Summary (from Amazon): "Cindy's story begins in the Rocky Mountain wilderness on a unique and extraordinary journey: two parents leading their young children 3,100 miles on the backs of llamas. This Canada-Mexico trek illustrated to Cindy and her husband what experiential education can do. Inspired by the experience, they went on to create a new way of supplementing their children?s education, focusing on two arenas for learning: the natural world and travel.
In this age of world connection, it is important to raise broad-minded and empathetic children who are knowledgeable about other cultures. To accomplish this goal, Cindy chose an unorthodox approach: she orchestrated learning opportunities for her children, Sierra and Bryce, in twelve countries. The family traveled the world, moving about on foot and bicycle, living simply and intimately. But just as important, and more accessible for many parents, were the opportunities for learning closer to home.
These adventures brought intangible gifts: values--such as compassion, empathy, resilience, self-reliance, and gratitude, among others--not always fostered in a traditional curriculum but crucially important to raising children.
By sharing her story, along with honest insights from her children about the importance of their unusual education, Cindy aims to empower parents to believe they can be their children's best and most important educators. It is for parents who are seeking inspiration, who love a good story, and who are looking for an unorthodox way to raise the happiest, healthiest, and brightest children they can."
Reviews:
American Trails: https://www.americantrails.org/blog/2018/the-world-is-our-classroom
Interviews:
WDIY-88.1 Radio interview: https://www.wdiy.org/post/cindy-ross-lv-discourse#stream/0
Rolf Potts: https://rolfpotts.com/cindy-ross/
The People's Chronicles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA6l4wQNDzI
Author's Website: https://cindyrosstraveler.com/
Resources: Here are just a few of the many wonderful resources and websites shared by the author, especially from the Nut and Bolts section of each chapter:
Untours: https://www.untours.com/
PA Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC): https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
PA Conservation Leadership School: https://news.psu.edu/story/186449/2002/01/25/penn-state-conservation-leadership-schools
Bauen Camp: https://www.acacamps.org/resource-library/camping-magazine/more-art-camp-bauen-story
WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms): https://wwoof.net/
Volunteer Forever: https://www.volunteerforever.com/
Family Tree Magazine: https://www.familytreemagazine.com/
Discussion Questions:
Please Note: The author, Cindy Ross, will be joining us for our discussion and also giving a presentation. These are just a few questions to consider and to spark a conversation. Please bring your own questions to ask as well.
1. What experiences and adventures have stretched or
challenged you as a child? Adult? Parent? Grandparent?
2. What did you find surprising in this book?
3. Which adventures did you especially enjoy reading about?
Do any of them inspire you to consider a future trip for yourself or family?
4. Discuss the development of traits such as empathy,
empowerment, appreciation of nature, curiosity through traveling and adventure, etc. as
shared in the book.
5. Each chapter begins with a thoughtful quote. Which one
did you especially like and why?
6. What skills do you believe are needed to deal with the “alligators
and grizzlies” of life? (p. 184) Can these skills be achieved at any stage of
life?
