Introduction
As promised in my previous post, below is my personal experience as a homeschool mum in the outdoor industry. Outdoor education should be delivered in a safe environment. Do you really know who's teaching your child?
Outdoor education for unschooling families shouldn't be that difficult. Most children are fairly active outside on a daily basis; running, push biking, trampolining, swimming, climbing or chasing their siblings around the yard. However when your homeschool moderator asks you what outdoor education you are providing for your children they prefer answers such as... he plays soccer twice a week with the local soccer club, and he will be going to another soccer match this weekend, ...or... she attends classical ballet class at 'Bonza Ballet' who teaches a class of 30 children and she will be on stage next month as they've been practicing hard 3 times a week all year.
Obviously these sorts of answers will make the homeschool moderator happy and your letter of approval will arrive in the post without much drama because your children are socializing with their peers. But what about those parents who don't send their children to these socially accepted sports because they're scared to expose their children to risky situations? Or worse! What if you encountered unsavory coaches or sports teachers in the outdoor industry like I did at a white water event. Pedophiles...
My Story
Identifying such an individual is usually difficult because the offense is generally done when no one else is around. I encountered such an individual 10 years ago when some of my teenagers were still being homeschooled. Back then we moved from Western Australia to New South Wales near a whitewater river and there was a wonderful outdoor center not far from us where instructors taught all the fine skills of rafting, kayaking, abseiling and low ropes. Instantly my children were drawn into this as they loved anything to do with outdoor activities and "thrill-seeking" seemed to be their main goal in life being teenagers.
Of course I let them go there. I checked it out and all seemed very nice and professional. I really thought it was safe for them to join the great outdoors group of kayakers. I checked out their safety policy and procedures, equipment and the river. With a skilled and professional kayak instructor who had 'Working with Children' clearance they should be fine.
In 2012, I wrote an article covering some of these issues which can still be found here...
https://www.teachingtreasures.com.au/outdoor-education/outdoor-education-articles.html and which you can read if interested. It covered the obesity issue among teenagers, school camps and pedophiles. I wrote this article from personal experience because one of my daughters got caught up in this mess. It's not just a story but this is my life that got turned upside down too.
Be warned my dear homeschooling families, watch over your children and protect them with your life. It happens very swiftly and is extremely difficult to stop once it has catapulted out of control. It still hurts so much to think and write about this part in my life but I feel compelled to warn others because of the love I have for all children. They are the ones who need protection! Here is an excerpt from my article for you to read in case you're hesitant to follow external links.
I quote myself here from one of my old articles so don't down-vote me people for plagiarism, thanks.
Quote
Expose the Pedophile
A good outdoor provider is one who insists on children wearing appropriate clothing. A pedophile instructor for example will be happy enough for children to wear skimpy, floppy shorts or t-shirts so that when they participate in an activity he has the opportunity to view something he shouldn't. For example; climbing activities including upside down or crawling exercises, water activities such as sit-on tops or kayaks where children's legs are parted and all is in plain view of the pedophile instructor.
A good outdoor provider does not blame his staff for everything. Does not lurk in the dark, does not spy on girls or boys in the amenity block. Does not unnecessary touch in inappropriate places, does not allow skimpy clothing such as extremely short shorts. Or in the case of a water sport such as canoeing or kayaking allow bikini tops or pfd's with just the bikini bottoms on and no decent shorts. Does not allude to sexual references, gestures or the like and does not pretend to be something he isn't etc. etc.
Perhaps by now you have understood where I am coming from. Perhaps you have experienced some or all of what has been penned down so far. Perhaps it is time for you to take action and put a stop to this terrible behavior which is happening to your children. Don't be afraid to try out a new provider if you suspect your current provider. Just because you have used the same outdoor provider for several years doesn't mean that the place is OK. Perhaps you have heard rumors and perhaps these rumors are right! Open your eyes if you go on camp with your classroom and watch what goes on. Listen to the conversations of your students and watch those kids who suddenly become withdrawn or quiet. What has happened!
It is your responsibility to care for those placed in your trust. When a manager or instructor boasts about the number of girls supposedly asking him if he would like to sleep with them then you can bet that you are dealing with a very evil man and that you will need to take action. When a manager or instructor boasts about what he has seen on some of these camps... again, you are dealing with a very evil man and you will need to take action. Please listen to your conscience and protect those who can not protect themselves.
End Quote
Reference: Griggs I.M. 2012
Teaching Treasures Publications
Watch and Protect
With tears streaming down my face I implore to all of you unschooling families and to anyone in the education system... Watch and Protect! It is your duty! Sometimes these issues are brought to light in the news but for the most part it's hidden or covered up by authorities. Often parents don't even believe their children. When I went to high-school in the Netherlands (I'm Dutch but live in Australia now) I had a PE teacher who was a pedophile. Some girls tried to expose him but the Principal didn't believe them. Obviously their parents didn't either just like mine didn't believe me. After all he was a school teacher who also played tennis at the local tennis club, had a wife and two little children and was very well liked in society. Charming, kind, helpful and all those things that often go with these character types.
Years later after I moved from the Netherlands to Australia I heard that my old PE teacher was found out! Someone finally caught him out and he was going to Court over the matter and they were asking for other girls to come forward to tell their story. Unfortunately... but perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that he was killed before it even went to Court. Somehow a truck managed to hit his car and he was killed instantly. Later on it came to light that the truck driver was an uncle of one of the girls who exposed him.
I realize what I'm writing about may have an effect on some of you reading this. I'm sorry if it brings back bad memories and I apologize. My attention here is to highlight the need for safety and protection of all children. Not just homeschooled children obviously. However, I'm writing this for all you lovely dedicated unschooling families in order to put that warning out once again because it doesn't matter if you have sons or daughters... they are all at risk!
Don't Stop Socializing
To come back to the beginning where families are pressured by homeschool moderators into providing this socialization into their curriculum... yes, it's needed for our children to mix with others but what we don't need is a rocky horror show. So with safety in mind perhaps you could stay at the sports grounds to watch your son play soccer or watch your daughter perform her ballet dance steps. If it's all done behind closed doors and you are told you can't be there full-stop... a little red flag goes up immediately for myself... I don't know about you? Perhaps I'm too paranoid these days but I'm not a young mum with zero experience anymore. Homeschool community groups are great as a get together. Obviously you should have the choice of staying or leaving. Ensure you know who your child is with. Don't just dump them there because you want a break!
Peradventure I'm a little old-fashioned here, I do firmly believe that a mix of male and female adults is ideal if your children are doing any type of sport, activity, or outing with strangers. It seems there is more safety in mixed numbers rather than only one male teacher taking a group of boys and girls on an outing. According to most Policy and Procedures of Outdoor Centers there is a ratio of teachers per students anyway and there should be male and female present if it's a mixed group or all girls group.
Don't stop socializing because you are afraid of what might happen. For most of us we breeze through life unscathed and our children obtain an immense knowledge from others who are willing to teach them. Most people are perfectly fine and love their job and the children they teach. Keep enjoying life people and provide that experience for your children. Join an outdoor center for the physical and mental educational value, the socialization aspect and the overall friendships you create there. Just keep a watchful eye out and remember that sometimes certain people have a weakness or are unstable and mentally sick and need professional help but they need to be avoided by your children. It's as simple as that!
In Conclusion
Outdoor education should be performed in a safe environment including all aspects of physical, mental, social, and spiritual safety. If you are a Spiritual believer then seek God's wisdom on everything you do. If you are not a believer then unerring awareness is key in order to keep everyone safe. What happens to your child feels like it happened to you and it effects the entire family. My family is in a safe place now in case you wonder. Mental scars are real and you should never discount the hurt if someone decides to share them with you. Support and uplift those around you and ensure your children are in a safe place 24/7. Enjoy life my dear unschooling friends, it's to short as it is.
Until next time... take care.
As quoted in my post: Images, quotes and content writing is my own work with a reference to one of my older articles online.
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