Carol

We're excited to announce the 4th Annual Unschoolers Waterpark Gathering will be at Sandusky, Ohio's Kalahari Indoor Waterpark Resort, May 15 – 20, 2011.

 
 
UNBELIEVABLY GROUP ROOM RATES – beginning as low as * $85 / night  We're pleased to announce, by moving our Gathering to mid-May, not only did our room rates not increase, but several room rates actually decreased!  (* Note  - rate above is for standard room, sleeps 6 & includes 4 waterpark passes.  Other room  types and rates are also available)

 
Also by moving our Unschoolers Waterpark Gathering to mid-May, we can take advantage of:

Kalahari's new Outdoor Adventure Park (opening later this month!) http://www.kalahariresorts.com/oh/newsevents/safariadventurepark/

·         CTS Zip Line – zip rides at over 60 ft in the air along a 200 – 400 ft course
·         Adventure Climbing Wall – (3) 32 ft. climbing walls
·         Ropes Course  - 750 ft of thrilling African themed ropes adventures
Kalahari's Safari Animal Park - walk-about zoo featuring over 50 animals, along with camels rides, feeding of giraffes and other animals, etc… 
 
Kalahari's educational Zoo Keeper's course - 2  hr. behind the scenes learning where participants can interact and assist with the feeding and care of various animals.

AREA ATTRACTIONS

There are also lots of things to do and see in May, around Sandusky and Lake Erie.   We'll be arranging several offsite field trips, including ……..


Lake Erie Ferry Rides


Enjoy a scenic 2 hr. ferry ride exclusively for our group, for only $6! 

Ferries leave from downtown Sandusky and view the nearby shorelines, coal docks and also the famed Marblehead Lighthouse – the oldest continuously running lighthouse on the Great Lakes.

Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum


Less than 10 minutes from the Kalahari is Edison's hometown and birthplace Museum.  The Museum features a collection of rare Edisonia, including examples of many of Edison's early inventions, documents, and family mementos.  http://www.tomedison.org/index.html

Cedar Point Amusement Park http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/park/rides/index.cfm


Enjoy a day at the world largest roller coaster park.  Features over 75 rides, including 17 roller coasters, along with lots of family friendly rides and entertainment.  For the last 10+ years, its been rated the #1 Amusement Park in the world!   http://www.wrsol.com/usatravelguide/2009/05/10bestamusementparksinamerica/

 
INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN KEYNOTE SPEAKER

We'll again be having another outstanding, internationally known keynote speaker, along with several other well known and respected unschooling speakers. We're finalizing details will be announcing our speakers soon.


WE'LL ALSO BE ADDING SEVERAL NEW EVENTS…….


Mentoring


For those who would like to be grouped together with an unschooling family who's been to past Unschooling Waterpark Gatherings, we'll be offering group mentoring.  We'll put 3-4 families who liked to be mentored with a  "seasoned" unschooling family who's been to 2 or more past Unschooling Waterpark Gatherings. Mentoring groups will be assigned before the Gathering, so families can start to get to know their mentor and other families and to also begin sharing questions and info of what to expect at our unschooling Gatherings. Once at the Gathering, time will be allotted each morning, for mentoring families to gather and chat with their mentor, if so desired. Or families can choose other meeting times, as best works for them.  

Speed Dating


For a fun and quick way to get to know fellow attendees, we'll be doing speed dating for families and also individuals to partake.  Participants will be given a certain number of minutes to mingle, then change "dates" every so many minutes over approximately a 2 hour time period.

Mom's Night Out (MNO)


One evening will be geared toward the Moms this year!  We plan on having a mom's hot tub "meeting" or two  in the waterpark, evening henna painting, and a mom's night out to chat and mingle – stay tuned for more details……….
 
OTHER EVENTS BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND


Monday Night Carnival


Lots of games, food , entertainment and fun for all!

Fairy Godparents


We'll again let those who want to partake, secretly draw names and then spend the week making one's godchild feel special.

Kids' Market Place


Kids again will have a chance to market and sell their wares. This has grown to become one of our most popular events and thus we'll be utilizing 3 times more ballroom space for this event next year.

Music Jam Session


Bring your own instruments and join along in a casual jamming session.  All ages welcomed!

Talent Show


All ages and talents welcomed for a fun night of community and camaraderie. 

Movie Night


We'll begin the evening showing a "G" rated kid friendly family movie.  Then, a PG / PG-13 movie geared more for our older kids.  As always, all ages are welcomed at one or both movies.

SSUDs


Secret Society of Unschooling Dads will again be convening throughout the week. Only men folk are granted access.  Cool conversation, new ideas and friendships are sure to result!

Thursday Night Family Dance


Join us on our last night for a remarkable grand ballroom family dance. Many find this the highlight of the entire week! 
 
REGISTRATION


Registration will begin in September on a first come basis.  Be sure to register early, not only to take advantage of the early bird regstn ( see below), but to guarantee space, as last year several who tried to book late couldn't get a room.

Early Bird Reservation deadline is Feb. 15, 2011.  Great News - Our Early Bird bonuses have increased, from $20 to $45 in combination of Kalahari Gift and Gaming Room Cards and mini golf passes.
 
For further information,  please join our UWG Yahoo group now at: http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/UWG
 
Happy Unschooling!

Carol Reinhard – UWG Gathering Coordinator
Kimberly Conti – UWG Speaker Coordinator
Kim Lowery – UWG Main Events Coordinator
Bethany Ward – UWG Funshop Coordinator

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