Dickson Valley Learning Collective (DVLC)
A Homeschool Enrichment Program at Dickson Valley Camp & Retreat Center
Beginning Wednesday, September 10th, DVLC is a drop-off enrichment program designed for homeschool families who value faith, hands-on learning, and getting outside. Join us at our beautiful camp along the Fox River! This program is for elementary-aged children (ages 6–12), with the desire to expand to middle school in the near future! We’re committed to helping your child grow, explore, and connect in a Christ-centered community…outside as much as possible!
More Details!
Program Overview
• When: Wednesdays, beginning September 10th, 2025, 9am-3pm
• Where: Dickson Valley Camp & Retreat Center
• Who: Elementary-aged homeschool students (ages 6–12)
• Cost: $880 for the Fall Semester (14 weeks); $1100 for the Spring Semester (17 weeks)
• Commitment: Registration is per semester
-Fall Semester: Wednesday, September 10th, 2025– Wednesday, December 17th, 2025
September 10, September 17, September 24, October 1, October 8, October 15, October 22, October 29, November 5, November 12, November 19, December 3, December 10, December 17
-Spring Semester: Wednesday, January 7th 2026–Wednesday, May 13th 2026
January 7, 2026, January 14, January 21, January 28, February 4, February 11, February 25, March 4, March 11, March 18, March 25, April 8, April 15, April 22, April 29, May 6, May 13
• Spots: Limited availability
Registration is now Open
for the Fall Semester!
Sample Daily Schedule
9:00–9:30 AM – Bible Time using Mighty Virtues from Tiny Theologians – Fun, gospel-centered lessons to help kids grow in truth and character. Each family gets a set of virtue cards with registration to use at home during the week! More about Tiny Theologians Here.
9:30–10:00 AM – Maps & Geography- using Beautiful Feet Curriculum about Africa, Asia, Australia and Antartica. ( More about Beautiful Feet Curriculum Here)
10:00–11:00 AM – Camp Activity (varies by week and weather dependent)
11:00–12:00 PM – Lunch & free play
12:00–12:30 PM – Read Aloud
12:45–1:15 PM – Nature Science using Exploring Nature with Children curriculum. (More about Exploring Nature with Children Here)
1:15–2:00 PM – Free Choice Creativity Time (art, crafting, building, etc.)
2:00–3:00 PM – Snack & Free Play
Cancellation Policy
A $100 deposit is due at the time of registration to hold your child’s spot in the program. This deposit is non-refundable, except if your child is on the waitlist and we unable to offer them a spot.
If you cancel within 14 days of the program, we’ll refund your tuition, minus the deposit.
If you cancel after the program has begun, you will be responsible for 50% of the remaining tuition. This helps us cover the cost of staff, supplies, and planning that go into each week.
We understand that unexpected situations come up. If you’re facing a family emergency or unique circumstance, please reach out—we’re happy to talk and will do our best to work with you.
Office@dicksonvalley.com
Sibling Discount:
Families will receive $50/off each additional child enrolled from the same household.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is lunch provided?
A: No, lunch is not provided. Students should bring their own lunch and snack each day. Please note that Dickson Valley is a peanut-free facility.
Q: What are the drop-off and pick-up times?
Drop-off begins at 8:45 AM, and the program starts promptly at 9:00 AM. Pick-up is at 3:00 PM. Please be on time so our day can start and end smoothly!
Drop-off and pick-up will take place at the Parking Lot Pavilion unless weather requires a change—in that case, we’ll let you know ahead of time.
Q: How much time will students spend outside?
A: As much as possible! Weather permitting, most lessons and activities will take place outdoors. We have several covered pavilions for rainy days and a large indoor space we’ll use when it’s too cold or unsafe to be outside. Kids should come prepared for all kinds of weather and expect to be outdoors often.
Q: What should my child bring each day?
A:
Weather-appropriate clothing such as rain gear (jacket and pants), snow gear, and cold-weather layers as needed.
Sturdy, weather-appropriate shoes or boots
Lunch and snack (peanut-free)
A backpack or bag to carry home art and papers
A full set of clothes (can be left at camp in a labeled zip-lock bag)
All other supplies will be provided!
Will my child be grouped with kids of different ages?
A: Yes! At DVLC, we intentionally use mixed-age groups. Research shows that learning and playing alongside children of different ages encourages growth in social skills, empathy, leadership, and collaboration. At times, we may separate into “lower elementary” and “upper elementary” groups for certain activities, but most of the day will be spent all together as one group.
Q: What happens if my child is on the waitlist?
A: If your child is placed on the waitlist, we’ll reach out as soon as a spot opens up. Deposit is still required to hold your spot on the waitlist. If a spot becomes available, we’ll contact you via email and give you 48 hours to confirm your registration. If we’re unable to place your child in the program, your deposit will be fully refunded.
Q: Will my child come home dirty?
A: (Spoiler alert: Yes. In the best way!) We believe the best kind of learning often involves mud, leaves, paint, and a healthy dose of outdoor play. Your child will come home with full hearts, tired legs, and probably dirt on their clothes—and we think that’s a win.
Q: Do we have to commit to the full semester?
A: Yes, registration is per semester. This helps us create a consistent group dynamic and rhythm for learning and relationships. If you're unsure whether it's the right fit, feel free to reach out—we’d be happy to chat!
A $100 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to hold your child’s spot in the program.
If you cancel before the first day of the program, we’ll refund your tuition, minus the deposit.
If you cancel after the program has begun, you will be responsible for 50% of the remaining tuition. This helps us cover the cost of staff, supplies, and planning that go into each week.
We understand that life can be unpredictable. If your family is facing an emergency or unique circumstance, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help.
Q: What curriculum do you use for nature study?
A: We use the Exploring Nature With Children curriculum, a year-long nature study guide that includes weekly topics, nature walks, readings, art, poetry, and seasonal activities. It’s designed to be flexible and engaging for a wide age range and fits beautifully with our outdoor setting.
Q: Do you use any curriculum for Bible time?
A: Yes! We will Mighty Virtues from Tiny Theologians to guide our Bible time. Each week we focus on a different virtue rooted in Scripture. Families receive a set of virtue cards with registration to reinforce learning at home.
Have a question we didn’t answer? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at office@dicksonvalley.com
