Everyone loves a field trip. It means new surroundings, new paradigms of learning and just a change of pace. When we think of field trips, we automatically think of ideas for our children. I think parents need field trips once in awhile as well. I have the ultimate field trip suggestion for classical homeschooling parents. A trip to North Carolina to attend the Circe Institute Classical Education Conference in July would be the field trip of field trips.
The Circe Institute is a think tank of sorts for Classical Education schools. The Institute supports these schools in giving them ideas for better teaching, better curriculum, etc. The Institute, though, is not just for schools. It is also open to classical homechoolers in the sense that their books and other resources are available to them as well.
The conference is also open to homeschoolers. Each year, the conference is guided under a theme. In past years, the themes have been beauty, knowledge, justice, rest, and humour. This year's theme is nature. Each year, the participants of the conference come away refreshed and recharged. They have attained much food for thought and are challenged to take that food and apply it to their schools. New ideas are brought forth. At the 2006 conference, one of the speakers, James Daniels challenged the audience to teach from a place of rest. That was a new idea for many there and it resonated with them all.
The conference speakers all have something to do with classical education, whether they are teachers or administrators of a classical school. Some of the speakers are quite well known to the world of CE like, Martin Cothran, Cheryl Lowe, Laura Berquist, and Vigen Guroian. Other speakers that may be less well-known but a gem in their own right are James Daniels and James Taylor (not the singer.)
The conference sessions are like a breath of fresh air. They fill you up and keep you floating for a few months afterwards. They challenge your thought patterns and mindset about Classical Education. Also, just the opportunity to be with like-minded people is so refreshing. I"m getting goose bumps just thinking about it.
If you are like me and cannot afford to take this excellent opportunity, I have the next best thing: conference CD sets. Circe tapes all of the workshops and panel discussions. These are amazing! I have been blessed with the 2006 CD set. I have been challenged, comforted, and reassured by these CD's. I can't remember how many CD's there are but there are quite a few. The CD set costs $97 but in light of how many CD's you are getting, I don't think this is a bad price. There is such an array of speakers and topics that no one can possibly walk away disappointed. I am getting ready to order my next CD set. I think this year I will try the set in which the theme is rest. This will be my virtual field trip. Hey, when you are a mom, you get them any way you can. 
Julia lives on the Canadian Prairies, homeschooling her 3 children (9,8,6) and attempting to give them a Classical Education. You can read more on her blog.
