Living Streams Education Retreat
Silverton, Oregon | March 20-22 2026
Pricing
Early Bird Price ​
*Before January 20th
Top Bunk
​Bottom Bunk
$265
$300
Registration
*After January 20th
Top Bunk
​Bottom Bunk
$300
$335
All registration closes on March 10th.
Additional Registrants receive a $15 discount.
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Add - On Options:
Multi-Age Homeschool Immersion (Friday 9a. to 3p.)
Thursday Dinner, Friday Breakfast or Sunday Lunch​​​
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Teens 14+ Choose "Additional Registrant Discount" for $15 off.​
Teens are welcome to register for the retreat with an expectation to serve as needed, help with babies and enjoy some sessions as well as time with their friends. ​
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$85
$13.50
Accomodations and Meals
Christian Renewal Center 22444 N. Fork Rd SE, Silverton, OR 97381
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The Christian Renewal Center has beautiful grounds set in the heart of the forest, perfect for a weekend of renewal. The lodge offers cozy common areas that gather around the wood-burning stove; perfect for enjoying rich conversations and life together. A full large kitchen is available to our group. Each plenary session will meet in the warm and cheerful Rotunda.
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Rooms
All accommodations offer a comfortable stay for attendees. Each room is shared with 2-3 other attendees with both single and bunk style beds. You will be provided with your assigned room at check in. Roommate requests must be made at the time of registration.
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Meals
Retreat registration includes Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast. Add on meal options include Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast and Sunday lunch depending on your plans.
* Restrictions and Allergies.
The retreat center cannot fully accommodate special dietary needs (i.e. gluten free, dairy free, allergies) but will choose meals that best navigate the needs of our group ​and share their menu with us 5-7 days in advance of our retreat. Please let mark your food restrictions in the registration so we can share the info with the retreat center. We will share the menu with registrants the week before. You can bring prepared food to supplement what is being served if needed. There is plenty of fridge space in the lodge. Life-threatening allergies should make a special note in comments so they can avoid that item.
Sessions
Plenary Sessions with mentor, Nancy Kelly
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Vitality as the Hidden Force of a Charlotte Mason Education
A CM education is different and stands alone among the educational philosophies of the world. This may be due in large part to its not-so-apparent foundation of vitality, the peculiarity distinguishing the living from the non-living and the capacity to live and develop. Careful reading of her writings reveals the source of this vitality that keeps so many of us sharing and practicing the method our entire lives. Join me as we explore how our bodies, souls, and spirits are uniquely enriched by following Mason education.
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Time Share
How did it get so late so soon?​
It's night before it's afternoon.
December is here before it's June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?
-Dr. Seuss, How Did it Get So Late So Soon?
​The past few years have been hard. How have you done with the time that has been given you? Join me as we talk about "time," specifically look at Mason's references to The Discontented Pendulum and how we choose to order our minutes, days, weeks, and years. What if our exasperation about how time flies isn't a time management problem but a theological issue?
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Citizenship in the Curriculum: Mason, Magnanimity, and the Moral Life
Nancy will present an in-depth look at how Charlotte Mason and the PNEU schools approach the subject of citizenship and character development, an area she has been researching and practicing for years. Through Mason's own works, a picture talk, poetry, and personal stories she will explore Mason's claim that our function as teachers is "to supply children with the rations of knowledge which they require; and the rest, character and conduct, efficiency and ability, and that finest quality of the citizen, magnanimity, take care of themselves."
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Meditation: Narration of the Heart
Charlotte Mason put a heavy emphasis on meditation for the parent and the child. This talk explores what she meant by meditation and looks deeply at this neglected Christian practice. There is a not-surprising correlation between how we read Scripture and our school books! We will learn what Mason called "the most important part of the preparation of the mother."​
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Breakout Sessions - TBA
You will have the opportunity to choose two topical break out sessions. We will be announcing these closer to the retreat date.
Saturday Morning
-Option 1-
-Option 2-
-Option 3-
Saturday Afternoon
-Option 1-
-Option 2-
-Option 3-
Friday Optional Add-On Sessions​
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Multi-Age Homeschool Immersion with Nancy Kelly (Cost $85)
In an immersion group session, Nancy will demonstrate a morning in a multi-age homeschool using Mason's methods. Despite the large age range in many homeschools, adherence to the principles and practices in every area can make this rich education possible. The focus will be on subjects that can successfully be combined with multiple ages. Subject areas that may be presented will include Bible, dictation, citizenship, Shakespeare, Plutarch hymn, folksong, copywork, picture study, composer study, natural history, literature, nature study and geography. Attendees experience being the student, practicing different forms of narration, and sampling the banquet of ideas which brings a fuller understanding of the method. This session is 3 hours long and a 1.5 hour question and answer session will follow.
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Charlotte Mason 101 with Amy Nyvall (Free)
This session will become available Friday afternoon if there is interest at the time of registration. Amy will lay the foundation of Charlotte Mason's philosophy and guiding principles for a living education. If you are newer to CM or want to be refreshed with living ideas, this is for you. There will be space reserved for your specific questions.
Activities and Occupations
Friday
Fireside Book Discussion - Embracing Rhythms of Work by Ruth Haley Barton​
- Join us to consider how Sabbath as a gift and Sabbatical as possibility could shape and bless our lives together in our families, in community and Christ.​
Saturday
Outdoors: Group hike at Silver Falls State Park
- A gentle hike to visit the stunning waterfalls.
Community Space: Handicraft & Tea Making
- What is a Charlotte Mason gathering without tea time? Enjoy a curated spread of locally harvested ingredients to craft your own tea blend. We will have an organized craft for everyone to enjoy. You are also encouraged to bring your own handicraft to work on.
Evening Entertainment: 30-minute Shakespeare Alive! Performance
- Prepare for laughs as this is a favorite of the retreat. Attendees are invited to participate in the performance as an actor, or enjoy as an audience member. ​
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Sunday
Morning Devotional & Hymn Sing
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Reflections
- A time and space reserved to end our time together well by processing what the weekend has stirred in us and what we will be taking home.
Preparing Yourself for Retreat
Make Arrangements
Think carefully how you can set your family up with what they need, or ask others to help you so that you are able to leave with as much time as possible to unwind, let go and enter in to a special weekend geared to refresh your soul, but also equip you with renewal.
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Book Discussion (Optional Enrichment)
Please read Embracing Rhythms of Work by Ruth Haley Barton before the retreat. This book explores Sabbath as a meaningful practice and gift from God. Read it early enough to Common Place, try some ideas, form questions, and come ready to share how you'd like to receive this gift in your life, your family and with community—and whether Sabbatical is possible for homeschool moms. On Friday evening we will gather for discussion; challenge and encourage each other in creatively implementing Barton's ideas.​​
Packing Recommendations
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Bedding. Bring a sleeping back or warm blanket. Fitted sheet is provided.
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Earplugs (if needed for room sharing)
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Pillow
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Towels/Washcloth
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Personal Toiletry Items
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Flashlight/Headlamp
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Comfortable walking shoes/Hiking shoes
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Sweatshirt/jacket
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Water Bottle
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Cell phone charger
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Important medications
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Bible
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Common Place Notebook / Reflection Journal & Pen
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Nature Study Sketchbook and Art Kit (for the workshop or personal time)
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Handicraft work (if desired)
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Lap blanket for extra comfort​
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What should I wear?
Whatever you like! Do you feel better to be dressed nicely to feel focused and fresh? Or do you like comfy cozy? It is cooler in this forested pocket of Salem. Snow or rain in March is absolutely possible. We will have a bit of a walk between buildings so coats, umbrellas, beanies and even gloves will help make it more pleasant. If you are planning to go for the hike bring appropriate shoes and clothes and maybe a pack and snacks.
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