Teachers,

A unique opportunity for a first hand encounter with the world of geology, art, and craftsmanship is offered each year at the Gem & Mineral Show sponsored by the Association of Earth Science Clubs.On March 12, 13, and 14, 2010, we will be presenting one of the best shows ever - the 49th Annual Gem & Mineral Show.This year's show will be at the MCC – BTC The BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE Exhibition Hall, 1775 Universal Avenue, KCMO, 64120. Exit West off I-435 at Front Street.

Since education is one of the primary purposes of our Association, we wish to invite educators to plan field trips to the Show. Youth groups (of at least 10) and classes of all ages and sizes, accompanied by adult leadership, one adult to every 10 students, will be welcome Friday, March 12, 2010, for a group rate of $1.00 per student. The hours Friday are 9:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. Chaperones are admitted free of charge and are asked to stay with their groups.

Teachers and students, visit the "Walk through storybook" of Rocks and Minerals of Missouri. This is designed for elementary and middle school students. Judy Oetting, author of the children's publications, “M is for Missouri Rocks and Minerals”, and the workbook, “Missouri Rocks and Minerals, Fun Facts and Games” is the designer of this walk through storybook. There is a Café upstairs to serve the students. You may bring sack lunches and eat them in the café dining area, or lunches may be purchased.There are many fast food restaurants on Front Street as well.There will be a drawing, just for kids’ door prize this year.

There will be special exhibits; this year’s feature will be an exact replica of the “Hope Diamond” and it’s two predecessors. Get a sneak peak of it before the National Geographic Documentary comes out. We will once again be showing Rock Food Tables, always a favorite. Mr. Bones will be back sporting the different several dinosour skeletons. Area Colleges, Universities, Association Clubs' members will display unique specimens and collections of fossils, gems, geodes, minerals, rocks, stones, and handcrafted jewelry. Skilled craftsmen and women will be demonstrating beading, chain making, faceting, flint knapping (arrowhead making), lampworking (making of glass beads), lapidary (gem carving, cabochon cutting, sphere making), silversmithing, tool making, wax molding, and wire wrapping.

There is a large area for shopping and there are some items available at most of the vendors priced for students to purchase. There is a swap area with many items reasonably priced, especially for students. The Association Booth has many things priced for kids. There is also the Gem Flume where students can pan for rocks and minerals.

Teachers, if you are planning to attend the show, you will need to pre-register, and there are a few things I need to know:

What is the name of your school?
What is your school address?
Who is the teacher that will be in charge?
How many students will be coming?
How many chaperones will be with the group?
What day do you plan on coming?
How many “classroom” teachers with your group?
What time do you plan on arriving?
Do you plan on eating lunch at the show or will your students be bringing their lunches?
All money for entrance fees needs to be paid in a lump sum at the door. Students are $1.00 and chaperones are free.
There must be 1 chaperone for every 10 students. Students must stay with their chaperones.
Students need name tags with their names and the name of School.
There will be many items for sale; students might want to bring money.

Home Schoolers,

If you are planning to attend, you will need to pre-register, and there are a few things that I need to tell you:

All Home Schoolers are asked to work together as if this were a play you were attending. Have one person be in charge of getting a group (at least 10 students) together, registering that group and collect all the money at the show to pay in one lump sum at the entrance. There may be 3 different groups that meet on Friday at various times of the day on Friday only. You may plan to meet at the flagpole at a particular time. The hours on Friday are 9:00 A.M. & 8:00 P.M. Groups are asked to pre-register. Each group (10 students) should be accompanied by adult leadership, one adult to every 10 students, will be welcome for a group rate of $1.00 per person in the group. All money for entrance fee needs to be paid in a lump sum at the door. Chaperones are charged $1.00 as well and are asked to stay with their groups.

For each person attending, there is a $1.00 charge.

Who will be in charge?
How many students will be coming with your group (a group is considered 10 students plus chaperones)?
How many chaperons will be with the group?
What time do you plan on arriving?

Scout & Youth leaders,

if you are planning to attend any of the 3 days, there are a few things that I need to tell you:

You do NOT need to pre-register
Scouts & Leaders should be in Uniforms!
The adult in charge should have all money for entrance fee in a lump sum at the entrance.
All participants are $1.00
Many items are for sale; children might want to bring money.
There must be ONE chaperone for every TEN children.
The children must stay with their chaperones.

Please send me this information no later than Wednesday, March 10, 2010 by e-mail to threetrails@sbcglobal.net OR IF YOU CANNOT E-MAIL, call me at Three Trails Trading Post from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM. 816-252-5622.

As an educator, you will be pleasantly surprised at the quality and value of the experience we provide for the young people to learn about and appreciate our "Earth Treasures"; Visit our web site at kcgemshow.org.;I hope to see you at the Show. Thank you for your cooperation in all matters!

Sincerely,

Kara M. Paris

Youth Groups Chairperson