A Club for Chicago-area Kids and Families 
Who Like Fossils, Rocks, and Minerals

The Junior Study Group of the Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois is for children ages 6 and up who are interested in the Earth sciences, especially rocks, minerals, fossils, and archeology.  (Younger children can also join if they are really interested in rocks and fossils.)  

You can find information about the following subjects on this page:

Meetings

ESCONI Juniors meetings are held on the second Friday of most months during the school year, from 7:00 to 7:50 p.m. The ESCONI general meeting begins right after ESCONI Juniors, at 8 p.m., in the same room.  Details about all the ESCONI meetings are posted on the ESCONI Web site:  
   < http://esconi.org/ >
   

Both Junior and general meetings are held at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.  Maps of the College of DuPage campus may be found here:  
   < http://www.cod.edu/Maps_Loc.htm >

Joining ESCONI

To join ESCONI Juniors, your family must also join the regular ESCONI group (which only costs $15 a year).  Go here to find a membership application:
   < http://esconi.org/ESCONI%20Membership.htm >

Other Places Where Families Can Learn About Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils in the Chicago Area and Northern Illinois

Go to this page on the ESCONI website to learn about classes and other educational opportunities in the Chicago area:
   < http://esconi.org/Local_education.htm >

Go here to see a list of museums in northern Illinois where you can see rocks and fossils:
   < http://esconi.org/Museums.htm >

Rock, mineral and fossil shows are always lots of fun.  Most shows have exhibits, demonstrations, children's activities, and lots of places to buy specimens for your collection.  Here's a schedule of upcoming events in the Chicago area:  

Here are some links with information about rock and fossil shows all around the United States:
   < http://www.amfed.org/mwf/calendar.htm >
   < http://www.rockngem.com/showdates/showdates.shtml >
  

Eric Gyllenhaal, ESCONI member, sometimes conducts informal rock and fossil activities for children at Wonder Works, a children's museum in Oak Park, Illinois.  Go here for more information about the activities:
   < http://www.saltthesandbox.org/wonderworks/ >
   Here's a link to the Wonder Works website:
   < http://www.wonder-works.org/ >

  
Dave's Down to Earth Rock Shop in Evanston, Illinois, has lots of great things to see and buy, including a wonderful fossil museum in the basement.  Here's Dave' website:
   < http://www.davesdowntoearthrockshop.com/ >

Finding Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils in the Chicago Area

Beginning collectors can find many types of rocks and fossils in their neighborhoods, especially if they live near beaches and streams.  Go here for some ideas:
   < http://www.saltthesandbox.org/rocks/find.htm >

More experienced collectors may want to go on field trips organized by local museums or by groups like ESCONI:

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You can learn more about Eric Gyllenhaal here: 
     < http://www.saltthesandbox.org/rocks/biography.htm >
 

Copyright 2005 Eric D. Gyllenhaal                                                                    Search this Site
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This page was created on November 3, 2003, and it was last updated on April 23, 2007.