"In centuries past, children and adolescents would spend their time in real work, real charity, real adventures, and in search for mentors who might teach them what they really wanted to learn. A great deal of time was spent in community pursuits, practicing affection, meeting and studying every level of the community, learning how to make a home, and performing dozens of other tasks necessary to becoming whole men and women" John Taylor Gatto from A Different Kind of Teacher (2001), emphasis mine. 
M7 had the wonderful opportunity to spend four mornings during these school holidays, learning embroidery with the lovely ladies of our local Embroiderers Guild. What a special experience spending time with these elderly women as they passed their skills and stories onto a group of enthusiastic students.C6, a family friend, spends a morning each week with an older gentleman from church learning the basics of carpentry. He was able to give his Mum a groovy outdoor chair, made with his very own hands. No wooden scrappers that we made in Woodwork at twice his age.
How I'd love to see more of these connections made in our community.
