Freedom Cabin 222ndSeptember
This Monday I taught what was probably the best program of my entire life. A group of kids came up to the Trackers Homestead and we simply "hung out" for the day. Well not really, we did chores: moving goats to browse, picking and pressing apples, tending to the chickens and even doing dishes! We also wandered through the woods, caught grasshoppers and shot bows and arrows.
How is that any better then the grand action adventure camps Trackers is well known for? Those epic programs are simply gateways, forging the road for the kind of "real" we experienced that day; a place with no lesson plan except for the actual needs of community, land and homestead. A simple agreement where we all learn a tremendous amount from simply working and playing together on the mundane, the subtle and the spectacular.
As an educator caring for intelligent capable kids, its almost impossible to hold an agenda. Life is to great and organic for me to impose a plan upon it. Kids are to inquisitive for me to presume where their imagination should take them. Natural living carries a rhythm you simply move with, conducting only spoils it.
This seemingly innocuous state of being has been the grail I've quested for since I became an outdoor educator nearly 18 years ago. In fact, as a kid I myself craved it from a stifling school system.
Nothing is ever perfect, I'm sure our Cabin Homesteading School needs work (it could be more then 1-day a week for instance). Still, that's the point. Its not engineered, its real and downright blissful. Next week, Molly will be there with me (she was applying for nursing school this week). She'll start the day milking goats with us. We may even make mozzarella from the fresh milk, sending the cheese home so kids can help feed their family.
Class roll...
I feel this home school program is very important. Thus, I've decided to keep registration open for the current 9-week session for families who may want to join in before the session ends. Call Molly if you are interested at 503-559-2825. Thanks, Tony
