TES Festival 2022

~ August 19 – 22 ~

Hosted by the Transforming Education Society

With support from the Ecoversities Alliance

The TES FEST is a multi-generational un/learning festival for re-imagining education bringing like-minded folks together who are active or interested in self-directed education, nurturing diverse learning communities, intercultural + intergenerational partnership, and regenerative living.

This is an invitation to gather and instigate a future of education that is life-long, rooted in community, and relevant to our present realities. Join us in co-creating a fun, supportive, and inspiring environment where children and youth voices are equally (if not more) important than the adults, see what happens when young people lead the discussions that affect them most.

We are inviting all alternative educators, homeschoolers, unschoolers, world schoolers, artists, gamers, designers, activists, healers, foragers, poets, spiritual explorers, community-weavers, social entrepreneurs, grandparents, grandchildren, ecologists, dreamers, culture-workers, etc !

Current Schedule: (Check back for updates!)

Anyone of any age who is passionate about:

RECLAIMING JOY AND CURIOSITY IN LEARNING
ALTERNATIVES TO CONVENTIONAL SCHOOLING
DECOLONISING EDUCATION
YOUTH LIBERATION + MULTIGENERATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
RE-IMAGINING LEARNING STRUCTURES, SYSTEMS, AND COMMUNITIES

The festival is fully participatory and open for all to engage as learners and facilitators and will include scheduled and emergent sessions run by and geared towards all ages. Click here to host/facilitate a session!

The event will be in-person with some sessions available online.

Location:
In Person – Alexandra Neighbourhood House
2916 McBride Avenue, Surrey, BC, Canada, Semiahmoo Traditional Territory

Online (Select Sessions Aug 20 & 21) – Zoom

Welcome: Friday, August 19 at 6 pm Pacific Time
Departure: Monday, August 22 at 11 am Pacific Time

INFORMATION FOR IN-PERSON PARTICIPANTS:

Can I bring my kids? Yes, please! This is an all ages, family friendly event.

How are you holding Covid Safety? We encourage folks to take a rapid test before arriving and wear masks while congregating indoors.

Are there showers? Yes! There are showers available for folks staying overnight.

Can I bring my pet? No, unfortunately, the venue does not allow pets.

What are the accommodations like? There are small dorm-style rooms with 2 single beds in each. There are mattresses but you will need to provide your own bedding!

Other Things to Note:

There are beautiful beaches and parks within walking distance.

We will have a smoothie-making station!

There is a small kitchen available for all participants to use.

Testimonials from participants at last year’s online festival:

“Loved how there was a diversity of subjects and styles of speaking and formats for presenting things and it felt more like a grass-roots gathering than too much of an academic endeavor (not that some of that isn’t okay).”

Un/Learning Festival 2021 participant

“I like how it felt kind of democratic school-y and unschool-y. ie more laid back and flexible.”

Un/Learning Festival 2021 participant

“It was wonderful to hear from experienced people, and to talk to like-minded people!”

Un/Learning Festival 2021 participant

“Wow, this was so inspiring and thought-provoking! It’s gorgeous the way you handled the festival – the smooth organization, the way you have allotted time and the spare room for hanging out, the intros and the hosting – very professional and so unstrained and informal at the same time, it really made a difference. I had prepared to just listen to some experienced people, but instead, I got to feel personally seen and engaged in each session, the chats were so lively and full of useful info, people are of such different ages, and especially very young learners – that should be the norm! <3”

Un/Learning Festival 2021 participant