Unschooling Conference

[Rinelle]

Thought some other's on here might be interested in this. Planned for September.

http://unschoolingretreat.blogspot.com/

I'm still deciding if I can afford to go or not. :)

[milkymumma]

Looks like heaps of fun!
We're not really at that stage just yet, but I've just noticed that under 3s are free, so may be worth getting in sooner rather than later... Hmm

[Nyree]

I did contemplate it, but we're already going away the week before, so money will be low :(

[milkymumma]

I'm seriously considering it :)

[mama_bel]

If I go, it'll be a flying visit on my own. Not sure though, I'm still getting over the last home ed conference, LOL. It was what, 2008?

[Rinelle]

LOL. What do you mean by getting over Bel?

[milkymumma]

Yes, do tell. :yes

[Ethereal]

*all ears* :D

[milkymumma]

Bel??

[Ethereal]

Oh & I'm rapidly trying to work out if it's a feasible one for me to attend as well. Why oh why do I live on the other side of the country from all the hippy type stuff?? Lol.

[mama_bel]

Oh, nothing exciting to report, I was just worked off my feet! It was really busy, with not enough volunteers!

I did have a lovely sleepover at Becky's place though, with Moo and some other norty girls drinking vino till too late. :p

Mostly though, work, work, work!

[Rinelle]

Ahhh, so you were actually working in the conference? That would certainly affect your opinion.

I'm still considering. Staying down there would obviously give you the best experience, but would cost significantly more. Technically, we're close enough to drive, though it would be quite a drive each day.

[mama_bel]

Save up and stay, Tamara, you'll get the most out of it that way.

Yes, I worked the whole conference in Brisi, it was full on! I was working with Education Choices mag at the time, and they organised the conference with HEA backing.

[Rinelle]

Well, from what they're saying, the accomodation (which is on site, but not part of the deal) books out really quickly, so saving up isn't going to help. We're kind of short on cash right now (or at least, what we have has to last us a long time), which is really the only reason I'm still debating!

[Ethereal]

I had a look, the villas are gone pretty much. There's some that are available after the weekend but that's not much help. I would say you could stay at a nearby tourist park? I don't think I'll be able to go :(.

[Rinelle]

Yeah, that's kind of what I expected. I'm sure there are plenty of places nearby to stay though. (Probably cheaper too.)

[Jollie Nelly]

This looks fantastic! I definitely want to go. Haven't booked anything yet but will be looking at getting a tent site somewhere. It will just be myself and my 2 boys, so if anyone is interested in sharing our tent (3 rooms - walk in first room and then 2 rooms off this one on either side); site costs and/or travel to and from brisbane for 2 extra people - fuel costs etc in my car. Then PM me and we'll see what we can come up with:)

[Avalon]

The site says as of 20/7, 10 villas have become available due to a group cancellation...

[mama_bel]

It's on again in 2011 - Airlie Beach, Qld, this time. I'm going! Anyone else?

Here (http://www.unschoolingretreat.com/)'s more info.

[Rinelle]

Hmm... Airlie beach might be a bit far for me. :) Will have to see how it goes closer to the time.

[mummabare]

I really really want to go...but I don't know if I can afford the airfare. Does anyone know anything about accomodation? and how far is it from the nearest airport?

[mama_bel]

There's accommodation at the site, (http://www.adventurewhitsunday.com.au/accom.php)from camping through to luxury condo's. There's also accommodation nearby - backpackers, maybe free camping areas? Some of the cabins start from $95/night, and I think they're offering special prices for the conference, and you could bunk in with others...

There are airports at Townsville, Mackay (both a distance away, would need to get a bus to Airlie), and there's a small airport at Prosperpine as well. Cairns and Brisbane airports are far away from Airlie Beach, but there are buses running up and down the coast all the time.

I've canceled our summer holiday in February and we're going to this instead. We have almost a year to save up for it, deposit for the accommodation is 1 night, and early bird rego for the conference is due by April.

If you join Big 4 through the conference, it's $40, and you get a 10% discount off your accommodation up to $40 (so it's effectively free Big 4 membership).

I've just paid our deposit (had to get in early for something to sleep 8).

[mama_bel]

http://www.needaride.com.au/ for getting from a larger airport to the venue (our car will be full, sorry).

[mama_bel]

Oh, and on the registration form, it has a whole section about volunteering, for reduced registration fees. There's an email address on the retreat website (http://www.unschoolingretreat.com/), to get a copy of the form. The retreat has a facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/#%21/group.php?gid=117073464992119) too, with info about airport transfers and other discussions.

[Rinelle]

Hmm... it looks like a lot of fun, not to mention the lure of getting to meet Bel! I'll have to see how we're going next year though.

[mama_bel]

I'd love to meet you at last, Tamara. I will be coming in March, don't forget, to the IP camping w/end!

I'm just excited and booking early 'cos we're going to book a condo and to get one of the few which sleep 8, we need to get in early. It is soooo much nicer to have a bed for everyone. It's the exact same condo we stayed in in Cairns in February and was such a comfortable space. We go camping a couple (or more) times a year - usually with no power etc ('real' camping), but for this, we're going to save up and enjoy a little luxury.

Not everyone needs to decide now, like we did! LOL

I have set up for our main account to transfer $x to our holiday account each pay, to pay for this trip. :)

[michelle_j_r]

Those dates are probably right around when our local homeschool camping long weekend will be. But if I end up buying a caravan I might do more traveling up north. I might aim for 2013. ;)

[mama_bel]

We have our camps in May and October. Depends what others around here want, we might change/cancel our camp/s in lieu of this one...