Funshops

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2018 Funshops

LeatherCraft & Stamping

We use mallets to hit metal stamps that leave impressions into leather scraps that can cut into amulets or bracelets. Stamps: octopus, celtic knots, ladybugs etc; or Letters. Drop in anytime during this funshop. Anyone under 10 should bring an adult to help get started. You can order a belt blank in your size ahead of time from Etsy or Amazon (at Tandy stores) and use my tools to decorate it. I have sharper tools for more challenging leather craft as well. If you happen to have a mallet to loan for this funshop, more can stamp at the same time. Hosted by Jessica Deltac.

Jazz Tech, Stretch and Strength

Whether you’ve never been to a dance class before or you’re a full time dancer, come dance with us! We’ll warm up with some cardio, some stretching and then do some across the floor exercises. We’ll find a way to modify any move for all levels! Bring your jazz shoes if you have them or sneakers if you don’t. Bring a blanket or towel if you don’t want to lie on the carpet. Hosted by Aliana & Viola Cerullo.

Play with Ballet!

Bring your little Princes or Princesses to learn some beginner ballet! Join in and give them a partner or cheer them on from the side. We’ll warm up, play some games and learn a simple ballet routine to possibly perform at the talent show! Hosted by Aliana & Viola Cerullo.

Introverted Teen Meet Up

Teens only
Come meet other on-the-shy-side teens.  We will have some low-key ice breakers and games, with no pressure to participate.  ;) Hosted by the LiG Teen Scene.

Handling Harassment for Teens

Have you been cat-called in public? Had a supervisor (or co-worker) say inappropriate things? Been made to feel uncomfortable by someone you think is a friend? Come learn ways to deal with these types of situations, and how to set strong personal boundaries. Hosted by the LiG Teen Scene.

Making Paper Boxes, Origami-Style

Learn how to turn two ordinary (or not-so-ordinary) pieces of paper into a lidded box perfect for trinkets, treats, or tchotchkes. Once you know how, you can make a box whenever you need one, with any suitable paper, no glue or tape required (and if you can tear along a fold, you don’t even need scissors).

We’ll provide paper and some decorating options.

Attention Fairy Godparents: Paper boxes make great gift wrap for your smaller FGP gifts! No card stock or fancy scrapbook paper at hand? No problem! Visitor guides, magazine covers, and tourist maps make spiffy boxes! Hosted by Susan Holen & Teo Cináed.

Full Time Parent, Part Time Business Owner

Are you the primary parent in charge of unschooling the kids but also have a part time or even full time business?! How do you do it?! What is that elusive home/work BALANCE everyone talks about? How is running a part time business different for unschooling parents compared to those who send their kids to school? Do we prioritize differently than mainstream parents?

I run my own business (seasonal children’s consignment event) I started when my son was 18 months old. I’ve been through many kid stages and can talk about what worked for me at different times. I’d love to hear what is working for you! A support group for unschooling parent business owners! Hosted by Kim Zerbe.

Anime Meetup & Cosplay Cafe

Are you a total weeb? Do you like conversing with/befriending other weebs?

Then please!

Come meet with us for some anime talk, a Ghibli movie screening, a game of Anime Jeopardy, and some other misc. activities, including our mini Cosplay Cafe where you can get various pastries and tea all while being served by total nerds in costumes! Hosted by Sadie Crane.

Rise & Shine Morning Walk & Learn to Run

7:30 am departure from the lobby to walk the beautiful green trails in Greenway Park about a mile away from the hotel. Will be approximately 3 miles total of a brisk walk with a few short learn to run intervals of 1 min run, 1 min walk once we get to the trails. Grab a friend and come get some fresh air and movement first thing in the morning! You’ll have enough time to shower and change and get to the complimentary breakfast! Then it’s ready-set-go for a full day of conference funshops!

Shonna and her 5 kids have been attending Life is Good since the very first one back in 2007 in Corvallis. This morning walk / run has become an annual offering at Life is Good since the days walking the Red Lion’s Columbia River route. I’ll be there bright and early at 7:30 am ready to go on Friday and Sunday morning. Hosted by Shonna Morgan.

Slating and Auditioning

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to audition for a commercial, a TV show or a feature film? Let’s have a chat about this business! Find out what slating means, what a selftape is, what casting does, what it means to have an agent, and what might happen in the audition room when they call your name! Everyone will have a chance to slate for the camera! Time permitting we can set up some mock improv auditions. 

Aliana, Viola and Shonna have been auditioning for a few years in Vancouver BC Canada for commercials, film and TV and have been involved with several independent film productions. We’d like to share with you what we’ve learned so far about this world! Hosted by Aliana & Viola Cerullo and Shonna Morgan.

Create A Fantasy Documentary!

In this workshop we’ll work together to create a fantasy documentary, whether it be about lizard people, dragons, giant robotic spiders or your own subject! We’ll guide through all the stages of creating a documentary – learning about research, equipment, and interviewing along the way.

First we’ll decide on a subject and prepare some questions to ask. We’ll split up into groups – the behind the scenes crew and the interviewers. And finally we will show the group a little about the editing process if we have time. Regardless, the finished film will go up on the LiG Facebook group.

We hope you drop by, it should be a blast! Intended for kids approximately 7-15 years old, but older kids are welcome. Hosted by Samuel Butler, Oden Schmit, & Mikal von Borg.

Altered Puzzles

An altered puzzle is a collage of sorts, a set of mini pieces of artwork. Each puzzle piece serves as a separate canvas; when you’re finished with them all, you can reassemble the puzzle. They are very similar to Artist Trading Cards—-but in puzzle form. They can form a cohesive single puzzle or pieces can be traded to form collaborative puzzles. You can also alter a single puzzle piece. You can find many examples on Pinterest.

I will provide puzzles, a few random art supplies, water-based gesso, & a few brushes. But I’m coming from the east coast, so the more YOU bring the better!

A few things you will need to bring: tiny scissors, and a brush for applying gesso.

A few examples of things to bring and share: markers/paint, magazine pages, ticket stubs, stickers, stamps, sheet music, tiny gems, foreign paper money, craft papers, assorted fancy pens and markers, thin ribbon, small feathers, hole punch, very small buttons, tiny letters. Basically, anything *small* that you can stick to a tiny canvas.

Hosted by Kelly Lovejoy.

Self Defense

Part one: Come learn the basics of self defense in a fun and supportive environment! Learn basic falling; escapes and defenses against holds, bear hugs, and arm grabs; and the role that confidence and presence plays in your daily safety.

Part two: This session will be emergent depending on the specific interests of the participants. The options for part two include:

Continued practice of falling techniques
Ground grappling techniques and escapes
Basic throws
More advanced arm bars and wrist locks

Hosted by Bria Bloom.

Make a Masquerade Mask

Decorate a half mask with paint, glitter glue, rhinestones etc.

Hosted by Carla Tucker.

Create a Paper Circuit

Using copper tape and a surface-mount LED you’ll make a fully functional circuit on a piece of paper. With a little more effort, you can add switches and extra lights. You can even make an original drawing that has working lights!

Please be warned, copper tape may cause paper cuts. Kids 8 and under please bring your adult for help.

Hosted by Renita Keatley.

Mysticism and Minerals

Want to learn about rocks and all their mystical properties? Maybe you are interested in identifying rocks for your own personal collection, or you want to know how rocks are formed. In this funshop we will test your knowledge about rocks in a fun game of “Real or Fake” where you will get to look over some samples. Afterward, we will talk about key identifiers for spotting the difference between genuine rocks and those tricky fakes; what special properties each rock has and we will let you in on some local spots where you can hunt for rocks of your own!

Hosted by Emily Smoot & Otto Norton.

Upcycle Your Old Clothes

Look at your old clothing through new eyes. Clothes that are outgrown, stained, flawed, etc. can be re-made into something new. I will provide the tools and any guidance necessary to help the participants make something new. My ideas include, but aren’t limited to:

  • crocheting or weaving with “tarn” (“yarn” made from T-shirt strips)
  • making T-shirt bags
  • sock puppets or sock cat-toys
  • cutting t-shirts to add details or turn them into other things just by cutting and tying
  • hand mending and patching, using Boro style embroidery

Hosted by Janis Abel Hyde.

Rebel Revolt Escape Room

An Evil Hacker Is About To Put An End To The Internet…

The United World Government’s W.A.R. Facility is nearing completion. Your crew must stop this happening at all costs.
The mission? Steal the Antimatter Warhead.
But how? By solving lots and lots of interesting, fun puzzles!
Oh yes, and eliminating robots. Psychopathic killer robots. But more on that later…

Hosted by Shannon Buckley.

Hack The Room – Escape Room for 6-8yo

An Evil Hacker Is About To Put An End To The Internet…

The Mad Black Hatter is set to release a computer virus into the world that will crash the internet!
Can you and your team of coders hack into his computer and stop the virus before it’s too late? This escape room requires teams of 4 people. Find your team and be ready to play.

Hosted by Shannon Buckley.

“Unschoolers in the Wild: Living Their Lives; Learning” – A Photo Slideshow

For folks who are new to unschooling and those looking for fresh inspiration.

What does unschooling look like? Have you ever wished you could get a peek into the lives of other unschooling families to visualize their typical days? Unschooling mom Janice McDonald, will present a slideshow of a variety of children learning in nontraditional ways. Photos will run the gamut of comical, serious, thoughtful and everything in between. You’ll leave feeling inspired, renewed and ready to go out and find new ways to help your children grow! Hosted by Janice McDonald.

Improv Games

Join us to play improv games and learn the basics of improvisational acting. Improv is the art of acting without a script and while making a scene up as you go. We’ll play fun games and begin to teach how to do beginner scenes. All ages are welcome, but please be aware that improv takes concentration and a willingness to listen and learn. Hosted by Maya Huck, Paige Murphy & Olivia Smith .

Ice Breakers and Improv Games Just for Tweens (approx. 9-13 years old)

Tweens! Join us for some fun group games, from classic improv to Not Back to School Camp (nbtsc) favorites. We’ll learn human knot, rock paper scissors cheerleader, in the matter of the adverb and others depending on the size our group. Come to watch or to play! Hosted by Leif Schmit.

24 HOUR FILM CHALLENGE

Hey do you wanna, mAKE A MOVIE? Do you wanna pARTICIPATE IN A FUN CHALLENGE? Well THIS is the CHALLENGE for YOU.

Write, film, and edit a movie in 24 hours!! A creative race against the clock!
Gather a team of roughly 2-7 members, select a genre, and incorporate the 3 prompts given.

The challenge is open to people of all ages and experience levels–You don’t need to know anything about making movies to participate, the goal isn’t necessarily to make incredible films, but to have a Fun Time making films together.

You can use any tools to make your movie, whether a professional movie camera and Premiere Pro or a phone and windows movie maker (or somewhere in between) it’s all welcome and it’s all great.

(We’ll happily provide software recommendations and some help and info to get you started!)

Also we’ll be having a sWEET SCREENING of all the films at the end of the challenge!!
So make sure to come see what everyone made!

Hosted by Amelia Van Brink, Sebby Sellers & Max Vanlandingham.

Magic: the Gathering Commander Tournament

Prizing
1st place —> Bundle
2nd place —> Planeswalker Deck
3rd place —> Booster pack
4th-16th —> 1x random card
Player cap: 16
Timing: 4-5 hours
Hosted by Jaden Castelluccio.

Haiku by You

Come explore with us
Craft your own unique journey
A story through words

Hosted by Emily Smoot & Genna McLeod.

Earthquakes and Shakes

Have you ever wondered if all earthquakes are the same? What does magnitude even mean? How does the ground under our feet really change during an earthquake? Come find out how earthquakes are measured and learn the mechanics of the three different types of earthquakes! We will do two experiments that demonstrate how the earth moves in an earthquake and the effect of earthquakes on different types of ground! This will be a super fun time that uncovers some of those rumbling questions you have about this common and yet mysterious natural phenomenon! Hosted by Emily Smoot.

Introduction to Emotional Acupressure

Learn how to use two emotional acupressure interventions to reduce or eliminate emotional distress. Hosted by Rachelle McCloud.

Setting up a Raspberry Pi

Salmon and Paul will show you how they set up their Raspberry Pi to connect to an LED and turn it off and on with a web page. Raspberry Pi s are small inexpensive computers great for projects and just having fun. Learning coding, playing Minecraft, controlling your robots, watering your plants, or playing a thousand old video games – you can do all this with your Pi. Hosted by Paul & Salmon Ellis.

Writer’s Round Table with a Focus on Unschooled Characters

Have you ever noticed the lack of unschooled characters in books? Let’s come together and share our ideas for increasing that genre. Our kids deserve to see themselves represented in books too. Do you have an idea for a story based on what you or your children want to read? Maybe you’ve already written something and you’d like to read a section of it to the group for feedback? Time permitting, we’ll do some writing exercises. Everyone is welcome. Let’s get writing! Hosted by Janice McDonald.

Sticker Making

Join two of Portland’s street artists as we demonstrate a fun and easy ways to make portable art. We will provide different types of adhesive paper, basic art mediums and scissors. Please feel free to bring any additional art supplies to make your stickers uniquely you! Hosted by Daizee & Nathan Torres.

Meet and Greet for Newbies

We will help everyone attending the conference for the first time understand the flow of the conference, maneuvering logistics, tips on getting your needs met and answer any questions you might have about how to make the conference work for you and your family. Or if you’re not a newbie, come share your favorite conference tips. Hosted by Kristin Lake & Carolyn Groves.

Get-Teen to Know You Icebreaker Games

Teens only
Are you a teen new to LiG? Are you a veteran teen looking to meet new friends? Come on down to the Get Teen to Know You! We’ll play name games, have friendship speed dating and pizza! Hosted by the LiG Teen Scene.

Instant Pot: the easy way to cook

Cooking in an Instant Pot electric pressure cooker has changed some unschoolers’ lives. Right there in the hotel atrium we will quickly and easily make and sample three or four dishes; maybe mac n cheese, beans and rice (using the tiered pot-in-pot method, cooking them at the same time, but separately), baked potatoes and gravy (again, with the gravy down below and the potatoes above). Please let Clarissa know ahead of time if you have a particular request.

Experienced Instant Pot users invited to come share what works, new users and the curious welcomed to bring questions. Everything will be provided. Hosted by Clarissa Fetrow.

ATC-Artist Trading Cards

What are Artist Trading Cards? Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) are simply pieces of art that are made out of cards measuring 2.5”by 3.5”. You can buy special paper already cut to this size, or better yet, simply use sturdy paper you already have at home. Old file folders, card stock, greeting cards – any paper that is not flimsy – can be cut to the right dimensions and used as an ATC. Think about baseball trading cards and look for paper about that weight. Or, be creative and use materials other than paper. Just keep to the 2.5” x 3.5” size. Once you have your 2.5 x 3.5” card, what you do with it is up to you. Draw on it, paint, collage, sew, embellish, write words.
In an ATCs funshop, all of the participants share materials, themes, techniques and ideas with others in the funshop to make unique ATCs. And we always schedule time for trading/swapping finished cards too!

ATCs Supplies needed from Home for this Funshop:

    • Cardstock-Cut to the 2.5″x 3.5″ size and leftover scraps.
    • Colored paper of various weights and sizes.
    • Old gift wrap, Magazines and Catalogs for collage cards.
    • Fabric scraps, Buttons and other sewing notions for
      embellishment.
    • Watercolor paints, Crayons, Colored Markers, Gel Pens, Colored Pencils etc.
    • Scissors, Paper Punches, Glue, Tape, etc.
    • And any other Arts and Crafts supplies that you would like to share(Most Scrapbooking Supplies work well for making ATCs).

*Even if you don’t participate in the ATC funshop, we would really appreciate donations of art supplies from everyone!* Hosted by Erika Davis-Pitre.