Changes for 2025

We've always said our group is a living organization which brings change and growth. Last year tested our resolve to continue learning and growing together with the sale of the building and changes required to continue. We're excited to share our plans for this year.

Philosophy

This hasn’t changed. Our vision and mission remain exactly the same.

Membership

Last spring, prior to knowing about the upcoming building change, we decided it was time to follow our hearts and move away from a 'school' model and more fully create a community. With this focus came the decision to no longer hold Open Door Days. While this may be disappointing, we have other ways to invite families to see what we are doing. Open Door Days were helpful for visiting families but they had some logistical challenges that required a lot of effort from our current families. We're confident our new approach will share the goodness of our community with less stress for everyone. Families that want to visit can complete our contact form and will be invited to attend one cultural celebration (or another event) that works for their schedule prior to enrollment and payment.

With these changes came the desire to give more options to individuals and families. It has been a sweet experience to consider the needs and wants of those within our community as well as those who may come that needed these changes to be able to participate.

Fees

Our fees remain the same and are utilized for insurance, website/app costs, supply costs, retreats and activities. Family fees will be due each calendar year on the anniversary of your membership beginning. This allows families to join all year when we have open spots as opposed to only once per year. Fees are non-refundable.

There are some additional costs that come up for various activities. They are made known in event details.

Schedule

Because we no longer had the same building arrangement that we'd gotten so used to (and loved), we decided to look at many ideas for a new schedule and process to move forward with. It took some time and I'm grateful for all of the families who were patient and supportive in this process. Resilience and strong character was shown in countless ways with so many showing up to help and encourage. It was inspiring.

Because of the efforts and prayers and pondering of many mothers and friends, we have settled on this schedule for the year and we are so excited!

Week 1: Mothers of Influence is important to our growth and connections as mothers. We are giving it a more designated priority in our schedule and incorporating more field trips. We love to experience things together so regular field trips will be a welcome addition.

Week 2: Our local groups have been meeting since December and it has been just lovely! Smaller groups leave space for more moms to connect and for additional activities and teaching opportunities that are difficult with a big group. These local groups also allow for multi-age group learning which is a wonderful change.

Week 3: We've done a really good job filling the needs of our youngest friends and now we are placing an active focus on our youth (children ages 11+). As our children grow, we want to continue to have plenty of pasture learning opportunities for them and connection in our community. We are looking forward to designated youth activities with a focus on learning for them at least once monthly. Date night is an important and beloved part of what we do which will continue to be hosted by couples within our group.

Week 4: Cultural Celebrations! We wanted to maintain our gathering in some ways and this is the perfect way to do so. We will gather all together. Families will RSVP at least one week in advance and every attending parent will have a role to fill. We still believe that everyone needs to be contributing. This planning will take place the week leading up to the gathering. We love that we still get to gather in this way and enjoy a variety of food from the cultures and locations we will be learning about. These will be held in various locations where families are meeting in smaller, local groups when/where accommodations are available for our large group.

Week 5: It's not common to have five Thursdays in a month, but when we do, we will have an additional special gathering for our youth.

Special Events

All that we do is planned and executed by families in our community. We're working on a father's retreat (requested by dads in our group), a day-long youth retreat, and a family camp to happen in 2025.

As always, scheduling is subject to change, but this is our tentative plan for the year.

We love these changes for several reasons. Here are a few:

1) by rotating 4th week meeting locations, the same people are not traveling the distance every time

2) there is more flexibility with this model which no longer requires weekly attendance; families can attend as much or as little as they like

3) a more peaceful schedule

4) more time for connection

5) more variety!

If you're interested in joining us this year, I'm happy to discuss what you're looking for and any questions you have. We have groups gathering in Blackfoot/Shelley, Idaho Falls, Rigby, and Rexburg/St. Anthony.

To apply for membership, click here.

-Britt