ideas for groups, or parties
Sandra Dodd
Because some people have lately been worried about kids not getting out, not finding friends, not mixing it up, here's something you might consder:
http://lauragraceweldon.com/2012/05/08/benefits-of-special-interest-groups/
That's an article (book excerpt) by Laura Weldon, listing several kinds of get-togethers her kids or other families have organized and kept going for a while. But as I was reading it, I thought there could be one-shot gatherings of that kind too, so that there could be a theme party and then IF that's fun, there could be a second one. Maybe up to an 80th. But if you plan for something to be the first of a series and the first time doesn't work out well, there's failure. If you plan for a party and there's still partying... success!!
She describes a science club, a cooking group, mentions boffers, hiking, letterboxing, historic reenactment, live-action role-playing, pirates, stop-motion movie making, sketching, book discussions.
There are lists of suggestions and practical considerations.
When my kids were little we were in a sort of field-trip co-op called "Moms with Something Extra." Some of the outings were fun. One of my weeks, I organized a bike and trike parade in a park that was full of sidewalks going everywhere, and brought crepe paper and cards and clothes pins to decorate bike spokes and handlebars. That was a dud, turned out, because the other moms really wanted things to be *educational.* So if you organize one as an unschooler, it might be good to remind people that art, music and playing are good things too.
Another idea is to look for such things already organized by others. You don't have to create a geology club if there already is one. There are garden club meetings and tours in some towns, and opportunities to trade plants and seeds.
If you find something and your child has zero interest, maybe you could find a place to leave him while you go and do something in a special-interest group!
Sandra
http://lauragraceweldon.com/2012/05/08/benefits-of-special-interest-groups/
That's an article (book excerpt) by Laura Weldon, listing several kinds of get-togethers her kids or other families have organized and kept going for a while. But as I was reading it, I thought there could be one-shot gatherings of that kind too, so that there could be a theme party and then IF that's fun, there could be a second one. Maybe up to an 80th. But if you plan for something to be the first of a series and the first time doesn't work out well, there's failure. If you plan for a party and there's still partying... success!!
She describes a science club, a cooking group, mentions boffers, hiking, letterboxing, historic reenactment, live-action role-playing, pirates, stop-motion movie making, sketching, book discussions.
There are lists of suggestions and practical considerations.
When my kids were little we were in a sort of field-trip co-op called "Moms with Something Extra." Some of the outings were fun. One of my weeks, I organized a bike and trike parade in a park that was full of sidewalks going everywhere, and brought crepe paper and cards and clothes pins to decorate bike spokes and handlebars. That was a dud, turned out, because the other moms really wanted things to be *educational.* So if you organize one as an unschooler, it might be good to remind people that art, music and playing are good things too.
Another idea is to look for such things already organized by others. You don't have to create a geology club if there already is one. There are garden club meetings and tours in some towns, and opportunities to trade plants and seeds.
If you find something and your child has zero interest, maybe you could find a place to leave him while you go and do something in a special-interest group!
Sandra