Is anyone part of a Wild and Free group?

[staceyobu]

I recently found out about these groups. Do they tend to attract lots of unschoolers? What are they like?

[DawnM]

Are you sure they aren't swingers?  

[Twolittleboys]

Sounds pretty wild - based on recent threads, I bet there are some members here on the board! :lol: 

[Plagefille]

There is one by us, but I have never attended. It seemed geared to kids younger than mine and most of the families know in it lean on the unschool side of Homeschoolers. Some of their activities look fun though.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Is or based on Finland's forest schools?

 

 

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[TX Native]

Bumping because I am interested in replies.

 

I am not in a group, but it is becoming a thing of interest in the homeschool community around me. The people around me that get their magazine, follow their webpage, and long to go to their conference aren't unschoolers. I would consider them structured homeschoolers, but in a "For the Children's Sake" type way (as explained in the book) instead of a school-at-home way. In my limited knowledge about it, I think it is like putting CM education and relaxed parenting in a bag, mixing them up, and topping it off with lots of spontaeous outdoor play+exploring (in bare feet when possible.)

[NoseInABook]

Yep. :) Some are unschoolers but a lot seem to be big Charlotte Mason fans. 

[TABmom]

There is a group near me- the mom that started it is also a classical conversations mom, so I wouldn't consider her unschooly at all. It seems to me to be very Charlotte Mason, very focused on nature studies, lots of emphasis on outdoor explorations, stuff like that. They organize nature walks and museum trips. I've wanted to go to some nature walks, but it's hard to fit in my schedule.

[Epicurean]

I just joined a group not too far from where I live, but I'm not sure how active they are. I'm a little intimidated because they seem a lot more hip than I am.

[Guest]

I've never heard of this. Can someone link me to something about it?

[HelenNotOfTroy]

https://www.bewildandfree.org/

 

I found a local group, but they haven't scheduled anything since I found them.

[Tangerine]

There is a homeschool Meetup in my town doing Wild Explorers.

[Linz1084]

I am part of one - and went to the conference in Nashville last month.

 

Appearances aside, these folks don't push any certain WAY to homeschool or methodology.  It's open for classical, charlotte mason, waldorf, unschooling.  It really is as simple as it sounds, encouragement and community for homeschooling moms.

 

Our group is really tight knit and we are doing weekly nature walks together and using Exploring Nature with Children curriculum together.  So, basically, that is our science.  We also do quarterly book clubs for the kids, where we all do the same read-aloud and our kids come up with a presentation.  

 

You'll find information about all of these sorts of things on their website in their content bundles.  I've also read about handicrafts, note booking, nature journaling, the importance of reading aloud, and so much more.  

 

Their conference was largely about encouraging a mom in her relationship with her kids - no curriculum pushing, although Rea Burg did speak.  But, for example, Sarah Mackenzie opened the whole conference by asking "Imagine your child in 20 years hanging out with friends, and one asks, 'hey you were homeschooled, what was that like?'  What do you want them to say?"  Many answers such as "interest lead" and "reading good books" and "hands on learning" were shouted out.  And she pointed out that she had never talked to a group who said "We stuck to our rigorous curriculum".  So her whole talk was about making curriculum work for you and your family and not feeling bad about shelving something that isn't working.  A mom's relationship with her kids is incredibly valuable.

 

People who spoke were Sarah Mackenzie, Sally Clarkson, Leah Boden, Rea Burg, Jodi Mockabee... and breakouts with others.  I hear that Julie Bogart is speaking at their upcoming March conference!

 

So, I'm a fan.  It may sound soft and feel-goody, but honestly, I need that encouragement in these early years (schooling PreK, K, and 1st this year with a 7 month old in tow).  Yes, on instagram it is easy to spark the comparison game.  But I do love following these ladies for ideas, because when it comes down to it, they are all about simplicity.  I LOVE the note booking methods that have been shared there and they have totally changed our homeschool.  

 

So, that said - I encourage you to learn more if you're interested. :-)