Member Handbook

Values & Expectations

The St. Cloud Unschooling Network is a group of homeschool families who believe learning cannot be separated from life. We value play, exploration, growth, and following our children's leads. We trust our children to learn at their own pace and pursue their interests. We learn alongside them and may offer guidance, but they are free to follow their passions.

The journey is different for everyone, and that's okay and even amazing. We are looking for members who identify in part as unschoolers, with the understanding that most of us take an eclectic approach to learning. Most importantly, we all trust in the process of natural learning and choose gentle parenting practices.

In this community of life learners, we support one another through challenges and adventures and are committed to building lasting, consistent, real-life relationships for ourselves and our children. We invest in these friendships by showing up regularly to playdates and outings in the St. Cloud area and participating in online discussions and activities.

We are a secular group that welcomes members of any and all faith and non-theistic backgrounds (including, but not limited to, Agnostics, Atheists, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, members of TST, Muslims, Pagans, and more). While our group is secular, these topics do come up in conversations, and we act in these situations just like we do in all our parenting--with respect and love for one another's differences and shared humanity.

We value teaching our children mutual respect that does not place one belief system over another. We welcome members of diverse cultural and racial backgrounds, varied political beliefs, different physical and mental abilities, and any sexual orientation or gender identification. We are a neurodivergent-affirming and trauma-informed community, recognizing and respecting the varied ways people learn, communicate, and experience the world.

We acknowledge that we are on the ancestral lands of the Dakota and Anishinaabe nations. We recognize their deep connection to and stewardship of this land. We commit ourselves to learning more about their history and culture, teaching our children to respect and honor this land and its original inhabitants, and supporting Indigenous communities now and in the future.

We respect the right of individuals to make choices about their bodies including asking for consent and respecting boundaries in interactions with others. We support all manner of child-feeding, including full-term and unrestricted chestfeeding at the parent’s comfort level, as supported by state law. This group is a safe place rooted in respect for one another where we can all grow and learn from each other.

Group Membership

We believe strong personal connections are the heart of our community. We share our lives with each other – from laughter and learning experiences to challenges and joys. Feeling comfortable online fosters open communication, but our true magic happens when we build those connections in person. Whether it's a playdate at the park or a lively discussion at a group event, these interactions are where our community thrives.

However, we understand that life's needs can change, and your involvement may naturally  shift over time. If you find yourself attending events less frequently, we encourage you to reach out to see if there's something we can offer that better fits your current needs, or to consider if this is the right time for your family's participation in our group. Of course, you're always welcome to rejoin us whenever your circumstances allow. We do periodically check in with less active members to ensure our community remains vibrant.

New (or returning) members must fill out a New Member Survey which can be accessed via: https://forms.gle/NnBhw42dmQyi161b9

St. Cloud Unschooling network expectations

When you were admitted to the group, you agreed to the following expectations:

1. Gentle Parenting. We all trust in the process of natural learning and choose gentle parenting practices. Our family strives to utilize these practices, particularly in group settings.

2. Age Appropriate. Everyone has different family values and expectations. At group events, please ensure that your communication is sensitive to this expectation and kept age appropriate. When in doubt, ask!

3. Active Parenting. When you are in the group, you are expected to guide your child(ren) to ensure they are speaking and behaving in respectful ways to build their awareness of community. We recognize that we are all here to learn together and if you have questions, there are many members who are here to discuss strategies. Bullying, harassment, and other inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated. If you have an issue in the group, please reach out to an administrator.

4. Respect Everyone's Privacy. Being part of this group requires mutual trust. Authentic, expressive discussions make groups great, but may also be sensitive and private. What's shared in the group should stay in the group.

5. Be Kind and Courteous. We're all in this together to create a Welcoming environment. Let's treat everyone with respect. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required.

6. No Hate Speech or Bullying. Make sure everyone feels safe. Bullying of any kind isn't allowed, and degrading comments about things like race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated.

7. No Promotions or Spam. Give more than you take in this group. Self-promotion, spam and irrelevant links aren't allowed.

If you have questions about any of these expectations, please reach out to a member of leadership so we can help clarify or provide any guidance needed!

Conflict Resolution Guide (Abbreviated)

Conflict is a natural part of any community, and ours is no exception. We view challenges as opportunities for growth and strengthening our bonds. This guide outlines steps to navigate conflicts respectfully and constructively.

• Direct Communication: When possible, address concerns directly with the person involved. Choose a calm setting, express your feelings clearly, and focus on finding a solution together.

• Active Listening and Empathy: Listen attentively to the other person's perspective without interrupting. Show understanding and validate their feelings, even if you disagree.

• Assume Positive Intent: Give others the benefit of the doubt and consider their motivations. This can foster more understanding and open communication.

• Respectful Dialogue: Maintain a respectful tone throughout the conversation. Focus on the issue, not personal attacks.

• Seek Support: If needed, involve a trusted friend for support,  guidance, and perspective.

• Escalation Process: For persistent conflicts, consult with group leadership for guidance or mediation. You can always email leadership at stcloudunschoolingnetwork@gmail.com or reach out to one of us directly.

• Respecting Boundaries: Always respect personal boundaries, communicate clearly, and practice mindful feedback.

• Learning and Growth: View conflicts as opportunities to learn and improve communication skills.

Remember, we're all on a journey of personal growth and building a supportive community. By approaching challenges with empathy and a willingness to collaborate, we can strengthen our bonds and create a positive environment for all!

Note: You can view the full conflict resolution policy HERE

Member Events

Most events within the St. Cloud Unschooling Network are private member-only events, however, we have at least one event every month (typically held at a park or the Mississippi room) that is open to potential new members. To stay up to date with the current events, please check online or you can direct potential members to the website or the “St. Cloud Unschooling Network” Facebook page!

Additionally, all current members of the St. Cloud Unschooling Network are free to host playdates, field trips, club meetup, curriculum day, or any other event that they would like - just please contact the Chair of the Programming Committee to ensure everything gets posted in the correct places!

Allergy-Friendly Event Policy

We ask that all members:

• Wash hands thoroughly before events and after eating.

• Keep food contained within the designated eating areas (e.g. in the front  of the Mississippi room) and avoid having food spread throughout the gathering space.

• Please do not bring peanuts or peanut butter and double-check labels of granola bars, candy, snacks, and other packaged items for peanut warnings ("Contains Peanuts" or "May Contain Nuts"). 

• When unsure, it's best to err on the side of caution.

• If your family has any allergies, mild or severe, please notify us via email at stcloudunschoolingnetwork@gmail.com in addition to completing the allergy section of the new member survey. This allows us to be as inclusive and prepared as possible.

Remember, this policy may be adapted to address new allergies that may arise. We encourage open communication and will update all event descriptions with any relevant allergy information.

The Introvert’s Guide to Joining the St. Cloud Unschooling Network 

So you’ve just joined St. Cloud Unschooling Network and are feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the extroverting you’re currently doing. Perfectly normal, at least for this group. Over three-quarters of us self-identify as introverts! (In the general population that number is closer to one-third.) We’ve been where you are and empathize with you even though we might not always express that very well because, after all, talking to strangers is not our forte. Hence, this guide.

First and foremost, please know that the current energy-draining feeling will eventually lessen and even pass if you keep showing up to events. The key here is to keep showing up to events, regularly if at all possible. The connections that you and your children seek take time, but with so many introverts gathered together and a nice collection of friendly extroverts who understand introverts better than most, you will eventually find others who you click with who also may prefer quieter settings and deeper connections. If this didn’t happen, we wouldn’t have so many introverts coming back again and again!

The Mississippi Room events are a great opportunity to meet people and participate in group activities but can be some of the most draining for introverts. The room is big, there are a lot of people, the kids can get loud and crazy, and conversations are frequently interrupted. Protecting yourself will be important sometimes to maintain your sanity. That might look different for different people, but some common strategies include taking a break to visit the library, zoning out from all interactions by reading a book or doing things on your phone, finding a place to sit away from people either in the room or hallway, staying a shorter length of time, choosing a calm activity such as reading to kids or coloring or doing a puzzle, taking the day off if you’re already depleted, avoiding the busiest events (first day, Halloween, Valentine’s Day), etc.

Small talk: it’s so hard! Torture even, but a necessary evil to build new relationships. It helps to have a small collection of questions to ask when you meet new people. A few ideas that fit well with this group:

• How many kids do you have? How old are they?

• How long have you been homeschooling? What brought you to homeschooling? 

• What kind of things are your kids interested in?

• What do you like best about homeschooling? What are some of the challenges for you? 

• In those rare moments of free time, what sparks joy for you?

• Where do you call home? Did you grow up around here? 

• Are you a full-time parent, or do you have another job, too?

• Every unschooler needs a dose of fun! What do your kids love to explore and learn about?

So once you’ve met a few people, even a couple who have similar interests or kids that fit well with yours... what now? Well, you could wait around for months and months hoping that someone will take the initiative and invite you to something. OR you could dig deep and take the initiative yourself (over private message or text, because that’s easier)! Yes, it might be awkward; yes, they might say no. But most of us joined this group in search of friendship and support for our kids and for ourselves, and an excellent way to foster that is through getting together in smaller settings, at a park, museum, library, or other public place or in someone’s home.

Above all, be patient with yourself and your kids as you’re finding your way within the group, and know that many of us feel awkward, too, but we recognize the value of putting in the effort to build real connections.