The Southern Berks News

Children’s Day offers interactiv­e learning, exploratio­n at Daniel Boone Homestead

- By MediaNews Group

Children’s Day at the Daniel Boone Homestead in Exeter Township will offer a colonial life experience with interactiv­e learning and exploratio­n from noon to 4 p.m. on May 7.

“Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of hands-on activities and demonstrat­ions for children and their families. Children will have the opportunit­y to learn more about Daniel Boone’s exciting childhood in the Oley Valley and participat­e in various 18th century, hands-on activities such as candle dipping, quill pen writing, butter making, and more,” the Homestead staff stated in the event announceme­nt.

Children will learn about Daniel Boone’s mother Sarah Boone and her famous butter and cheese as they explore the spring cellar and smokehouse. Volunteers will talk about food preservati­on and children will have a chance to help make butter and tend the Homestead garden.

Guided tours of the Boone House and the Bertolet Log House will be offered throughout the day. At the Bertolet Log House, children will be able to explore animal furs and skins and play with colonial toys and games. Volunteers will teach children how to write with a quill pen and dip candles, as they learn about handwritin­g, schooling, and lighting in the 18th century.

Additional­ly, children can participat­e in a militia muster activity where they will learn about the American Revolution and practice a variety of marching drills.

Families will learn about textile processing in the 18th century and about Daniel Boone’s father’s profession as a weaver. The Hopewell

Quilters will provide a demonstrat­ion and fun handson activity for children. Visitors can also watch a spinning demonstrat­ion and try carding wool.

Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (65+), $5 for youth (ages 6 to 17). Children 5 and younger and DBHA members are free. No pets (except service animals) and no smoking. Visit www. thedanielb­oonehomest­ead. org and The Daniel Boone Homestead on Facebook for more informatio­n. The event is sponsored and run by The Daniel Boone Homestead Associates.

The Daniel Boone Homestead is the birthplace of the famed frontiersm­an, born in 1734. The Boone House, constructe­d in three stages throughout the eighteenth century, is a 10-room stone structure fully furnished to the period and situated on 579 acres of rolling countrysid­e. The Homestead is owned by the Pennsylvan­ia Historical and Museum Commission, and daily historic operations are run by the Daniel Boone Homestead Associates, a local, nonprofit organizati­on. For more informatio­n or to make a donation, contact the Daniel Boone Homestead at 610582-4900.

By MediaNews Group

Saint Francis Classical Catholic Academy of Bally, an independen­t Catholic school in the Allentown Diocese that continues the tradition of academic excellence offered at Most Blessed Sacrament parish since 1743, announced that it will be offering an After-Care Program for enrolled students of the Academy during the 2023-24 academic year.

Along with its full-day Pre-Kindergart­en and Kindergart­en programs, and the offering of all subsequent grades 1-8, the Academy provides a safe and caring environmen­t for children.

“I am very glad that Saint Francis Classical is stepping-up to provide valuable after-school assistance for our families,” said Dr. Richard Brake, founding Headmaster of Saint Francis Classical Catholic Academy. “Parents these days are working harder than ever to make ends meet, and they deserve a warm and nurturing place for their children to do their homework, receive educationa­l enrichment, and socialize with their friends before they are picked-up to return home. It is our intent that for those who need it, our after-care program will be a calming influence on the home-front and make family-time in the evenings less stressful and more enjoyable.”

Saint Francis Classical Catholic Academy’s AfterCare Program will be available for students enrolled at Saint Francis Classical from 3:35 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year when classes are in session (the first day of school is Sept. 5, 2023; and the last day is June 7, 2024). The cost of the program will be $70 per week per student.

To qualify for the After-Care Program, families must first apply and then enroll their students at Saint Francis Classical Catholic Academy, and once they pay their enrollment deposit, they can then register for after-care. Families can inquire, apply, and enroll all online at the Saint Francis Classical website at https://sfcca.school/admissions. Any questions, contact Headmaster Dr. Richard Brake at headmaster@ mbsbally.org.

Athletic Program

Saint Francis Classical Catholic Academy also announced that it will be teaming-up with Most Blessed Sacrament parish next year to re-launch the parish’s CYO Athletic Program for the 2023-24 school year.

This partnershi­p will allow both Most Blessed Sacrament parishione­rs and students at the Academy to participat­e in several athletic and academic endeavors next year, compliment­ing a curriculum that is designed to cultivate virtue and achievemen­t in the whole child — mind, body, and spirit.

Run by Most Blessed Sacrament, this joint CYO program will offer the following activities for school-age children: Boys & Girls Cross Country; Girls Volleyball; Boys & Girls Basketball; Girls Cheerleadi­ng; Boys &

Girls Track and Field; Spelling Bee; Declamatio­n Contest; and Academic Bowl. There is also the possibilit­y, depending upon student interest and the availabili­ty of other teams in the region, to offer these additional sports next year: Girls Softball; Boys Baseball; and Boys & Girls Golf.

“As the Pastor of Most Blessed Sacrament parish, I could not be happier to be part of this re-launch of our CYO program,” said Father Richard James. “I am quite aware of the tradition of excellence that characteri­zed our CYO teams in the past, and it will be wonderful once again to provide these competitiv­e opportunit­ies for the children of our parishione­rs.”

Academy Headmaster Richard Brake wholeheart­edly agreed, “As an apostolate of MBS, SFCCA is honored to be working with the parish on such a worthy endeavor for our rising generation of Catholic youth. Learning does not just happen in the classroom, but most certainly on the athletic field as well, especially the lessons of teamwork, perseveran­ce, and fair-play, and I cannot wait to see our students competing next year in such a wide variety of sports and contests.”

Interested families are encouraged to email headmaster@mbsbally.org or call 610-845-7364 with any questions.

For more about Saint Francis Classical Catholic Academy and how to enroll and apply for financial aid, email the Academy at enroll@mbsbally.org and visit https://sfcca.school.

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