Updated 2022-04-04

Raven House Self-Directed Learning Community

A supportive space for homeschooling and unschooling families to learn through living, develop true friendships and build community.
Krista Contreras organizer
click to see email
2489103757
Oak Park, MI  48237
United States
The Detroit Zoo, in between downtown Ferndale and Royal Oak

Description

Daily Raven Activities
● Group imaginative play ● Playing in dirt ● Building forts ● Building Traps
● Catching Bugs & ● Cooking/baking/foo d prep ●Drawing, Painting, Coloring
●Creating inMaker Space ●Riding bikes and scooters ● Playing basketball or street hockey ● Board Games ● Fort Building ● Intention setting &
reflection ● Gratitude Circles ● And so much more!

Raven children experience autonomy over their day. Most of the day is spent in group imaginative play where they practice communicating, negotiating and taking turns. They are allowed the time and space to explore different roles and take on perspectives of others, while fostering empathy.. They build confidence and deep connections with the others and practice creative thinking and problem solving as their games and ideas emerge and evolve.

About Raven Families

Families that practice respectful parenting. Families that are aware of white privilege. Families who are interested in dismantling systems of oppression and believe there is a better way for their children. Allies and members of the LGBTIA community. Allies of the Earth. Neurotypical and Neurodivergent families.
Families who love dogs, cats and rats (well you don’t have to love rats but you will learn to:) as we have all of these on site.

We have different ways to be involved including drop-off, volunteer and flying squad. Interested in helping us grow? Reach out!

SDE Optimizing Conditions

ASDE surveys all SDE communities/programs about how they provide, enhance, or align with each of the Six Optimizing Conditions for young people to succeed in SDE.  Survey answers:
  1. Responsibility – Raven House is a community that trusts children and their innate learning processes.
  2. Youth Autonomy – We believe humans are wired to learn and that they learn best when provided the time and space to explore the world freely.
  3. Access to Tools and Technology – We provide an autonomous, resource rich environment that includes a large garden, a maker space, endless arts and crafts supplies, and technology.
  4. Adult Allies – We practice non violent communication and welcome feelings. Daily discussions include talks about the brain-body connection and the human experience.
  5. Free Age Mixing – current age mix is 4-9. We have a visitor program with teens and seniors that drop in to share interests with our learners. We keep a max of 1-7 ratio of facilitators/Volunteers to children.
  6. Community – All members regardless of age are involved in the development of our community agreements. We support healthy discussions and peaceful conflict resolution and avoid shame and blame.

If any information about this resource is out of date, please let us know.