Pebble Pups Meeting

2026

Next meeting: Thursday, 22nd October
6:30p, HGMS Education Center
7901 Bailey Cove Road SE
Huntsville, AL  35803

The Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies (SFMS) has announced they will be continuing their “Year in Rocks” contest again for 2027. Start thinking about how you can use your rocks, minerals, gems, fossils, or even lapidary equipment to showcase the year 2027 in a way that totally rocks! The deadline for submissions is November 21st, 2026, and you can visit www.southeastfed.org/contests-awards/juniors-year-in-rocks-contest for rules and guidelines for entries. All entries must be submitted through Suzanne Miller at HGMSPebblePups@gmail.com. 

August Meeting Recap

A huge thank you to Natalia Ura for teaching our Pebble Pups about wild clay during our August program! The kids loved making their pinch pots – and they will make a great addition to our display at the Gem and Mineral Show next month! This will not be our last activity with wild clay. Pieces will be ready for pick up on Sunday, October 11th, 2026 if you are at the show that day. Otherwise you can collect them at our October Pebble Pups meeting on Thursday, October 22nd, 2026.

National Speleological Society Activities

We were able to join the National Speleological Society (NSS) for their open house and cave tour on Sunday, September 13th, 2026. It has been quite a while since Shelta Cave has been open for public tours and we loved the chance to get in there and see it! Shelta Cave is one of the most bio-diverse caves in the Appalachian Mountain range. It has been owned by the NSS since 1967, but it has a history that dates back to the late 1800s. We were able to see the formations in the cave, talk about the water levels in the cave and see the evidence of its geological history. I think there will be more to
come with wild caves…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24th September Meeting

We have so much to catch up on in September! Our Pebble Pups have been working hard and learning so much – it is finally time to recognize all of the effort. Join us as we present badges and celebrate how much our group has accomplished. We will also be working on getting ready for the Gem and Mineral Show. I have ideas, but I need help making it happen!

Are you or your child interested in learning more about lapidary techniques? The William Holland School of Lapidary Arts has a variety of unique courses to learn traditional techniques, jewelry-making, or more creative outlets like wire-wrapping, beading, or chainmail. You can visit their website at www.lapidaryschool.org for more information and to register for courses. 

 

 

The American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS) sponsors the Future Rockhounds of America (FRA) program for kids under the age of 18. The HGMS Pebble Pups participate in the FRA Badge Program. You can check out all the badges that our Pups can earn by visiting the AFMS website at AFMS Juniors – The Badges. 

Pups who complete activities outside of club activities can send an email to HGMSPebblePups@gmail.com to receive credit for their activities. If your Pup would like to share what they have learned, seen, or found with the rest of the group, please let Suzanne Miller know and we can give them time at the beginning of the meeting to talk to the group! Sharing will help Pups earn their presentation and communications badges. Is there a topic your Pup would like to learn more about?

If your Pup has a topic they would like to suggest for a meeting or would like to present what they have learned to the group for 10 minutes – or you would like to come share your knowledge with the group, please reach out to Suzanne Miller at HGMSPebblePups@gmail.com.

Do you have an idea for an activity that our group would enjoy? Have you found a great place to hunt for rocks, fossils, or gems? Would you be interested in sharing what you know about rocks, minerals, gems, fossils, or how to find/use them? We would love to have you come lead one of our monthly programs! Please reach out to Suzanne Miller at HGMSPebblePups@gmail.com to share your ideas!