What: Geography Fair and POTLUCK!!
When: Sunday, March 12; 3pm
Where: The Coz Home
Organizer: Laura Riesenberg
What to Bring: Your project, stamp/sticker for marking passports, a dish to share, drinks for your family

Come bring your family to an afternoon of "visiting" other countries in a fun way. At the start of the geography fair, we will hand out passports and each "traveller" get their passports stamped as they visit each country/display.

The following countries are being represented: Austria, Australia, China (2), Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark. Egypt (3), England (2), Galapagos Islands, India (3), Ireland, Italy, Japan, Madagascar, Mexico (2), Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Scotland, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine (2)

To participate: Each child (or family, it can be a group project) choses a country and makes up a presentation on that country. Let your imagination be your guide: Cool things to share/explore about your country would be postal stamps, Currency, Embassy packages, Flags, Costumes and Folktales. The great thing about this opportunity is that any age child can participate and present their research to the best of their abilities. No competing!

Each participant must bring a stamp or stickers to use to mark the "visitors" passports (plan on stamping about 45 passports). If you can't find something to use, contact Laura at theriesenbergs@cinci.rr.com and let her know.

We are also asking that participants bring a dish representative of their country to share(this can be as simple as chips and salsa or as elaborate as your cooking abilities allow!). We will have an international potluck as part of our event. Plates, silverware and napkins will be provided. Please bring drinks for your family.

Families who do not want to make displays but still want to come and participate and "travel" are welcome, consider bringing a dessert or some kid friendly (peanut free) munchies to share.

This event was SO MUCH FUN and so very well attended. 29 kids displayed projects on the country of their choice. Every project was very well done and showed the diversity of the children participating. Hannah presented Ireland, Emily, the Galapagos Islands, Grant, the Ukraine, Jacob, the Philippines, Cade, Mexico and Sophie China! Julieanne took pictures of all the projects, I can't wait for her to send them to me! One of the girls, Jessie, did an awsome display for the Ukraine that included the beautiful Ukrainian eggs and nesting dolls. Another girl came dressed representing her country, Holland, including the wooden shoes!

The kids (and a few of the overgrown kids...aka ADULTS) loved going around to each display and having their passport stamped. It was neat to see what stamps they chose to represent their countries! One family even made their own stamps using an eraser and diminisional paint/glue. A very creative and inexpensive idea!

The food was divine! I actually found a recipe for rice muffins that my friend Julieanne (who is allergic to wheat, corn and various other things) could eat. I just LOVED the sushi and Indian dish, but absolutely EVERYTHING tasted great! What more could you ask for? Great food, good company and a little bit of learning thrown in!