Name: Homeschool Family Hike
Start: 2025-10-21T10:15:00-04:00
Location: Vogel State Park

Reserve a spot early for your family: https://www.sciencewithmrscollins.com/in-person-classes/ngahikingmemberships
Welcome fellow nature lovers. During covid my family and I set out to scout different hiking trails, waterfall hikes, nature centers, and playgrounds in the surrounding counties that would be great for families. I frequently these locations to collect nature items for my science classes and have always wanted to share these locations with others. I would love to organize hikes for our homeschool families in the area as a chance to meet new friends and explore these locations that are within a reasonable drive for most local families. My goal is to provide easy out-and back (a term hikers use to describe hikes that start at one location and end at the starting point) hikes, that will take 45 minutes to an hour to complete, and that are family friendly for all ages. Then time will be provided at the end to relax and enjoy nature. At the end of each hike students will earn a themed token for the hike.
The goal is to provide adventures in Hall, White, Habersham, Lumpkin, Union, and Rabun County, GA.
Families are welcome to bring family members-siblings, preschoolers, teens, grandparents, etc to explore. We will be visiting these locations on Tuesdays during the morning hours when the locations are not crowded and we can enjoy time in nature. If you would like to bring an additional friend, please message me.
Hike Time: All hikes will begin at 10:15am. We ask that families get to the site 10-15 minutes beforehand.
Hike Day: Our hikes will occur on Tuesdays. My elementary science club meets the first Tuesday of the month, so if you are looking for an elementary class check out https://www.sciencewithmrscollins.com/in-person-classes/ngscelementary
Why is hiking great for homeschoolers? Hiking provides many educational, social, and physical benefits.
Educational Benefits:
Hands-on learning: Hikes provide real-world contexts to learn about plants, animals, weather, land formations, and the history of an area.
Cross-curricular integration: Children can practice math skills with distances and directions, apply science knowledge to identify natural elements, or develop artistic skills by drawing and photographing what they observe.
Reading motivation:The natural environment can motivate children to read signs and other outdoor information, making reading a more relevant and engaging activity.
Social and Character Development:
Socialization:Homeschool hiking groups offer a great way for children to make new friends and build real, lasting friendships outside of a traditional classroom setting.
Teamwork and confidence:Group activities like hiking promote teamwork, build confidence, and allow children to develop leadership skills.
Character building: Participating in group outdoor adventures helps children develop character through shared experiences, responsibility, and a joy for serving others.
Health and Well-being:
Physical fitness:Hiking improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, enhances balance, and increases endurance.
Mental health benefits:Exposure to nature has been shown to reduce stress and provide opportunities for mindfulness, which can be particularly beneficial for children.
Life skills: Young hikers can learn valuable practical skills, such as basic first aid, and a greater sense of independence and safety in the outdoors.
Excursion Information:
Location: Blairsville, GA (Easy Hike)
We will take a 1.1 hike together around the lake. Lake Trahlyta at Vogel State Park is a 22-acre lake in the North Georgia mountains, created by a dam built by the Civilian Conservation Corps on Wolf Creek. The lake is popular for fishing for bass, bream, and trout, swimming at its seasonal beach, and non-motorized boating activities like kayaking and paddleboarding.The group will walk around the lake, and view Lake Trahlyta's waterfall. At the end of the trail we will visit the beach or stream area for a break. Then we will visit the new vistor's museum before we leave. Families are welcome to stay and explore more trails, see the new cabins being built, and visit the playground area.
FAQ Section:
1) Can I bring my child and drop them off? No, these are family hikes so an adult or guardian 18 years or older will need to attend.
2) We are new to hiking, so I am very nervous. Don't worry I will be providing everyone a "hiking how-to" video before we embark on this adventure together. The hiking video will explain hiking etiquette in an easy to follow slideshow you can show to your child before the event. Hiking etiquette includes staying on the trail and the principles of Leave No Trace (pack out trash, don't disturb wildlife), giving uphill hikers the right-of-way, passing other hikers on the left, and yielding to equestrians. It also involves being quiet to respect nature, and avoiding loud music or excessive phone use to not disturb other hikers or wildlife.
3) Can I bring my dog? Even though some hiking areas allowed leashed dogs I ask that our families come without pets. We have a few in our group that have a fear of dogs, so no dogs allowed for our group hikes.
4) What do we need to bring for our hike? One person in your family needs to bring a bookbag. That bookbag can hold your bottled water, snacks, a mini first aid kit, bug spray, and anything else you may need.
5) What are admission fees? I encourage all families to purchase a state park pass. Parking in Georgia's State Parks is just $5 and visitors can buy a $50 annual ParkPass that helps fund renovations, trail work, dock replacements and more. A family of five can enjoy a full day of hiking, biking, fishing, boating, birding, picnicking, swimming and more for only one dollar per person. You can purchase a daily pass on-site for $5 for one time use, or purchase the yearly pass for $50 and have unlimited visits to the park. You can purchase a yearly pass at any state park gift shop or online. I recommend purchasing from the gift shop, it is faster.
6) What about additional fees? We will be visiting various state parks and locations during our adventures. Families will be responsible for purchasing their own snacks on-site, items from gift shops, and if additional items are needed at the location. For example, Hillside Orchard sells feed cups for the petting zoo, so that would be an additional fee that is optional for your family but you are welcome to purchase it or any goodies at the farm.
7) What is included in our family fee? Individual hikes are $25 per family. If you purchase the hiking membership package then the rate is $20 per family.
The following is included:
*Hike curated for little explorers and their loved ones.
*Accessible distances and elevation gain (climb).
*Good picnic spots.
*Nature areas, playgrounds, or stream location for students to play at the end.
*Scouted for poison oak, nettlesome bugs (wasps, bees, yellowjackets) and difficult terrain.
*Information on the hike, history, wildlife/plants of interest, local places to eat and shop will be provided a week before via email. You can use the information to incorporate the adventure into your homeschool curriculum or use the information to make a day of it together after the hike.
* Access to first aid kit that is kid specific. (Oragel, Tylenol, Band-aids, Tweezers, Fingernail Clippers, Alcohol Wipes)
*CPR certified provider (me).
*Scounted areas with restroom access.
8) What do we do if on the day of the hike my little one no longer wants to hike. You and your child are welcome to hang out at the trailhead in the picnic area and we can visit with you after, if you prefer. The hikes are not required.
9) What about weather? If it rains, we will reschedule to another Tuesday. Other events maybe scheduled at the park which could increase park flow, if that happens we will reschedule or find another nearby hike. Thankfully in North GA we have many options.
10) How far should we rsvp? Please rsvp as soon as possible. Students ages 2 and up will be able to earn a themed token for their lanyard at the end of the walk. I need to be able to purchase the tokens needed, and have them shipped in time for the event. I also have to let the park know an estimate of the amount of people attending. Please do not wait til the last minute for this event.
Note: By signing up you are agreeing to the hiking waiver. Upon registration it will be emailed to you so you can complete it electronically. It must be received 7 days before the event.