"Who Are David, Ann, Brittany, Misty, and Jasmine Severi?"

and

"What is Adventure Schooling?"

The answers to both questions intertwined because -- for this phase of our lives -- we define ourselves by what we do with our children.  We use the term "Adventure Schooling" to refer to the whole philosophy of child-rearing and education which we have used to build a fantastic life with our children.  We were together for 13 years before we had them, and in a very few years they will be on their own. Therefore we are commiting all of our time, money, and creativity to not merely saying that our children are the most important things in our lives -- but to acting on the question, "What would an ideal childhood look like?" Perfection may be unattainable, but we will give everything we have toward our primary goal. And what is that primary goal? It isn't about academics, finances, sports, college, or any other prestige: it is "to raise three smart people, any of whom you could sincerely want as a best friend."


Who We Are in Exactly 100 Words:

We are 47 and 48 year old eccentrics with educations a little past our Master's degrees. Ann has been a credentialed teacher since 1984, but strongly rejects traditional classrooms and educational methods. David is a former Army officer who has been a stay-at-home father for 15 years, homeschooling our children. Our girls are now 12, 14, and 16 and the greatest achievement of our lives is the ability to say with integrity, "We live hours and hours every day with three adolescents -- and we wouldn't trade it for anything. They are three of the nicest people we know."

Adventure Schooling in Exactly 100 Words:

"Adventure" and "school" are not really antonyms; being in an institution just makes it feel that way. The places where you learn the values and skills to make a successful life in this world are very rarely inside of four walls. Therefore please run, not walk, to the nearest exit from the box. Whether the box is a house, a classroom, or a boring life, the real world and its people are unfathomably more interesting. What percent of your life is spent doing things you learned in school vs. things you learned from interesting people or in interesting places?

Feel free to join our Yahoo e-group (242 families and growing).
It is mostly about the field trips we are leading in Southern California, but it is also a good place to chat with other people who just happen to like their children.

You can always reach us by e-mail at AdventureSchooling@msn.com