I always like to let you all know when this event is coming up. We went to the Disney Youth Education Classes the first year this organization held this event. Sadly, we haven’t been able to make it back since but I hear it just gets better every year. Plan to go if you can. It is really well worth it!

The committee has arranged special workshops for home educated students during the rally week in the area of instrumental, vocal, dance, and theater. All classes are taught by Disney professionals and the classes are customized for our attendees. Please check out the various workshops and the audition guidelines on our website and apply TODAY:

http://www.notbacktoschooldays.com/education/workshops.htm

JUST THREE DAYS LEFT TO SAVE – The audition deadline for the Disney Performing Arts workshops has been extended to APRIL 15TH – so get your group or homeschool individual on video and send the video (do NOT send a link to youtube) to the following email address for immediate consideration:
talent@notbacktoschooldays.com

All are invited to attend the Official 4th Annual Not Back to School Days Rally and Home Education Conference – September 8-11, at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Home education is truly a cause for celebration, and the Disneyland Resort is a great place to celebrate!

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION PRICING WILL END April 15th. Classes fill up fast, so get registered today! Late registrations will be accepted, but are based on availability.

You must be a registered attendee to take advantage of the group rates on park hoppers, food and concessions at the rally, dances and group activities, to participate in conference workshops, or take part in the outstanding field trip classes taught right inside the theme parks. From physics to art, math to history, and even performing arts like dance, vocal, instrumental, and theater classes – kids and parents of all ages can get set for a week long field trip of a lifetime. You are not required to stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel but you must be a registered attendee to take advantage of the group rate for the hotel.

Visit our website today for more information, www.notbacktoschooldays.com and for additional questions you will find quick links on the left side navigator bar to download the complete info packet, sign up for newsletter updates, join our Facebook fan page, and read the discussion boards. Be sure to sign up for at least one of these venues to keep up with the latest announcements – some offers are gone rather quickly.

This rally and conference is a national event – open to ALL home educators, including your extended family. It is an excellent way to show the fruits of homeschooling to anyone so bring those inquisitive or skeptical friends. Homeschool group leaders contact us for special discounts on 15 or more families.

Come and make the Official Not Back to School Days Rally part of your homeschool tradition!
Many blessings to your family,
2010 Not Back to School Days Committee
928-542-1387
www.notbacktoschooldays.com

Looking for a homeschool convention? There are some fun homeschool and unschool conventions that I have heard about coming up. If you have any others to share, leave the information in a comment. Hope you get to go to at least one this year!

Good Vibrations Unschooling Conference

SEPTEMBER 10-13, 2009 – SAN DIEGO, CA

Have several friends making it to this one. I would have loved to go but choose the Disney one.

Read more about this great convention at Good Vibrations Unschooling Conference. Be registered by August 14!

Not near California? Here is another great unschooling conference:

Unschoolers Winter Waterpark Gathering in Ohio

Where can you surf indoors, play carnival games, and chat with John Taylor Gatto all in the same day?

At the 3rd Annual Unschoolers Winter Waterpark Gathering in Ohio, that’s where!

February 8-12, 2010 Kalahari Indoor Waterpark Resort in Sandusky, Ohio

Registration is Open! Visit our website at http://www.ugo.unschoolgathering.com/

Fun abounds in this week-long gathering of unschoolers at the world’s largest indoor waterpark!  Our 2010 UWWG is bigger and better than last year – we’ve doubled the size of the conference area.  More room for Funshops, Talks and Special Events!

And…  guess what?

NO Registration or Conference Fees!

That’s right – all you pay for is your room registration – at our group’s super discounted room rates – and your family receives a week of waterpark fun and unschooling camaraderie!

In addition to John Taylor Gatto, this year’s UWWG features some of the best unschooling voices around:

·        Ben & Kelly Lovejoy
·        Gail & Broc Higgins
·        Dayna Martin
·        Heather Burditt & T.J. Phillips
·        And more

Stay in Touch and Learn More by joining our yahoo discussion group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UWWG/join.

Ask questions, share plans, get excited!

2009 Getaway Stone Mountain Georgia

The School’s Out Forever Homeschool Getaway

October 8-11, 2009

Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta Georgia

We invite all homeschoolers, who have left school and the idea of school in the past, to join us for an exciting, family supported getaway at the beautiful Stone Mountain Park, in Atlanta Georgia.  Are you and your family moving forward to create a new path?  Come join us and others on this same journey.

and last but not least the one we are making it to this year:

Disneyland Homeschool Convention in Sept

This is in conjunction with Disney Youth Education Series classes. Click the link for more info.

Wherever you choose to go, just GO! Get some support, make new friends and enjoy your homeschooling freedom!

Just booked us! WOOHOO! So excited to be staying at the Grand California. I have ALWAYS wanted to. We went to this two years ago and it was by far one of our favorite homeschool experiences ever. This is the last year they plan to organize it so go if you can! My kids LOVED taking classes from the Disney staff!

Join thousands of homeschoolers at the Not Back to School Days Rally and Conference as we celebrate our freedom to homeschool, network with new friends, and be examples for the growth of homeschooling! This conference will be held September 14-17, 2009 at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

WHAT IS THIS?

FIELD TRIP: Kids ages 8 and up can take a Y.E.S. (Youth in Education Series) class, taught in the theme parks by Disney staff. These can only be reserved in advance through a booked group, no walk up registrations for YES classes.

CONFERENCE: Exhibit hall and workshops – a carefully selected program, with something for everyone. Walk up registrations welcome, advance registration appreciated.

RALLY: Celebrate our freedom to educate our children as we feel best. Cheer with special guests who are homeschoolers and work hard to preserve your rights.

NETWORK: This is a priority with our organizers, so expect to meet new friends as you interact in scheduled group activities. Talent show, homecoming dance, more.

VACATION: You won’t find a less expensive trip to Disneyland, from the park hoppers to the hotel rooms, seriously. Your family will thank you over and over again. Send them off to the theme parks, while you soak up some conference action – it’s a win, win solution to past dilemmas of what to do with the kids. Bring the skeptical inlaws – they will get a first hand glimpse of the benefits of homeschooling.

There is so much to do, just download the updated complete conference packet and see for yourself – most of your questions can be answered in the packet: www.notbacktoschooldays.com

Walk up rates are now in effect, but we have added more vendors and more classes, so for those who have procrastinated, here’s a 5-day coupon to save 50% on your conference passes – put in code LATE3 at the bottom of the first page of registration. The coupon will expire on July 24th.

Membership in the sponsoring organization is not required to attend this conference, it is open to all home educators, and especially inquisitive and skeptical inlaws and neighbors. Bring them and show the real fruits of freedom in education!

Hope to see you!
Contact (not me!): Dianne McLean
fieldtrips@sw-home-edu.com

I will be at this with bells on. Please try to join me!

For 2009, we are going even bigger and better – it will be a conference. Not just a conference, but the first-ever HOME EDUCATION conference held at a Disneyland hotel! Our official Not Back to School Days Rally and Conference dates are September 14-17, 2009.

Through your feedback and surveys, we have also added more park hopper days, even lower pricing on the hotel rooms, added a second Disney hotel for more choice, and are planning a host of activities to provide opportunities to meet new friends and mingle. There will be T-shirts and buttons – so people can identify each other in the parks. The theme of the conference is “Be an Example” and we are planning to bring in lots of opportunities to do just that! With a conference abound, we will have opportunities to share the joys of homeschooling with many people who have always wondered, but never took the initiative to learn anything about home education. Disney is providing us with plenty of signage and exposure, so all the families who are there on vacation will know that there is a homeschool conference going on. We are hoping they will ask you questions, or stop in at the conference center, and become inspired.

So we need YOU to be there and be an example for homeschooling, and share your joys and experiences. In case you are wondering, I am not alone this year. We have an excellent committee, and more volunteers are popping up every day to help out. They are contacting exhibitors, speakers, and helping to organize everything. It’s so exciting to be able to have a conference and to contribute to the growth of homeschooling!

This year’s registration page has been simplified, you will find the YES classes on the second page after you choose which of the 2, 3, 4, or 5 day park hoppers you want. There is so much to see, just check it out:

http://sheadisney2009.eventbrite.com

Hope to see you again in September!

Dianne McLean

SHEA Regional Director

For our 2nd Annual Not Back to School Days at Disneyland, September 15-18, 2008, we have over 1200 people registered and prepaid. Included in that registration, are 9 families that SHEA has sponsored to go on the trip who otherwise could not have afforded to do so.

To help raise the funds for this sponsorship, we received generous donations including a Carnival Cruise for a family of four (upgrades are available for larger families) a Wii game system, and an Ipod. These prizes will be awarded on September 15, 2008 during our talent show and dinner which will be held from 5-7:30pm at Disneyland’s Paradise Pier hotel Pacific Ballroom.

Tickets are still available for this spectacular show, where homeschoolers provide the entertainment while you enjoy a scrumptious buffet prepared by Disney’s chefs! Price to attend is just $33 for adults (ages 10 and up) and $20 for kids (ages 3-9). Remember, that price includes dinner AND a show!

If you are unable to attend the show, won’t you please consider assisting us with the sponsorship by purchasing a raffle ticket today? For each $5.00 donation, you will receive one entry into the drawing and you could win the cruise (next year’s family vacation would be all taken care of!), the Wii (wouldn’t that be a great gift for your family?), or the Ipod (wouldn’t that be great for yourself?).

You do not need to be present to win, just be sure your ticket purchase includes a valid address and contact information. We need to sell 1000 tickets to completely fund the 9 families, so be sure to pass this around to all your local groups and affiliates. You do not have to be a homeschooler to buy a raffle ticket!

Thanks, and to find out more about SHEA, or purchase your tickets, visit our website today:

http://www.southwest-home-education.com

The deadline to get in on the Amateur Talent Show for homeschoolers
has been extended to April 7th.

This talent show will be held at Disneyland during our private party
dinner on Monday, September 15, 2008. This is not a professional
show, so don’t feel like you have to be a professional or have a
recording contract to perform. We welcome anyone who wants to get
out there and strut their stuff!

If you, your group, or your children have a talent to share –
singing, dancing, choreography, magic tricks, comedy (standup or
skit), theatrical, or any other entertainment – we would love to
have you!

The guidelines are as follows:
1) You MUST sign up early and submit a short video or photo with a
typed version of your lyrics and content. All entries must be
postmarked no later than April 7, 2008.

Why do you need to submit the lyrics and content? Because
Disneyland wants to review everything to make sure it is appropriate
for Disney format. Keep the lyrics clean, non-political, and kid-
friendly, and the attire appropriate – and you should be fine. DO
NOT SUBMIT THEM DIRECTLY TO DISNEY. We have to send all of the
entries to our Disneyland rep in one big package. Submit all
entries to:

Southwest Home Educators Association
P.O. Box 22482
Bullhead City, AZ 86439

2) Entry into the show does not get you tickets into the park, or
entitle you to dinner in the private arena. We tried to get this –
but unfortunately Disneyland says everyone needs to pay. This
talent show and dinner coordinates with our 3-day Not Back To School
Days field trip for homeschoolers that runs from September 15-17,
2008. If you want to perform, but do not want to hang out in the
private party arena or have dinner, the Disneyland staff will escort
you out after your performance.

The dinner tickets cannot be purchased at the gate, this is a group
activity and must be purchased through the group. If you would like
a great deal on park hopper passes, we have them for $109 per person
(they are $185 at the gate) for three full days of park hopper fun –
PLUS they include up to TWO of the new Youth in Education Series
(YES) classes. Again, these park hopper tickets cannot be purchased
at the gate – they are under group contract.

3) Visit our website for details – to purchase tickets, or to read
more about this fantastic family adventure!

http://www.southwest-home-education.com

Dianne McLean, Director

The next Disneyland field trip is booked for September 15-17, 2008 and will
include a 3-day park hopper pass. More details are coming in the next week –
and more activities are being included in this Not Back to School Days adventure
to meet your requests.

Last month’s field trip had nearly 300 participants registered in classes. To
read about the Sept. 2007 trip, visit our website.

http://www.southwest-home-education.com

Disney Homeschool Days
January 14-15, 2008

I LOVED the Disney Youth Education Series. I so wish that we could go to this next year but our 14 day (yes, we are INSANE) trip to DisneyWorld last year sort of blew our budget. Anyway, hope someone out there gets a chance to take advantage of this great opportunity!

Are your homeschoolers ready to push their education to the next level, or simply needing a new out-of-the-box challenge? Disney Homeschool Days offer exciting programs that are sure to enhance and add a new level to your homeschool curriculum. Pre-registration ends January 7, 2008 in order for materials and tickets to be mailed out for your convenience.

Disney Speaker Series – Disney professionals will engage students on the topics of culture and science. Your students will also receive a work book for each series! $43.15*

* Passport Around the World –Learn about their lives growing up in other countries and how they have adapted to life in the United States
* Science, Disney Style – Disney professionals share how science is the building block to all that we do here at Walt Disney World® Resort!

Self-Guided Booklet – Disney Homeschool Days participants receive these workbook materials with your Disney Homeschool Days ticket. These workbooks are yours to keep, as you take advantage of additional learning opportunities around Epcot®.

Open Enrollment in Disney Youth Education Series – This gives your students the opportunity to join one of our most popular Disney Y.E.S. Programs. $24.00**

* Dynamics of Technology Monday, January 14 only
* Everyday Chemistry Tuesday, January 15 only
* Synergy in Science Monday, January 14 & Tuesday, January 15
* NEW! Disney’s Ocen Discoveries Monday, January 14 & Tuesday, January 15

Not only is this great opportunity for your students to grow, but a fantastic way for your students to network and learn with other homeschoolers. Disney Homeschool Days welcomes individual homeschooolers as well as groups of 10 or more. Parents and extra guests can also join in on the activities taking place and designed specifically for you.

Specially-priced Disney Homeschool Days packages are available. Book today as space fills up quickly. Pre-registration ends on January 7, 2008 in order for materials and tickets to be mailed out for your convenience. Plus, groups receive one complimentary ticket for every 10 purchased!

Make your plans to visit us during Disney Homeschool Days this September! For more information, please call 1-877-939-6884 or click here.

*Disney Homeschool Days Package includes admission to Epcot®, self-guided workbooks and the Speaker Series for $43.15 **Add-on a Disney Y.E.S. program for $24.00. Form of payment accepted are credit cards or cashier’s check.

For more info go to the official page

We just got back from participating in this event. It was arranged for homeschoolers by a new organization called SHEA.

What is the Disney Youth Education Series?

As quoted from the page on the Disney Site:
“The programs in the Youth Education Series are designed to help students get a better understanding of various school subjects through experiences and attractions of a Disney Theme Park. In the variety of programs offered, groups will learn about California history, science, physics and the arts, and do so within the inspiring backdrop of Disney’s California Adventure® Park. These Disney Y.E.S. programs can help to create a desire to learn, and encourage students to reach their potential. In addition we provide educators with a set of resources and downloads, including guidelines, California content standards, further reinforcing the educational principles learned in the park. For more information on Disney Y.E.S programs visit the Disney Youth Education Services Site ”

What was our experience like?

My two boys, ages 9 and 11, were able to take the Animator Series class. It was a three hour class held from 10-1 on a Monday. They had a blast and have been drawing characters all week. They both really enjoyed the Turtle Talk With Crush part of the class. It was neat for them to see how animation comes to life. They learned the technical terms associated with animation and were able to create their own storyboards. They also created some very simple animations using paper, pencil and string. According to my 11 year old it rates a 9/10. He is pretty hard to please so I am thrilled to get that sort of response. The only part that my younger son did not like was the character encounter. Woody rubbed his head which completely freaked him out. Most kids would probably have loved the attention, however. The 9 year old uses a wheelchair full time and I am happy to say that all area’s of the Experience were accessible to him.

Would we do it again?
Yes, I was pleased with how the SHEA (Southwest Home Educators Association) handled the complicated task of assembling homeschooling families for this event. This event is usually only for California Public Schools. Disney did an excellent job with the class itself. If the opportunity presents itself I would have my 11 year old attend the Physics classes.