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.