Camping with unschooled kids
The first rule of camping with unschooled kids is; there are no rules.
- It’s the fourth day in to our family camping trip -
So far it’s been a riot.
A totally freeing experience for the kids to roam, explore, run, build, play, negotiate and interact.
We’re here with four other home schooling families (slightly fewer than last time) but we have a host of day visitors coming too; those who can’t make the full weekend away from work etc
I’ve noticed a super relaxed atmosphere between families who are with us - all ones we know well through various groups and friendships.
There are no expectations and no judgements here, which makes it a place we feel comfortable.
The children are free to do as they choose.
Most of them have been going barefoot on the cold, wet grass.
Adults don’t see the appeal of barefoot right now as the temperature has hovered around 12 degrees..
Bedtimes are often a contentious issue in many households but even in our home they are very loose, and when we’re camping.... anything goes.
It’s all about whenever the kids are happy to wind down and stop playing.
Last night it was 10pm for our eldest, which is amazing considering all the fun things going on in to the night for him to do.
Our approach to food over the weekend has been totally unstructured too, and follows the principle that when we are hungry, we will eat. This very much goes for the kids. We prepare - and when they want it they can have it. It’s no trouble.
They know that they can ask to eat when they are hungry; and so they come to us for food and snacks when play concludes to its natural end.
There is a river running by the campsite which is prime for skimming stones, wading through in wellies and finding insects.
They’re amazingly safe in a group when playing. There’s a strong trust that if a group member has a problem then the rest will report back and help.
We don’t need any items from home - we didn’t bring any toys and the kids have been totally occupied.
This has been a real holiday. Remarkably stress free and easy.
As for what the kids learnt from the trip...?
It’s difficult to measure. I’m sure it doesn’t even need measuring.
Be excellent to each other.
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What!? Are you saying it's not chaos when children do whatever they want? ;D
😆
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Well said. It has been a wonderful end to our summer holiday. I can’t wait for spring to camp again!!
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Me too @radicalpears
Let’s get a campervan!
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Looks like a good time is being had by all.
Just feel there must the be initial inklings of a Steem Homeschooling promo video in there somewhere...
It’s been great. Yeah maybe a promo but I didn’t film anything over this weekend! But yeah, a promo for homeschool activities would be achievable I think. @radicalpears what do you reckon?
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It would be good to go with the new @HomeEdders Discord that @minismallholding has set up.
As an adult who was homeschooled, I heartily enjoyed this! Keep up the great work!
Wow thank you - that is encouraging to hear!
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Sounds a great experience for everyone and one that will be repeated with less anticipation next time around. Would love to be able to fast forward 15-years and see how your kids are as adults... I imagine them being great examples for the rest of us. Bravo mate
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Thanks mate - funnily we have just been talking about that around the campfire; what our kids will be like in 10-15 years time! What will their skills and interests be? Who knows. As long as they develop a set of skills that they enjoy that people will pay them for, then I think they will be just fine :)
Cheers for the comment
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I remember going on a camping trip with a bunch of other homeschoolers before, was awesome fun times but freezing so we only ended up staying one night XD
Sounds like an amazing experience they're going to tell stories to their kids about :)
Love this post. We have been camping a lot lately with our two boys (almost 5 and almost 3) and it is so awesome for all the reasons you describe. The days are full of amazing exploration and construction and investigation, meals are wolfed down and tired bodies pass out early. Sounds cool to do it with a big group of other familes/kids! Nature is the best school, for sure.
Brilliant! Yes being in nature is a fantastic way to bring the family together.
We have only been camping with others really as the kids are all pals and play so well together - that’s what he seems to need right now; others to bounce his energy off!
I love playing with him but my energy is very limited indeed these days!
Ours are 1 & 5 so basically the same age group too
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