Free-Range

For a while, I used "unschooling" to explain what we do at DRC - but I always stopped mid-stream to say that I didn't like that word because it says what we are not instead of what we are - but I would use it until I had a better word to describe everything we do.

Now I do! "Free-Range" immediately conjures a positive mental picture. Most folks know the term when applied to farming techniques. Therefore, with that underlying understanding, I think it is the perfect way to describe self-directed learning philosophy and methodology.

When we say free-range, we mean young people are following their interests and actively seeking the information that is specifically and vitally important to each of them. They are playing, creating, and learning important life lessons within our safe, supportive, and nurturing community - where they know they belong and are cared for.

Like:

• K, who is building a model train village and rail yard in the DRC Canton basement and spends time each day researching train crashes and various trains around the world.
• K, an accomplished artist, who did an intricate pencil drawing of the home where the Texas chainsaw massacre took place and then built a Lego replica of it.
• E, a fierce five-year-old who is excited to learn about everything - but especially dinosaurs
• K and A, the six and fourteen-year-old best buddies, who enjoy building Roblox worlds together
• L, the five-year-old who will paint anything that isn't moving
• K, the fifteen-year-old who owns his own landscaping business
• M, a teen who discovered psychology and reads college-level textbooks, as well as Manga in his free time
• E, the nine-year-old who loves rocks, minerals, and fossils and loves to tell people about them
• M and V, the thirteen-year-olds who both adore the theater and have just begun to plan a full musical production in Canton...
  

You can support all of our amazingly creative free-range kids by contributing to Deep Root Center. 

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Weekly Creative Meditation

DRC News

You are invited to join us Monday evening, from 4-7, in Massena for our DRC-East Open House. Bring your questions and suggestions for what we should include in the three year strategic plan we are developing.

Please help us welcome Cheyanne, our newest DRC-Canton Apprentice. She graduated from St. Lawrence Central this past June and attended BOCES for Criminal Justice. She will spend her days facilitating activities and projects. We are excited to watch Cheyanne as she dives into this new role and takes it on as her own. 

DRC #FreeRange T-shirts and Hoodies
We are placing our order this coming Tuesday. If you would like one, please let me know, and I will get it on our order. You can choose black or purple shirts and either the Canton or East logo.
T-shirts are $20 and hoodies are $35. Available in youth and adult sizes.