The Free Range Learning Cooperative

You wanted it, you got it!  Our new school is ready to roll featuring:
 
*Three amazing spaces to utilize:  The Forest Garden Urban Ecology Center at 905 E. Victor st., across the street from Cornwall Park and with a magical permaculture garden, The Center for Expressive Arts and Experiential Education, and Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth.

*Untold Support from Community Members such as those that serve on our advisory board(Thank You!) and local businesses such as:  Bloom, Dakota Arts, Grigg’s Office Supply and Mallard’s Ice Cream (Thank you!)

*Incredible class line-ups. (If I do say so myself.)

*Wonderful families such as yourselves dedicated to seeing this community blossom!

Please take a moment in the near future to view the Spring Quarter Class offerings at the About page to learn about the classes being offered this Spring.  There is something for everyone and many adventures to be had!  Classes start March 8th.

Join us this Saturday, Feb. 27th  between 5-8pm for a kick-off party at Bloom Restaurant at 1320 Cornwall Ave.  There will be an activity table for making hats out of recycled materials, face-painting, and singer/song writers Keri Moore and Burke Mulvany will treat us to some musical delights.  Come one, come all!  Join in the excitement and fun!

Hello Everyone!   I intended to get these out to you all earlier and I am sorry for the delay.  However, I hope you will all agree that it was worth the wait when you see what I have to offer this week.  I am very excited to get out there and delve into the rich experiences Bellingham has to offer with you all!  

Class Offerings for February 23-25^th

Introductory Pricing:  In order to make it easy for families to try the program out, I am offering the following classes on a donation basis (suggested $5 per hour of classes).  Please preregister via email:  crystalscheer@gmail.com and include: which days you would like to attend, the names and ages of your children, if you are dropping off or staying and your phone number.  Students 9 and older are eligble for drop-off, while students between the ages of 5-8 may also qualify, but pre-approval is required, so let me know if you have a child between these ages that you wish to drop-off.    

Tuesday:  Dragon-fly (ages 9 and up) Watershed Adventure: Whatcom Creek Hike  10-2pm

 The Dragon-fly group will meet at Maritime Heritage Park in the parking lot on C St at 10am.  Parents will pick students up at Whatcom Falls Park at the Silver Beach Rd entrance off of Lakeway at 2pm.   We will begin our day of adventuring from the mouth of Whatcom Creek and will continue all the way to Whatcom Falls Park.  This journey will take us through recent restoration projects and through a brand-new trail system.  Students will experience their city in a new way and gain a clearer understanding of how water moves from the mountains to the city as well as some of the history of Bellingham and the future we would like to move towards.  Students are asked to bring a backpack with a water bottle, appropriate rain gear, a journal, and pen/pencil.         

Wednesday:  Exploring the Senses:  Activities that Strengthen Sense Perception and Observational Skills 

All ages from 10-12:30, Ages 9 and up only from 12:30-3:00 (students in this age group may come for the entire day or just the second half)

All ages will meet at 10am at the Center for Expressive Arts and Experiential Education for a morning circle including songs and games.  We will explore imagery and perspective by participating in hands-on activities and then venturing to the top level of the parking garage across the street where we will be treated to a new view of downtown Bellingham.  From there we will go on a short, student-led walk where students will be asked to take mental notes of interesting sights and images.  There will be a surprise in store!  (I love planning surprises.)  We will end the first half of the day as we share what we noticed over sack lunches back at the Center.  The Grasshopper group will be dismissed after lunch at 12:30.  Students are asked to bring a sack lunch and a water-bottle. 

At 12:30, the Dragon-fly group (ages 9 and up) will explore the concepts of perspective and imagery in more detail.  These students will be encouraged to bring a camera to experiment with as we explore down-town Bellingham on foot.   We will seek out interesting locations from which to observe, take pictures, sketch and journal.   We will stay together as students decide which locations to explore and study.  We will return to the Center at 2:00pm to examine our findings and create a collective piece of art that collages our observations and experiences.  Students will be picked up at 3:30 at the Public Market.

Thursday:  All Ages Watershed/Outdoor Art from 10-12:30, Ages 9 and up only from 12:30-3:00(Students in this age group may come for the entire day or just the second half.  If they wish to have lunch with the whole group, bring a sack lunch and meet us at Maritime-Heritage at 12:00)

All ages will meet at 10am at the Center for Expressive Arts and Experiential Education for a morning circle including songs and games.  We will do some hands-on activities to illustrate the relationships between all the parts of a riparian ecosystem.  Next, we will take our sack lunches down to Maritime Heritage Park for a fun outdoor science/art lesson.

At 12:00, we will have lunch and the “Grass-hopper” group (ages 8 and younger) will be dismissed at 12:30pm. 

At 12:30pm the “Dragon-Fly” group (ages 9 and up) will depart for a learning adventure at WWU from Maritime-Heritage.  We will travel together in Crystal Scheer’s vehicle to the Sehome Arboretum where we will hike down to the Geology Department to explore their watershed model.   After exploring the exhibits, we will return to the Arboretum tower and do some sketching and nature journaling, before returning to the Public Market for pick-up by 3:00pm.  Students in this program need to bring a back-pack with a journal, lunch, water bottle and emergency rain gear.

I am pleased to announce the following classes for the week of Feb.15th-18th.  Please preregister via email and include which days you would like to attend and your phone number.

The Free Range School Class Description and Schedule for Feb.15-18^th

Introductory Pricing:  For the next two weeks classes will be offered at a special introductory rate of $10 per parent(s)/child team and $5 per extra sibling, and $10 for one child who is 9 or older. 

Monday, Feb. 15^th from 10-2pm:  Outdoor Art:  Constructing a Model Watershed

Location:  Cornwall Park.  We will meet at the picnic shelter near the playground at the Meridian St. park entrance.   If the weather is too horrible the location will change to 1317Commercial St.  All ages will meet at 10am for a morning circle activity.  We will then begin our project: building a model watershed out of clay.  We will use clay to sculpt a mountainous watershed and use natural materials, such as moss and twigs to create “forests” and other features.  We will then experiment with what happens when water rushes down through our model watershed.  We will also play around a bit with adding baking soda and vinegar to our creation to watch how it races through our model.  When we grow tired of playing with clay we will have time to sketch, paint, make nature collages and play games.  Families and students will not be required to stay the entire time.  Parents must be present for those 8 years old and younger unless pre-approval has been granted.  Bring a lunch and dress in layers.

Tuesday, Feb. 16^th from 10-2pm:  Watershed Day Adventure

Location:  We will meet at 10am at Maritime Heritage Park.  Look for the large canvas tent.  Students 8 and younger will have parents present while those 9 and older will be dropped off and picked up again at 2pm at Whatcom Falls Park, where we will end our hike.  We will begin with an all ages morning circle of sharing, songs and activities before splitting off into age groups.  Those families with young ones 0-4years old will be encouraged to go at their own pace.  Generally speaking, a child can walk about one mile per year of age.  When they get tired, these families will be welcome to return to the Adventure Haven tent and take part in various activities.  The 5-8 year old group will be lead by Josh Parrish and the 9 and up group will be lead by Crystal Scheer.  The 9 & up group will hike all the way to Whatcom Falls while the other groups may turn back at any time.  We will explore the Whatcom Creek Watershed and learn about the restoration efforts and historical background of the area while completing various fun activities along the way.  Bring a lunch, water-bottle and dress in layers.  Students who are 9 and up are asked to bring a journal and pen/pencil and emergency rain gear as well.  Read more…

Wednesday, Feb. 10th from 12:30-2:30:  We will host a get-together/open house for students between the ages of 9-16 at 1317 Commercial St (The Center for Expressive Arts and Experiential Education).  We will play fun board games such as Apples to Apples, munch on popcorn and discuss what the program will be like, starting next week!

Friday, Feb. 12th from 10-12pm: We will host a play group/open house for students between the ages of 0-8 years old at 1317 Commercial St. (The Center for Expressive Arts and Experiential Education).  Students are encouraged to bring a “favorite thing” to show and tell the group.  We will also discuss what next week’s programs and classes will be like.

I look forward to meeting everyone!