Choosing to Notice and Document the Glimmers of Joy

This week, I found myself conflicted about what to write. Part of me wanted to dissect the damaging effects of hate-filled rhetoric—how it spreads through influential voices and encourages violence, particularly among young men searching for identity and purpose. The subject felt urgent, demanding attention. 

However, I'm intentionally stepping away from that discussion. The discourse around online radicalization, while necessary, feels saturated with voices far more informed than mine. Instead, I want to turn toward something quieter but no less important: the moments of unexpected glimmers I witnessed over the past five days that brought me joy. Sometimes the most radical act is choosing to document light rather than dissect darkness. 

This first week back with our DRC members has been truly inspiring. While our group is smaller than in previous years, this shift has created unexpected opportunities. The intimate size has allowed us to connect more deeply with one another and establish a strong foundation built on kindness and mutual support.

I envision this core group becoming the heart of our community—a welcoming nucleus that will naturally include new members as they join us throughout the year. By taking time now to solidify our bonds and shared values of respect, kindness, and embracing curiosity, we're creating an environment where every future addition will feel immediately embraced and included.

Thus, the smaller beginning numbers feels less like a limitation and more like a gift — a chance to be intentional about the community and culture we're building together.

This is a short list of examples of joyful glimmers I witnessed from this past week that were woven into our daily routines and shared experiences:

• Our first day consisted of creating our community agreement together and then making lists of activities & projects they all want to investigate. Based purely on the conversation about our agreement, it was very apparent that this crew clearly understands the concepts of respect and kindness.
  
• The daily morning check-ins were a delightful mix of information for the day and straight-up goofiness.
  
• Daily walks after lunch were instituted on our second day; the SUNY Canton trail and the Grasse River are favorite places to explore.
  
• On Tuesday, our chefs created a list of menu ideas and on Friday they put the menu together for next week, based on the ingredients we had in the freezer and cabinets.
  
• Lilly, our apprentice, is reading Holes, aloud - a title chosen by the Book Club members.
  
• The Creative Writing group filled a jar with story-starter ideas for the future.
  
• A spontaneous game of HeadBandz popped up while waiting for lunch one day.
  
• One kiddo invited another, who has a keen interest in bugs (and rarely interacts with others due to high anxiety), to explore an ant colony in a rotten tree trunk, they researched what kind they were, all of their needs, and created a habitat for them. They then spent the remainder of the day hanging out and looking up bug videos on YouTube.
  
• Another teen was deeply engaged in his Algebra II lessons on Khan Academy. He informed me on the first day that he has an ambitious schedule set to finish the class by November. He also told me that he wants to complete highschool in three years.
  
• The Kitchen Sink Science crew completed a density experiment with water, liquid soap, rubbing alcohol, and veggie oil (including hypothesizing the results before beginning) and started building a list of future experiments.
  
• Friday’s walk included a tour through downtown to visit the Canton Farmer’s Market to purchase apples and garlic for the Center with some Farmer’s Market tokens gifted to us.
  

It was a week of firsts and making lists, a time to get to know each other, and to share ideas for the coming year. What strikes me most is witnessing young people discover their own agency. They're not just absorbing curriculum; they're actively shaping their educational journey while weaving themselves into the fabric of our community. Each choice they make—which project to pursue, how to contribute to group discussions, when to offer help or ask for it, or actively including someone who seems uncertain about how to engage with others—becomes a revolutionary act of advocacy for self and others.

This sense of ownership matters deeply. When people feel genuinely seen, heard, and valued for who they are—not who they should become—something protective takes root. Meaningful engagement and authentic connection within a respectful community create resilience against the pull of extremism. Belonging here means less searching for belonging elsewhere, in spaces that might exploit vulnerability rather than nurture growth.

The lists we made this week aren’t just organizational tools; they are maps of possibility, drawn by individuals who are learning to trust themselves and the community they are building together. 

DRC News

If our first week is anything to go by, we are in for a fun year filled with inspiring moments. 

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DRC Pop-ups

These sessions are open to any homeschool family in the NoCo. If you are looking for social opportunities - to hang out with other kids to play games, get creative with arts & crafts, work on collaborative an projects, and have cool conversations, check it out.  Janine, our Pop-ups mentor, is looking forward to meeting you and your kids.

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