Spring cleaning time! The MASH Facebook Group aims to connect Manitoba Homeschoolers and, from time to time, needs to ensure that members of this group are current homeschoolers. To this end, ALL Facebook members of the MASH Facebook Group will be asked to rejoin on May 1st (May Day). If you are a current homeschooler and on our Facebook, please rejoin as YOU are the community we are striving to support. See you soon!
PS. Information about Winnipeg Homeschoolers Facebook Group and MASH Teen Facebook Group.
Winnipeg Homeschoolers Facebook Group MASH will not longer be administering the Winnipeg Homeschoolers Facebook Group. As of March 31, Winnipeg Homeschoolers become unaffiliated with MASH.
MASH became administrators as a large number of previous MASH Advisory Team members were already members of the Winnipeg Homeschoolers Facebook Group. They took this Facebook group under their wing. Now the current Advisory Team would like to give this group back to the community.
The MASH Teen Facebook Group was started by the previous MASH Advisory Team. The current Advisory Team feels that this group is not very active and the information a some what redundant with the main MASH Facebook group. In order to minimize administration burdens and free up more time to focus in other areas, we have decided to close this group.
Monday, May 26th from 11:00am – 2:00pm at Assiniboine Park (Nature Playground)
Come join us TBD from 11am to 2pm (possibly later) for the annual MASH End-of-Year Picnic at Assiniboine Park Nature Playground. It is a great way to meet other MASH members and end an awesome school year! Bring a lunch, picnic blanket and hangout with us!
Come for the the week, a few nights or just for the day!
We are hoping you will join us for MASH Camping Week; a week of nature walks, crafts, barbecuing, campfires, and chilling with other homeschooling families. Bring your family, camping gear, and food for a week of activities and fun.
MORE INFORMATION Schedule for Spring (DRAFT): This will be our 5th MASH Camping Week. We have put on lots of activities in the last four camping weeks, but are now looking to the community to help lead an activity. There will be a sign up form if you are willing to lead an activity.
Things to note about the schedule:
Schedule is to be finalized a month before camping week (in May).
Group Campsite is Song Bay 01.
Blue boxes are activities geared towards older kids (all welcome).
Brown boxes are programs put on by Birds Hill Park for our group.
Pizza orders need to have your name and a note “to be picked up by MASH” by 5pm on Thursday to the Pizza Hut in Oakbank. Phone: (204) 444-5551 Order online by clicking here.
Schedule is just a guideline that is subject to change due to weather and other circumstances.
MASH Camping Week will be centered near Song Bay, the group campsite is Song Bay 01. If you’re camping, it is highly recommended to book near Song Bay. Booking near by allows for the kids to bump into buddies and meet up at the playground easily.
For electrical sites ($22.05/night), book Song Bay or Lark Bay. For basic sites ($17.85/night), book Fox Bay. For full service ($25.20/night), book Swamp Bay Savannah Bay, or Tree Bay (they are farther way from Song Bay). To see where everyone else has booked, please join the chat.
Each family attending is responsible for their own park vehicle permit and campground fee (if camping) as well as their food, beverages, and costs incurred for the week. There are no cost to join the events and no need to signup for join for the day but a heads up is always appreciated to those organizing the activities. Every person under the age of 18 is to be under the care of their parent(s) or an appointed adult guardian.
Participation is voluntary, but R-E-S-P-E-C-T is expected.
We are hoping this gives us more time to build connections and create community!
The mandatory school age has been changed to age 6 as of March 2024. However, the Homeschooling Office has waived that requirement for this current school year. The Homeschooling Office website will be updated for the 2025-26 school year indicating that parents must notify (send in student notification forms) and provide reports for children ages 6-18 in June.
This is just trying to help inform homeschoolers earlier.
If any questions, you can call 204-945-8138 or email [email protected] to contact the Homeschooling Office or email MASH at [email protected].
Here is an old news article of that change for reference:
Our 2025 MASH Conference: Bravely Optimistic would not be same without these sponsors. We are so thankful to the sponsors that are so willing to support us! THANK YOU!
Join us for tobogganing, bonfire, and some good ol’ winter fun!
UPDATE: Event is still on. Toboggan Slides are closed, but we will still meet at the Toboggan Slides. Hopefully there is enough snow on the small hill next to the slides to do a bit of sledding. We will gather around the campfire near the parking area for roasting.
When: Monday, March 3rd from 11:00am – 2:00pm Where: St. Vital Park – Toboggan Slides Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7txTw34YBdK3zsyK8 Parking: there is parking lot east of the toboggan slides
What to Bring (optional):
Toboggan
Lunch
Things for roasting (ie. roasting sticks, marshmallows, wieners, etc.)
Hot beverage of choice
Camping chair
Fun winter activity to share
This is one of our annual MASH events and one of my favorites! Meet y’all around the fire!
Plan B: or move to the playground. Both locations will have a campfire area.
Date: Saturday, February 8th, 2025 Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm Address: Harrow United 955 Mulvey Ave, Winnipeg Registration Deadline: January 31st Registering early helps conference organizers with scheduling tables and facilitators.
Ticket Price: $40 – for two people registering together $25 – for an individual registering $30 – for an individual registering (after January 31) Lunch, snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Ways to Pay: 1. etransfer to [email protected] with a note of your name/names of participants registering together. 2. Make alternate arrangement through Michele Merchant or Tiffany Todosichuk by emailing [email protected].
Are you BRAVELY OPTIMISTIC?
…if you’re a homeschooler, you already are!
We as homeschoolers have BRAVELY made a decision to homeschool. This path is not always clear or well walked, but by gauging those on the trail with us and our surroundings, we walk this path. While we are homeschooling not only are we leading our children, we are following them too, as that is the way to walk the unbeaten path.
“There is always light if only we were brave enough to see it, if only we were brave enough to be it.”
-Amanda Gormon
When deciding to set off on this homeschooling journey, we all had OPTIMISTIC outlooks. None of us started this adventure hoping these steps would lead to hunger, sore muscles, scrapes and bruises, and getting lost. On the way, we might prepare for these eventualities, but that is not the reason we made the choice to embark.
“Optimism is essential to achievement and the foundation of courage and true progress.”
-Nicholas M. Butler
In the thick of homeschooling, we may feel the occasional doubt. We all do. Winter lulls due to cold weather and some isolation does happen here in Manitoba. That is why we should come together to be the light that shines and reflects the initial spark that lit our homeschooling flame.
*Update* SPEAKERS We are happy to announce our “Bravely Optimistic” 2025 MASH Conference speakers: Jennifer Gehman and Daniel McIntyre-Ridd
Jennifer has been an activate member in the MASH homeschooling community. She is a seasoned homeschooling ninja and proud mom to a lively bunch of five grown-up adventurers! She will not sugar coat the homeschool lifestyle, but cuts it into easily understandable tips. We are happy to have her share about being “Brave”.
Daniel is a homeschool graduate himself, graduating in 2016. His passion for homeschooling and life show us how unique each journey is. His confidence is contagious while speaking and answering questions. He helps us homeschooling parents have an “Optimistic” view about our own charges.
If you were at the 2023 MASH Conference, you will remember what wonderful speakers they are. We are happy to welcome them back to this year’s conference.
TABLE TALKS Last conference, we changed the format to table talks that run like a living library (an event where people can borrow volunteers to have conversations about their experiences). The table talks are facilitated small-group discussions of up to eight participants along with two facilitators. We learned a lot from each other and loved it. We will be following the same format. These discussions are meant to connect homeschoolers that share experiences with specific topics. The conference strives to create a comfortable environment where these intimate group discussions can really help connect participates with each other and help build a strong foundation for the homeschooling community.
2025 MASH Conference Table Topics:
Talking about Life-Learning/Unschooling
Likely you’ve seen life learning and unschooling in action as your child explores, asks questions and naturally builds on previous knowledge. These child-led educational approaches do not involve a curriculum, rather they involve supporting your child in their desired learning, and trusting that they will learn what they need to know. At this Table Talk, chat with homeschoolers about the benefits and challenges with this educational approach.
Nurturing Your Homeschooler’s Passions
Supporting your child’s passions is a wonderful sentiment, but what does it mean? At this Table Talk, we look forward to discussing what your child is excited about and how supporting those interests may look. It can be challenging to support an interest that isn’t easily identifiable as providing life skills, but let’s delve into how those interests can provide opportunities for growth and mastery.
Homeschooling Neurodivergent Children
Homeschooling any child can be a struggle sometimes, but homeschooling children who don’t “fit the mould” can provide an extra layer of challenges. At the same time, homeschooling can provide our neurodivergent children with the freedom to develop in their own way. At this Table Talk, we’ll talk about the real life struggles and successes of homeschooling students who are neurodivergent.
Creating Co-ops and Coordinating Events
Are you looking for a community to share experiences with? Do you have an idea for a club that you’d like to create for your kids to play with other homeschooled kids? Would you like to attend field trips with other homeschoolers? How do you go about finding your community? At this Table Talk, we will be discussing these questions and sharing how homeschoolers have created – and kept – their homeschool co-op community alive.
Homeschooling the Early Years (start to approximately 12 years old)
It is natural to be born with a love of learning. How can you foster this love of learning and help your child(ren) develop a solid foundation for future learning? At this Table Talk, chat with two homeschoolers about the trial and error of developing an early years homeschool plan.
Homeschooling the Later Years (teen years to graduation)
Homeschooling during the teen years comes with unique challenges, such as planning for the future, providing opportunities for engaging with peers, and ensuring that plans are in place if further education (university, college, etc.) is anticipated. At this Table Talk, chat with homeschoolers to hear their experiences, ask your questions and to get inspiration as you homeschool your teen(s).
Homeschooling Multiple Ages
Homeschooling children of multiple ages can be challenging because there are just so many kids!! Juggling your time to meet the needs of each child and each subject, while dealing with frequent interruptions is a lot. However, it can also allow for unique opportunities like prioritizing teamwork, strengthening family bonds and developing character. At this Table Talk, we look forward to discussing some of the challenges and opportunities when simultaneously homeschooling children of different ages.
Homeschooling with Anxiety
Has your anxiety prevented you from taking part in homeschooling events or reaching out to fellow homeschoolers? Has it made it challenging to be the homeschooling parent you want to be for your child(ren)? At This Table talk, chat with homeschoolers who live with anxiety, hear about their challenges/successes, share your own (if you’d like) and, hopefully, feel comforted on your homeschooling journey.
2025 MASH CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
9:30am – 10:00am
Registration, Refreshments, Find Your Seat at First Table Talk
10:00am – 10:30am
Welcome Speeches
10:30am – 11:30am
First Table Talk
11:30am – 12:30pm
Lunch Break
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Second Table Talk
1:30pm – 2:00pm
Break
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Third Table Talk
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Closing Remarks
OPTIONAL THINGS TO BRING
Your own reusable mug
Homeschooling resources to share – labeled with your name
This helps homeschoolers see different resources that other homeschoolers recommend.
Homeschooling resources to sell – labeled with your name and the price
Homeschooling resources to give away – labeled with “FREE”
Paper and pen for notes
GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT
We were hoping to create a graduate spotlight booklet of homeschool graduates to help inspire the rest of us. If you are or know a homeschool graduate, please fill out this form to help us create our Graduate Spotlight for our conference pamphlet.
SPONSORS This year we will not have on-site vendors, but will still open our conference pamphlet, Facebook groups, website and emailed newsletter to homeschool related sponsors. If you would like to sponsor our 2025 conference, please fill out our Sponsorship Form.
Payment can be etransfered to [email protected] or alternative arrangements can be made with Michele Merchant or Tiffany Todosichuk by emailing [email protected]. If you have questions, please email our conference sponsor coordinator Emma Farmer at [email protected]. THANK YOU!
We hope you will join us for the 2025 “Bravely Optimistic” MASH Conference.
This is a message from Lindsey from Birds Hill Junior Naturalist Program (please send your responses directly to her by emailing her at [email protected]):
Good afternoon,
There have been several inquiries over the past few months about the park hosting programs for older homeschooling students in grades 7-12 (ages 13-18). I am considering hosting a trial run of these programs over the winter months and would like to gauge how many people would be interested in this sort of a program.
If you have students in your family that are homeschooling in grades 7-12 (ages 13-18) that would be interested in attending outdoor educational programs at Birds Hill Park, could you please reply to this email and let me know how many students and what grades/ages they are. If there is a particular topic or activity your student would like to learn more about in the park, please let me know.
Please note: this is not a registration. This is just an information gathering phase to help me gauge the level of interest before setting dates and program content.
If you do not have homeschooling students in grades 7-12 (ages 13-18), no follow up is required and you can disregard this email.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Thank you for your assistance!
Lindsey Mitton, Senior Park Interpreter Birds Hill Provincial Park Manitoba Environment and Climate Change Birds Hill District 68092 PR 206 Cooks Creek, MB R5M 0C9 Phone: 204-654-6739
Sharing a message from the Homeschooling Office for a possible job opportunity:
I hope you are well. I thought I would share this with MASH as they might be aware of Manitoba certified teachers who might be interested, please share this announcement with anyone interested in applying for the advertised homeschooling Liaison Officer position. I wish you all the best. https://jobsearch.gov.mb.ca/generateBulletin.action?ID=125279
