Unschooling Resources in Portland

[PNW Unschoolers]

Hello PNW Unschoolers! I am new to the idea of unschooling and from what I understand, I am eager to learn more. I have a son who is about to enter Kindergarten and I am not thrilled about it. I would like to find an alternative to public school education, and I believe that he would be great at a self directed education. He is so eager to learn and already has so many fascinating interests, I just hope he has the time and space to explore them within and after his school day. I never looked into homeschooling, because the idea of me being his teacher and following a curriculum would just not work for either of us. I do like the idea of a schooling coop with other like minded families, does such a thing exist in Portland , OR ?

I am looking for any info or local resources on unschooling in Portland, if anyone has any suggestions.
Thanks!
Kiné

[JennyStar]

I felt the same way when my oldest, now 14, was about to enter kindergarten. We lived in Portland at the time too, Beaverton now.

I jumped right into unschooling about 2 weeks after trying to do some sort of formal education thing with worksheets and stuff. It didn't work well, so we went straight to unschooling which has turned out beautifully.

It took a while to get comfortable with my decision and really confident in what I was doing, but it was really worth it! We never did find a community, but the Life Is Good conference helped a lot.

The village free school is a community of somewhat unschooly people. We've met a few folks from there and they all seem to be nice people. Me, personally, I wouldn't go that route, but I can see its benefits.

[Jana Dean]

Hi Kine~

         I realize this post was 3 years ago so I am curious about your journey.  What did you decide?  I also wanted to share with you a very cool community learning center in Portland called Village Home Education Resource Center. We visited it a while back and we loved it:)  We live 90 miles north of Portland but I am considering  taking my kids there a day a week just for the fun of it.  Check it out if you get the chance. 

        I started unschooling when my son was in kindergarten for the same reasons you mentioned.  I am sooo glad we chose this path.  He has been able to develop an amazing art of scuplting that I am sure he would have not had the time to do in a formal setting.

       I hope whatever path you picked has been full of love and learning:)

                                                  Love, Jana