Rethinking Education's 2008

"Do What You Love, Love What You Do"

Conference Program for adults.

(Your kids are welcome in all sessions with you, as long as they are not disturbing others with noise. We have lots of nursing moms & toddlers with us. Feel free to bring a blanket, toys, etc. to help occupy them in the adult sessions if you plan on having your child with you.)

See our separate program just for kids and teens

Sessions will continue to be added through July 2008. Check back frequently for updates, or sign up to receive the emailed updates.


5 DAY Adult Program Overview

Thursday, Sept. 4: Full-day, Inspired Immersions of 6-8 hours will take place on the following SIX topics:

#1: Beginning the Unschooling Journey, with Rachel Gathercole

Congratulations! You are about to embark on one of the greatest, most liberating, and radically life-changing experiences of your family's life!

Come be a part of this fun and joyful immersion where we will explore every aspect of what's involved in embarking on the grand adventure of unschooling! Join us as we delve into such issues as:

• common concerns and fears
• what to expect and not to expect
• the parent's role in unschooling, or "what do I do with my child every day?"
• socializiation
• adjusting from schooling to unschooling
• transitioning directly from infancy (or birth) into unschooling
• making the choice and taking the "plunge" into unschooling
• deschooling yourself as a parent
• benefits of unschooling you can look forward to br /> • explaining your choice(s) to others
• and especially whatever is on your mind about the brave new world of unschooling!

Get ready to become prepared and empowered to leap into and enjoy the freedom and rewards of becoming an unschooling family!


#2: Teenage Liberation: The Journey of Unschooling Teens, with Maria Whitworth

What happens when your unschooled child becomes a teenager?

What occurs to some surprises both the unschooling parents and the child. Without understanding in advance what is happening, complex emotions creep in which can abruptly end the unschooling process. The commitment to unschooling becomes compromised for a "safer" way when parents begin to worry "what will happen to my child" and decide "it's time to get SERIOUS about their schooling."

This all-day open forum session will help bring to light these doubts, fears and apprehensions. No topic will be avoided; we will give voice to, explore the validity of, and engage in honest discussions about everything -- from academics to sex, drugs, video games and social behavior. Fixed beliefs and cultural pressures about growing up will be challenged as we visit our own teen years and reframe our feelings. You will FACE YOUR FEARS in this bold and radical Teenage Liberation session.

Through specific exercises and sharing stories, the evidence will bring clarity to your own unschooling process. You will understand that as long as you continue to honor her/him, your teen will not only survive …but will FLOURISH in who they are. You will leave with confidence, knowing that nothing will empower your child to live his authentic life better than continuing the unschooling journey through the teen years.


#3: With Eyes Wide Open: Questioning Everything & Finding Your Own Way, with Jody McLaughlin

Just wait until you meet Jody McLaughlin, a powerhouse of a mother,wise woman, advocate, activist, magazine publisher and free-thinker!  She is the editor and publisher of The Compleat Mother, a magazine devoted to nurturing natural birth and full term breastfeeding.  In her full day with you in this Inspired Immersion, she will share her passion and abundant knowledge on these topics and so much more.  For example:

• the dangers of pharmacological contraception
• fertility awareness charting
• the pandemic of interferences with birth, labor & postpartum care for women
• how to choose a life partner, or just a good friend
• how to know if someone's telling you the truth
• how to raise children to change the world
• developing empathy in your children
• how to live on just $500 a year in discretionary expenses
• SPIN: how to interpret it, understand it, wade through what's true and what's not
• the difference between medical care vs. health care
• how we smell is who we are
• re-mothering yourself 
• how men in our culture are shortchanged
• animal stories you need to hear that science doesn't tell us about
• what's wrong with fairytales
• understanding the male penis - yep, you heard that right
• homeland security, some politics for good measure, and a whole lot more


#4: Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) for the Parent's Soul, with Sunday Cote'
Joyful parenting just got a whole lot easier!


"The most significant thing for a parent to contribute to anyone is their own Connection and their own stability.   An effective parent is a happy parent."
                            -- Abraham-Hicks

As Unschooling parents, we know that meeting our children's needs with respect and love is imperative.  But who among us hasn't felt scattered, frustrated or even resentful from time to time?  It might be hard to admit, but even the most dedicated Unschooling parents have those moments when parenting wisdom goes out the window and we are tempted to revert back to old patterns or practices.  Consider the following scenarios: You are helping your child get ready for bed when you discover that his favorite pajamas -- the only pair he'll wear -- are missing.  You are searching the house without success when your son suddenly remembers he left them at his friend's house after his sleep-over last night.   Now, extra tired, he is in full meltdown, demanding that you drive across town to get them.  You know in your heart that getting his jammies would be a kind and generous act on your part, but let's face it, you're tired and you'd love it if he'd just put on one of the other 3 pairs he has.  Worry and resentment creep in about his sensitivities and the energy that it takes to support him.

You are engrossed in a work project that has a deadline tomorrow when your child requests you play her favorite game for the umpteenth time today.  You know that the "perfect unschooling mom" would drop everything and jump at the chance to spend this quality time with her, but all you really want is a quiet moment to yourself to finish this project!  Guilt tugs at your heart as you wonder if you've really got what it takes to be a good Unschooling parent. 

You are pulled into an argument that is brewing between your two older kids as you are trying to nurse the baby to sleep.  You begin to feel burdened by everybody else's needs.   Most of the time you are able to muster up the calm and strength it takes to lovingly and gently move through these tense moments together, but tonight your old programming tells you that this would be an ideal time for a swift punishment and banishment to the time-out chair - if you had one.  For a fleeting moment as you entertain that option, you question if your respectful parenting ideals will ever overcome your authoritarian past. 

Your teen has just told you she's thinking about attending a party where it is rumored that there will be drugs and alcohol available.  You are grateful that she trusts you enough to tell you and you want to remain open-minded and supportive as she explores this expanding world of choices.  However, at the moment you wish you could calm the fear that is building in the pit of your stomach. 

Even though you are delighted with your parenting and unschooling choices and all is going wonderfully well, you are always open to learning new ways to support your kids as they go through the emotional ups and downs of life.   Your daughter's fear of dogs has kept you from park day for the last few weeks and just recently your son came home upset because two of his friends excluded him from the game they were playing.   Having a tool at your fingertips to help them move through fears and emotional angst would be very helpful. 

If you can relate to any of these scenarios, this session is for you!  During the course of this Inspired Immersion, developed especially for unschooling families, you will learn a simple form of Energy Psychology called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) that you can apply immediately to release old emotions and beliefs that keep you from being the loving and effective parent you know you can be.   You will also learn how to apply EFT to help bring more clarity and patience to stressful moments as well as help to calm your child and to assist him or her in resolving fears, sensitivities and negative emotions.  And as you resolve your own fears and negative emotions, you'll find less and less difference between your parenting vision and your real life experience.

This may seem like a tall order from where you stand right now, but I've experienced it personally in my own life, and witnessed rapid results in the lives of the families who apply these techniques to their everyday lives.  Whether you are a seasoned Unschooler or are just testing the waters, this session will energize you with personal clarity and emotional freedom, as well as equip you with tools to create a happier home and healthier kids along the way.  No prior EFT experience is required.  And if you are already using EFT in your life, you will gain added insight for specific unschooling family situations.  Bring your questions, challenges and emotional baggage.  We will be actively working on them in a gentle, non-confrontational way.  What a way to begin an amazing conference - with greater emotional freedom!

To learn more about EFT and to get a head start before the conference, visit my website at www.sundaycote.com. Download a basic EFT manual and sign up to receive my free guide, "Downstream Parenting: Be the Change You Wish to See In Your Kids."


#5: Transform Your Family, with Tracy Liebmann

A day of insight, connections and communication with family life coach Tracy Liebmann. This will be a group coaching intensive, we will spend the day connecting to ourselves, so we may better connect to our children.

Imagine a family living connected, communicating and living together in harmony. Just like the human body, family members can work together to benefit the whole system. It is possible when living consensually. Consensual families strive to live in harmony. They honor one another's needs by looking for creative solutions. They follow simple principles that include Trust, Equality and Self-Determination. Through connection and compassionate communication they find mutually agreed upon solutions with respect for everyone involved regardless of age.

Unschooling is just the beginning. After we have thrown out the school curriculum what do we do with the rest of our lives? An unschooled family life is a totally different system than a traditional, schooled family. We can't say OK I trust you with learning, but I know what's best when it comes to sleep, personal hygiene, nutrition, and college. How does our family work without our "parenting curriculum"? If your family has chosen to unschool, then you have made a wonderful choice about how your family will learn together. My question is how will your family LIVE together?

Our day connecting together will look something like this:

Part I ~ Becoming Aware ~ We have to be connected to ourselves. Each parent will connect with themselves by looking at their own family biography. Connect the dots to see what has made them who they are today as a parent.

Part II ~ Living In The Gap ~ After becoming aware of the principles of consensual living and taking a conscious look at our parenting we are bound to have gaps. Gaps exist when where we are today is different from where we would like to be as a family.

Part III ~ Moving Forward ~ We will share our discoveries and each family will have a laser coaching (short) session. We will discuss sticking points and Tracy will coach you through them using questioning techniques that will challenge your conditioning.


#6: Artist Needs Expression: Experimenting with Soul Cards and Pine Needle Baskets, with Quinn Eaker and Shellie Smith

Love art, or just the idea of spending time experimenting with creating it? Well, we're gonna give you a full day to sit and do just that. Meet lots of other unschool parents and get to know each other casually and intimately, or work quietly and introspectively, it's your call. Soul Cards will have you going deep within to create collages with images and words cut from a vast array of magazines to inspire whatever moves you. Or, work with softened pine needles and sturdy threads to weave an organic, beautiful little basket (even a little one can take all day!).


In addition to these full day immersions, Kid Village will be open and there will be other kid activities all day. We have also put together some ideas for local field trips to Dallas, ideal for a child and grandparent or parent. Public transportation is available and inexpensive. We will have maps and directions for you at Registration.

See our Field Trip ideas here.


Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5, 6 & 7:
multiple choice sessions and keynotes, along with wide-ranging activities each day from approx. 9am - 1am. In addition, we will open our NEW Unschool UnNightclub for music, dance, art, puzzles and movies. On Sunday we will share a buffet dinner and Talent Show.

80's Night
Don't forget your Aqua Net hair spray for this night. Big shirts, shoulder pads, ponytails and skinny leggings is what we look forward to seeing this night because we are gonna Party Like It's 1999. Duran Duran, Madonna, Prince, DEf Leppard, Bon Jovi, Cindy Lauper and WHAM! Get ready to Bang Your Head all night long.

Random Hit's Night
Togas, mohawks and black lipstick...just do your own thang. Wear your freakiest, silliest or most conservative garb and enjoy being whatever you want with total acceptance. Bring your own CDs and submit them for play. It's your night, make it yours. Anything goes.

Vintage Night 20's 30's 40's and 50's
Dust off your best Zoot Suit and let's do the Charlston. Flappers and Poodle skirts tonight. We will Twist and Shout and wake the legends of the past. Get ready to Boogie Woogie to Glen Miller and big band music, The Supremes, Etta James, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra all night.

Hippie Night 60's and 70's
Give peace a chance, Man. You don't need any extra bread for this night. Grab some flowers, bell bottoms, tye dye and your favorite pair of Go-Go boots for a night of Bob Dylan, The Mommas and the Pappas, The Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix, Blondie, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Starship, The Doors and many more. Yeah, Man, it's gonna be groovy. Pet rocks allowed!

Free for registered Rethinking Education Conference participants...
Free To Be Summit



JOIN US ... at the "FREE TO BE" SUMMIT
along with a group of creative & inspiring,
diverse & successful entrepreneurs

including people just like you discovering new ways of
working & creating income which support YOU,
YOUR passions, YOUR strengths.

Saturday, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm



Monday, Sept. 8:
This entire day will be devoted to the much softer pace we are calling our "Afterglow Gathering". It will take place in a beautiful setting and be unstructured all day, hosting a variety of movies, music, dance, art, puzzles and of course, conversation and final connections with old and new friends alike. We have this space reserved for our use until midnight.


On with the actual program details:

Bio of each speaker/presenter with their photos, followed by a description of the sessions/activities they will host. Non-alphabetized order.


JOSEPH CHILTON PEARCE (Joe Pearce)
At the ripe young age of 82, Joe can distinguish red from green lights, read stop signs, has managed to keep out of jail and has achieved a wide range of other accomplishments… such as numerous college and university degrees, college humanities professor, an army career, a father of 5 (one he unschooled), grandfather of 12 and great grandfather of one. He's devoted most of his life to thinking, researching, meditating, lecturing(over 2,000 addresses to audiences the world over during the last 35 years) and writing - 8 books to date, and a whole lot of essays.

Joe's passionate intellectual interest concerns the development of intelligence in children, and the spiritual aspects of our species in general. Major focus has been on the biological nature of the mind-heart connection. A few of his authored works include the radical and earth-shattering Magical Child, The Death of Religion and the Rebirth of Spirit: A Return to the Intelligence of the Heart, The Biology of Transcendence: A Blueprint of the Human Spirit , The Crack in the Cosmic Egg: New Constructs of Mind and Reality, Evolution's End: Claiming the Potential of Our Intelligence, among others.

Joe lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

Joe will host:

Keynote: "A Short Evolutionary History of The Child:  Biological vs. Cultural Imperatives"
Joe will address nature's 'biological plan' for human development, a genetically inherent design for open-ended creativity and freedom, and its conflict with our dominator cultural-societal demands for conformity. These cultural demands profoundly inhibit a child's natural spiritual-creative development while serving the competitive conflicts on which our dominator culture rests.

This presentation draws on neuroscience, neuro-cardiology (the "brain" in the heart,) the evolutionary nature of our fourfold brain and the sequential or "stage-specific" development of those inherent structures from birth, as outlined by Rudolph Steiner, Jean Piaget, Maria Montessori, and others. We will explore how nature's plan can be preserved and developed in a child in the midst of the mounting hostility, chaos, confusion and danger present in today's dominator-world. Particular attention will be paid to the "model imperative" by which all development unfolds and how, given appropriate models, negative cultural effects, no matter their power and profusion, need not block and thwart an individual child's spiritual-creative unfolding. Here the critical importance of Steiner's Waldorf Education is touched on, as well as its radical opposite, our newly invented electronic virtual realities which wreak havoc on the natural structures of mind. A young person's compulsive attraction to these artificial mind-warps, such as television, computers and computer games, will be discussed, using the Bohm, Sheldrake, and Steiner insights into field effect and its rising role in the dominator models imperative to culture's maintenance.

The keynote unfolds in a logical, well-illustrated and documented sequence, keeping the issues as simple and concrete as possible, free of jargon, vague abstraction or unrealistic hypotheses. Questions will be accepted as time permits.

Sex is Important
Whether we realize it or not, choose to think about it or not, the sexual development of the human from birth to adulthood is critical to one's confidence, self-image, contentment, and yes, even intelligence. Joe's wealth of knowledge will give us much to talk about: sexual need, experimentation, development of responsibility, cross-cultural sexual behaviors and what Western Civilization can learn from "less developed" corners of the world.

Right or Wrong? Moral and Spiritual Development of the Human Animal
Defining, nurturing and living a life with rich moral & spiritual conviction is no small task… or is it? Culture predominately teaches that religious dogma is necessary to achieve goodness and right action, but is it really counterproductive? Cross-cultural, anthropological, and yes, even the studies of Charles Darwin - show that the human is by nature benevolent, altruistic, and kind. Cultural conformity - from birth - is what breeds the opposite, actually changing neural development, swinging us from benevolence to potential hostility, competition etc. Religion is no solution, a natural nurturing of each other is. We are by nature spiritual beings; culture invents religion. This is heart work, and as it turns out, heart is a biological issue. All of the big questions will be raised in this discussion that will invite everyone's input and experience.


MIKE JACOBS
was born Mendel Jakubowicz in 1925 in the small Polish town of Konin, a town whose Jewish community dated back to 1397. On September 1, 1939 when Mike was just 14 years old, the Nazi Army invaded Poland. Two months later, Jacobs and his entire family were herded into cattle cars and moved to the war ghetto in Ostrowiec, and later to Auschwitz, Birkenau and Mathausen-Gusen, when Americans liberated him in 1945. During the five years Mike was confined in war ghettos and concentration camps, he kept hope alive in his heart. He shared that hope by helping others whenever he could - and by undermining Nazi efforts, no matter the risk to himself. His parents, two brothers and two sisters were murdered in the Treblinka death camp. Another brother was later killed while fighting the Nazis with the partisans.

Mike has spoken entensively on the Holocaust and written a book of his experience entitled Holocaust Survivor: Mike Jacobs' Triumph Over Tragedy in 2001. He is founder and past president of the Holocaust survivors in Dallas and is founder of the Dallas Memorial Center for Holocaust Studies, now called Dallas Holocaust Museum and the Center for Education and Tolerance, dedicated to the memory of the 11 million people who perished at the hands of the Nazis from 1939-1945.

Mike hosts:

Holocaust Survivor
Mike will present his own slides of photos he has taken during his tours of Nazi camps and share both his experiences as victim, survivor and, in the end, an optimist. He welcomes all ages and all questions.


BERNIE DEKOVEN, a.k.a. MajorMajorFun
One day, when I was in second grade, I remember thinking to myself: "this could be a lot more fun, Bernard" (I called myself "Bernard" back then). I mean, really. I remember thinking how even workbooks used to be more fun than having to sit here, at my desk, still, silent, with all these kids around me, half-listening, when we could be totally mucking about with some marvelously educational materials, inventing physics. And I'm pretty sure it was then that I began to devote myself to the pursuit of what I have decided to call "the Playful Path." Because the very next thing I remember was me, Bernard, joking. toying. playing, talking pretty much all the time. Even sitting in the hall, waiting to see the principal, I was always on the alert, always looking to make it fun, for me, for anyone I could get to play with.

Since then, I've explored everything and anything I could find that has to do with fun, play, games, toys, joys and happiness. I designed toys, games, computer games, events. I developed a curriculum that was all about playing games for fun. I wrote a book, The Well-Played Game, on that very subject. I worked with the New Games Foundation to create large scale public, playing-for-fun events. I set up my own retreat center for people who wanted to get deep into fun (I called it "The Games Preserve"). Apparently, the idea of playing for fun was something that, for a lot of people, was weird, wacky, kind of irreverent, even - which, naturally, turned out to be the very thing that I did and taught and made my whole life about. 

For me, playing for fun has really been playing for life - not only as a lifetime commitment, but also as a day-to-day focus on life itself. We are currently living in southern California, a block-and-a-half from the beach. We've been married now for 41 years. We've two children and six grands. And we play very well together, in deed.

As for you Unschoolers, I happen to believe that you are the very people who can help make this world more fun, because you are the very people who have experienced the unity of learning and play, the harmonics of life and joy.  Because you know the power of fun, you are the very ones who can become Defenders of the Playful.

Bernie will teach us more about fun than we ever thought we knew before. He will be with us all weekend, hosting all kinds of news ways to think, play and have lots of fun.

Bernie hosts:

Keynote: Rethinking Work - For Fun and Profit
Shouldn't WORK, the activity that we spend 20 - 80 hours a week immersed in, be FUN? Strange but true, there are people who actually do have fun working, and there are more and more of them, all the time. Let's talk about them, and what they're doing, and how they came to make working fun, and what it means about work itself. Let's rethink what we have been taught about work and remake work to be something we love, and yes, even fun.

Junkyard Golf
We will use a big chunk of our hotel meeting room space to create, with Bernie's help, a golf course made with …. Junk. Not only that, but it will be a golf course unlike you've ever seen or imagined, with all new rules too, or maybe no rules at all. The course will be entirely a product of YOUR imagination, so be sure to show up to help create it. We will leave it up all weekend for golfers to play with, rebuild and reinvent.

A Million New Ways to Play Old Games
Bernie will share the millions of ways we can turn well known games into fun, brand new games. Want to learn 10 new ways to play checkers? How about another million or so ways to play crazy eights, or 20 questions, or tic tac toe? You'll learn and invent so many new games that it will take you weeks to show them all to your friends back home!

Searching for the Well-Played Game
Understanding how to play well is a path towards understanding how to live well. Whether you're talking about a game of gin rummy or a game of ultimate frisbee. When your goal is to experience a "well-played game," your goal transcends the game itself. It's no longer about winning or losing, succeeding or failing. It's about the quality of being, the sharing of excellence, the mutuality of delight. With this understanding, every game you play becomes an opportunity to develop your skills at living well. Every game. This is how the search for the Well-Played Game becomes a path to wholeness. A playful path, filled with things like fun and community, spontaneity and creativity, agility and light-heartedness.


VALERIE FITZENREITER
After a Baby Boomer childhood that would make Ward and June Cleaver proud, Valerie jumped off into her teenage years with determined belief that normalcy was not…well, not normal. Whether it was because of the social acceptability of her parents or in spite of it, she knew that her life was going to be a bit different.  As a young adult in the 1970s, she worked as a ditch digger, pipefitter, and warehouse janitor, putting her male coworkers to shame.   But she knew that motherhood would one day be her ultimate adventure.

In 1979, a copy of Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child-Rearing was given to Valerie for Christmas. She was already pregnant and devoured the book as if it were satisfying a craving.   Summerhill was the beginning of an odyssey of reading that included John Holt's books, James Herndon's books, The Magical Child by Joseph Chilton Pearce, and Chicken Soup for the Frustrated Antiestablishment Parenting Hippie's Soul.   

By the time her daughter Laurie was born, Valerie's reading had prepared her for everything she wanted to do—nothing.  So she sat back and watched Laurie grow and learn and embrace life on her own terms. She was there as a loving guide, never wavering in her support for Laurie's learning style, even when it lasted into the wee hours and consisted solely of books and computers.  Laurie is now a successful adult in surprisingly traditional ways—a graduate student who cleans her own apartment, does her own taxes, cooks, and can wake up early any time she needs to do so.  Valerie loves her daughter anyway.

Valerie is the author of The Unprocessed Child: Living without School and is currently editing Unschooling Voices: Inside the Lives of Over Forty Unschooling Families, written by unschooling parents around the world. When she's not editing, she's gardening, renovating, organizing, or cooking while her menagerie of six cats and one dog roam about.   You can reach Valerie through her website: www.ubpub.com

Valerie's Sessions:

Keynote: Lessons from Summerhill
Our learned men become professors, teachers, clergymen, but seldom creators. Creators learn what they want to learn in order to have the tools that their originality and genius demand, and we do not know how much creation is killed in the classroom with its emphasis on learning. A.S. Neill

Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Rearing changed mine and my unborn daughter's life many years ago by changing my definition of good parenting. Summerhill is a private school in England that was founded by A. S. Neill and his wife in 1921 and is now run by his middle-aged daughter Zoe Redhead. A.S. Neill passionately believed that a school should adapt to the wishes of children instead of the other way around. He believed in freedom, not license, and saw the students of all ages as equals to themselves, the other teachers, and even himself as headmaster.

Neill introduced me to the radical notion that having a well-mannered and obedient child was not what I should strive for; that my goal as a parent should be a happy child. He convinced me that a happy child would use all of her energy on things that she was passionate about, rather than waste her energies on trying to please me or anyone else. I was raised attending church but now questioned the sincerity of the entire structure and demands of religion. I felt that I was a good and moral person, but how could a moral person feel so out of sync with church and Sunday school? I felt confusion and guilt on a daily basis and jokingly referred to myself as immoral.

As a parent, Summerhill gave me a powerful definition of morality and showed me how simply being an honest, kind, compassionate and loving parent would help my child learn right from wrong. I learned that I needed only one commandment: Thou shalt be on the side of the child. The battle is not between believers in theology and nonbelievers in theology; it is between believers in human freedom and believers in the suppression of human freedom.

I've been called a pioneer of unschooling because I began radically unschooling Laurie in 1980, from birth onward. But everything I did was based on what I learned about Summerhill in A.S. Neill's book of the same name. I did nothing exceptional. It's as Neill said, "We have been called brave, but it did not require courage. All it required was what we had – a complete belief in the child as a good, not an evil, being."

Raising a Strong Child
It's a lot easier to raise a strong child using radical unschooling methods than by traditional parenting methods. Yep, you read that right; it's easier. You won't be contriving ways to toughen your child up by using humiliation or condescension. You won't be wasting energy trying to force your child to conform to the expectations of others – not even your own expectations. And you won't be spending lots of money on programs to motivate learning. Forget about enforcing rules and doling out rewards and discipline. All of those things are unnecessary busywork that weakens you, your child, and your child's transformation into adulthood. It's more about what you don't do, than about what you do. Come to the session on raising a strong child and learn how freedom isn't just for the unschooled child; it's for the parents too!

Radical Unschooling – Radically Raising Radicals
Radical Unschooling is embracing freedom and rejecting repression. In botany, radical refers to something as arising or originating from the root or its base. Maybe we should call ourselves gardeners, radically raising radicals from our base of love and empathy. Valerie has found that gardening and parenting have much in common. Give a plant what it needs and you will see healthy growth. But if you over water, over prune or over fertilize, or give it too much shade or sun, the plant will struggle to survive. It might make it, but its chances are slim. With radical unschooling, we give a child what she needs and then we back off. We allow her to grow at her own pace and in her own direction. We don't espalier, trellis or trim back her wild branches. We embrace the person that she is and watch her grow strong.

Discipline
Discipline equals illusion of control. It doesn't work. What is the outcome of making a child sit in timeout? It's certainly not respect between parent and child. He's not thinking about what he did "wrong" and vowing to never do it again. He's thinking about how much he hates the disciplinarian and how he can be a little sneakier next time. The only type of discipline that is conducive to a positive parent-child relationship is self-discipline. Come to the session and learn how to give your child the gift of self-discipline.


KRENIE STOWE
describes herself as "a mother and activist first, a physician and attorney second." Grounded in a lifelong commitment to social justice, she is a tireless advocate of sweeping health care reform. After graduating cum laude from Phillips Academy in 1977, she attended Yale, receiving her BA in 1981. She received her MD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1985. Following a pediatric internship at New York University Medical Center, she attended Harvard Law School, graduating magna cum laude in 1990. She then returned to New York to complete pediatric residency training at Montefiore Medical Center's Residency Program in Social Medicine. Committed to providing medical care to underserved communities, she moved to North Dakota in 1992 to practice on a remote Native American Territory.

Newly aware of the crisis in rural health care, she sought an underserved, demographically complex region in which to implement a unique plan. Texas, ranking near last in the health status of children, fit the profile. She relocated there in 1994 and, with her mother, Dr. Maria Stowe, co-founded the Frontis Project, a non-profit health care facility that provided medical care, emergency assistance, and social support and advocacy services to 11,500 children and their families.

In 2004, she resigned that position to pursue her dual passions of health care and educational reform by writing and consulting. In 2005, she founded HEAL, Health Education, Advocacy & Literacy, and is now working on growing The Real School, an unschooling co-operative. She also practices with a small group, MFC Clinic, in The Woodlands. She published her first book, A Doctor's Story: A Personal Journey & A Call For Reform, in 2006. She has been honored by the Houston Young Lawyers Association and the Center for the Healing of Racism. Her work has been featured in the Houston Chronicle and numerous local newspapers. She has done dozens of radio and television spots, and can be heard frequently on local radio station KPFT. Although she has lived in Texas for over 14 years, she remains a member of the New York Bar. Her 12 year old son, Isaac, a lifelong unschooler, is the center of her universe.

Krenie hosts:

Do kids needs adults and, if so, why?
The discussion will explore freedom, self regulation and the role of 'authority' figures in the lives of young people. Questions like: Are the very young capable of self regulation? What is safety; how do we define it, and is it the job of adults to try to ensure it? Does freedom create unrealistic expectations? If a child grows up in a space with few or no rules, how does s/he learn to abide by rules in 'the real world'? Without adult guidance will kids become cruel? greedy? selfish? If there is interest, we will add another session to continue our discussion on this wide-ranging topic.

Biopsychiatry: don't believe the hype
This workshop will explore the alarming increase in both the diagnosis and the pharmacologic treatment of 'mental illness' in children. The role of the medical profession, mass compulsory schooling and big pharma will be discussed, but we will also hone in on the role of parents and families. Do parents, on some level, want their kids to be sick or afflicted with a 'legitimate disease'? Does it feel less threatening because a disease is not anyone's fault? Does a psychiatric label give folk who are feeling lost a sense of identity; "I'm Catholic"; "I'm an artist", "I'm a feminist", "I'm bipolar"?

Is unschooling insular?
This session will explore questions of diversity in the unschooling community (idealogically, culturally, economically, racially, etc.) We will explore ways to grow the movement to make it more accessible both logistically and philosophically. And we can discuss whether that goal makes sense. The role of the real world is also part of this conversation. Is unschooling a bubble of a kind? Does it give kids an unrealistic view of life?

Your child's health: Unplugging from the profit and disease driven medical model.
I will offer Individual consults with parents/kids/families to discuss any issue related to the health of young people. I am happy to do a physical exam as part of this consult. The consult could be used to address things such as vaccine decision making, long term breast feeding and overcoming pressure to wean; circumcision decisions, the management of specific medical problems, concerns about antibiotic use and misuse. My focus as a practitioner is on information and empowerment. I want to facilitate folk finding answers and solutions that work for them. These sessions will be be 1/2 hour and the fee is $100 payable as cash or check. Longer sessions can be arranged on a case by case basis.

Websites featuring my work:
Health Education, Advocacy & Literacy, Inc.; www.healthedadlit.com
The Real School a.k.a. Dragon Valley; www.therealschoolhouston.org


JODY MCLAUGHLIN, ST**
I grew up on a farm in central North Dakota where I learned most of what I know about healthful pregnancy, spontaneous birth and successful lactation. This was not difficult as I merely observed and paid attention to cause and effect.

Shortly after the birth of our daughter in 1973, I attended the first La Leche League meeting in the state. After our second daughter was born I became a LLL Leader.
As a League Leader I noticed many of the problems mothers were having with breastfeeding were related the style of maternity care they were receiving. When the cesarean section rate at our local hospital reached 10% I went ballistic. I gave myself a PhD in Maternity Care Reform based on the principles I learned while growing up on our farm.  (What farmer could afford cesarean sections for 1 out of 10 cows?)

I became an expert when I was asked to speak 100 miles from home with slides (before PowerPoint) and handouts. Through the years I found support to continue this work from women and men in the community whose own children had been successfully breastfed: librarians, journalists, community leaders and health care workers and occasionally physicians. I have served on many committees and boards as a maternity care reform advocate where I learned many interesting things including... it doesn't matter what a woman eats during her pregnancy as it has no bearing on the outcome, gravity does not affect all women and there us no such thing as 'unnecessary surgery'.

During this time I learned if you want to be appointed to a serve on a board, or jury duty, don't act too smart and pretend to be hard of hearing. On a more helpful note, the best advice I ever received is— always look for people with the Four "I"s— Intelligence, Integrity, Interest and willingness to make an Investment.

I served on my state's Maternal and Child Health Citizens Advisory Committee because of what I knew and was appointed to the Minot Commission on the Status of Women because of who I knew. I served on the North Dakota Insurance Commissioner's Health Care Cost Coalition because I pretended to know very little.

I've published the Compleat Mother Magazine since 1989, started the food coop in my community, co-wrote the first Genital Integrity Legislation to pass into law in the United States (www.BoysToo.com) and was asked to resign from the North Dakota Chapter of the March of Dimes.

My husband Tim and I live in Minot, North Dakota, the Geographical Center of the Universe.

**Self Taught.

Jody will host:

Full-day Inspired Immersion on Thursday, Sept. 4:

Inspired Immersion:  With Eyes Wide Open
Just wait until you meet Jody McLaughlin, a powerhouse of a mother,wise  woman, advocate, activist, magazine publisher and free-thinker!  She is the editor and publisher of The Compleat Mother, a magazine devoted to nurturing natural birth and full term breastfeeding.  In her full day with you in this Inspired Immersion, she will share her passion and abundant knowledge on these topics and so much more.  For example:

• the dangers of pharmacological contraception
• fertility awareness charting
• the pandemic of interferences with birth, labor & postpartum care for women
• how to choose a life partner, or just a good friend
• how to know if someone's telling you the truth
• how to raise children to change the world
• developing empathy in your children
• how to live on just $500 a year in discretionary expenses
• SPIN: how to interpret it, understand it, wade through what's true and what's not
• the difference between medical care vs. health care
• how we smell is who we are
• re-mothering yourself 
• how men in our culture are shortchanged
• animal stories you need to hear that science doesn't tell us about
• what's wrong with fairytales
• understanding the male penis - yep, you heard that right
• homeland security, some politics for good measure, and a whole lot more

What Do Your Children Say About You?
As parents we are our children's primary role models.  Watching your child engage the world, treat other people and animals and solve problems reflects what they have learned from observing you.  Do you like what you see?  Jody will help us dissect our children's behaviors and then offer ways we can effect change in our own lives such that not only we, but our children and entire family benefits.  Be brave!  Challenge yourself!  Jody's no-holds-barred style of sharing her life and engaging in yours will inspire you to tackle just about any mess you'd like to clean up in your life.

Mothering: The Most Important Job on the Planet
Jody is entirely self-taught, but she could probably qualify for at least a few PhDs if such degrees were given for mothering.  She has made the job of mothering and the research of mothering her life's work.  Let's share what we've all learned about mothering so we can learn from each other, and pepper Jody with all questions mothering:  from conception to pregnancy to birth to postpartum to child rearing, moral development, raising powerful children and whatever you have on your list to bring to this wonderful, warm table.

Young Adult Discussion Group
Jody lends herself to our Program within a Program for young adults to talk about 
• how to choose a partner
• birth control methods
• how men in our culture are shortchanged
• sex - yep, you heard that right  


RACHEL GATHERCOLE
is the unschooling, breastfeeding, babywearing, cosleeping, homebirthing, game-playing mother of three fun, creative children who continually amaze her with their delightfulness, insightfulness, and passion. She is also the author of the groundbreaking new book The Well-Adjusted Child: The Social Benefits of Homeschooling, which finally addresses the question of homeschoolers' socialization in the depth that parents need. Rachel lives a charmed life with her husband and three children in North Carolina, where she spends her days with up-and-coming young poets, comic book artists, Appalaccian cloggers, actors, wilderness survivalists, literature-readers, storytellers, percussionists, star-gazers, trampoline-jumpers, gymnasts, figure-skaters, painters, ecologists, and much more--all of whom she has the good fortune of living with under the same roof. She looks forward to meeting you and learning from you at the Rethinking Education Conference in 2008!

Rachel hosts:

Keynote: The Well-Adjusted Child: The Social Benefits of Unschooling
Rachel has devoted years to researching and interviewing unschoolers and homeschoolers across North America, combined with her personal laboratory, a.k.a. homelife, and has shown conclusively that socialization is unequivocally and supremely, a benefit of unschooling. By re-examining our culture's assumptions about what unschooling is, what socialization is, and even what childhood is, Rachel will bring to light the true nature of unschoolers' socialization, and the many and wide social benefits it offers children. This powerful keynote will leave you feeling reassured, confident, and informed about that peculiar unschooling bugaboo: and what about socialization?


Full-day Inspired Immersion on Thursday, Sept. 4:

Inspired Immersion: New to Unschooling? Getting Started
Note: This Inspired Immersion is one of several full-day sessions offered on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Congratulations! You are about to embark on one of the greatest, most liberating, and radically life-changing experiences of your family's life!

Come be a part of this fun and joyful immersion where we will explore every aspect of what's involved in embarking on the grand adventure of unschooling! Join us as we delve into such issues as:
• common concerns and fears
• what to expect and not to expect
• the parent's role in unschooling, or "what do I do with my child every day?"
• socializiation
• adjusting from schooling to unschooling
• transitioning directly from infancy (or birth) into unschooling
• making the choice and taking the "plunge" into unschooling
• deschooling yourself as a parent
• benefits of unschooling you can look forward to
• explaining your choice(s) to others
• and especially whatever is on your mind about the brave new world of unschooling!

Get ready to become prepared and empowered to leap into and enjoy the freedom and rewards of becoming an unschooling family!


Parenting by Silliness!
Get ready to have some fun and discover your silly side! You can end power struggles, get things done, enjoy your kids, and empower them for future happiness all at the same time! It only takes one simple word: fun! Humor, play, and silliness are among the most effective, and certainly the most enjoyable, ways to engage cooperation, complete household tasks, strengthen your bonds with your children, and enjoy life with your family. Rachel will share her magical insights on make believe and fantasy, using alter egos (e.g., the Clumsy Waitress, Brunhilda,, Jimbo Jellybelly, Spartacus, Dirty McGee), and general comic relief and much more. Learn how you can turn your family life into a magical silly one, and share your own experiences, too.

Unschooling Works for Math, Too
Contrary to popular belief, math is not the mysterious exception to the "rule" that kids can learn things naturally. Learn not only why and how kids can learn math without being taught, but how your kids are already learning math from their everyday lives! Learning about numbers and how they interact is no more or less mysterious than learning to talk. Let's identify our own math fears and prejudices and thus discover how our kids can freely and successfully learn math in their own ways and on their own terms.

The Interconnectedness of Things
Come join us to explore the amazing interconnected, web-like nature of knowledge and skills. Discover for yourself how one thing leads to another, that pursuing one interest or passion in depth can and does lead to learning so many different things, that play is of the utmost importance and is inextricably connected with deepest callings and future work. Rachel and her family are living proof of these facts, and so, as you will see, are you!


ROBERT SAXON
The Slippery Slope.

One day, I opened my mouth. "Hey dear, ever heard of Bradley?"

Seana was pregnant with our first child, Genevieve, and we were headed for the entire Lamaze Experience™. I went web surfing one day, hopeful of finding a clue to this whole child birth process when a web page presented itself. It discussed something called the Bradley method of childbirth. It emphasized natural childbirth, using nature as a guide, knowledge of the process, more natural this, that and the other, etc., so I innocently asked for her opinion.

When we walked into our first Bradley class, I was filled with hope. Hope that I wouldn't just be ballast in the LDR and maybe provide some help; armed with the knowledge I hoped to gain in class. One of the books we would read was Husband-Coached Childbirth, after all.

The class was great. The people were definitely a bit more, ah, "natural" than I was used to, but that was fine. Bradley led us to La Leche League, and to Attachment Parenting. The AP/LLL crowd we hung with introduced us to unschooling, which honestly freaked me out quite a bit. But after having been introduced to breastfeeding, breastfeeding in public, EXTENDED breastfeeding, NOT spanking your child, respecting your infant/toddler and not treating them as pets, etc., my response to Seana's insistence on unschooling was a lot closer to "What next?" than utter disbelief and incredulity.

And here we are. But I doubt this is the bottom of the slope, and I don't really want to go back. And upon further reflection, I take exception to the analogy of a slippery slope. Sliding is easy, and this has been anything but. We've been climbing.

So more on the bio thing: I've lived in Texas for 38 of my 40 years (2 were spent in Nebraska). I've lived in Houston, the Rio Grande Valley, Waco several times, and most recently, the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I met my future wife Seana in fencing class about 15 years ago, and we've been sparring ever since. I've worked in the field of my degree since 2000 until I was laid off last April, and am making a go of it with Seana on our own.

Things I've Done: Husband and father, jousting list squire at Scarborough Faire, desktop publishing, construction (log homes), stage combat instructor, digital photography retouching, elections clerk, software programmer, QA software tester, computer help desk, tech writer, layout & design, data entry, science fiction convention head of operations, maker of burgers and tacos at a couple of well-known fast-food establishments.

Hobbies/interests: Parenting respectfully, politics, computers (security, usability, system/network admin), history, problem-solving, sociology, psychology, religion, cross-discipline knowledge application.

Robert hosts:

Building Bridges or Bridge Engineering 1201
Do you like making things?
Have you ever built something with a team?
...To a set of requirements?
...Under time pressure??
...In Greenland???...(er...)
...Competing against others looking for the same glory, bragging rights and T-shirt?

We have the stuff. You bring your team (2-3 max, please*). Build your bridge. Pass the test (wait, we can't say that here, can we?). Feel the pride and sense of accomplishment. You have one hour to span the challange.

* It is recommended that you keep your team small (individuals are fine). Remember the rule of committees: "None of us is as dumb as all of us," copyright Despair.com


AUGUSTINE & ATHEENA FRIZZELL
Hello Everyone! We're Atheena and Augustine Frizzell, daughter and mother from right here in Dallas, (way too hot!) Texas!

Originally unsure if world learning was right for us, (me being a single mom, it almost seemed impossible) we've made it to our 4th year (and 4th RE conference) as unschoolers and are loving every minute of it!

We spend a lot of time together, so it's fortunate that we share so many interests!

We're both uncompromising vegans and soft hearted animal lovers (most especially to our three cats but we don't discriminate, just love those three a little more ;-) ) practice yoga daily, we're both Dallas actresses, artists,(our 'dining room' is wall to wall tarp covered for any-time-of-day-art!) craft enthusiasts, travelers, movie watchers, amusement park junkies, (we both ride everything!) and lovers of the ocean, life and people.

Atheena's separate interests (not shared by me) Littlest Pets, swimming for more than 3 hour increments(she'd live in water if it were allowed!) shopping for earrings at Claires, trying on high heels, collecting things, talking for hours with kid friends and webkinz.

Augustine's separate interests (not shared by Atheena) - eating all raw (actually,this isn't even shared by me, I like raw food almost always but need the occasional mashed potatoes. Mashed cauliflower just doesn't do the trick, blek!) slow dramatic movies, talking for hours with adult friends, red wine, organizing and getting tattoos (just 3....so far.)

We look forward to sharing and learning and making new friends at this wonderful exchange of beautiful energy that is the Rethinking Education Conference!!!

Augustine and Atheena host a weekend long event:

Who needs Hollywood? Indie Films ROCK!!!
Join actresses and Dallas Indie Film veterans Atheena and Augustine to learn all about the indie film industry, acting and production. Then, we'll all make a movie!

Have you ever wanted to be a part of the film industry? Join us as we make our very own indie(independent) film at the Rethinking Education Conference.
Filmmaking requires more team work and collaboration than practically any other industry. If you've ever wanted to try your hand at any or all of the important jobs in film, come and join us to learn about them and actually use your skills to make a unique and creative short film.

Every position in film is equally important, there are no small jobs! Just a few that we'll be needing: Writers, directors, producers, actor/actresses, hair, makeup, wardrobe, storyboard artists, sound, editing and the list goes on!

Learn about budgeting for your own film, auditioning techniques, casting, and more! All ages and experience levels welcome!!!


VALLEY REED
currently directs her own business, Chrysalis Healing Arts www.chrysalishealingarts.org offering Massage Therapy, Dream Groups and Movement Workshops. She serves on the Board of the Dallas Peace Center www.dallaspeacecenter.org where she volunteers as Team Leader for the Swords Into Plowshares Team. Most importantly she is a mother raising 2 wonderful teenagers who are very creative and opinionated individuals!

Valley Reed has been a member of the International Association for the Study of Dreams since 2000, she has presented papers at the past two International Conferences on working with young children and dreams and family dreaming. As the mother of two amazing creative dreamers she has cultivated a tradition of dream sharing into the everyday family setting. She will chair a panel at the 2008 IASD Conference in Montreal, Canada on tracking your Ancestral ties through Dreaming.

Valley has practiced a life long love of dance and studied many forms over her lifetime. She has performed professionally with the local dance companies The Dallas Ballet - performing artist, Mahogany Dance Theater - Assistant Director, Nine Fish Jumping- Founding Member. She continues to dance and choreograph and will perform "the Crow and the Phoenix" in Montreal Canada in July 2008 at the International Association for the Study of Dreams Conference. She was inspired by her then 6 year old daughter who wanted a book for her dream book library, to write the story "the Crow and the Phoenix" as a fairytale based on a series of dreams. For more info, see www.worlddreamspeacebridge.org, www.iasdreams.org

Valley hosts:

Conflict Resolution with Contact Improvisation
The process reveals empathy, how to contain polarity, and offers valuable information about where you are inside of a conflict.

Peace Movement allows us to embody peace by listening to the body and moving with our experience. This process allows us to listen deeply and get out of our heads where conflict too often becomes a polarity of black or white, this or that. We will move toward the center of resolution and reconciliation within the container of the circle where all shades of experience are available. All ages.

Dream Work for Teens 12-17
Creative Dreaming - learn how to incubate a dream for creative problem solving, and also how to honor the dream with creative expression. Dream Transfer - Would you like to dream for another person who may be in need of a dream? This techniques shows you how to dream for another person and how to share the dream with them.

Dream Work for Children ages 4-11
Confronting your dream monsters. Have you ever had a scary dream? Did you ever wish you could confront your fears in your dreams? Well you can! In this workshop we will learn how to re-enter a dream scene by drawing the dream and then drawing a desired outcome for the dream.

Family Dream Sharing - Parents and their children
How to share dreams as a family and learn to dream together.
This workshop will cover the art of dream sharing, how and when to share a dream. How to cultivate a safe environment for dream sharing. We will create a family album of dreams, a kind of family dream journal, with a family tree of dreams where dreams of departed relatives can be shared.


KERRY LEMON
that's me, is currently thinking about ways to play more in her life.

I have my hands in all kinds of pies, from improving the "green-ness" of my community to freeing my creative writing muse. I have great kids, now 18 and 14, along with a uniquely remarkable husband. We live off the grid in a beautiful hand-built home in the woods. Until two years ago neither of my children had ever been in school. After two years of dull-credit classes at the university, my daughter is now in a summer study abroad program in Costa Rica and starts college in Arkansas in August. My son has attended public school for the past two years and enters high school this year. They carry their adventurous spirits with them.

My newest excitement is the acquisition of 15 adolescent chickens that have moved into the custom chicken coop designed by my sweet husband. I absolutely love my chickens! I continue to re-think and un-school. I have lots to un-do and much, much more to play.

Kerry hosts:

Let's Play Together
For the past seven years, I have directed an outdoor education summer camp for kids. I have a hatful of games, songs and general silliness to share. Sometimes called icebreakers, team building activities, or initiative games, I prefer to think of these as opportunities to gather together with others to laugh and play. I am actively unleashing more and more of the joyful child in me.

Hope you will join in the fun!


EDDIE DUNLAP & THE MONDO DRUMMERS
Eddie Dunlap is artistic director of MONDO DRUMMERS and co-founder of Arts Fifth Avenue.

He is a native of Fort Worth who began playing drums professionally at age 10. He has performed with international stars Stevie Ray Vaughn, Mose Alison, Master Cylinder, Sarah Petronio and West-African dancer Titus Fotso. Eddie has hosted popular workshops through the Van Cliburn Foundation outreach efforts, most notably with the Brazilian percussion group Uakti and world-renowned percussionist Evelyn Glennie. For the past 20 years, Dunlap has contributed his talents for musical theatre production with such organizations as Jubilee Theater, Circle Theater and Hip Pocket Theater.
#122 MONDO DRUMMERS educates audiences and students about the history and culture of musical styles from around the world. Begun in 1994 through the Eastside Neighborhood Arts Center as an outreach program for at-risk youth, MONDO focuses on percussion and hand instruments and beyond. MONDO DRUMMERS Performance Ensemble was the first youth hand-drum and percussion ensemble in Texas and recorded their first CD "It was a Big Sky, After All" in 1999. A new recording from MONDO will be launched this year.


CYNDI DORBER
They call her "The Dance Doctor" – she can change those two left feet into one left and one right in a matter of minutes! Through her teaching, she demonstrates a list of laugh-out-loud do's and don't using her own body, that can break the tension of any dance wannabe. You'll turn into a cool, finger-snapping, hip-swaying, toe-tapping dancer, leaving with a smile on your face!

Cyndi has been teaching ballroom, country western, swing, latin and line dancing for 23 years – she's got fun down to a science.

She started out as a sportswriter in New Jersey and was asked to go undercover and tried out for the New Jersey Cosmos Professional Indoor Soccer Team Cheerleading Squad alongside 350 other ladies. She was instructed to find out the scoop about Professional Cheerleading tryouts – there wasn't one. After three days of tryouts, she loved it and made the final 16. She cheered in front of 70,000 soccer fans at the Meadowlands Stadium. She found her true passion – Dance. Two weeks later, she answered an ad in the newspaper asking for a dancer who wanted to be trained as a ballroom instructor and was hired on the spot…she quit her newspaper job and her feet haven't stopped dancing since.

Cyndi hosts:

Salsa & Line Dancing
Join in on the fun, even if it's your first step on a dance floor. Salsa is the rage right now so it's first on the agenda. She will follow that with some serious fun – line dancing with the Cupid Shuffle, Electric Slide, Cotton-Eyed Joe and the Texas 16 Step! Get ready to move and share some fun memories on the dance floor! It's time to laugh and dance!

This seminar is for parents and kids, alike. Dancing is ageless! It keeps you young! Get ready. Wear comfortable clothes and bring your sense of humor!


DANIEL ARMSTRONG
While living in Ghana, West Africa, Daniel Armstrong, the founder and president of Find A Tree, met a set of twins, Jonas and Jonathan Atingui, who dreamed of having a school of their own, but they had no money or facilities. Armstrong advised them to "find a tree and start their school there." These young teachers soon had nearly 100 students coming to their school under a tree. Seeing their success, a businessman in the community gave them a new building to use as their school.

Armstrong realized that most people do not understand how to implement their dreams. In response, he wrote How to Live Your Dreams: Find a Tree and Get Started. Armstrong has been credited with transforming the lives of many young people, teaching them how to identify with their dreams and take the necessary steps toward achieving them.

Armstrong has been a small-business owner, operating a sanitation business firm — "The Dirt Patrol" — and a basketball training program — "To Be A Champion." He has served as an aide to former United States Senator Alan Cranston, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Ron Brown, and former A&M Records President Gil Friesen.

Raised in Compton, California, Armstrong earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Columbia University, where he organized a campaign that led to the withdrawal of the school's multimillion-dollar investment in apartheid South Africa. Armstrong also holds a Juris Doctorate and a Master in Business Administration degree, both from UCLA. While at UCLA, Armstrong founded the International Black MBA Student Association. Despite Daniel's very fancy education, he has come to not believe very much in formal education, finding it restrictive and conforming. (We think Daniel will love the RE audience, and us HIM!)

Daniel hosts:

How to Live Your Dreams
Daniel will assist participating teens and young adults identify their talents, interests and passions, determine a dream and how to get started making their dreams a reality—immediately. This workshop will be interactive, and empower participants with psychological tools to overcome obstacles and inspire them to greatness. Participants will know how to write their personal plan of action to make their dreams a reality by combining knowledge with action.

How to Help Your Child Live Their Dreams
What's your child's dream? The seeds of their dreams are already there—regardless of age. Parents will know how to nurture their child's dreams with age appropriate activities. Daniel will share his stories and experience, helping you to help your child begin fulfilling dreams based on their unique talents, gifts and interests.. As an unschooling parent, you are in a position to listen deeply, honoring your child completely, and resource the world around you to help her begin taking action toward her dreams. An empowered life is a life worth living. Parents will know how to empower their children to make the life of their dreams a reality.

Rethinking Work - Entrepreneur Panel
Daniel will share his evolution of the development of Find A Tree from a 30 page primer to a national motivational program* and self- published book. He will provide examples of specific steps participants can take to move their dream business to income generating enterprise. Participants must bring the passion and Daniel will provide a road map. He will provide his recommendations on how to take your own first steps toward becoming an entrepreneur and some brainstorming on how to turn your wildest, most far flung dreams into action.

(*Note: In August 2008 Find A Tree will be launched by the US Dream Academy in 12 cities across the country.)


QUINN EAKER
Hello Everyone! I'm gonna give u a bit of info on myself so that u don't have to ask my mom, she is busy enough as it is!

As I write this (Quinn, oldest son of Barb Lundgren *wink*) my fascination with all aspects of pottery has dwindled to a grateful understanding and utilization of techniques while I move on to another facet of life; MUSIC! I just recorded two songs and loved the entire process. Sound has taken on a whole new life for me and the gadgets, tools, equipment and software that can be incorporated are providing plenty of stimuli!

I'm leaving for Mexico in 3 days. While I'm not quite sure how it will play out my feelings tell me there shall be plenty to enjoy. I leave behind a property where we are doing "industrial harvesting" as I like to call it. Where we are collecting materials from all over the area that are no longer wanted but to me are EXTREMELY useful. We currently have a free manure bank, wood chip bank, tire bank, cardboard bank, brewed barley and hops bank and all sorts of varying trickles of resources, providing materials for the essentials of life. A large garden, rain water harvesting, wine & beer brewing, mushroom house, green house, art studio and various cob structures are in the process. It's important to me to enjoy it now for what it is and be able to let it go when and if it is no longer fulfilling, inspiring and creative.

I have come into alignment with the reality that the universe is abundant, that all the information needed is only a book or keyword away and LIFE WANTS TO LIVE!!!

Quinn hosts:

Didgeridoo Meditation
The didj is as pure and primal as waves on rock. Profound, deep, penetrating, peace and contentment is in the didj experience. More simply it just feels good.

I enjoy holding space for the focused silence within the music. Sage, resins, stones and candles may also be a part of this experience. All who are present may be for as much or little as each wishes. Plan for roughly1 hour, although I do not base this experience on time.

All words aside I am sharing what I feel good about sharing and would love anyone who wants to be a part of it to be so.


APRIL HOLTZMAN
has become synonymous with Camp Tonkawa. Since her three sons are all almost through with their pre-college years of home study, she has devoted her time to developing a love for nature for the children who come to the family-owned and run Outdoor Learning Center. She loves working with children most of all because as she works with them in nature, they turn around and teach her as well. As the children grow up, she continues to share with them important Primitive Survival Skills which can be helpful in life situations, for all ages. She got her certified training through Tom Brown's Tracking, Nature, Wilderness Survival School and Jon Young's Wilderness Awareness School, but has countless life experiences to qualify her to teach.

In her spare time she is still out-of-doors working in the camp's organic garden or tending to its herd of horses. She is most happy out in the sunshine with eager students around her creating memorable experiences.

MADISUN HOLTZMAN
will be helping teach the Nature Awarenes Activities for our session. He is a fun guy to be around, reminding us to have our PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) as he named it, with us at all times. With his amusing jokes and unique angle of looking at life, you are almost guaranteed to have a wonderful time when he's around. He has always learned at home and is currently working on his GED. Madisun has attended and learned so much at the many "Wilderness Skills Gatherings" across the country, to name a few: Moccasin Meet, Winter Count, Rivercane Rendezvous, Falling Leaves Rendezvous and the Earth Knack's Gathering. He is a young adult, just turning 17, but has the knowledge to start a fire with the bow drill, make and throw an atlatl, plus create flutes, blowguns, didgeridoos, and eating utensils out of bamboo, along with being a great storyteller.

At the camp he is a friend to all and not only gets along great with younger children but can teach and relate to adults just as well. In his spare time you might catch him shooting his compound bow, biking or running barefoot through the woods with his black lab, Nova.

April and Madisun host:

Touching The Earth Through Nature Awareness
We will begin with understanding why it's vital to "let your bare feet feel the earth and let the wind play with your hair," as one of my favorite sayings goes.

At Camp Tonkawa we have known for years what Richard Louv's book, "Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder" confirms with studies and research, that getting people out in nature is good for them and good for the earth. Our camp is for families, as is this session, because it's through example that the children learn and experience life, and the earlier the better.

To make the session FUN, meaningful, and memorable we will do "hands on" Nature Awareness Activities. If weather permits, we will go outside for part of our time together, so that you can experience this.

Please join us for your child, your inner child and the Earth's welfare.


Dawn Roosth
Dawn is the Director of Education at In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue & Educational Center in Wylie, TX, a non-profit sanctuary dedicated to the rescue of abused, neglected and displaced exotic/native cats. She and her unschooled daughter, Kassi (14), have been actively volunteering at In-Sync for 5 years. Dawn is also dabbling in wildlife rehabilitation and is working under a mentor rehabbing bobcats, raccoons, opossums and other wildlife for release back in the wild. Fortunately, she has a daughter who is also an avid animal lover so that the two can live and learn together. Dawn lives in Murphy, TX with husband David, teenaged daughter Kassi, two dogs and a chinchilla. Visit In-Sync Exotics' website at www.insyncexotics.com.

Hosting:

Where the Wild Things Are…and Where They Should Not Be
In-Sync Exotics is not a zoo and does not exist for the public's viewing pleasure. In fact, it's our dream that one day there will be no need for wildlife sanctuaries. Because of people's infatuation with wild animals and their desire to interact with animals that would otherwise be untouchable, exotic animal breeding facilities have thrived and reputable sanctuaries, such as In-Sync Exotics, struggle to provide safe, loving and nurturing homes to these former pets, discarded entertainment animals and formerly abused and neglected products of inhumane breeding facilities. Come learn about the rescue work we do and hear the stories of some of the cats that call In-Sync home in this DVD presentation and Q & A session. For the safety of our cats and the people we visit, and so not to contribute to the exploitation of big cats, especially those who had a rough start in life, no cats will accompany me.

Come Visit the Cats in Their Home
In-Sync Exotics will open its doors to conference goers, Monday, September 8, 10am-2pm. Come meet the cats that have found a safe haven at In-Sync Exotics. Dawn will be on-sight to show you around the sanctuary. The discounted admission fee is $5/person. Under 3 are free. All money goes directly to the cats' care. Cash and Checks only. No strollers please. Directions can be found on our website, www.insyncexotics.com, and on the back of the flyer found in your Welcome bag. Hope to see you there.


DAYNA & JOE MARTIN
Dayna Martin lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with her husband Joe and her four joyfully loud children, Devin (9), Dakota (7)  Ivy (3) and Orion (0). The Martin's enjoy spending all day, everyday together pursuing their passions and creating the lives they desire. Joe helps to support his families' many interests by making toys in his workshop while listening to heavy metal music as loud as he can stand it. Their family business is www.WillowToys.com.

Dayna is a Radical Unschooling Advocate who promotes Peace through encouraging kindness and acceptance to everyone she meets. She is also a passionate public speaker and writer who has been published in "Life Learning Magazine" and "Live Free, Learn Free Magazine". Dayna and her husband Joe became "Unschooling Celebrities" when they appeared as the main guests on the Dr. Phil Show, introducing the world to Unschooling and respectful, peaceful parenting. Since appearing on the show they have become spokespeople for Unschooling and receive emails daily from folks all over the world interested in learning more about living in Joy and Peace with their own families. Dayna has been interviewed by several radio shows worldwide debating and discussing Unschooling while holding her own in very heated discussions. Creating her YouTube video series has been a unique avenue of advocacy viewed by thousands.   

Dayna has been a La Leche League Leader for 8 years and is also a Natural Birth Educator, Attachment Parenting mentor and Doula. She founded The Babywearing Project featured in Mothering Magazine. Dayna's website is www.UnschoolingAmerica.com and she can also be found leading the Yahoo group RadicalUnschooling.

Joe Martin lives in NH with his wife Dayna and four children. He was a chef for 16 years before discovering a hidden talent....making handcrafted toys. Since his discovery, he decided to completely change the course of his life and follow his new passion. He started www.WillowToys.com in the year 2000. Working at home has proven to be rewarding and challenging with 4 children coming in the shop to help him throughout the day. Joe loves to speak about the Law of Attraction and he is a big fan of Tony Robbins and Esther Hicks. Joe is somewhat of a motivational speaker himself empowering everyone who meets him to follow their dreams in life. He even has a YouTube Channel he babbles on about whatever comes to his mind. Joe was the main guest on the Dr. Phil Show recently with his wife Dayna discussing Unschooling and respectful parenting. He dropped some knowledge to the good ole' Dr. and just might have convinced him that Unschooling makes perfect sense! Joe is a strong advocate for Unschooling, Natural birth, Co-sleeping, Non-vaxing, extended breastfeeding and the rights and respect of Children everywhere. He is also a big fan of video games and heavy metal music as he knows how much someone can learn from embracing their passions in life.

Dayna will host:  

The Journey From AP to RU (Atttachment Parenting to Radical Unschooling)
Many parents come to the Unschooling life after having practiced Attachment Parenting in their children's early years. Extending AP philosophy seems to be more difficult for parents once their children get older and their needs change. Applying the same understanding that parents practicing AP have for baby-wearing, child-led weaning and the family bed to older children on topics such as reading, media and foods is an important aspect of Radical Unschooling. Empower yourself and learn about how natural the transition to from AP to RU can be when you to extend the Trust you had for your children when they were babies through their entire lives.   

Finding Your Inner Advocate
The Unschooling life is so inspiring and joyful that many of us quickly become advocates for this unique life. Advocacy comes in many forms and finding the type of advocacy that we enjoy doing best is such an essential aspect of being able to reach others. Advocacy could be anything from starting an Unschooling blog or online group, to leading support groups and meetings in your area, to writing a book, becoming a parenting coach, to facilitating conferences or it could mean simply being kind to your child in public for others to take notice and learn from. We are on the leading edge of social change in our culture being pioneers for this amazing life. If you are someone wanting to make a difference in this World and speak for the rights and respect of children, we invite you to join take part in this session to learn how to advocate in a way that is unique to *Who You Are*.  

Growth Through Our Back-Steps
Living this amazing life Unschooling requires Trust and personal growth. For many there is a process coming to this life that is very similar to the process of birth. When a woman is pushing out a baby, her progress is described as "two steps forward, one step back". This is very similar to how many experience putting Unschooling and peaceful parenting philosophy into practice. When we are learning and applying a new mindset with our children we sometimes have "back-steps" and revert back to our old parenting ways. These moments should not be viewed with guilt and frustration, but views as an important part of the journey.  During our "back-steps" such amazing growth takes place within us. We are able to feel the contrast of emotions and actions from our past parenting practices to how we are living now, striving for Joy and Peace with our children. During this session we will explore how to use and accept these all important "back-steps" to learn and grow from on our own personal paths of putting philosophy into practice.

Nurturing Passions and Interests
Being connected and involved with our children means seeing the learning that takes place in all of their interests, not just what society deems "educational". Unschooling means breaking down the walls and limits associated with a compartmentalized life which separates life and learning into "subjects". True, authentic learning can only come from the freedom to live a life that our children desire, making choices that are right for them. Dayna shares how to connect with our children through all of their interests and how to see the learning that takes place in all that they do. During this session Dayna will also discuss how beneficial Unschooling is for not only children, but for parents, by allowing them to heal from an institutionalized childhood and getting in touch with who they really are as individuals.  Learning how to relight our own flames of curiosity by taking on new interests and being enthusiastic about learning ourselves will enable our children to see that learning through life never ends. Learning IS life. 

Trusting the Universe
If Unschooling could be described in one word, that word would be *Trust*. Trusting our children and ourselves is the key element in living a connected, loving life with our families. The Law of Attraction takes that same trust one step further to not only trusting our families, but trusting the Universe. Sharing with our children that they create their own lives through their thoughts and intentions has been enormously empowering for Unschooling families all over the world. Every human being has the ability to transform any weakness or suffering into strength, power, perfect peace, health, and abundance. During this session Dayna will share how living the Law of Attraction has changed her and her family's life for the better and how you too can empower yourself and your children to create the life you all desire through learning about this scientific law of the Universe.

Joe joins Dayna in hosting:

Respectful Partnerships
It is common that one parent comes to understand Unschooling before the other. This can be a challenging aspect of coming to this life for the entire family. During this session we will explore how to respectfully honor where each of you are on your journey to understand Unschooling and respectful, peaceful parenting. It is important to extend the same respect we have for our children to learn things in their own time to our partners when they are learning about this new philosophy. Our children learn so much from how we treat one another, and respecting where each of you are on this path can sometimes be challenging.  During this session Dayna's husband of 13 years, Joe, joins in the discussion sharing his experience and personal growth as he has come to understand Unschooling and peaceful parenting in his own way, in his own time. Learning to respect, and not trying to control each other, has helped them deepen their love and strengthen their connection as a family.


SUNDAY COTE'
This is Sunday's 3rd year in attendance at the RE Conference and she is so grateful for the opportunity to share and learn with this amazing community of Unschoolers. Living an Unschooling life for the past four years has been a powerful personal growth experience and she has gained tremendous insight and spiritual growth as the parent of two beautifully unschooled boys.
Professionally, Sunday is a skilled spiritual counselor, teacher and certified energy practitioner and has been involved in the fields of spirituality and metaphysics for over 15 years. She holds a degree from the Holmes Institute for Consciousness Studies and is an ordained minister with the United Centers for Spiritual Living. Before becoming a mom, she held positions as both Senior Minister of a Spiritual Center in Washington, DC as well as Spiritual Director for Youth and Family Ministries in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is an EFT Practitioner and Certified BodyTalk Practitioner.
As a Spiritual Coach and Energy Practitioner, Sunday melds together the latest discoveries in energy therapies with the teachings of ancient spiritual principles to powerfully energize spiritually-minded parents to stop doubting their parenting vision and start living it! To find out more visit www.sundaycote.com and download your free guide "Downstream Parenting: Be the change you wish to see in your kids."
Sunday lives Her Unschooling life with her husband Robert and two boys along with a gaggle of animals in sunny Chandler, Arizona.

Sunday hosts:

Full-day Inspired Immersion on Thursday, Sept. 4:

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) for the Parent's Soul
Joyful parenting just got a whole lot easier!


"The most significant thing for a parent to contribute to anyone is their own Connection and their own stability.   An effective parent is a happy parent."
                            -- Abraham-Hicks

As Unschooling parents, we know that meeting our children's needs with respect and love is imperative.  But who among us hasn't felt scattered, frustrated or even resentful from time to time?  It might be hard to admit, but even the most dedicated Unschooling parents have those moments when parenting wisdom goes out the window and we are tempted to revert back to old patterns or practices.  Consider the following scenarios: You are helping your child get ready for bed when you discover that his favorite pajamas -- the only pair he'll wear -- are missing.  You are searching the house without success when your son suddenly remembers he left them at his friend's house after his sleep-over last night.   Now, extra tired, he is in full meltdown, demanding that you drive across town to get them.  You know in your heart that getting his jammies would be a kind and generous act on your part, but let's face it, you're tired and you'd love it if he'd just put on one of the other 3 pairs he has.  Worry and resentment creep in about his sensitivities and the energy that it takes to support him.

You are engrossed in a work project that has a deadline tomorrow when your child requests you play her favorite game for the umpteenth time today.  You know that the "perfect unschooling mom" would drop everything and jump at the chance to spend this quality time with her, but all you really want is a quiet moment to yourself to finish this project!  Guilt tugs at your heart as you wonder if you've really got what it takes to be a good Unschooling parent. 

You are pulled into an argument that is brewing between your two older kids as you are trying to nurse the baby to sleep.  You begin to feel burdened by everybody else's needs.   Most of the time you are able to muster up the calm and strength it takes to lovingly and gently move through these tense moments together, but tonight your old programming tells you that this would be an ideal time for a swift punishment and banishment to the time-out chair - if you had one.  For a fleeting moment as you entertain that option, you question if your respectful parenting ideals will ever overcome your authoritarian past. 

Your teen has just told you she's thinking about attending a party where it is rumored that there will be drugs and alcohol available.  You are grateful that she trusts you enough to tell you and you want to remain open-minded and supportive as she explores this expanding world of choices.  However, at the moment you wish you could calm the fear that is building in the pit of your stomach. 

Even though you are delighted with your parenting and unschooling choices and all is going wonderfully well, you are always open to learning new ways to support your kids as they go through the emotional ups and downs of life.   Your daughter's fear of dogs has kept you from park day for the last few weeks and just recently your son came home upset because two of his friends excluded him from the game they were playing.   Having a tool at your fingertips to help them move through fears and emotional angst would be very helpful. 

If you can relate to any of these scenarios, this session is for you!  During the course of this Inspired Immersion, developed especially for unschooling families, you will learn a simple form of Energy Psychology called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) that you can apply immediately to release old emotions and beliefs that keep you from being the loving and effective parent you know you can be.   You will also learn how to apply EFT to help bring more clarity and patience to stressful moments as well as help to calm your child and to assist him or her in resolving fears, sensitivities and negative emotions.  And as you resolve your own fears and negative emotions, you'll find less and less difference between your parenting vision and your real life experience.

This may seem like a tall order from where you stand right now, but I've experienced it personally in my own life, and witnessed rapid results in the lives of the families who apply these techniques to their everyday lives.  Whether you are a seasoned Unschooler or are just testing the waters, this session will energize you with personal clarity and emotional freedom, as well as equip you with tools to create a happier home and healthier kids along the way.  No prior EFT experience is required.  And if you are already using EFT in your life, you will gain added insight for specific unschooling family situations.  Bring your questions, challenges and emotional baggage.  We will be actively working on them in a gentle, non-confrontational way.  What a way to begin an amazing conference - with greater emotional freedom!

To learn more about EFT and to get a head start before the conference, visit my website at www.sundaycote.com. Download a basic EFT manual and sign up to receive my free guide, "Downstream Parenting: Be the Change You Wish to See In Your Kids."

Keynote: The Ultimate Unschooling Journey:
A Path from Fear and Control to Trust and Freedom


"At every level and every stage of development, there is either love -- and with it, growth -- or fear -- and with it protection and a thwarting of growth."
                            -- Cell Biologist Bruce Lipton

As parents on the Unschooling journey, we all know the formula for success:  "Just follow your children's passions, respect their choices, and trust that they will learn."  Although simple and profound advice,  it is easy to fall short of those ideals from time to time, sometimes more often than we like to admit.  In fact, there's not an Unschooling parent yet who hasn't been faced with real life issues that can stop trust and freedom in their tracks.  Let's face it, Unschooling takes guts!   

Just as Unschooling stretches us to embrace trust in our children's abilities and desires to learn, it also challenges parents to look at our own fears and beliefs at a deep level.  Falling off the Unschooling path happens most when we are confronted with fears involving our children's future, in a world that preaches schooling as the only path to brain development, socialization and success.   In addition, our own conditioned beliefs about education, parenting and discipline, combined with the social pressures and overt judgment from school officials, family members and friends that "just don't get it" can trigger controlling behaviors in us that are so prominent in the consciousness of mainstream society. When under stress, we often revert back to familiar practices or social pressures to conform, even when they contradict all that we consciously believe in. 

So what can we do when fear and control creep into our Unschooling days?   This is what we will be exploring as we identify common and universal fears that challenge our unschooling resolve.  With inspiration, humor, and real life personal experience, Sunday Cote brings insights and practical tools to help parents center, take a breath and move forward in trust and freedom down the joyful path we have chosen for learning and living.

Raise your Consciousness, Raise your Kids
The Vibrational Power of Parenting

"What would it mean to discover that the power to create joy, to heal suffering and bring peace to nations lives inside of you?  How differently would you live if you knew how to use this power each day of your life?"
                            -- Gregg Braden,  Author of  "The Divine Matrix"

How differently would you parent if you knew how to use this power in your Unschooling life?  More importantly, how differently would you parent if you knew how powerfully your consciousness affects your children?   Indeed, this is what spiritual wisdom has been telling us for ages and what recent scientific discoveries have confirmed.  To quote Gregg Braden further, "Between 1993 and 2000, a series of groundbreaking experiments revealed dramatic evidence of a web of energy that connects everything in our lives and our world – the Divine Matrix.  From the healing of our bodies, to the success of our careers, relationships, and the peace between nations, this new evidence demonstrates that we each hold the power to speak directly to the force that links all of creation."

If you've seen the popular movie "The Secret" these ideas will sound familiar, however they go far beyond the basic and sometime simplistic ideas that have been popularized by recent interest in the "Law of Attraction."  As a New Thought minister and spiritual teacher of metaphysical principle