Abilene's Family Guide

Apr. 9th - May. 30th

The 41st Annual Scarborough Renaissance Festival is interactive fun for the whole family, 16th Century style! Here you will step back in time for the time of your life as you discover our 35-acre re-creation of an English village celebrating the visit of King Henry VIII's sister, Margaret Queen of Scotland and the Isles, and her guests to the "Village of Scarborough" with a festival of entertainment, artisans, food, magic and merriment!

Enjoy full combat jousting and birds of prey exhibitions; a Mermaid Lagoon, 20+ stages of non-stop Renaissance style entertainment and our 100+ member performing company. Discover hundreds of shoppes featuring exquisite crafts and authentic artisan demonstrations. There is something for everyone with Knighting Ceremonies, combat competitions, a Grande Parade, Renaissance rides, games of skill and so much more.

Feast on food fit for a king with our famous giant roasted Turkey Legs and the largest food-on-a-stick selection in Texas plus delectable favorites from the Village Bakery, Pasta Palace, and more! There is also a full-service restaurant and 12 pubs & taverns. For the more discerning palates there are daily wine and beer tasting events as well.
Just 30 minutes south of Downtown Dallas, Scarborough Renaissance Festival is open Saturdays, Sundays, and Memorial Day Mondays April 9 - May 30, 2022. Each weekend also has a different theme and a variety of special events. Check out all the details at www.SRFestival.com

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Apr. 29th - Dec. 31st

Learn From the Best Anywhere, Anytime - Full Scholarships Available

Key Features of Self-Paced Learning With Digital Media Academy:

Learn anywhere, any time
Progress at your own pace
No pre-requisites
No special software or hardware required
Access the same courses presented by Digital Media Academy at prestigious universities around the world
Courses are aligned with global standards
Receive a Digital Media Academy certificate upon completion
What's better than attending an innovative digital media or technology course at a prestigious university campus like Stanford University? Doing so in your own home, at your own pace.

Whether you live in a time zone that makes attending a live Digital Media Academy course difficult, or you want the freedom to move more quickly or slowly through the material, Digital Media Academy's self-paced digital media and technology courses might be just what you're looking for.

Developed by industry and curriculum experts, and tested and proven by over 500,000 students throughout the past 20 years, these courses allow young learners to explore their passions and develop 21st century skills.

Although these courses have traditionally been delivered live and in-person on North America's most prestigious university campuses, the self-paced format allows students aged 5 to 18 the world over to experience Digital Media Academy's unique educational offerings.

Not only that, but after the great success of the spring break virtual camp scholarship program, Digital Media Academy is offering Ten Thousand FULL scholarships for talented students who would benefit from a self-paced learning experience.

Why Self-Paced Learning?

Studies have shown that when students are given the ability to decide for themselves how much time to spend learning new material, they perform better because they are able to focus their efforts on concepts they find personally challenging.

Digital Media Academy recognizes the advantage of a self-paced format not only for student performance, but for accessibility as well. Knowing that not every student lives close to a campus where courses are offered, or even in a convenient time zone to attend a virtual course, Digital Media Academy wanted to offer the same high quality of digital media and technology education that has been delivered live for the past 20 years in a format that would ensure as many young learners as possible would have access to it.

The self-paced format allows learners of all backgrounds to enrich their learning, explore potential career paths, ignite their passion and build a foundation of knowledge and skills that are not only exciting but in-demand.

What to Expect from a Self-Paced Tech Course at Digital Media Academy

With over self-paced 30 courses available across 6 categories, there is sure to be something that piques the interest of the young learner in your life. Courses are available for ages 5-8, 9-12 and 13-18, in the following categories:

Digital Storytelling
Game Development
Creative Design
Computer Science + AI
Robotics + Engineering
Business + Entrepreneurship
Each course has 5 or 6 modules, and requires an average of 12-15 hours to complete. While participants are given three months to work through the course at their own pace, a particularly motivated learner could complete a course in a matter of days. It all depends on the learner's schedule, preferences and needs.

No special equipment is required, and if a participant has questions, they can ask a virtual teacher. Learning and progress will be assessed through automated quizzes and assignments.

Upon completion of a course, learners will receive certificates demonstrating their achievement, which include the seal of alignment with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

Who Should Consider a Self-Paced Course?

Digital Media Academy's courses enhance students' academic opportunities by offering research-based, 21st century learning in areas like game design, coding, animation, and other subjects that aren't always comprehensively covered in school.

Our self-paced courses are designed for young learners aged 5 to 18 with an aptitude for digital media or tech subjects who would benefit from gaining a foundation of understanding in that subject.

Course options include:

Ages 9-12:

Encryption, Cyphers and Digital Detectives
Design Challenges
Fun With Robots
And more
Ages 13-18:

App Designer Studio
Introduction to 3D Modeling in Tinkercard
Show and Tell: Script and Storyboard
And more
Do you know a self-motivated young learner whose interest might be sparked by an engaging digital media or technology foundation course offered by a certified, trusted and proven education institution?

Don't miss this opportunity to inspire them!

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May. 31st

Join Sharon, an experienced surrogate, on May 31st to talk all things surrogacy. Intended Parents, Surrogates and anyone interested in the surrogacy process, we look forward to speaking with you! 10:30am PST. Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83554400620?

https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/events

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Jun. 6th

Join Catherine, an experienced attorney, on June 6th to talk all things surrogacy. Intended Parents, Surrogates & anyone interested in the surrogacy process, we look forward to speaking with you at 1pm EST!
Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/98555206307

https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/events

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Jun. 14th

Join Sharon, an experienced surrogate, on June 14th to talk all things surrogacy. Intended Parents, Surrogates and anyone interested in the surrogacy process, we look forward to speaking with you! 10:30am PST.
Meeting link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83554400620?

https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/events

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Jul. 3rd - 30th

Sherwood Forest Campers will experience many of the skills and trades of the Medieval era, which means making things with their own hands not drawing a picture on your screen with their fingers!
Disclaimer: Sherwood Forest Summer Camp is fraught with confrontations between Robin and his Merry Folk, the Sheriff and his deputies, and the Fae Folk. It is possible campers may be called on to help Robin defend Sherwood Keep!

New this year- The Tournament of Champions!
What is the Tournament of Champions Youth Camp?
Sherwood Forest Summer Camp has always listened to suggestions for new camp ideas. Our campers have been asking for a new experience to add on to what they have been learning and doing during youth camp. We have decided to add a fourth week built on a completely different model. Our campers will be part of a clan working together with a leader to learn new skills and complete a special challenge or competition.
Which clan will your camper be a part of:

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Nov. 9th - 10th

Hank the Cowdog's exciting new addition is "Ranch Weather." It's impact on cowboys' lives is caused by different weather affecting every aspect of ranching. Cowboys help cattle survive blizzards, droughts and floods!

Legendary Author John Erickson returns with stories and songs to tell us about Hank the Cowdog's adventures.

*Onsite registration now open
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Session 1: 10:30 - 11:30 A.M. CT
Session 2: 12:30 - 1:30 P.M. CT
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Session 3: 10:30 - 11:30 A.M. CT
Session 4: 12:30 - 1:30 P.M. CT

Location: Annenberg Presidential Conference Center (APCC) at Texas A&M University,1002 George Bush Drive West, College Station, TX 77843

Register for FREE onsite programs at: https://www.bush41.org/education/reservations.

Please stay informed by our website, bush41.org, about COVID-19 conditions affecting program policies.

Register at Connect2Texas.net to attend virtually or to receive a free recording afterwards.
1. Create an account.
2. Click on the Events tab and select George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, event "The Return of Legendary Author John Erickson and Hank the Cowdog"
Registration help: Contact Lori Hamm-Neckar at lhamm@esc11.net or 817-740-7156

*Pre-registered onsite participants will receive a free copy of "Hank the Cowdog: Ranch Weather."

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