Retreat Highlights from a First Time Radiant Family

Daisy McCarty and her family were new to the Radiant Retreat last year.  They were one of the “early birds” to register this year so I asked her to share a little about their experience as “newbies” last year and why they wanted to return.

Many thanks to Daisy for taking the time to share in such detail!


Notes on Radiant Living from the McCarty Clan

FallLeaves

My family was excited to attend the Radiant Living & Learning Retreat last year in lovely Cleburne, Texas. We knew it would be a wonderful chance to reconnect with unschoolers/life learners we had met at other events and meet new people—especially those in the North Texas area. We were right!

LakeView

 

 

 

 

 


My Favorite Moments 

Watching the kids collaborate on creating the surprisingly amiable Hunger Games battles that spanned the entire weekend made me smile. As someone who was eclectically homeschooled and self-taught throughout my own childhood, I remember with fondness the long days spent creating new games and playing for hours without interruption. It was fantastic to see another generation being gifted with the same opportunities.

HG3

HG1

MixedAgePlay

 

 

 

 

 


My Husband’s Favorite Moments

WkshpCircle2The talks and discussions were a highlight of the weekend for my husband, Ken. He talked all the way home about the sessions he had attended. Other parents offered helpful insights into some of the challenges we were facing and we were able to implement these solutions successfully at home. As someone who was still new to the concept of whole life learning, being around like-minded people and mentors was reassuring for Ken.


Our Daughter’s Favorite Moments 

KidsInDirt2Little Jasmine (then 2 years old) had a wonderful time playing and exploring with children of all ages. She especially loved staying up in the evening to make friends with a little brown and white toad that was hopping around outside the bunkhouse. Eating delicious smoothies made with healthy, natural ingredients gave her a fresh appreciation for the potential of dates and chocolate blended to perfection.

 


Why We’re Attending AgainMcCartyFamily

Our trip in 2014 left us energized rather than feeling like we “needed a vacation from our vacation.” Over the weekend, we were able to slow down, catch up with friends, and simply revel in the presence of people who are all different from one another but dedicated to creating a more liberated and harmonious world.

Thanks for creating this space for us, Christina! We look forward to seeing everyone again in November.

register

Click to Join the Fun!

RadiantRetreat

ALL the Details

1orangeTemplate

Money’s Tight?

 

FAQs

Questions? Click Here

 

Help the Radiant Retreat THRIVE!

We need 10 families to register STAT!

registerThe balances on the group facilities are due this Friday and so far we don’t have enough registrations to cover the tab.  I’m willing to front the difference and/or use a credit card if I have to – because that’s how much I love you people!!!
(well actually more than THAT) 😉 but anyway . . .

If you ALREADY KNOW you’re going to REGISTER anyway, I would be ever so grateful if you’d do so ASAP.


 

1purple

As a bonus, everyone who
registers by FRIDAY
can choose from one of 3
complimentary gifts listed here.

 


If you can’t pay your entire registration now, that’s cool,1orangeTemplate
just fill out the form found here:

Our Registration Goddess, Krystal Trammel will contact you to figure out how you can pitch in before or during the Retreat.  You will receive a discount on your registration AND the warm and fuzzy feeling of contributing to this fantabulous community!


RetreatNov2015You can also help by reminding your friends to register.

Easy share buttons are below, but this link will probably be more appropriate to share – it takes them straight to the main Retreat Info page.

 


Can’t wait to gather with the Tribe in 9 weeks!

Love Y’all!!!
Christina and the Radiant Team
ctwJUMPrainbow1rSq

9 weeks until the Radiant Retreat! GIDDY UP!

I feel so grateful once again to be a part of the Radiant Tribe!  This year I have decided to take better care of myself and ask for more help with the Retreat prep work.  Two remarkable Radiant Mamas have stepped up to help out in BIG ways: Nina Jones and Krystal Trammell!  <3  Learn more about the whole Radiant Team here.

Krystal is handling all of your registration questions and organizing the staff registration credits.  (formerly called volunteer credits)

If you are planning to request registration credits in exchange for helping out at the Retreat this year, please get in touch with Krystal ASAP by submitting the Staff Application.

 


NinaJones

Nina is in charge of hospitality, catering and more so you will be hearing from her as the retreat gets closer and we begin taking orders for meals.

 

register


IF YOU HAVEN’T REGISTERED YET: It’s time!
REGISTER NOW to reserve your spot!

Everyone who pays their registration THIS WEEK (by Noon Sept 4th) will receive a complimentary gift!  

You can choose between

We are getting excited that the 2015 Retreat is just around the corner!
We can’t wait to see you all in November!!!

Heaps of Love,
Christina AND the Radiant Team
ChristinaWEster

Give yourself the gift of Community + Retreat Schedule

Hands-Holding-Seedling-TogetherGoing to Unschooling conferences always leaves me feeling renewed and refreshed in my resolve to parent and educate my kids in more respectful and gentle ways.  Great conversations and workshop sessions have given me new tools and a fresh perspective on things I was struggling with.   I’ve always loved the feeling of gathering with a like minded community, but after revisiting The Continuum Concept at the RE conference last year, it became clearer than ever how VITAL it is to REGULARLY gather with my tribe!  In our journeys toward more freedom and a more harmonious family life, it is SO important to seek the support of other individuals who have similar values, goals and struggles!

Often we feel isolated when we are living a life that is so different from the societal norm.  That isolation can actually be detrimental – not only eroding our resolve to honor the principles we try to live by, but it can also be harmful to our health and relationships if we don’t have the support we crave as humans!

With less than 3 months to go I am getting SO excited about this year’s Radiant Retreat and this opportunity to support each other.  Whether we are new to this way of life or we have been at it for a while, we ALL need this community and each other’s support!

As you Register and plan your travels to this year’s Retreat, I wanted to provide a basic outline of our Retreat Schedule to help with that process.  In the upcoming weeks we will be filling this in with the details for kids’ activities and workshops for parents, plus opportunities to just visit and connect with our Radiant Tribe throughout the weekend.

We hope you can join us for the fun, support and camaraderie that only a like minded community can offer!


Below is a BASIC SCHEDULE outline.


 

Thursday
Nov 5

10am-6pm
Registration/Information Desk Open
Set Up Campsites/Bunks
Kid’s Activities

12-4pm
Smoothie and Snack Bar

4-6pm
First Workshop Session of the Retreat: Meet and Greet Happy Hour

Since Kid Village doesn’t open until Friday, we’re going to do this session “Park Day” style while the kids play on the playground.  Bring your camping chair and a cold beverage (in an opaque container for adult beverages!) and say, “HI.”

Whether you’re new to this way of life or you’ve been doing it a while, join us to share your questions for the weekend and your fears, joys and triumphs with Unschooling and Partnership Parenting!

6-8pm
Chili Cookoff and Community Potluck Dinner

Bring a pot of your famous chili OR a side dish to share and get to know the Radiant Tribe.

8-10pm
Community Campfire and S’MORES!


Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Nov 6,7,8
(same basic schedule each day)

8am-2pm
Registration/Information Desk
Coffee, Smoothie and Snack Bar
Massages
Face Painting
Canoe Rides

9-11:30am
Kid Village Childcare
Kids’ Activities
Workshop Sessions

12-2pm
Lunch Break

2pm
Campsite Checkout for anyone leaving early
(you can remain in the Park until 10pm however)

2-6pm
Kid Village Childcare
Kids’ Activities
Workshop Sessions
Massages
Face Painting
Arts and Crafts
Canoe Rides

6-8pm
Dinner
(BYO or pre-purchase catered meal)

8-10pm
Evening Activity
Each night will be different: Community Campfires, Dance Party, Women’s Sacred Circle, SUDS (Secret Society of Unschooling Dads), Open Mic Night


Monday

Morning
Break Down Campsites
Clean Up

11am
Check out of Dining Hall and Bunkhouse
(can remain in the Park until 10pm)

Noon
Playground: BYO Lunch/Snacks and Feedback/Planning for next year!

2pm
Campsite Checkout
(can remain in the Park until 10pm)

Click here if you still need to Register.
Click here for  Staff Opportunities to reduce your registration costs.
Click here for general info on the Retreat.

Can’t wait to hang with the Radiant Tribe!  

Heaps of Love,
Christina and the Radiant Team
ctwJUMPrainbowRectangle r