestead
Students will experience pioneer life around the cast iron stove in our historic Kennicott House kitchen. This program will explain the challenges during the 19th century, and you will make fried apples, homemade butter, and drop biscuits to share at home.
Grades: 4-8
Fee: $25 adult & child. + each additional child is $12 within the same family.

1:00-3:00pm
Little Pioneers
This program will introduce students to pioneer family life and feature games, activities and crafts in our circa 1850’s log home. It will be a fun afternoon at the little log house.
Grades: K-2
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

Fiber to Thread
Learn how to create wool to thread from one of our talented instructors in our historic Kennicott House’s Beck Room. It will teach wool preparation, carding, plying, and drop spindling. Each student will make their own spindle to take home.
Grades: 5-8
Fee: $20 adult & child. + each additional child is $10 within the same family.

Cooking on the Homestead
Students will experience pioneer life around the cast iron stove in our historic Kennicott House kitchen. This program will explain the challenges during the 19th century, and you will make fried apples, homemade butter and drop biscuits to share at home.
Grades: 4-8
Fee: $25 adult & child + each additional child is $12 within the same family.

Animal Adventures
A guided walk to focus on the animals’ behavior and trail clues among The Grove’ s natural areas. The students will also have close-up experiences with the animals and hands-on activities with natural artifacts.
Grades: 1-4
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

9:30-11:30am
Native Traditions
Students will explore the importance of native communal living and learning about their culture. Storytelling is a way to pass down history, values, and wisdom. The students will take part in a unique project that shares “Sacred Breath.”
Grades: 3-8
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

Blacksmithing 101
This exciting program takes place in our pioneer Blacksmith shop. Participants will learn how to work with the forge, anvil hammer under the guidance of our staff. They will make useful household items a trammel or “J” hook. Everyone will have a finished project to take home. Safety guidelines: proper dress of long sleeves, jeans and closed toed shoes, and having your hair tied back. Leather gloves and goggles will be provided if you do not have your own.
Grade: 5-8
Fee: $46 adult & child. Additional child within the same family is $23.

Animal Adventures
A guided walk to focus on the animals’ behavior at the change of seasons. The students will also have close up experiences with the animals and hands on activities with natural artifacts.
Grades: K-3
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

Cooking on the Homestead
Students will experience pioneer life around the cast iron stove in our historic Kennicott House kitchen. This program will explain the challenges during the 19th century, and you will make fried apples, homemade butter, and drop biscuits to share at home.
Grades: 4-8
Fee: $25 per person (including adults).

1:00-3:00pm
Birds’ Adaptation
Students will take a closer look at our feathered friends to learn the adaptations for survival. They will explore the beaks, talons, and unique feather characteristics as well as experience hands- on activities.
Grades: 3-8
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

Blacksmithing 101
This exciting program takes place in our pioneer Blacksmith shop. Participants will learn how to work with the forge, anvil hammer under the guidance of our staff. They will make useful household items a trammel or “J” hook. Everyone will have a finished project to take home. Safety guidelines: proper dress of long sleeves, jeans and closed toed shoes, and having your hair tied back. Leather gloves and goggles will be provided if you do not have your own.
Grade: 5-8
Fee: $46 adult & child. Additional child within the same family is $23.

Cooking on the Homestead
Students will experience pioneer life around the cast iron stove in our historic Kennicott House kitchen. This program will explain the challenges during the 19th century and you will make fried apples, homemade butter and drop biscuits to share at home.
Grades: 4-8
Fee: $25 per person (including adults).

Native Traditions
This unique program explores how the Woodland natives lived and impacted the land and look closely at their heritage and culture. The students will make a special tool that gives them courage to speak truth and the power to speak from the heart.
Grades: 1-3
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

Native Traditions
Students will explore the importance of native communal living and learning about their culture. Storytelling is a way to pass down history, values, and wisdom. The students will take part in a unique project that shares “Sacred Breath.”
Grades: 3-8
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

Blacksmithing Advance * Prerequisite requirement
This program is for experienced blacksmith students that have taken our class for the past two consecutive years. We will offer different item options for forging, or you may create an original piece with the iron billet provided. Safety guidelines: proper dress of long sleeves, jeans and closed toed shoes and having your hair tied back. Leather gloves and goggles will be provided if you do not have your own.
Grades: 5-8
Fee: $50 adult & child. An additional child within the same family is $25.

Habitat & Life Cycles
This program introduces students to the basic needs of all living things and how a habitat meets these needs. Students will explore The Grove’s natural diverse areas on a guided hike and examine the soil creatures and living things below our feet. There will be an overview of the life cycles in each season.
Grades: 1-4
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

Log Cabin Building Skills
In our 1850’s pioneer log home, students will learn how to use of pioneer tools to build a log cabin. The group of students will build a small replica together and discover the strength it took the whole community to complete building projects. It took everyone working together to help families survive pioneer life.
Grades: 4-8
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

Nature Explorers
The children will observe and learn about Illinois animals by examining their teeth. They will be observing animals eating, animal skulls and hike to find trail signs as well as experience hands on activities.
Grades: K-1
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

1:00-3:00pm
Schoolhouse Session with Quills
Travel back to 1862 in our replica Schoolhouse when paper was scarce, and letter writing was a common form of communication. Each student will compose their own correspondence. The School Marm will also lead scholars through McGuffey readers, Arithmetic, spelling, and geography.
Grades: 4-8
Fee: $18 adult & child. + each additional child is $9 within the same family.

Blacksmithing Advance * Prerequisite requirement
This program is for experienced blacksmith students that have taken our class for the past two consecutive years. We will offer different item options for forging, or you may create an original piece with the iron billet provided. Safety guidelines: proper dress of long sleeves, jeans and closed toed shoes, and having your hair tied back. Leather gloves and goggles will be provided if you do not have your own.
Grades: 5-8
Fee: $50 adult & child. An additional child within the same family is $25.

Fiber to Thread
Learn how to create wool to thread from one of our talented instructors in our historic Kennicott House’s Beck Room. It will teach wool preparation, carding, plying, and drop spindling. Each student will make their own spindle to take home.
Grades: 5-8
Fee: $20 adult & child. + each additional child is $10 within the same family.