Great Big Happy Life            

             A Radical Unschoolers' Conference Retreat

                                        June 7-10, 2010

                    Camp Vacamas - West Milford, New Jersey 

   Click the appropriate day to see a calendar of events

June 7th                  June 8th             June 9th                June 10th

                                      Special Programs

                                                         Radical- adj.
                 Arising from or going to a root or source; Departing markedly from
                     the usual or customary; Favoring or effecting fundamental or
                         revolutionary changes in current practices, conditions, or
                                     institutions; slang- Excellent; wonderful  

             Welcome to the 2010 Great Big Happy Life !!!

Whether you just discovered unschooling, (or it just discovered you) or you have been unschooling for years, this year's Great Big Happy Life gathering will feed you intellectually as you absorb the wisdom of others during our scheduled (and spontaneous!) discussions and nourish you emotionally as you share delicious meals and beautiful open spaces with other families who have chosen this path with their kids.

Conferences and gatherings can be a vital component of an unschooling family's life. For many families, coming out as an unschooler, even in a room full of homeschoolers, can feel like announcing some deep dark secret (though this may be more of a grown-up's issue than a kid's issue).  Gathering with other families who not only 'get it' but who desire to deepen their understanding of what it can mean to live with children- this is the antidote to feeling "other": and is at the heart of any unschooling conference.

At the 2nd Great Big Happy Life there will be opportunities for deep stillness, chances to reflect on your journey, spaces for rejuvenation and thousands of opportunities to just be with our families and with eachother. There will be discussion groups, family activities, stuff to do for kids and parents of every age, meandering hikes, nature walks, massage, yoga and meditation, art projects, a talent show, funshops and lifeshops for all, delicious catered meals, and a service project opportunity. Come to this year's Great Big Happy Life Conference Retreat and rediscover your curiosity. Cultivate a stronger understanding of unschooling and explore the roots of unschooling as you are surrounded by families who extend unschooling philosophy beyond academics and into their lives.

This year the Great Big Happy Life moved to Camp Vacamas in West Milford, NJ. This beautiful camp is located in Northern New Jersey only 45 minutes from New York City on 230 private wooded acres with a spring-fed lake. The staff at Vacamas have been so helpful and welcoming and we are hoping to make it our conference home in the future.

For information about registration, meals and lodging, please click on the tab on the left. Program information will be added shortly. If you have a question about anything you see here, please feel free to contact Jen or Chris at 908-561-8032 or email us at pnkn314@comcast.net. Thanks for visiting and we hope to see you soon!

Join the conference yahoogroup to keep up to date with what's new and to virtually meet the speakers and other conference attendees.
      http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NJUC/
      NJUC-subscribe@yahoogroups.com