Spring 2019

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6
Finding Your NICHE
Regional Focus: Southwest Iowa
Parts of the Southwest region of our state are currently dealing
with an extreme amount of flooding from the Missouri River. It is
also a region filled with interesting historical sites, natural areas,
and unique communities.
Region 12: Our Region 12 Rep, Denise, told me that one of her favorite
field trips, has been the Desoto National Wildlife Reserve, which is currently
closed due to flooding. In the visitor’s center you can see the Bertrand
steamboat museum collection. The refuge has “Let’s go Exploring” back-
packs available for kids and other activites and programs scheduled regularly.
Learn more online at fws.gov/refuge/Desoto.
Another great place for a family outing is TheWabashTrace, a converted
railroad right-of-way that runs from Council Bluffs on the north to
Blanchard on the Iowa/Missouri border. There are many stops in South-
west Iowa.
In Glenwood, the Loess Hills Maker Space is well worth checking out!
Bonus, there is a great coffee shop a couple of doors down called Harvest
Moon. Also, in Glenwood, is the Lake Park area, which is not only a popular
park with local homeschooling families, but is also home to the Mills
County Musuem.
Council Bluffs has some great historic sites that often offer field trip
opportunities to homeschool families: The General Dodge House,
the “Squirrel Cage” Rotary Cell Jail Museum, The Union Pacific Railroad
Museum, and the Western Historic Trails Center.
Clarinda is in the southeastern portion of Region 12, and each year,
Denise Jacobson
Region 12
Karen Courtney
Region 13
Donna Owen
Region 13
KristaWoodard
Region 16
Homeschool Iowa Regional Representatives:
Have Questions? Need Resources?
Reach out to your Regional Rep!
Find out more on our website:
they host a Glenn Miller Days festival. While in town,
you can also visit the Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum
and Home.
Shelby County has many attractions. Denise said they
finally made it to Elk Horn to explore her husband’s
Danish heritage after the kids were grown and out of
the house! But she does recommend the Danish windmill
and museums.
Fremont County is well known for the Loess Hills
National Scenic Byway and also its role in freeing slaves
through the Underground Railroad.
Region 13: Karen says that Region 13 has six counties
full of interesting sights and attractions. This includes
Audubon, Guthrie, Dallas, Cass, Adair and Madison
Counties. “We are a mixture of gentle rolling hills and
farmland. “
Audubon County has a Danish community in the city
of Kimballton. They have the Hans Christian Andersen’s
Little Mermaid and Statue Garden in Kimballton. Albert
the Bull, the world’s largest bull statue, is in the park on
the south side of Audubon. There is also the Nathaniel
Hamlin Park and Museum just south of Audubon.
Guthrie County includes the Garst Farmstead, now
called Whiterock Conservancy, with canoe/kayak access
to the Raccoon River, bed and breakfast, and retreat
opportunities. In the fall, they have a stargazing
night that draw many to the area from around the US.
Panora has Lake Panorama and a homeschool-family-
run coffee and gift shop called Crafty’s Coffee & Gifts,
with wonderful baked goods and pasteries. Panora is
home to the Guthrie County Historical Village and Mu-
seum. The northern part of the county has Springbrook
State Park, with a resource person that does wonderful
events and teaching programs with the community
and homeschool groups. There is an octagon barn near
Jamaica that is the oldest one in Iowa.
Dallas County features a beautiful county courthouse
in Adel, Iowa. It was built in 1902, and was recently
restored to its original beauty. South of Dallas Center
is the Brenton Arboretum. In the northern part of the
county, there is the Picket Fence Creamery, with tours
of the facility and a store. You can’t leave Dallas County
without hiking on the High Trestle Trail where Wood-