Activity Timetable

LINK TO THE DOCUMENT
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjMi83FgehB_dDFiM1l0YlNLdENHSGNnOUM0QTQ0d2c&usp=gmail#gid=6

IHC 2014 poster

Click to see full size

Please share this poster on your networks and help us reach out to the families who are following alternative ways

General Information, Things to keep in mind about IHC and St Mary's

We are so happy at the thought of being together soon! Here is some general information:

1. St. Mary's has a huge play ground that is on the edge of a valley. Please bring footballs, cricket equipment and any other games equipment. There is plenty of space! Does anyone have those cups or cones which are used in football training? There are some simple warm up games that we played recently at a ground in Mumbai with them.

2. We will be organizing at least one walk/trek, and more if possible. Those interested should bring appropriate shoes, caps, water bottles and carry a snack.

3. There is a pond that people may be able to swim in. So please do carry your swim wear, towels and soaps.

4. Please bring waste materials that can be used for art, craft, making drums and Arvind Gupta toys. Those who are offering sessions, do share what you would like participants to bring.

5. Bring a musical instrument, costume or anything they would like to perform.

6. There will be a Mela on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, where you can 'show, tell, display, sell'. Please give us some idea of who will be putting up what. There are no tables and only a few benches, so bring a mat, dhurrie or sheet to spread down.

Simultaneously adults can display and explain their curriculum and resources. This can continue impromptu for all the days.

7. Can everyone also bring at least one newspaper or magazine from their place. We will use these in the "News Critic" workshop. Even if you aren't attending the workshop you may contribute a newspaper for it. We might use these for other sessions as well.

8. There is a Tuck Shop, with biscuits, chips, juices...

9. Please remember to pack your and your children's medications and basic 1st Aid needs.

10. About the under 3 year olds, since St. Mary's is not charging them, they will not get a bed or plate, but will eat and sleep with the parents.

11. The hot water timings are: 7 - 8 am and 6 - 8 pm. Steven has requested us to not all bathe at one time, but split up into morning and evening shifts for bathing, as there will not be enough hot water for all at one time.

12. Meal timings are non negotiable, so please end sessions on time:
Breakfast 8 - 9 am
Mid morning tea 10.30
Lunch 1 - 2 pm
Tea 4 pm
Dinner 8 - 9 pm

13.Weather Information: http://www.accuweather.com/en/in/khandala/204664/hourly-weather-forecast/204664
Bring warm clothes for the evenings and nights. This year is colder than last year, even in Pune. Khandala will be colder. It is also windy some nights.

There are blankets at St. Mary's. But bring softer warm covers if adults or children need.

14. Lastly, the staff will be overwhelmed if we all try to talk to them, so if you have any requests or queries while at the venue, please contact Nikhil Trivedi for food, Nandita for rooms, and Supriya and Urmila if you still need something. They have said to please do this before 5pm, as the staff goes home after that.


Looking forward to a great time together!

Swashikshan Team IHC - 13.

2nd Indian Homeschoolers Conference Feb 2014

The much awaited second Indian Homeschoolers Conference (IHC ’14) is here – a gathering of like minded souls at Khandala to share their experiences, learn from each other and rejoice the company of the amazing homeschooling community.

If you have not been to the conference before and want to know more about the experience please read last years report – Reflecting back at the Indian Homeschoolers Conference!.  There is one more article, written by Aravinda,  about the last years conference that one can read – Khandala and the Yule-tide Spirit

The venue for the conference is St. Mary’s Villa, Khandala and the dates are21st – 25th February, 2014 (Friday – Tuesday).

Payment and registration details of the conference are as follows:

1. The conference fee is Rs.2,500/- per person
2. This includes all meals, activities, sessions art and craft materials etc. during the conference
3. The fee is the same whether you attend for some or all five days
4. No charge and no bed for children aged 3 years and under
5. Please put any accomodation related requests ONLY in the registration form .
6. For those coming for only one day it will be Rs.700/-. This does not include charges for night stay. Participants who want to stay on will have to register in advance and pay the entire conference charges
7. All advances are non refundable
8. Payments : Please click here.
   
9. If you would like to contribute to offset expenses for others with financial constraints, or if you need to apply for assistance, please also contact us.

For any further queries please mail us at india.homeschoolers.conference@gmail.com or call/sms Nandita Deosthale at +91 9764006746. Please note that it may not be possible for us to respond instantly but we will get back to you in reasonable time.

People who are exploring homeschooling but not actually practicing will be welcome on Sunday 23rd. We will hold special FAQ sessions only on that day. You are also welcome to join all sessions and activities on that day.

SPREAD THE WORD!

Are you ready...

Moving on to IHC 2014

Note: The posts older than this one are for the 2013 event, though some updates are timeless because the venue remains the same. Please see the posts newer than this for updates related to the 2nd Indian Homeschoolers Conference that's happening on 21-25 Feb 2014 at St. Mary's, Khandala.

Dear Friends,

We are so happy at the thought of being together soon!  Please read and respond to this second update:

1.  St. Mary's has a huge play ground that is on the edge of a valley.  They will be able to provide us with a guide for a trek down to the valley.  Steven has advised us to go early morning before breakfast to avoid the heat.  Those interested should bring appropriate shoes, caps, water bottles and carry a snack.

2.  Shilpa Parulekar will be organizing games and sports, so do bring a cricket set and two footballs which can be shared if you can.

3.  Hema Gopinathan and Ranu Prashant will be doing needle work including embroidery, knitting and crocheting.  Those interested please bring your needles, yarn etc.

4.  There will be a Children's Mela on the 1st morning (which can be carried on in an impromptu manner throughout the conference).  Children can 'show, tell, display, sell'.  Please give us some idea of who will be putting up what.  There are no tables and only a few benches, so bring a mat or sheet to spread down.  It will be in a hall and semi open corridor.

5.  Simulataneously adults can display and explain their curriculum and resources. This can also continue impromptu for all the days.

6.  There is a Tuck Shop.  Please send in your children's snack list in case St. Mary's can provide.

7.  Please remember to pack your and your children's medications and basic 1st Aid needs. 

8.  About the under 3 year olds, since St. Mary's is not charging them, they will not get a bed or plate, but will eat and sleep with the parents.

9.  The hot water timings are on the blog, and Steven has requested us to not all bathe at one time, but split up into morning and evening shifts for bathing, as there will not be enough hot water for all at one time.

10.  Lastly, the staff will be overwhelmed if we all try to talk to them, so if you have any requests or queries while at the venue, please contact Nikhil for food, Supriya for rooms, and Urmila.  They have said to please do this before 5pm, as the staff goes home after that.

Looking forward to a great time together!

Swashikshan Team IHC - 13.

Hi everyone

The excitement is building up at my end! How about you? The countdown has begun! :)

We are trying our best to download all the music that some of you put down in the playlist we were creating.

We haven't got too many other suggestions too from all of you, and I'm guessing everyone must be busy.

So, please do remember to pack your music too in some way, along with your other stuff, and bring it along to share with everyone!

See you all soon!

Priya Desikan

"Be the change you wish to see in the world"

 

Priya Desikan <prisri30@yahoo.com>

Dear Friends,

For the first time in India, Homeschooling families from all over the country will gather together to have fun, share our joys and fears, bond with each other, and celebrate our choice to be free at Swashikshan’s first Indian Homeschooler’s Conference – 2013 (IHC – 13). In order to help us help you make the most of our time together, let us brainstorm together. Please respond to any, preferably all the questions below. You can confer with your spouse and children and send in joint or separate responses:

1. Is there anything you would particularly want from this conference.
2. Do you have any talent or skill you would like to share.
3. Do your children have any ideas to add?
4. Would you or your child like to participate in the stage night?
5. Will you or your child be bringing things to sell, show or talk about at a stall at the Mela, including curriculum? Please give us details as soon as possible so we can arrange a space.
6. There is a tuck shop at St. Mary’s. In case they are open to keep certain favourite items of your children, do send us a list. We do not promise anything, but we can put forward your request.
7. Priya has already requested for favourite music to make a play list for the last night bonfire party. Navin had suggested that we have some good quality music too. I think it would be nice if people could bring along ‘good’ music in addition to the fun dance tunes which we can play at other times all through the conference. Do let us know what you can bring or suggest.
8. We will be having a book and toy corner. Please bring books you no longer need that can be left there for children to browse through. Also bring toys that you no longer need for children to play with. Board games and anything else you can think of are also welcome.
9. Would you like to initiate a session? There will be a chart with free slots where you can add your session.
10. Do you have any ideas for the inauguration when we will all be together – babies, children, teens, parents, grandparents.

If you do not wish to put down lengthy answers but just need to pass an idea, do call Urmila on 9422330377.

Registrations closing soon!!

We have only a few spaces left and will be closing registrations soon, however, people are welcome to make a day visit or overnight trip.  On the spot registration rates will apply. Looking forward to this exciting first conference!

IHC Talks Session by Dola

Dola will coordinate India Homeschoolers Conference Talks (IHC Talks) during the homeschoolers' conference to be held at Khandala.

The salient features of the talks:

1. Speakers can choose a topic or theme that has inspired them.

2. She will also give a few general themes which the speakers can suit to their own specifics.

3. The talks would be for a duration of 20 minutes.

4. Hopefully two talks per day..one morning one evening.

5. No discussions or question answer session after the talks.

6. The idea is to allow people to speak whatever they are passionate about or that which touched their lives..without the pressing need to convince, canvass, propagate or defend their ideas...

7. The audience can listen and then disperse and mull over the talks and see what it leads them to..

8. Since we have three days she suggests at least 10 volunteer speakers...9 are ideal..but an extra so that we have 3 talks each day confirmed...

9. There is no bar and you can talk on any damn thing under the sun...

10. With only one commitment that even there are only two people to listen to your talk..you will not get disheartened...She will surely be one of the two!

11. The talks can also go as part of Swashikshan TV...if the speaker consents to it.

Spaces for Activities

Suggestions for spaces at St. Marys:

1.  Sports - There is a huge play ground.  There is shade on one side for spectators and a valley on the other side.  Trekking down in to the valley is possible.

2.  Theatre - Outside the dining hall there is a shaded space that can be used as a stage.  Dhurries will have to be hired and a few chairs are available for seating.  There is a pit in the middle for a bonfire, and electrical point for hooking up music for the final night party.

3.  Martial Arts - Early morning and evening it can be on the sports ground (which is too sunny during the day).  If Nikhil prefers during the day, then there is a huge lawn with plenty of shady trees.  Games are not allowed there, so only if the martial arts will not spoil the lawn will it be allowed there.  Or it can be in the hall or along the ample corridors. 

4.  Art Corner - There is a largish table with ample benches and floor space overlooking the valley.  In the hall there are lots of soft boards to stick the art work on. (Remember they do not want us to stick things on walls, so we need lots of string to hang things from.  There are many pillars and posts.)

5.  Talks and gatherings - There is a small hall with 150 chairs.  She prefers if we bring our own sound system and only use their mikes.

6.  Sessions - There is ample space on the lawns, the hall and the corridors for smaller sessions of all kinds.

7.  Children's Fair - Children can set up shop around the hall and sell things on one of the afternoons.

Visit to St. Marys

Urmila, Dola and I visited St. Mary's yesterday.  I'm in the midst of playing around with this blog, so bear with me for today.  I am also uploading the photos to Swashikshan FB and here.  

Updates on the Blog

Fill out the Registration Form and plan your family's trip to Khandala, Maharashtra !!

Read Urmila Samson's Vision for this first All India Homeschooling Conference, 2013.

Check out the page "In and Around Khandala" created with June Mendez's help.

NEWS FLASH

The IHC Registration Form is ready for use.  Click on the tab to fill out the form.

The rest of this blog is under construction.  Please check back in a couple of days.
And those who want to help us with the conference please do keep up with the relevant threads on Ning, Swashikshan and FB groups.

See you all soon !