Now offering Mentoring sessions via Skype

I am now offering Mentoring sessions by Skype, so clients outside the Central Kentucky region can more easily connect with me to engage in this powerful process:

During a mentoring session I work one-on-one with the client to develop a personal curriculum of self-cultivation.

 

In the initial consultation we assess the client's current status and potentials, then we identify personal goals and practices for growing the physical, mental, creative, emotional and spiritual intelligences.

 

In subsequent mentoring sessions, we check in on progress, make necessary adjustments, and connect with resources that support the client's goals.

 

My goal as a practitioner is to help the client gradually achieve autonomy in their own self-cultivation.

 

If the client is interested, I often find it useful to consult the client's astrological natal chart for archetypal influences, potentials and challenges.

Schedule a mentoring session

AU Summer 2015: Lexington August 3-7

Click here to apply now!

Details forthcoming

AU Summer 2015: Rockcastle June 30-July 2

Click here to apply now!

Details forthcoming

AU Summer 2015: Whipporwill July 8-12

Click here to apply now!

(NOTE: some details are still quite tentative)

Wednesday 8 July

arrive and set up

help set up festival

field trip to Wild Earth Farm Sanctuary?


Thursday 9 July

finish setup

workshops block

field trip to Hensley farm ?

group share over supper
 entertainment



Friday 10 July

workshops

group share over supper

entertainment


Saturday 11 July

workshops

group share over supper

entertainment



Sunday 12 July

pack up and help clean up

drive back to Lexington

AU Summer 2015: Hazelfield Farm June 16-18

Click here to apply now!

(NOTE: some details are still tentative)

Tuesday 16 June

8am Meet at 171 Bassett Ave to load cars and drive to Hazelfield farm

Farm tour with Todd and Esmee - talk about CSA and organic agriculture

Set up camp

Lunch: TBD

Make sauerkraut!

Farm work - harvest garlic

Supper: TBD

Journal and play


Wednesday 17 June

Breakfast: TBD

Farm work - talk about soil ecology and plant communities

Lunch: TBD

Old-time Appalachian music w/ Jake Book

Farm work


Thursday 18 June

Breakfast: TBD

Farm work

Break camp and depart

Visit Travis Hood's heritage hog farm - talk animal husbandry and genetics

Arrive in Lexington


WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

WHAT THE GROUP WILL BRING

GROUP NORMS 

AU Summer 2015: Red River Gorge June 8-12

Click here to apply now!

(NOTE: some details are still tentative)

You will find a gear list and the group norms below this agenda.

Monday 8 June

9am Meet at Gladie Learning Center

Snack and stretch, introductions, gear check

Hike up Gladie Creek, talk about stream ecology with Josh Saxton

Lunch: Bread, cheese, salami, foraged greens

Inevitably, we will have a short lesson on how to poop in the woods

Plant identification: Poison Ivy and Jewelweed

Set up camp: learn how to make shelter and fire

Supper: Pasta with veggie and sausage marinara; cook potatoes in fire

Journal every evening while digesting supper

Every clear night we will stargaze and talk about astronomy and astrology

Tuesday 9 June

Every morning: Group yoga and meditation; journal

Breakfast: TBD

Visit old growth site and tornado site and discuss forest ecology and natural navigation

Lunch: bean rice and cabbage tacos on fresh masa tortillas

Set up camp, do at least one hour of nature study; play

Supper: TBD

Wednesday 10 June

Breakfast: TBD

Break camp and walk Sheltowee Trace to Indian Staircase and other treasures, talk about geology and indigenous cultures

Lunch: Sourdough Fry-breads

Set up camp at Cloudsplitter, meditation, play

Supper: TBD

Thursday 11 June

Breakfast: TBD

Break camp and walk to suspension bridge, stop at Turtle Rock to swim

Lunch: TBD

Walk to Stone Chairs campsite, set up camp

Build a bridge with sticks and lashing twine

Supper: TBD

Friday 12 June

Breakfast: TBD

Walk back to cars, drive to Miguels

Lunch: Pizza at Miguel's!

Intro to rock and tree climbing and belaying with Rick

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

We will be carrying everything on our backs, so I recommend you PACK LIGHT!

• backpack
• 2 water bottles
• flashlight
• medicine
• cup/bowl and spoon
• snacks (we will distribute trail mix)
• lightweight fast-dry clothing: 1 pants, 1 shorts, 1 shoes, 3 pair sox, 1 shirt, raingear, hat, 1 warm top; or your preferred equivalents
• washcloth and a bar of soap, other hygiene products (TP, toothbrush, etc)
• journal and pencil in a ziplock
• pocket knife
• something to occupy yourself with if you opt out of a group activity (book, puzzle, project, etc)
• shelter if you prefer not to sleep with the group
• light blanket or sleeping bag and ground pad

WHAT THE GROUP WILL BRING
We will divide up these items among all participants.

• first aid kit
• sunscreen
• water filters
• tarps and rope for group shelter
• cooking gear (stoves, pot, skillet, knife and cutting board, spoon)
• map and compass
• phone (so you should leave yours at home)
• frisbee
• food
• bug repellent
• matches
• camera

GROUP NORMS

1. Be nice. Be aware of your effects on others, and practice consent. Oppressive behavior will not be tolerated.
2. Be sober. All participants must be 100% sober during the entire outing.
3. Be open. To listening, to learning and trying new things, to friendship, to confronting your fears.
4. Communicate. If you need to say something to someone, about your needs and boundaries or theirs, summon up the courage to pull them aside and firmly but politely speak with love.

Emotional Literacy

Learning to be aware of and process our emotions is a key component of the Adventure Unschool curriculum.

http://www.kosmosjournal.org/news/the-case-for-teaching-emotional-literacy-in-schools/

Also, see this resource list:

http://www.kosmosjournal.org/news/a-parents-resource-guide-to-social-and-emotional-learning/

KnoxPopuli podcast interviews Martin Mudd of Adventure Unschool

This podcast episode contains an interview I did with Frank Callo of Knoxville. We talk about schooling, unschooling, and a bit of my story about how I got to thinking critically about education. I enjoyed listening to the whole episode and hope will too. The interview begins after 16:00.

http://www.frankomedia.com/knoxpopuli/2015/3/7/the-knoxpopuli-pod-cast-episode-11-education-and-its-discontents-conversations-with-martin-mudd-and-joy-and-zoe-camacho-readings-by-susan-bradford-and-a-mashup-and-commentary-by-frank-callo

Q: Can I get a diploma through Unschool?

Sure! If the unschooling learner wants a High School Diploma, in Kentucky at least, we can create a homeschool for them and ensure that all the required standards and course work are covered by artifacts documented in their portfolio. They can keep track of their own time and produce rubrics by which their work will be graded, by themselves and others. If they fulfill the requirements, they may apply for a high school diploma. (UPDATE: based on a recent re-reading of the KY guidelines, the homeschool may issue an unaccredited diploma, but completing a GED establishes equivalency. There are also options for receiving an accredited diploma by completing e-coursework.) Difficulties may arise if the student unschools for a time, then chooses to enroll in a conventional school later, since courses will not necessarily have been completed in sequence, but this typically means little more than an extra semester or so of tying up loose ends.

Another excellent option is the General Education Diploma. The GED is accepted by many workplaces. We can easily work into your curriculum time to be used in preparing for the GED. In fact many colleges, community colleges and professional programs will accept a GED for admission. The key is to have a good portfolio and communication skills. Adventure Unschooling provides both of these prerequisites.

Of course, there are also options for learners who choose not to seek a diploma at this time. Private practice of a skill or craft often does not require a high school diploma. And you can always get a GED later in life.

As for college, you do not have to put yourself through the college prep meat grinder. Many colleges and universities are actually changing their admissions policies to avoid the dangerous kinds of stress that such a competitive process can put on aspiring students. Again, with good communication skills, meaningful letters of reference, and a beautiful portfolio of real-world projects you have actually done and artifacts that demonstrate the breadth and depth of your learning, you will be an admissions officer's dream candidate. Good test scores can help, but standardized tests are just a game, and like anything else, games can be studied and mastered by anyone so motivated.

It is true that diplomas can be useful keys to unlocking certain activities for self-cultivation. But it's important to know that choosing not to seek all available diplomas does not necessarily prevent you from actively cultivating your human potential.

Adventure Unschool sample day agenda

Prep work: design your garden bed of 1 square meter in any shape. Suggested reading - Gaia's Garden by Toby Hemenway.

Meet at central library by 8. You can take LexTran to the hub and walk from there.

8 walking warmup (muscle awareness) and chat, walk to community center

9 opening group meditation and intention setting

915 work on a math problem (garden design)

11 cook a stir fry and crock pot stew

12 picnic lunch and play (pass the hat)

13 journal or chat, walk to garden at seedleaf

14 plant seeds and make path in your garden design

16 share circle (pass the mic) and walk to castle wood park

17 crock pot luck and kickball (pass the hat )

Interview with John Taylor Gatto

This man is definitely among my greatest inspirations.

http://www.blakeboles.com/2015/02/interview-with-john-taylor-gatto/

"You need experience, adventure, and explorations more than you need algebra!"

- John Taylor Gatto

[So true, but if you want to learn algebra, we can do that too! -Martin]

The Ten Signs You Need to Find a Different Kind of Education for Your Child

http://www.educationrevolution.org/store/thetensigns/

"A third approach is called "unschooling." In this case the parent bases their educational approach on the interest of the child and builds on that, rather than a pre-set curriculum. In some cases, curriculum is designed "retroactively," by keeping records of the activities throughout the year and at the end of the process dividing the experiences into the appropriate subject area."

Apply now for Adventure Unschool Summer 2015

ADVENTURE UNSCHOOL SUMMER 2015

WE WILL GO PLACES LIKE...

~> the Red River Gorge

~> a local organic farm

~> the Rockcastle River

~> an auto mechanics shop

WE WILL DO THINGS LIKE...

~> build a "tiny home"

~> create and record music

~> find food and water in a diversity of landscapes

~> make art for cheap or free

Nine 5-day sessions from June to August

WILD 6/1-5, FARM 6/8-12, CITY 6/15-19

WILD 6/29-7/3, FARM 7/8-12, CITY 7/20-24

WILD 7/27-31, FARM 8/3-7, CITY 8/10-14

For each session you can register for one of...

~> Five slots for unaccompanied adolescents, at $500 for the week

~> Five slots for accompanied children of any age, at $50 per day

Cost includes guidance from professional educator Martin Mudd, organic food, and guest teachers.

Some fees may be negotiable on a per client basis. Register before April 20 for a $50 discount.

Apply now! 

Call 513-685-3375 or email martin.mudd@gmail.com to schedule an interview.

Erikson's 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight_stages_of_psychosocial_development

"The problem of adolescence is one of role confusion — a reluctance to commit which may haunt a person into his mature years. Given the right conditions — and Erikson believes these are essentially having enough space and time, a psychosocial moratorium, when a person can freely experiment and explore — what may emerge is a firm sense of identity, an emotional and deep awareness of who he or she is."

(Stevens, Richard (1983). Erik Erikson: An Introduction. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press. pp. 48–50. ISBN 978-0-312-25812-2.)

Adventure Unschool Vision Meeting scheduled for Saturday 1/24 from 12:30, at Southland Perk

AU Vision Meeting
Sat, 1/24, 12:30-2:30pm
Southland Perk, 472 Southland Dr, Lexington, Kentucky 40503

At this meeting I will present my vision for Adventure Unschool programming for Summer 2015 and beyond. I would like to listen to your ideas, gauge interest, get your help on outreach to other participants and guides.

Thanks to those who filled out the doodle to choose this auspicious time.

Help select the best time for an Adventure Unschool vision meeting

Help select the best time for a January Adventure Unschool vision meeting. Fill out the doodle at http://doodle.com/2pc5py7srpb2e3hp

I will close the poll and announce the selected date/time on Friday 1/23.

At this meeting I will present my vision for Adventure Unschool programming for Summer 2015 and beyond. I would like to listen to your ideas, gauge interest, get your help on outreach to other participants and guides. I have beautiful new business cards to distribute far and wide! And in the meanwhile, if you know of any adolescents who are looking for tutoring or mentoring services, please encourage them to call me at 513-685-3375.

Also this winter, I will be working on updating website content atwww.adventureunschool.org, so if you have any suggestions about things parents and kids want to know about unschooling, please email me. Also, if you have participated in last year's adventures, please send photo links and written reports and I will incorporate them into the site!