What happens at this thing?
The Northeast Unschooling Conference is packed from morning until night with all kinds of things to do for all ages. And if you still want more, there's the health club with Olympic sized pool, tennis courts, and fitness equipment. Plus we're easily accessible to Boston and Salem. If you're a night owl, there'll be a couple of rooms open until the wee hours for socializing. It's all age non-discriminatory and all fun.
Times
We start on Thursday afternoon with registration at 2 PM and end Sunday afternoon. But we also have the picnic on Monday, so plan to stay and hang out with unschoolers on Sunday afternoon - maybe just around the pool, or maybe explore Salem or Boston.
Presenters
You'll hear experienced and interesting speakers tell their stories and give helpful advice. You'll be able to pick their brains and get to know them. Some of the presentations will be in a lecture format (always with time afterwards for questions) and many will be in a group discussion format. Unschooling conferences are different from traditional conferences - our presenters are part of the community and you can meet them and talk to them just like real people!
Funshops
Funshops are open to all ages, although younger children may need help from a parent or older friend for some of them. Funshops will include things like arts and crafts, letterboxing, music, cheerleading, dance, science play, and many, many more.
Talent Show
The Saturday night conference talent show allows people of all ages to gather and celebrate each other. You will enjoy a variety of acts ranging from a joke-telling 3 year old to experienced professional performers. It's a welcoming environment that encourages us to take risks and rejoice in all our talents.
Untrepreneurial Fair
The Untrepreneurial Fair will be available to all unschoolers (adults and kids) who are registered for the conference. At this table they may sell items they make to conference attendees. There will be no charge or commission for unschoolers to sell their homemade items. (No food products, please!)
Special Spaces
We are lucky to have an abundance of space at this conference site, so in addition to spaces for presentations, discussions, and funshops, we'll also have a Playroom with things especially meant for our younger ones to enjoy, a Game Room where people will be able to set up their computer and video games, as well as tables for card, role-playing, and other kinds of games, and a Creativity Room, stuffed with the tools for arts and crafts and inventing.
Play!
There's a lot to do with unschoolers of all ages. Some folks will pull up a corner and just enjoy talking to supportive, like-minded people. Some kids may passionately play Yu-gi-oh together or set up impromptu video game centers. Some families may spend most of their time at the pool, while others may explore the area together.
Stay 'til Monday
The official conference ends Sunday afternoon, but it's a long weekend and we're planning great things for Monday. Peabody is right next to historic Salem, Massachusetts, and we're compiling a special package of discounts and coupons at attractions throughout Salem that will be free to conference attendees.
Then we'll meet at Salem Willows, a park and old-fashioned New England amusement park right on the ocean. (You can see what it's like here: www.SalemWeb.com/willows/ http://www.salemweb.com/willows/
We can hang out and chat and picnic at this lovely place, wander about, perhaps take a boat ride or buy taffy, and play pinball and skeeball. If you're brave, try the famous Chop Suey Sandwich.
