The Contest
Now perhaps your family has a favorite story. If you and your children could build an adventure
based on that book what would that adventure be? We are still in the planning phases for Simpler
Times Discovery Center, and we are hoping to build a couple more exhibits based of the books that you
love the most. Visit our website to vote on your favorite books. There you will find a list of wholesome
classics for children, if your favorite is not on the list you can add it, as long as it's a good moral
story. Once we learn what the top five books are, we'll launch a new contest for homeschool families who
want to design the exhibits. What will we do you if you are a winner? We will build a little world
inspired by your dreams, your ideas and your big imagination.
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What is the Discovery Center?
Learn about another Dream of Josh & Sarah Brown... The Discovery Center can be place full of fun things families can do together. Right now we are in the dreaming and planning phase.
The concept for the Discovery Center began with the simple idea of a homeschool resource co-op at the heart of the village.
The theme on both indoor and outdoor activity areas will be classic children's story books.
Our goal is to bring families together in a setting where they can learn, play and enjoy life together. Our modern society tends to cater to individuals, therefore families are constantly being separates, but Simpler Times will be a place for families from near and far to dream and play together.
The Discovery Center:
Adventure Areas at the Simpler Times Discovery Center
• The World of Beatrix Potter's Gardens, Critters and Playhouses
• The Swiss Family Robinson Survival Camp and Nature Center
• The Pilgrims Progress Outdoor Obstacle course and Hiking Trails
• Little House in the Big Woods Pioneer Cabins and Petting Farm
• The Children's Theater and Puppet Show House
Other Features:
• Large Conference Room
• Tree House Art & Craft Station
• Island Shipwreck, Science & Nature Exploration
• The Book Garden Library
• Multipurpose Rooms & Coffee Bar
• Overnight Accommodations on Second Floor
• Kitchen & Dining Room
Outdoor Activity Center:
• Picnic Area & Play Ground
• Small Petting Farm & Pony Stables
• 20 Acre Pasture/farm for Bio-Dynamic Farming Model
• Good old fashion farm animals, horses & ponies.
• Community Gardens: Vegetable Garden, Orchard & Forest Garden
• Nature Preserve, Forest, Creek, Trails...
• Amphitheater & Green space for weddings, festivals & concerts
• Wildlife Identification Trails and Observation
• Pilgrims Progress Adventure Trail & Survival Camp.
Guest Accommodations:
• Little House on the Prairie Camping Cabins
• Swiss Family Robinson Tent Camping Sites
• Accommodations for special needs hospitality
• Guestrooms & Bunk Rooms inside the Center .
What do you think? We are still in the planning and dreaming phase, so send me your ideas!
Concept by Sarah Janisse Brown. For more information, email Sarah: sarah@ruralvillage.org
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Above: Concept Drawing of the Science & Nature Discovery Play Zone,
complete
with
turtles, fish, lizards, guinea pigs, forts, slides, caves & Viking boats.
Inspired by
Isaac Brown, Josh & Sarah Brown's seven year old son. |
| The Simpler Times Discovery Center
Our Vision:
Our vision is to create a wondrous place where families with children can learn and play together. Simpler Times Discovery Center will be a place of childlike freedom to explore, discover, and imagine. It's a getaway from time limits, televisions, textbooks and teachers, where children can truly act like children… and grownups can too! The Center will have a “Classic Story Book” feeling with different zones each inspired by wholesome classic children's books, such as Swiss Family Robinson , Little House on the Prairie , Tales of Peter Rabbit , The Pilgrim's Progress and many others. Most of the activities offered will be self-guided with lots of room for creativity. Guests will have plenty of time to explore nature, to create art, to read books, to discover science, relive history and play on the farm.
Families will be able to come for a few hours, for a day or may stay for several days at our Retreat, Camp & Conference Center. Our goal is to bring families together in a setting where they can learn, play and enjoy life together. Our society tends to cater to individuals, therefore families are constantly being separated, Simpler Times can bring families together. The Discovery Center can also be open for small conferences, retreats and family reunions.
The setting for the Living & Learning center will someday be Simpler Times Village. The outdoors is essential to the family experience. There will be camping, hiking, and wildlife exploration. There could be a survival boot camp and adventure course. We envision an old fashion farm environment, with horse and pony rides, gardens, orchards and pastures where families can enjoy a variety of farm animals.
The people living and staying at Simpler Times will create a community of families and individuals whose participation and investment in Simpler Times will help fuel it's success. Our vision enriches the lives of all the children, families and individuals who come to Simpler Times. “For an hour, for a day, or for a lifetime.”
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