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Tribal Idea Book
Themes: (N)=Native American , (E)=Environmental,
(H)=Historical, (C)=Community
So what kinds of activities are there to do as a tribe? This page is intented to answer that question as an aid to newly formed tribes or new members hosting tribal meetings, and as an aid to established tribes who have tired of doing the same things repeatedly ("Oh no! not another bead project").There are some 'craft alternative' ideas for in-home meetings, some alternative venues for hosting an 'Out' meeting, and a variety of ideas for day trips and weekend events.The plan is to update this list periodically with new ideas, seasonal events, and suggestions based on individual tribe 'experiments' with new ideas. If your tribe has tried something new and would like to share it, have your chief report it in the monthly Longhouse Meeting so we can add it to the list.
Craft Projects - Craft projects are a staple activity of many in-home meetings, especially in newer tribes where the girls (and dads) may not know each other well. It is a good 'get acquainted' activity, and an easy thing to do that incorporates Native American or seasonal themes. Some sources and ideas for craft projects:
Local Sources for Craft Kits or Materials:
• Michaels, on University Drive South of Royal Palm, in Coral Palm Plaza, next to Doris' Italian Market
• The Rag Shop, on University at Ramblewood, in Ramblewood Plaza
• JoAnn Fabrics, on Westview at University, in Magnolia Place
• Pearl, a LARGE art supply store on Oakland Park east of I-95
Online Sources for Craft Kits:
• Craftkits.Com
• Dick Blick Art Materials
• Native Essence Indian Craft Supplies
• Economy Handicrafts
• Kid-Krafts
• Artworthy Crafts
Online Craft Ideas:
• HGTV(TV Channel Web Site) - a LONG list of ideas
• Teachers First - Native American Crafts
| Games Night | Have a variety of board or other games (age appropriate) that can be played in small groups, with at least one that is an entire group activity. Charades or Twister are good activities to end with. |
| Cooking Night | Think of it as a Craft project where, when it is completed, you eat the craft.... |
| Music Night | Provided at least one of you is musically inclined... |
These are ideas for other venues you can use to hold a meeting, and some activity ideas to go with them:
• Bowling Night - Don Carter Lanes(SF) on University at Southgate, or Holiday Springs Lanes behind the Holiday Springs; reserve your lanes in advance Shopping Center on Sample Road at Riverside
• Craft Night Out - (At least you don't have to clean up the house afterwards) - offered by Michaels
• Field Day / Sports Night - Simplified track and field or war games activities; a Girls against the Dads soccer game is always popular
• Kite Night - (or afternoon) - once again try glow sticks if you fly at night
• Model Rocket Derby - Make sure you pick a big enough park; tie mini-glowsticks to the rocket shock cords if you launch at night
• Picnic in the Park - Betty Stradling (Slide and Glide) North Community (Bicycling or walking)
• Cypress Hammock Pool
• Pizza Night - (make your own) several of the Pappa John's locations are accomodating
• Stomp Rocket Derby - Have contests for hang time, distance, or closest to a target
There are a lot of places to go and things to do in South Florida. Give some of these a try:
Broward County:
• Party Animals Book a Birthday Party or any social function for school, fun, education.
Contact Todd Quinn 239-247-6285 or Partyanimals3025@yahoo.com
• Flamingo Gardens (H), (E) - the kids like the free-flight aviary; watch the paper for free admission days
• Anne Kolb Nature Center / West Lake Park (E) - raised nature boardwalk, nature center, observation tower, mangrove boat ride
• Fishing Hall of Fame (E) - in Hollywood - ask about group activities
• Billie Swamp Safari (N), (H), (E), (SF) - eat alligator at the swamp water cafe and then bounce around on air boat and swamp buggy rides; night buggy rides must be arranged in advance
• Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum (N), (E), (H) - there is al long and pleasant raised boardwalk behind the museum; sometimes they have storytelling and other activities along the trail
• Incredible Ice - Check for Open Skating times
• Quiet Waters Waterpark - have a two-hour session at the water park, then picnic, hit the playground, or watch the cable water skiing
• Butterfly World (E),(SF) - makes a good aftenoon; don't forget the Lorikeets
• Museum of Discovery and Science (E)- the IMAX films are pricey, but good; take a hike along the riverwalk while you're there
• Jungle Queen - morning or afternoon cruises, or an evening dinner cruise with a show
• Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (E), (H), (N) - nature hike, beach, beware the Raccoons!
• John U Lloyd State Park (E) - best swimming beach in Broward (and the only shady one); decent food at the canteen
Miami - Dade County:
• Miami Seaquarium (E), (SF) - The longest operating oceanarium in the United States.
• Miami Metrozoo (E), (SF) - lots of animals and LOTS of walking; ask about a group behind-the-scenes tour
• Gold Coast Railroad Museum (H) - adjacent to Metrozoo
• Miami Seaquarium (E), (SF) - when's the last time you fed sardines to a sea lion?
• Vizcaya (H) - lots of history, beautiful gardens; lunch in Coconut Grove (Green Street Cafe)
• The Barnacle (H) - Florida history and boatmaking, not of interest for the younger girls; lunch in Coconut Grove (Green Street Cafe)
• Bill Bags State Park and Lighthouse (H), (E) - on Key Biscayne; good beaches, bike trails, climb the lighthouse
• Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium (E),(H) - across from Vizcaya
• Miccosukee Indian Village(N), (E), (H) - on Tamiami Trail - best during a Pow Wow; the air boat rides across the street are probably the best around
• Shark Valley, Everglades National Park (E) - on Tamiami Trail - Tram Ride (check the schedule) or a good bike ride for older girls
• Coe, Royal Palm Visitor Centers, Everglades National Park - Florida City entrance - Coe Visitor Center, Anhinga Trail, Gumbo Limbo Trail
• Fruit and Spice Park (E) - in Homestead
• Venetian Pool (H) - exotic swimming venue in Coconut Grove
• Fairchild Tropical Gardens (E), (H) - just south of Matheson Hammock Park - extensive gardens, narrated tram ride, lots of room to hike
• Charles Deering Estate (E), (H), (N) - south of Matheson Hammock Park
Palm Beach County
• Sugar Sands Park - excellent creative playground (3 stories tall), small adjacent hands-on science museum; hotdog stand out front or bring a picnic lunch
• Blowing Rocks Preserve (E) - some of the most beautiful coastline around to hike; call ahead to find when the rocks will be blowing; there is a swimming/picnic beach about 1.5 miles south
• Gumbo Limbo Nature Sanctuary (E) - on A1A just north of Red Reef; nature center, boardwalk, observation tower, marine tanks in the back with sea turtles and fish
• The Marine Life Center of Juno Beach (E) - nature center and sea-turtle rescue
• Red Reef Park (E) - swimming and picnicing; 'reef' comes up to the shoreline for easy snorkeling
• Morikami Museum (E), (H) - a small museum, beautiful gardens, and a small restaurant; watch for special events
• Spanish River Park (E) - swimming and picnicing
• Loxahatchee River Canoeing - you can take the short trip - down to I-95 and back, past Trapper Nelson's and down to the Mangroves near Hobe sound and take the bus back; call ahead for reservations and times
• Coconut Cover Waterpark (SF) - a very nice mini-waterpark in west boca - with splashing fountains, waterslides, and a lazy river - in west Boca off Glades Road
• Rapids Waterpark - a much larger commercial waterpark off Military Trail, a few miles north of Okeechobee; eat in or picnic in front
• Palm Beach Zoo (E), (SF) - A small zoo but one where you can get close to things; lots of renovation ongoing
• Loxahatchee Airboat Tours (E) closest one to home - 15% discount coupon on web site; also a good bicycling trailhead; make sure you have your license if you go fishing
• South Florida Science Museum and Planetarium (E) - In the same park complex as the Palm Beach Zoo
• Arthur R. Marshall Wildlife Refuge (E) - Nature Center, boardwalk through cypress hammock, and extensive paddocks covering many acres with all kinds of birds, plants and bugs (and gators)
• Lion Country Safari (E) - a little expensive but where else can you get caught in a water-buffalo traffic jam; eat-in or picnic areas; numerous small attractions included (putt-putt, merry go round, paddle boats, etc.)
Over-Nights
• Miami Metrozoo (E) - "Zoo-In" available September through June
• Miami Seaquarium - "Overnight Adventure"
• Spanish River Park - youth camping
• Museum of Science and Discovery - "Overnight Camp-In"
• Bon Festival at Morikami Museum - Check out the Hatsume Festival in February, the Bon Festival in August or Children's Day in April
• Rennaisance Festival - at Quiet Waters Park - all weekends in February - Don't miss Daniel, Duke of Danger or The Mud Show
• Miccosukee Tribe Pow-Wow -
• Seminole Tribe Pow-Wow - in Hollywood, Early February - watch the Seminole Tribe web site for details
• Seminole Rodeo at Big Cypress - on the Reservation, Early February - watch the Seminole Tribe web site for details
• Kissime Slough Shoot-Out - on the reservation, Early February - watch the Seminole Tribe web site for details - Tribal food, crafts, contensts, encampments, and re-enactments of the Seminole Wars
• Davie Rodeo -
• Cinco de Mayo - Northwest Regional Library (H) - mexican music, crafts, art, history, and food
• Pompano Beach Airport - Air Show (H) - in January; historic airplanes, airplane and helocopter rides, over-flights by historic aircraft
• Our Town Fair at Coral Springs Sportsplex - close by and relatively inexpensive - in March
• Coral Springs July 4th Fireworks - Best viewed from across the lake
• Craker Creek - Tribal Tenting - Canoe - Boat Tour - Pirate Cruise - Hydro Bike - Cafe' - Hayrides
• Billie Swamp Safari - Chickee huts - individual and group available - scroll to th bottom of the web page
• Big Cypress Campground - full facilities, just down the road from Billie's
• Quiet Waters Park - the closest place to home; surrounded by water; adjacent water park
• Markham Park - good biking trails; lots of open space
• Jonathan Dickinson State Park - camp, canoe, hike, bike; nearby: beaches, Jupiter lighthouse
• John Pennicamp State Park - camping, beach, canoe rental, snorkeling and glass-bottom excursion boats
• Bahia Honda State Park - best beaches in the keys
• Peace River Campground - canoeing and fossil hunting
• Fish Eating Creek - newly re-opened; canoeing
• Long Pine Key - Everglades N.P. - recommended for the cooler, less mosquitoed months
• Flamingo - Everglades N.P. - an awesome setting, adjacent to the Green waters of Florida Bay; recommended for cool weekends with a stiff wind
• Camp Wilderness (Disney) - almost too much to do; almost too many amenities to call it camping
• Wekiva Springs State Park - camping, canoeing
• Collier Seminole State Park - camping, canoeing - off Tamiami
• Myakka River State Park - camping, canoeing
• Long Key State Park - another spot in the keys
