Anyone back from Hesfes? Come and tell us all about it.

[poopscoop]

The good and the bad.

Thinking of going next year so would love to hear all about it from the horses mouth so to speak.

[Yurtgirl]

Me too we would love to go but I want the low down

[poopscoop]

bump

[Yurtgirl]

Maybe they are all still there poopscoop and couldnt bear to leave

[poopscoop]

either that or it was soooo horrendous they cannot bring themselves to speak about it!

Are you a member of EO. There was a seaside day yesterday down at broadstairs that sounded good fun. Only spotted it today though.

[Yurtgirl]

Not yet but no doubt we will
There are other HE organisations arent their HEUK ? Is that one? I dunno! I just got the impression there were several and I dont know which to join!

We decided today that we are going to subscribe to Young Archelogists Club (yes I know I cant spell that!) and Professor Krampf's Happy Scientists club - he is soooooooo happy, we are big fans of him!

Maybe the HESFESers got stuck in some mud! I think Julienoshoes went.............

[poopscoop]

yes there are loads and heuk is great. One of the things I liked about eo was when i first started to HE they seemed to have all the info to point me in the right direction.

Local groups and contact names, then after you find your feet you can sort of drift about and do your own thing.

They also gve you the truancy card to show anyone who may stop you in the street. Lots of people use them as a starting point. But you are right, there are masses of other groups etc to get involved in.

How old are your dc?

[Yurtgirl]

7 and 5 poop - how old are yours?

YAC and the happy scientist arent specific to HE of course - its just that we were talking about joining today

Is it EO that give you the truancy card or HEUK?

[poopscoop]

9 12 and 14, but only the 12 year old is HE at the moment and the 9 year old will probably be HE when 11.

EO give the truancy card, and also have a forum which you can chat or get resources or ideas or just general support.

[Yurtgirl]

Cool thanks for that info
I need to get organised and join

[ommmward]

THEN-UK are another HE organisation - I'd join them for the networking and keep an eye on AHEd for the politics, myself, rather than EDucation Otherwise, but horses for courses

[rooftop]

Hello all - we went to HesFes 2009. It was our first time and we will definitely be returning next year. Ds was up & out of the tent each morning (quickly shovelled food down!!) and then I saw him a couple of times during the day usually for more food!! He had LOADS of childrens activities/workshops to choose from but spent most days "just playing" !!! He made lots of new friends whose e-mail addys he collected.
I enjoyed the diversity of the people we met and discovering about the varied HE lifestyles they led. The adult workshops were thought provoking/interesting/challenging.
Deffo worth the ticket price.
On-site food was vegan/veggie. Mid-price range. Good quality.
Toilets were terrible but Andy has promised these will be sorted for next year. 2009 was a new site with new contractors.
The site was a large field with the river running alongside (which lots of children swam/played in) Not commercial, just lots of lovely open space for eveyone to enjoy.

[poopscoop]

oh thanks for the update, it really sounds fab. What age is your DS just out of interest. I would be going with ds's who will be 10 and 13 next time. Poss dd aged 15. what was the best age group for hesfes kids?

Wonder why the onsite food was all vegan/veggie? Not that I eat much meat at all but just wondering.

Anway thanks for letting us know

[julienoshoes]

yes I went
But got home late Sat night, worked Sun morning and evening and then went to London with my mom on Monday. Home late last night. Haven't had time to chat about HesFes! Still shattered!

Loved HesFes-as we always do.
This time only went with ds and dd2, but previously we have been with all of my children, step children and step grandchildren. So from Toddlers to Grandad.
All loved HesFes and will come again another year.

Think onsite food was veggie, because then everyone could eat it-I don't know if the size of the festival would support another ctaering venue as well.

Back everything Rooftop said. New site was lovely, huge, so we had plenty of space and once the toilet situation is sorted it will be great!

My children were 13,11 and 8 and Hesfes was a major factor in their social lives. They have met and made so many friends there over the years (and so have I!)

The activities are great-something for everybody, I loved the Children's caberat as I always do, and the music was good too-but then I am very biased about that!

Forgive any spelling mistakes-spell checker not working for some reason and my dyslexia is always worse whan I am tired.

[Trinerine]

Back from Hesfes too! Ds (12) loved it, the last two years being the best ever for him. I think he's old enough to enjoy some independence and making friends but not old enough for the teen stuff. Not sure I'll be happy to go then. The site was great, hygiene was a bit of an issue but that comes with experience. Organisers do a great job and all volunteers. Ds asking to go to Peak camp2, I know where and when but nothing else, anybody know more?

[julienoshoes]

What do you need to know about PeakCamp2 Trinerine?

Peak Camp2 has been arranged again because many families could not attend Peak1 because of exams etc.

Beautiful site,

Showers and toilets very basic (not portaloos ) but clean -need 20ps for hot water.

Cheap to go to- £2/3 night per adult about £1 for a child.
Pay only for the nights you stay
Pay the campsite directly.

Hartington Village for basic provisions about 40 mins gorgeous walk through beautiful dale and then over hill.

Supermarkets/town about 20 mins away by car.

As it is school holidays there will be many more none HE families there, than there are at PeakCamp1

No organised workshops, just a large number of HE families having fun together.

Anything else you need to know?

We love Peak Camp and are sorry not to be able to attend this time, because of other commitments.

[Trinerine]

Thankyou Julienoshoes, thats really helpful.

Ds is keen to go, so will try ringing campsite to make sure there is room. We will try a couple of nights as there are too many other commitments, also a bit worried about the weather!! The camp sounds fun!

[julienoshoes]

Great, I do hope you enjoy it!

I don't think the campsite will know how much room they will have though-we are talking home educators here!
They don't have to book before going and so the majority won't.

There has always been enough room when ever I have been there though.

I think trying it for a couple of nights to begin with is a good idea.
people will be coming and going all through the arranged dates for the camp.
Might even see you there one of the days. I'll be tempted to visit if my close friends are camping!