RevQuest -- Where History Comes Alive

Mystery, secrecy (well, as much as you can have with amateur spies), intrigue and tons of fun describe our first experience with RevQuest:  The Old Enemy at Colonial Williamsburg.  RevQuest was exactly what our family needed to rediscover the charm and excitement of Colonial Williamsburg (CW)!

CW has been a part of my life since childhood as we've celebrated birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and school years there.  We are very familiar with the same sights and sounds that CW has to offer.  Some sounds, like the fife and drum corps, I can never get enough of, yet some of the houses and buildings have lost their luster over the years and we can recite some of the same spheels when we walk in the apothecary or tour the Palace.  However, RevQuest brought back that element of surprise and discovery that left us wanting more of CW!

Over the past year or so, we've seen RevQuest spy missions advertised.  We've found random clues and saw bandana-wearing families along Duke of Gloucester Street which further piqued our interest.  As we were deciding where to go on vacation this fall, we looked at CW once again because our child seemed to have the mental and physical stamina to attempt (and enjoy) this spy mission.  While we were doing RevQuest mainly for him, we were delighted to watch how RevQuest drew in our entire family as the mission progressed. 

We tried the optional online mission of RevQuest first to see if it was even worth doing in person.  Of course, I made the deciphering much harder than what it should've been but my husband and in-laws figured it out and completed the online mission quite easily.  We texted in our final answer and received a text back from CW stating that we can pick up a reward at one of the shops which further enticed us to try out the game in person.

 We picked up our RevQuest bandanas and secret mission orders at the Visitor's Center.  We already had the the RevQuest text # in our phone from the online mission...you use the same number throughout the whole mission to gather clues.  CW's reply texts are instant so you know on the spot whether your deciphering is right or wrong!

Note:  If you are a homeschooler (any state), go to Group Sales where you can receive discounted admission for everyone in your party.  Then go to the Visitor's Center and get 1/2-off yours and your spouse's admission by showing your teacher ID or NOI for the educator discount.  As an educator, you receive 15% off of all book purchases throughout CW as well!  Make sure to leave your email address with Group Services for info and deals.  Apparently they offered an annual CW homeschool membership for $20/person via email...can't beat that!

While at the Visitor's Center, there is a seven-minute intro video outlining the basics of the RevQuest mission, how to get help, and what you need to know, etc.  After that, you open your Top Secret orders where you find everything needed to complete the spy mission (including clues, maps, ciphers, a pencil, and more).  The first stop is with a Williamsburg Agent where you need an alias to use with that agent as well as members of the Committee of the Secret

Correspondence.  This alias comes in the form of clues and a text which we completed during the walk from the Visitor's Center to the Palace area.  These agents are the only ones that can help you with this quest as long as you mention the alias.  The agents are carefully marked so you know who you (and they) can trust with this mission.

One of the coolest parts of RevQuest is that you get a behind-the-scenes look at CW.  Though we started out in public areas, the agents always led us to secret, semi-secluded locations on various properties.  We could open up gates and go down paths that the regular public didn't go down.  We examined trade signs and saw them in a way we never saw them before as they were transformed into directions and clues.  There were moments when we felt like true spies as we "talked" in code with CW actors as we had to ask for documents along the way.  We were constantly on the look out for secret messages and others in the Committee of the Secret Correspondence and we also enjoyed causal game banter with other RevQuesting families along the way. 

The Agents did a superb job acting out their part and involving every child and adult on this secret mission.  They had this air of mystery yet belief and reassurance that with a little work, we actually could complete this mission and in a timely manner.  The Agents had a way of making RevQuest feel like a special experience, not just another visit to CW.

RevQuest truly was a fresh way of looking at CW for all of us--it appealed to my elementary-aged child all the way up to his grandparents.  Sometimes, my son was able to crack the code all by himself and other times, it took all of us working together in order to move to the next phase of the mission.

CW suggests that the play time is about two hours.  It would be two hours if you did each part of the mission back to back.  However, we stopped for lunch, browsed in the stores and houses and worked with our son to complete his children's CW map so he could earn his fourth CW pin.

Note:  Don't forget to pick up a children's CW map at the Visitor's Center or ask any of the CW cast members at the open houses/trades for a children's map.  You don't need to be a part of RevQuest in order to do the children's map.  We loved the way that CW redid this season's children's map because it made it much easier for the younger, shy crowd to complete it.  It gave it more of an "I Spy" feel and actually complemented RevQuest in a way.  

If you are interested in RevQuest, make sure to check out the Colonial Williamsburg/RevQuest website for the mission times because there aren't as many dates and times to meet up with the Agent, French Envoy and Courier in the off-season.  RevQuest runs through November 30th, so it's not too late to schedule a RevQuest field trip.   

Even though my child is on the younger side (second grade) and didn't fully grasp RevQuest and the concept of a secret mission on the outset, it didn't take him long at all to catch on and to get into the game.  He was all too proud of himself when he was able to decipher the messages and he used lunch time to cipher his own name!  It was amazing to see how quickly his interest turned toward ciphering, and the teacher discount came in handy as we walked out with a couple books on secret codes!  My in-laws enjoyed the challenge and family fun as well as mentioned how this reminds them of their favorite TV mini-series, Turn, and they can't wait to bring more family with them next time.  My husband and I enjoyed the novelty of the spy mission and being able to see CW in a new light.  RevQuest breathed new life, info, and perspective into our homeschool and reminded me that teaching history is fun when it's presented well.  We couldn't have asked for a better first RevQuest experience and we look forward to tackling more RevQuest missions in the future! 

Note:  No goods or services were exchanged for this review.  We simply enjoyed the experience and believe it complements the homeschool experience. 

Secret Code

Secret Paths

Secret Clues

Completing the Children's Map (available anytime during the year)

Receiving his prize after completing the map.  The ultimate prize was when this lady told us where we can get free milkshakes in our souvenir cup!  It was even more of a bonus when we discovered they were peanut-allergy friendly!

Showing off his 4th CW pin that he's earned since Kindergarten.

The Proverbs Challenge -- Day 1

Growing up, my dad told me that "A Proverb a day will keep the Devil away."  He encouraged us to read one chapter of Proverbs each day of the month since there are 31 chapters and 31 days.  I often begin the month well.  But mid-month, life gets super busy and my reading slacks off.  Guilt usually kicks in a week later so I have time to at least catch the last few chapters of Proverbs before a new month begins. 

Recently, I encountered two women who handwrite the Bible.  At first, it seemed really odd but they stressed the sheer amount of concentration and discipline that is required to write out God's Word.  They read it and then say it in their mind as they are writing it and then reread the entire chapter.  They shared how copying the Bible awakened them and transformed their relationship with God with each book they copied. The more I learned about it, the more I wanted to try it...but next month.  Then next month became the month after and so forth.  However, today, September 1, seemed like a good day as any to try the Proverbs challenge. 

My main goal with the Proverbs challenge is to cultivate a spirit of priority and discipline.  It's easy to read through a few chapters of the Bible every day and to pray while on the go, but it's harder to slow down long enough to internalize God's Word and to have those extended prayer times without any distractions.  I have been in a rut and want something fresh rather than study through another devotional.  I want God without all the extras and nothing gets one back to the basics like copying straight from God's Word.

Proverbs is one of those "hindsight is 20/20" type of books for me.  It is filled with wisdom that I wish I had put into practice because it would have saved a lot of tears, heartaches and mistakes.  I tend to cross-reference Proverbs with life lessons so there are notes and dates of painful life lessons in the margin next to their corresponding Proverbs so I don't forget those lessons learned (it's like a diary of sorts).  However, there are so many vital lessons in Proverbs that spare a person of trouble if heeded, so I figured this would be my chance to learn without all of the hard lessons time around.  There was no other place to begin aside from time in prayer and simply sitting down with a fresh notebook and my Bible.  

As I began copying Proverbs 1, I was waiting for this big, huge life-altering revelation to jump out at me.  Instead, I got distracted by what it must have been like to be Solomon, David, Moses, Paul or Peter.  They were close enough to God to hear Him and to pen the facets of His heart.  It almost felt too sacred to continue writing out Proverbs 1 because I know how unholy, how human I am.  At that moment, God reminded me that He chose imperfect beings to write down His Words.  These men were human in every way yet God redeemed them and had a plan to use them despite their imperfections.  He had a relationship with them and used them right where they were at.  But the key is that these men were living in such a way that they were attuned to God's voice.  Very thought-provoking.

About halfway through Proverbs 1, I thought about all the things my child and I have read together over the years in our missionary studies.  We've spent a lot of time talking about the 10/40 window and just how many unreached people groups there are that do not have a Bible in their own language.  I couldn't help but echo some of the prayers we've poured out for these people groups.  I kept thinking of the Bible translators who have a vision and calling from God to learn a new language so they can copy not only Proverbs but the rest of the Bible, word for word, in a language that has never seen the Word of God.  What a responsibility and challenge for these translators especially as they feel the urgency to spread God's Word but are confined to a slow, tedious process. 

After handwriting Proverbs 1, I read it in Matthew Henry's commentary only to be reminded of the truths and the why behind the Book of Proverbs.  I have a feeling that this handwriting journey is just a beginning--a place to rediscover the wonder of the Scripture with each word that is written down and an opportunity to reconnect with God in openness and hunger.  As it comes to mind, pray that God will speak to me through this challenge and that I may learn discipline through this process. 

Update: Our First 8 Weeks of Second Grade

We just finished our first eight weeks of second grade!  They have been crazy weeks as we balance interruptions and real-life learning and try to reclaim our school routine!  Despite doing school at random hours of the day, we have tagged along on the explorations of Eric the Red & Leif the Lucky, built our own Viking ship, prayed for various countries in the 10/40 window and watched portions of "The Jesus Film" in various languages in order to see why missionaries and Bible translators are so important (and we discovered countries who don't have the Bible or Jesus Film in their own language--this totally builds on "From Akebu to Zaptoec--A Book of Bibleless Peoples" from last year).  And, we've actually discovered that grammar is fun thanks to "Easy Grammar" which breaks it down into daily chunks! It's been amazing to watch NoNut's comprehension of grammatical concepts grow!  We get overly excited about correct comma placement and correct capitalized words. 

So far, NoNut has read Genesis through 2 Kings in "The Beginner's Bible". His reading (and confidence) has taken off since he got glasses!  We've been building on math concepts and entered the world of carrying and thousands place value.  Plus, we found cheesy but memorable skip counting songs on youtube that we often dance, sing and count with in order to help us learn how to skip count by 3s, 6s, 9s!

Handwriting is still handwriting, but we get a little formal practice in every day and I try to sneak in extra handwriting practice by having NoNut write shopping lists, directions or writing notes to friends and family.  After choosing not to do spelling last year since NoNut couldn't read the spelling words yet, we picked it up this year based on his readiness.  Waiting paid off big time!  I'm soooo glad we didn't push it last year because he is more capable and ready to learn how to spell, and it's one subject he rarely complains about.  I firmly believe in All About Spelling's method and am thankful that there is another way (and a hands-on way) to teach spelling rather than give a child a list of 10-20 words to memorize each week.  

We are moving forward in our Bible class and learning a new hymn and chorus each month.  God has timed our Bible curriculum to coincide with what we are learning in our Sunday School class so it's been fun to have the lessons reinforced with church so that I can better teach NoNut the Word and give him extra insight rather than just stick with what is in his book!  We launching into a study of Moses for the rest of the year.  Watching the production of "Moses" at Sight & Sound in Lancaster, PA was such a great intro for our school year!  We have fallen behind with our character training curriculum and decided to set it aside for awhile while we work on a study on truth and integrity (which is the foundation for good character anyway).

This year, I am thankful that we now have our science from a Biblical perspective.  Being able to relate science back to God as Creator and Originator of all adds a new layer of depth that we did not have with Sonlight Science.  That Biblical perspective is cultivating a deeper awareness of God at work behind the scenes in NoNut's eyes.  I so wish I did not compromise with a non-Christian curriculum in K and 1st, but God is redeeming that time in His way!  At times, I feel like our new science is too advanced, but NoNut can't get enough and catches on quickly to concepts.  Am learning a lot about his strengths this year and trying to find ways to build on those. 

We also discovered Ranger Rick on top of God's World News (now WORLDKids) and both of these publications further fuel NoNut's love for learning!  Between these magazines along with many great living books, this year has already been filled with some rich reading moments, laughs and adventures. Bonding with your child over a story is priceless!  We can't wait until it gets colder so we can snuggle up in our pjs with homemade hot cocoa and read the afternoon away because it's too cold to do anything else! 

I love how God continues to put the right resources and people into our path and how He is so detailed when it comes to NoNut's education!  I am continually amazed at how real life and education are intertwined and how God weaves everything together just so into one incredible learning opportunity that reinforces everything!

This year is the first year that we have a Bible verse that defines our mission and purpose of our homeschool.  It is a verse that reminds us of the "why" behind homeschool.  This verse helps me prioritize my day and to be more available for teachable moments that occur outside of our lesson plans.  It's hard to give up those plans at times, but when we know our purpose, we are better able to follow God's plan.  Our school verse is Proverbs 1:7a--"Start with God--the first step in learning is bowing down to God."  (Message).  If I can teach (and show) my child how to cultivate a relationship with God and learn to listen and submit to Him, the rest of life and learning will flow out of that relationship.  This verse has been every bit of a personal challenge to me as I learn this lesson and make it a priority in my life as well.  God's way of doing things (including education, family and serving Him) looks a lot different than mine.  While the sacrifices and ridicule that come with homeschool are sometimes great, they pale in comparison to the blessings that God pours out on our family when we seek Him and bow to Him above all else! 


Skip Counting Youtube Video Links:

Skip Counting by 3's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWxPKnLtnus

Skip Counting by 4's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSn2O4mTYD4

Skip Counting by 6's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSn2O4mTYD4

Skip Counting by 9's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOpl1FwPlh0