Life.School.House.
a network of folk schools
Moccasin Making 2.jpg

News

News and updates from our Life.School.House. community.

LifeSchoolHouse in the News

Jennifer Decoste, founder of the LifeSchoolHouse movement standing in front of a white house with orange shutter. On either side of her is a large tree wrapped in white lights and a red mini-library.

Folk schools forge tight-knit communities

Read the full article by Feleshia Chandler on the Nova Scotia Journal of Sustainable Community Development website.

Woman sitting outside near the wood. She is dressed warmly and smiling. She is holding a black feathered chicken on her lap.

bartering for a sense of community

Folk schools offer an accessible way for people to share skills. Read the full article by Moira Donovan on the CBC News website.

The Growing FolkSchool Movement in Canada

The LifeSchoolHouse has inspired the launch of other programming across Canada. Read more about our friends with the Okanagan Folkschool here: https://infotel.ca/newsitem/from-ukuleles-to-hiking-okanagan-folk-school-ready-to-make-economic-impact/it90007

Caretaking in the Lifeschoolhouse community

The news is rarely good news these days. The world seems at odds and divides are widening so I wonder, could there ever be a better time to be thinking together, sharing resources, learning and trying new things? This is our first newsletter and will be a place to share more about the efforts we make to take care of each other in the LifeSchoolHouse community; sharing our food, our stories and our time as an anecdote to loneliness and isolation. Together we are building peace and community connections every day and are eager to share our stories with you.

Feb Newsletter Swap Photo.jpeg

Yesterday was the “pick up” day for a Virtual Makers Swap that happened in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia - makers have been stuck at home but keeping their hands busy knitting, baking, carving, weaving, planting and building. Last week they dropped off 6 handmade items and today they will receive a gift bag with 6 curated items in return thanks to wonderful volunteers. These items might be whimsical or useful  (or both!) but their value is truly tied up with the sense of connection to community they will create for each participant. While we might not see each other as often, we are in this together and can still have shared experiences! Similar swaps have been held across NS and are popping up in New Brunswick and Ontario next month as well - our seeds have been scattered and a field of 'folkschool flowers' is blooming across Canada.

Despite the limitations on gatherings we have decided that building community is an “essential service” so we have been creative and resourceful enough to keep the spirit of folkschooling alive at this complicated time. When I think back over the last few months I realize that so many of my most joyful moments have come about because of connections and engagements that link back to you, the LifeSchoolHouse community. I look forward to watching what more is created when hearts and hands come together in this way. Want to find out more about programming in your neighbourhood or looking to get something similar started in your hometown? Visit us at https://www.lifeschoolhouse.com

Written by Jennifer DeCoste

Ally Leenhouts