Wow...what an amazing 5 days!
The first Australian Unschooling Conference was held 1/2 mile from our house at the Tourist park that we used to camp at. Over 100 free spirited families gathered together to share ideas and build community.
The talks happened in a large marquee with other large tents for kids activities and one for teens. Dayna Martin was a featured speaker..she is here with her family and it's nice having another family from the USA to hang out with for a while. People who we get and who get us when they or we are talking about life in the USA. And they are just such a fun and loving family that it is an absolute joy to get to know them all better. There were other speakers covering different angles of unschooling, non-violent communication, highly sensitive people, a kids panel, a grandmother, and a family in their second generation of Natural Learning, with 5 out of their 6 children living in their own homes on the family farm.
There was a ton of fun things for the kids to do including facepainting (Summer loved to help with that), a treasure hunt (held in the evening when they hunted for glow-sticks), volleyball, swimming, a blacksmithing workshop, clay, dance, music, henna, games, beading, a family bush dance, and a talent show.
AJ showed his confidence and comedy as he did a magic act for the group, with a little help from his new friend Tiffany.
This Dad and his son had one of the best seats in the house to view the talks!
Post conference ... kids hanging out on the edge of the creek.
I'm glad that there are quite a few families hanging around for some extra time to chill and share and bask in the community that was built. It helps to process some of the points raised during the conference and to keep the connection going for as long as possible.
I'm glad that there are quite a few families hanging around for some extra time to chill and share and bask in the community that was built. It helps to process some of the points raised during the conference and to keep the connection going for as long as possible.
I enjoyed the main talks, but I got as much or more out of the couple of micro sessions I attended with small groups. Throughout it all, there was such a strong feeling of acceptance and joy and support and encouragement and love.
I feel so blessed to have such strong, committed support groups around me, and to have made some beautiful new friends from other areas in Australia and New Zealand. I live in this amazing area. My family is happy and free. My cup is full!
I feel so blessed to have such strong, committed support groups around me, and to have made some beautiful new friends from other areas in Australia and New Zealand. I live in this amazing area. My family is happy and free. My cup is full!
2 comments:
Yes, I got just as much out of the smaller talks and individual encounters as I did with the main talks.
It was lovely to meet you, Annette. You were the first person to talk to us, and you showed us where the group was meeting! Thanks for being so friendly!
You are so welcome! I'm glad to have met you! Hope you can make it to next years gig as well!
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