Carol D. Wickwire

Mary Ellen,
Thanks for the support! Unfortunately, the surfing culture has battled to
overcome the stigma of drugged out bums, and many people still have a
negative concept of the sport. Actually, professional surfers make quite
a good income, but I also want him to have a strong educational
background. Besides, how long can ANY professional sports career last? I
also want to portray homeschoolers in an academic light, as many people
have an ignorant view of hsers as drop outs, or losers who can't cope
with life. I hate that.

Carol Wickwire <*)))><
Angeli 17, Amber 16, Amanda 14 and Adam 11
Homeschooling For the Glory of God at Oceanside Academy
http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/Florida-homeschool
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the
world, love for the Father is not in him." 1 John 15

___________________________________________________________________
Why pay more to get Web access?
Try Juno for FREE -- then it's just $9.95/month if you act NOW!
Get your free software today: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

Jeff & Diane Gwirtz

> Thanks anyway Susan... we are planning a move out to California (for at
> least part of the year) in about three more years. I may look back into
> that again. Adam is already competing on a National level, and I'm not
> sure how flexible college would be with all the travel that is involved
> with touring. Travel in itself is a wonderful unschooling experience
> though!
>
Carol - When you have time, I'd love to hear more about Adam's
surfing - the travelling and competition - sounds pretty exciting for
an 11 year old.

Diane in KS

Carol D. Wickwire

Thanks anyway Susan... we are planning a move out to California (for at
least part of the year) in about three more years. I may look back into
that again. Adam is already competing on a National level, and I'm not
sure how flexible college would be with all the travel that is involved
with touring. Travel in itself is a wonderful unschooling experience
though!

Carol Wickwire <*)))><
Angeli 17, Amber 16, Amanda 14 and Adam 11
Homeschooling For the Glory of God at Oceanside Academy
http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/Florida-homeschool
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the
world, love for the Father is not in him." 1 John 15

___________________________________________________________________
Why pay more to get Web access?
Try Juno for FREE -- then it's just $9.95/month if you act NOW!
Get your free software today: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

Carol D. Wickwire

> Carol - When you have time, I'd love to hear more about Adam's
> surfing - the travelling and competition - sounds pretty exciting
> for
> an 11 year old.
>
> Diane in KS

Well, you know Diane, about the worst thing you can do is uncork a proud
Mommy! I will try to be brief! (Right!) Adam started competing in local
surfing contests at age 8, and was winning by age 10. He has traveled
solo to Costa Rica three times, and Hawaii once. While in Costa Rica, he
stayed at a Christian Surfing camp on the coast in Jaco. He has spent six
weeks in all training out there. He traveled to California last June with
his Dad, and won first place at NSSA Nationals for his division! This
really opened so many doors. Adam has been featured several times in
Surfing and Surfer magazines... pictures and small write ups. He has
surfboard, clothing, shoe, sunglass and deckpad sponsors who provide
everything (and more) that he could possibly need. They also pay him
travel allowance, as well as his entry fees and $$ bonuses for contest
wins. His surfboard/clothing sponsor, Rusty, sent him to Hawaii for two
weeks in October. He stayed with the Rusty team at a beautiful three
story home on the North shore. There were good aspects and bad aspects to
this trip, most of the negative centers around the influence of older
boys, and young men. We have worked hard to assist Adam in making "right"
choices. In an industry where injury can take it all away overnight, we
take things one day at a time. He has plans to go to Puerto Rico,
California, and Costa Rica this coming year. If perchance he burns out on
his sport, or does not have what it takes to make it, he would like to
attend chef school. (?) Possibly a harebrained scheme as he certainly is
never in MY kitchen! Ho ho. Anyhow... it has all been crazy, and it is a
lot for a little 11 year old. The responsibility has been good for him,
and he has matured greatly through his travel experiences. He is still my
sweet baby though, and I still tuck him in at night, and read to him.
Harry Potter is still his favorite book, and torturing his older sisters
is still his favorite pastime! So he really hasn't changed in a lot of
ways. As you can see, I love to talk about this. I'm like one of those
senior citizens who love to discuss bowel problems. Ahem. Anyhow...
thanks for asking. The travel is most exciting for him, and I know one
day, when he's grown, he will look back at his amazing fortune and
hopefully know how lucky he was.

Carol Wickwire <*)))><
Angeli 17, Amber 16, Amanda 14 and Adam 11
Homeschooling For the Glory of God at Oceanside Academy
http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/Florida-homeschool
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the
world, love for the Father is not in him." 1 John 15

___________________________________________________________________
Why pay more to get Web access?
Try Juno for FREE -- then it's just $9.95/month if you act NOW!
Get your free software today: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

Cindy Ferguson

Carol D. Wickwire wrote:
>
> Well, you know Diane, about the worst thing you can do is uncork a proud
> Mommy!

Thanks for filling us in on your son's surfing adventures. What
wonderful experiences he is having!

--

Cindy Ferguson
crma@...

Jeff & Diane Gwirtz

Thanks for filling us in Carol. Wow!! I'm so impressed! It must
have been hard for you to let him start travelling alone. Keep us
posted on his progress. I don't think you have anything to worry
about unschooling-wise. He's getting quite an education just
travelling.

Diane in KS

Sandi Myers

This is all just so great! I LOVE hearing about unschooling kids doing
their own thing! Makes me want to ask (facetiously, of course), but what
about his socialization? And do you think he will know enough math?

Your son brings to my mind Grace Llewellyn's t-shirt about unschooling.

Sandi
>
> Well, you know Diane, about the worst thing you can do is uncork a proud
> Mommy! I will try to be brief! (Right!) Adam started competing in local
> surfing contests at age 8, and was winning by age 10. He has traveled
> solo to Costa Rica three times, and Hawaii once. While in Costa Rica, he
> stayed at a Christian Surfing camp on the coast in Jaco. He has spent six
> weeks in all training out there. He traveled to California last June with
> his Dad, and won first place at NSSA Nationals for his division! This
> really opened so many doors. Adam has been featured several times in
> Surfing and Surfer magazines... pictures and small write ups. He has
> surfboard, clothing, shoe, sunglass and deckpad sponsors who provide
> everything (and more) that he could possibly need. They also pay him
> travel allowance, as well as his entry fees and $$ bonuses for contest
> wins. His surfboard/clothing sponsor, Rusty, sent him to Hawaii for two
> weeks in October. He stayed with the Rusty team at a beautiful three
> story home on the North shore. There were good aspects and bad aspects to
> this trip, most of the negative centers around the influence of older
> boys, and young men. We have worked hard to assist Adam in making "right"
> choices. In an industry where injury can take it all away overnight, we
> take things one day at a time. He has plans to go to Puerto Rico,
> California, and Costa Rica this coming year. If perchance he burns out on
> his sport, or does not have what it takes to make it, he would like to
> attend chef school. (?) Possibly a harebrained scheme as he certainly is
> never in MY kitchen! Ho ho. Anyhow... it has all been crazy, and it is a
> lot for a little 11 year old. The responsibility has been good for him,
> and he has matured greatly through his travel experiences. He is still my
> sweet baby though, and I still tuck him in at night, and read to him.
> Harry Potter is still his favorite book, and torturing his older sisters
> is still his favorite pastime! So he really hasn't changed in a lot of
> ways. As you can see, I love to talk about this. I'm like one of those
> senior citizens who love to discuss bowel problems. Ahem. Anyhow...
> thanks for asking. The travel is most exciting for him, and I know one
> day, when he's grown, he will look back at his amazing fortune and
> hopefully know how lucky he was.
>
> Carol Wickwire <*)))><
> Angeli 17, Amber 16, Amanda 14 and Adam 11
> Homeschooling For the Glory of God at Oceanside Academy
> http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/Florida-homeschool
> "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the
> world, love for the Father is not in him." 1 John 15

Corinna

> From: "Nina Simon" <nsimon@...>
>
> What Grace Llewellyn t-shirt?

Ditto! What t-shirt? I must know, I want one! Or two or....

I love what I've been reading here, and have been trying to form some sort
of introduction for myself for the past week, so I can contribute.

There's a lot I want to tell, and I think some of you might be interested in
hearing about parts of my life, but then again, maybe not. So I've decided
to put it all on a web page for anyone who is interested in a grown-up,
highschool rise-out.
I'll send a link as soon as I have it up.

For now, here's the basics: female; married; age 30; 2 daughters, ages 7
and 11; live in the burbs of Battle Ground, WA. We've been homeschooling
since 1994. My older daughter spent 2nd and 3rd grade in public school, the
younger one spent about 3 months in Kindergarten. That was more than enough
for both of them, they assure me.

I happened to stumble upon an interesting page at the Mensa institute
http://www.mfgc.org.uk/mfgc/faq.html#highly_intelligent_behavioural_problems
(I'm NOT a member, just looking for info) that lists some of the traits of
gifted kids. It also gives advice on how to teach your gifted child, but
it's just basically what everyone here is already doing, I imagine.

Well, I think this is long enough for an intro! :) Take care.

```````````````````````````````````
Virtually yours,
Corinna
irocket@...

[email protected]

Carol,
Now that I know a little more about Adam, I am really wondering what you
are worried about. How many 11 year olds have this much success under
their belts? I'm betting he'll have a fine life!
Mary Ellen
Seek joy in what you give, not in what you get.

> Adam started competing in local surfing contests at age 8, and was
winning by age 10. He has traveled solo to Costa Rica three times, and
Hawaii once. >>


___________________________________________________________________
Why pay more to get Web access?
Try Juno for FREE -- then it's just $9.95/month if you act NOW!
Get your free software today: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

Nina Simon

What Grace Llewellyn t-shirt?

Carol D. Wickwire

Hi Mary Ellen,
Thanks for the uplifting words! I need those from time to time. I guess I
worry that he still doesn't read on his own (unless it's surfing
magazine), he still has to be monitored to some extent to make sure he's
done his math page... little things like that. Hopefully these things
will take care of themselves at some point.

Carol Wickwire <*)))><
Angeli 17, Amber 16, Amanda 14 and Adam 11
Homeschooling For the Glory of God at Oceanside Academy
http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/Florida-homeschool
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the
world, love for the Father is not in him." 1 John 15

___________________________________________________________________
Why pay more to get Web access?
Try Juno for FREE -- then it's just $9.95/month if you act NOW!
Get your free software today: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.

Sandi Myers

>
> What Grace Llewellyn t-shirt?

It is from Grace Llewellyn at Genius Tribe, says "unschooler \un-'skul-er\n
: one who learns from life and love and great books and late morning
conversations and BIG PROJECTS and eccentric uncles and mountains and
mistakes and volunteering and starry nights--instead of from classrooms and
exceedingly dull textbooks and sedative lectures and interfering homework.
Synonyms: HOMESCHOOLER, SELF-SCHOOLER, AUTODIDACT, RISE-OUT." On the back,
this quote from The Teenage Liberation Handbook: "The most overwhelming
reality of school is CONTROL. School controls the way you spend your time
(what is life made of if not time?), how you behave, what you read, and to a
large extent what you think. In school you can't control your own life.
Outside of school you can, at least to the extent that your parents trust
you to.'Comparing me to those who are conventionally schooled,' writes a
12-year-old unschooler, "Is like comparing the freedoms of a wild stallion
to those of cattle in a feedlot.'

There is a kinder and gentler version that only has the stuff on the front.

Couldn't remember it all and had to dig out a GT catalog!

Sandi
>
>

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/07/1999 4:03:47 PM Pacific Standard Time,
poki4@... writes:

<< I guess I
worry that he still doesn't read on his own (unless it's surfing
magazine), he still has to be monitored to some extent to make sure he's
done his math page... little things like that. Hopefully these things
will take care of themselves at some point. >>
Your son sounds like he is having a wonderful life! How hard it must be
for you to let him go, I know it sure would be for me. I just wanted to add
that my dh does not read on his own unless its a motorcross magazine or the
instruction manual to my new camera and he is a very successful contractor.
I wonder if there is any correlation between those who are very hands on/
physical/engineering/fabricating kind of people who do not read much? It
sure makes sense in our family. I am not so hands on and I read voraciously.
I enjoyed hearing about your son's adventures!

Kathy