Letter from the Editor…

From the inception of this newsletter, Truassic Times, we have said that it is a quarterly newsletter.  This Winter 2007 issue, however, is only our second newsletter this year.  We realize that expectations have been raised for quarterly newsletters and that we have been too busy to fulfill that promise.  We apologize for the infrequencies of our updates and assure you that future newsletters will be distributed in a more timely fashion.  There are many exciting educational and family friendly opportunities and events that we are making available.  We want to keep you informed about this local creation museum.    As Akron Fossils & Science Center continues to grow, the Lord keeps on blessing us with more and more gifted people on staff.  We hope you will begin to notice the difference.

Sincerely,
Josiah Detwiler

Creation Conference Aspires to Spark New Growth

You may be able to debunk evolution in a debate, but can you refer your opponent to a local museum that supports and illustrates your arguments?

Thinking of starting your own Creation Ministry or Museum?  
Want to enhance and build up your current Creation Ministry?  

Museums add force and validity to current thought.  Here is a chance to make a difference.   In conjunction with The Akron Fossils & Science Center (AFSC), The Creation Science Museum of Canada (CSMC) would like to encourage the body of Christ to get out into the battle.  Please join us for the long awaited “Start Your Own Creation Museum and Ministry Conference.”

Editor’s Note:  We have had the conference advertised on our webpage for about a month now, and have posted information about the conference on a few creationism websites and mailing lists.  There are only a couple of weeks left before the conference begins so please register soon.  If you know of any groups that might be interested in the conference, we would be happy to forward them information.  Please refer them to us by calling or emailing me (Josiah Detwiler) at the Science Center, 330.665.DINO.

Look a Little Closer…
(Not just for Homeschoolers…)

    Although the school year is already well under way, we couldn’t pass up this opportunity to inform you about the science classes and labs now available at the Science Center.  Our resident biologist, Cindy Julius, teaches individual and group science classes.  Cindy has been a private tutor for over ten years assisting both public and privately schooled students as well as home school students.  Cindy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Cleveland State University and graduated cum laude in her class.  Her thorough knowledge in biology has greatly impacted our Viers Ditch Research Project which she now manages.  Cindy is also a home school mother whose daughter recently graduated from high school and is now in college.

Our Science Classes offer:
• Creative ideas for students having difficulty with math or reading
• Individualized one-on-one tutoring on a variety of subjects on an "as needed" basis
• Small group classes for elementary to high school students in science and math
• Individualized high school lab experiences
   Cindy has the ability to teach a broad age range of students from elementary level classes through high school grades.  She designs individualized courses in many disciplines including high school biology, chemistry, physics, algebra I, algebra II with trigonometry, geometry, introduction to statistics, earth science and elementary science.  Cindy is probably one of the most versatile people we know!

    Cindy also has experience in creatively assisting challenged students and right brain learners with math and reading skills.  She has taught remedial math, chemistry, and pre-calculus clarification classes for first year college students.

    Apart from group classes that are available by reservation, Cindy is available for private tutoring and labs on Thursdays and Fridays at the museum.  If you are interested in science lessons, we recommend that you contact us soon.

Price Guide
(Pricing may vary depending on your needs)
Group Rate (2 or more families) = $10/family/hr
Individual Rate = $17/family/hr

Please call or email us to set up a class time...330.665.DINO

A Paddle through the Wilderness

This past August the Akron Fossils and Science Center (AFSC) led their first annual Wilderness Canoe Expedition to the Minnesota-Canadian Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).  Bill Sanderson, museum founder, grew up taking summer vacations to the Boundary Waters.  His many years of experience and love for this wilderness area have equipped him as a seasoned guide and outfitter for our Wilderness Canoe Expeditions.  Our first trip was a huge success, and every team-member enjoyed a vacation of a lifetime!

Here is what one team member said about the 2006 canoe expedition,

'Like many Christian families, we have provided our boys a steady diet of war histories, pioneer stories, G.A. Henty novels, Sugarcreek Gang books, and Ranger Bill radio shows.  This has fed their natural, boyish appetite for adventure.  So, from an early age they would talk about, or pretend to be, participating in some type of “Lewis and Clark” exploration or some swashbuckling epic.

During these same years, I have been increasingly confronted from scripture to turn my heart to my children, to seek out opportunities to lead them in The Way, and to call them into manhood.  I, too, had dreamt of taking my boys on wilderness activities where I could give them my undivided attention to teach and to listen.  But it was only a dream because I had never known of any camping beyond pitching a tent at some campground.  Campground stays can be fun, but they aren’t any boy’s idea of “adventure”, and it isn’t far from the daily distractions of cell phones, radios, peers, etc.  Moreover, most nature events provided at private or state campgrounds are presented from an evolutionist’s viewpoint.

When my wife heard about this trip from akronfossils.com, we thought it could be an opportunity to give my sons a sense of adventure and to learn some wilderness camping methods with others who also worship God as Creator.

We were not disappointed.  As a guide, Bill Sanderson was experienced, knowledgeable, patient, and equipped for adversity.  But Bill also projected a love for the Boundary Waters’ wilderness and for the One who created it…

One special moment was dropping into the canoe after the last portage before paddling to the designated base camp.  Exhausted, but with a sense of accomplishment, we feasted on the extreme beauty of the nearby rock ledges and emerald clear water.  The goal was within reach, and God rolled out the carpet.

Another memorable moment was reclining on the granite boulders after a late evening dinner of freshly caught northern pike to view the meteor showers against the most star filled sky I had ever seen.  It reminded us of the passage from Genesis where God, the best Father, challenges Abraham to “number the stars, if you can.”’

The Akron Fossils and Science Center is already planning the next Wilderness Canoe Expedition for August 2007.  If you have always dreamed of participating in a real wilderness experience, this might be your chance to gain a greater awe for the Creator’s handiwork.  

To be included in next years expedition you must be 12 years old or older and have camping and canoeing experience.  Our Wilderness Canoe Expeditions are a rugged experience, much more primitive than State Park campgrounds with flush toilets, paved roads and convenient electrical outlets!  Canoeing through the Boundary Waters requires teamwork and courage to face the many challenges that can arise on open water, whether it is pouring rain or stiff headwinds.  It’s a lot of work paddling several miles out to the wilderness base camp and hauling your heavy packs and canoes over rocky trail portages.  The rewards are worth the effort!   Pristine water, clean and clear.  Starlit nights with so many thousands points of light it will take your breath away.    There is also the stillness and the quiet; the soothing sereneness of the water, trees, and sky.  When immersed in the beauty and vastness of the wilderness, we can easily understand how small we really are and be reminded to praise our Creator in awe!

The 2007 Canoe Expedition is already in its planning stages.  We will hit the water again this August.   We will post the exact dates for our seven day trip sometime soon.  Please call us to learn more about this trip.  We recommend you make your reservation soon as we only have eight openings available.  Further expedition details will be posted both on our website and here on our quarterly newsletters as more details become available.

When: The second Saturday of every month:

Time: 1:30-2:30 P.M at Akron Fossils and Science Center

Cost: $3 per person (no more than $8 combined for multiple siblings)

June 14 Under the Sea: Do you know what kind of fish Nemo is? How about Dori? There are some amazing and unusual creatures that live under the sea. Come watch an exciting presentation on these marvels of creation and make a jellyfish of your own!

July 12: Amazing Astronomy: “Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are!” What do you see when you look up in the night sky? There are some exciting things going on above our heads! Come explore the night sky in the middle of the afternoon and make a starry craft to take home!  

August 9: Bubbleology: New and improved: a Super Science Saturday favorite! Come explore the exciting world of bubbles! What is the biggest bubble you can make? Can you make a square bubble? Prepare to get messy!!!

Though the snow is falling and the weather is cold, we want to remind you that we are open all year long!  Our winter hours are Thursday through Saturday 10AM-5PM.  The winter is a great time to schedule museum tours.  Please keep in mind that we can open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays specifically for your group when you make reservations at least two weeks in advance.  

We encourage you to take advantage of our science classes and participate in our weekly nature study in Viers Ditch (located in Truassic Park) with our resident biologist, Cindy Julius.  

Our Operations Director, Josiah Detwiler, is beginning to expand our traveling museum talks and creation science presentations we have periodically given.  We strongly encourage you to book a time for Josiah to come and speak to your group as available dates are quickly filling up.  

Please keep the one-and-only Creation Science museum in Ohio (AFSC) in your prayers.  May God bless you abundantly throughout the 2007 year––hope to see you soon!