Registration is now open for the Wild Discovery Semester Program 2024 – 2025
Login into your Amilia account for registration options.
We’ve been enjoying the new areas where we’ve moved the tent and fire circle, and have also been appreciating all of the new families who have joined this learning community. Some of the highlights so far this semester have been highly engaging games of capture the flag with David, listening to the kids singing the May Pole song to themselves as they go through the day, nature dioramas with Lake, dandelion fritters with Moriah, complex mind math with Dirt, carving with Carter, and practicing one match fires with Caitlin. We’ve been inspired by participant-led projects including a singing and talent show organized by Izzy, and “exploring the ways of the ancients” with Floyd.
In the coming cycle of the semester program, we are scaling back in specific ways. As some of you are aware, White Ash grew unbelievably fast in the first few years. There are some foundational organizational structures and systems that we have not always had the time or capacity to attend to well. We are in the process of adjusting internal structures to better reflect and support the goals and long term vision for the organization, including creating more space for collaborative processes among employees. We are also developing a financial plan to acquire a permanent site in Monroe for the semester program on land that Thistle (our fiscal sponsor) will steward.
The 24-25 cycle of the semester program will operate Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. We have decided to pause Mondays at Thistle Pond until we can invest more resources into the road infrastructure leading to our site. Thistle Pond will remain our much loved site for summer sessions in the meantime!
We very much hope to bring back Friday Explorers in 2025, but were not selected for grants we applied for to finance a 15 passenger van. The current format of the Friday program is not financially or logistically viable without acquiring a vehicle that can transport at least 12 participants and 2 staff, and we are currently exploring other avenues for achieving this. If you have ideas for supporting our efforts in purchasing a transit van, we would love to hear them!
Our Friday group has developed very close bonds over the years, and we are aware that a space specifically for this age range is very important to them. We are planning at least one overnight for ages 8-14 each season that would be open to anyone who has previously participated in the Friday Explorers program or is enrolled in the semester program. We are also envisioning possibilities for an alternative program format with staff and Friday participants. Stay tuned for more details!
We have revised the sliding scale system to incorporate more opportunities for trade and barter. All of the details are on the tuition page. We remain committed to making programs accessible to all families, regardless of access to wealth, and encourage anyone with questions or concerns to reach out and have a conversation with us. We are really excited about all of these changes, and future possibilities for collaboration and mutual support.
In upcoming semesters we intend to incorporate food preparation activities everyday. Foraging, wild food processing, and cooking projects have always been favorites, and we feel that the skills gained from participating are essential life skills. Next semester, we will be providing fruit and vegetable snacks everyday that will be prepared together. Families will continue to send at least one item for lunch and there will be an option for parents to opt-in to being involved in the planning and preparation of program snacks. More details about this addition to the semester program will follow for all who are registered.
We value the participation of each family in our program so much. Thank you for supporting White Ash and the Wild Discovery Semester Program, it would truly not be possible to create this unique learning environment without your participation!
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