Creative Learning And Support
CLAS was born during 2005 and is the name of a group collective of like-minded parents and children living predominently in North West Wales who believe in the ethos of home learning and education.
CLAS is an independent group and is not affiliated to any organisation, politics or religion. It is run by the parents and children involved, there is no formal educating policy at the meetings - we meet purely for the social interaction and freindly support that we can offer each other.
Families join us from all over Gwynedd and Anglesey, from Conwy to Bala, Porthmadog to Barmouth so distance should not stop you joining in!
CLAS meets usually once a week in a community centre near Bangor North Wales to allow parents and children to socialise, learn and be supportive to one another in an extended family environment. Ages range from babes in arms to late teens and there is little in the way of competition amongst the children, there is definitely no bullying(often a reason why a child is educated at home), rather it is very pleasing to see the rapport, care and support that all the children give to each other.
Activities in a meeting range from creative Art and Crafts to playing board games, playing tag to sitting quietly in thoughtful discussion.When the weather is good we have the use of a playing field and play park. Apart from the weekly meetings we organise field trips, days out to interesting places and we also have facilities to hold small camps usually 2 or 3 times during the summer months.
There is something of interest to most people and it is usually the parents that make the crafts whilst the children play!
And that of course is the most important aspect of our group - for children to enjoy meeting and playing with other children whilst the parents chat and get the opportunity of some 'grown up' time with like minded friends.
At the beginning of 2011 we now have approximately 50 families who are connected to CLAS. Obviousley not everyone comes to the meetings every week but most do, so its usually noisy, but full of fun!!!
Some of the families have now moved away from the North Wales area but where ever they now live they are still part of the CLAS 'family' and continue to have contact with us and visit the group whenever they are back in the neighbourhood!
If you would like to be part of our group then why not go to our 'contact us' page and send us an email - we look forward to meeting you!