From the website:
"""Your child will participate in different combinations of fun activities...as our experienced
staff provides a fun, loving, noncompetitive environment. Snacks and juice provided."""

The camp is from 2:30-5:30. We'll eat afterwards then get to have some chill time at home as the kids will likely go to bed early from being exhausted from playing so hard!

LAKE LOUISA STATE PARK'S 5TH ANNUAL FIELD DAY
Date: May 17, 2008, 10:00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m.
Description: Most activities and exhibitions take place on the Park?s beautiful beach at Lake Louisa. This field day is a family oriented and nature friendly event, designed to create awareness about Florida?s natural and cultural heritage. A ceremony will be held to re-dedicate our World War 2 Gilmore monument. Exhibitors from all over Central Florida will provide information, demonstrations and activities concerning environmental issues, outdoor recreation, wildlife, native plants and much more.

Park Fees
Admission Fees
Pedestrian............$1.00
Single Occupant ...$3.00
2-8 Occupants......$4.00

A ?Get REAL in Florida State Parks!? Event
Get REAL!, which stands for Recreational and Environmental Adventures in Learning, focuses on using Florida State Parks as "classrooms without walls." The initiative builds on the parks' broad multicultural, educational and recreational programs to enrich learning and integrate the use of state parks with local community programs.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/lakelouisa/Events.cfm

Lake Louisa State Park Lake Louisa State Parkis as always a unique place to come and see a part of the real Florida. We still have some beautiful Florida winter days, when the sun is shining and the breezes are cool. On foot or on top of a bicycle, our trails give an opportunity to unwind while getting fresh air and possibly a glimpse of our wonderful wildlife. Our beach itself offers plenty of picnic tables and barbeque stands for a great cookout day, while enjoying the scenery of Lake Louisa and its surrounding cypress trees. For the ones who have the pleasure of bringing a horse, our trails will give a chance to experience the park from yet another angle. The pavilion at Dixie Lake day use area, which is another picnic area, is easy to access and also close to one of our fishing piers. There is always something to do or experience for someone who loves nature.

A short drive from Orlando, this park is noted for its six beautiful lakes, rolling hills, and scenic landscapes. Lake Louisa is the largest in a chain of 13 lakes connected by the Palatlakaha River, which is designated as an Outstanding Florida Waterway. Lake Louisa, Dixie Lake, and Hammond Lake, the park's most accessible lakes, provide access for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Anglers can fish in four of the park's six lakes, but gasoline-powered boats are not allowed; only boats powered by trolling motors or without motors are permitted. Camping facilities and more than 15 miles of horse trails are available for equestrians. For hikers and backpackers, the park has over 20 miles of hiking trails with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. Dixie Lake has a fishing pier, canoe/kayak launch, and a picnic pavilion.The park also has a full-facility campground, fully furnished cabins for rent, and primitive campsites. Lake Louisa State Park is located just seven miles south of State Road 50 in Clermont on U.S. 27.

We didn't get much of a response for this event so I'm changing the date in hopes of having more join us. Please don't forget to rsvp. Thanks, Laura

We'll make this a two-parter so it will make it easier to meet up for at least a little while pending everyone's schedules.

The early birds will start out by hanging out at the lakeside restaurant/park and those that can't meet us there can meet us inside the Science Center. We'll leave some time for Kids Town (or whatever) so that we can spend time with those that are not interested in the observatory.

I expect to be available for this meet up from about 3:15 until past 7 and we have 3 different activities so this meet up should accomodate most schedules/wants.

Also, I'll be coming from work in the Kissimmee area and will pass through my area (Windermere) before going to pick up my kids (school is right by restaurant) so if anyone has transportation issues and needs some help just let me know.

I think I have 2 (maybe 4) admission passes to the Science Center. Backchannel me if you need/want them and that will have to be 1st come/1st served.

The Plan... (-:

1.

We'll get a little bite at Gargi's & hang out while we wait for the others. It is on the water & has a playground which makes it ideal for taking pics of the kids and maybe even group shot for our meetup page.
NOTE: This restaurant can be pricey (http://www.gargislakeside.com/menu-wine-list.htm), but we have options.
We can either 1) eat there, 2) bag a lunch to eat at the playground, 3) picnic under the trees at the Science Center, or 4) we can just grab a soda at Gargi's and then get the pizza at the Science Center. If anyone is inclined (I know we are all tired, don't feel pressured, it's just an option) there is also a nice path to ride bikes, skate, etc at the Science Center picnic area).
I'll put up a poll in the next week or so and we'll see what works best for all and then take it from there.
2.

We'll go to the Science Center & explore the new and improved Kids Town or other

3.

We'll go to the observatory and see the stars.

Here are the details and websites for directions and further info:

1st location: Restaurant
http://www.gargislakeside.com/

2nd location: Kids Town at the Science Center
http://www.osc.org/Index.aspx
We may end up going back there after the SkyWatch depending on how much time we have left between the restaurant and the Observatory

3rd location: Crosby Observatory for SkyWatch (in the Science Center)
http://www.osc.org/InDash_Display.aspx?PGID=359

From the websites:
Gargi's Lakeside Ristorante is located on Lake Ivanhoe right next to Downtown Orlando in sunny Florida. Click here for a map and directions to Gargi's Lakeside Ristorante. Gargi's Lakeside Ristorante has been family owned and operated by the Panora Family for over 16 years. Once a small, 12 table setting, Gargi's has grown to become a beautiful Lakeside setting offering indoor and outdoor seating for lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. For more information or to make a reservation, please call us at: 407.894.7907 Click the link for a map and directions to Gargi's Lakeside Ristorante.

Gargi's Lakeside Ristorante
Phone: (407) 894-7907
Address: 1414 North Orange Ave.
Orlando, FL. 32804

Orlando Science Center Sky Watch
Join our astronomers in the Crosby Observatory for a night full of wonder. Enjoy views of the celestial objects while you take in the glittering Orlando skyline. Our telescopes will expand your horizons to places like Jupiter, Mars and Venus and beyond. Admittance ends at 9:00 p.m. with viewing continuing until 9:30 p.m. for those already in the Observatory.

Directions From I-4:
From I-4 take Princeton St exit (85).
Turn East onto E. Princeton St.
Turn Right N. Orange Ave.
Gargi's will be on the Right in .5 mile

SkyWatch
Friday and Saturday nights from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Admission Prices for Science Center PLUS Observatory
Adult, Youth (3-11), Student With ID = OSC Full Experience $23.00 $18.00 $21.00
If you are a Science Center member than you get the "Full Experience" for $7 adult & $5 child

Science Center Admission MINUS the Observatory
Adult Youth(3-11) = $7.00 $5.00

Full Experience includes:
Titanic - The Experience: world-famous exhibition Entry to all four floors of interactive Exhibit Halls
Xtreme Screen Films and Planetarium Shows in the Dr. Phillips CineDome
Observatory viewing on Fridays and Saturdays
Live science presentations throughout the building