Q: We are planning to spend 4 months in the Melbourne area, January through April 2002. We will be pulling our daughter (12 years old and quite mature) out of school for the period and essentially homeschooling her. She is very interested in nature and wildlife, and I am looking for educational tours or more extended programs in which she could participate. Do you have any suggestions? I've looked through a number of books and searched the Internet, and have ideas of interesting places to take her, but haven't been able to find many programs or educational activities. Thank you for any suggestions you might have.

A: Good idea. I'm not sure exactly what you have in mind, but here are some thoughts.

In Melbourne, you're near enough to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, which has a wonderful kid-friendly visitor center and offers guided tours and other programs on a regular basis. You could check with the visitor center to see what programs would be available during the months you'll be around.

You and your daughter may consider the state of Florida's Junior Ranger Program. In this program, kids volunteer at state parks and learn in the process. In the end, each Junior Ranger gets a badge. I think the closest state park participating in the Junior Ranger program is Tosohatchee State Reserve. Canaveral National Seashore also has a Junior Ranger program.

For that matter, you could personalize your daughter's experience and concentrate her interests by asking a local museum or natural area (whatever she's most interested in) if someone there would act as a mentor or provide a sort of internship appropriate for her age, perhaps while she volunteers there. The Brevard Museum of Arts and Sciences has a Children's Science Center and a weekly science club that could also supplement your daughter's education.

You may also consider checking out homeschooling resources online and getting ideas from other parents, or hooking up with a possible Melbourne-area homeschooling group for the period you are there. Such groups exist so homeschooled children can get together to participate in field trips, sports games, etc.

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