Are you longing for some more sunshine this autumn? Spending some time together with other homeschooling and travelling families, with fun activities being organised in co-creation but also plenty of time to play and live your everyday life?
We’re very excited to announce that we’ll be organising our second gathering close to Poreč on the Istrian peninsula of Croatia. This gathering will have a focus on families with teens and tweens.
A gathering is an opportunity to meet other families with a similar lifestyle. There is no fixed programme with tightly scheduled activities. Instead, we create community, a space for connection, spontaneous plans and shared experiences. Think of it as a small village where you have your own place, but friends are never far away.
When?
The gathering will take place from 3 October to 1 November. You are welcome to join us for ten days or longer.
Most spots are reserved for families staying the full 4 weeks with us for the stability of the group and to offer families the opportunity to spend more time together and build stronger bonds.
Where?
We will be staying at Valamar Camping Istra – a large and luxurious holiday park with outdoor pools, water slides, playgrounds, sports fields and restaurants. It’s set directly on the Adriatic Sea and is close to the historic and touristic village of Poreč and Rovinj. The resort offers both pitches and accommodation. Pula is the closest airport at a distance of 50 km.
Who is it for?
For families with teens and tweens who practise homeschooling or self-directed education in any form, such as traditional homeschooling, unschooling, roadschooling and worldschooling. This gathering will have a focus on families joining us the whole 4 weeks.
Families with smaller kids are welcome as well, yet most spots are reserved for families with at least one child aged 9 or older, and those joining us for the full 4 weeks.
Our events attract families from many different countries, so the main language will be English. It’s easier for teens and tweens to join in if they speak at least a little English.
Our gatherings are both suitable for those travelling by houses and those roadschooling. You can bring your own camping gear (camper, caravan, tent) and book a pitch, or rent one of the many accommodation options available at Valamar Camping Istra.
There is room for about 10 to 15 families, big enough for plenty of playmates, yet small enough for everyone to get to know each other.
What are the costs?
If this is your first Exploring Families event, we ask for a participation fee of €60 – regardless of family size and length of stay.
This fee includes our support in advance of and during the gathering, our effort to get a a nice group together, and access to our dedicated Telegram group, but not your accommodation or any extras such as excursions or meals out.
Additionally, you’ll receive a discount of €100 on your accommodation or pitch if this is your first stay at Valamar and the booking value is over €500.
Families who have joined us before don’t need to pay the participation fee.
How to join? – Pre-register now!
Do you want to join us in Croatia? We just opened up pre-registration. Fill out our pre-registration form below.
Once we’ve gathered the group we’re aiming for, we will open up registration and contact you. This will be at latest by 15 June.
- Fill out the pre-registration form below
- Wait for us to open registration (expected at the latest by 15 June) – we will contact you
- Confirm your spot, and pay your participation fee of €60 (if this is your first Exploring Families event)
- Book your stay directly with the resort, you’ll receive the details on how to do so by e-mail
FAQ
How about the weather?
October in Funtana is usually lovely, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C. There might be a few cooler days as well as some rainy days.
Is the waterpark still opened?
According to the resort, the waterpark will still be opened, of course depending on weather conditions.
How to get to the gathering?
If you are coming by plane: The nearest airport is Pula Airport, about 50 km from the holiday park. There’s a car rental at the airport. See this website for more info on transport to Poreč, which is about 5 km from the holiday park:
myporec.com.
If you are coming by car or motorhome, don’t forget to buy an e-vignette for Slovenia. Motorhomes up to 3500 kg can buy the cheaper class 2A e-vignette. You can buy it here: https://evinjeta.dars.si/selfcare/en
Is a car necessary?
No, a car is not necessary. Most activities take place at and around the resort. There’s a small supermarket at the resort as well, plus a bigger one at about 1km. It might come in handy though to get to the resort from the airport, and for possible excursions in nature.
How many families will be coming?
There’s room for 10 to 15 families, with a focus on those with teens and tweens. Most of the spots are reserved for families with teens and tweens and for those who join us for the full 4 weeks. A limited number of spots is available for families without children aged 9 or older or shorter stays.
I don't have tweens or teens, can I come?
Yes, you are welcome to join is. As we focus on families with teens and tweens, most of the spots are reserved for those families. A limited number of spots is available for families without children aged 9 or older.
What happens if you cancel the gathering?
We will cancel this gathering if we don’t get the aimed group together by the end of the pre-registration period.
After that, the gathering will only be cancelled in the very unlikely event that an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control forces us to. You will then of course receive a full refund of your participation fee.
The holiday park’s refund policy depends on the type of accommodation you book. You can find their policy on their website. Please note that you’ll need to contact them directly, as all bookings must be made with the park itself.
What happens if we need to cancel?
The participation fee is merely a commitment fee. There’s no refund of this fee in case you cancel.
The holiday park’s refund policy depends on the type of accommodation you book. You can find their policy on their website. Please note that you’ll need to contact them directly, as all bookings must be made with the holiday park itself.
Are there accommodations available?
Yes, the holiday park offers lots of different types of accommodations, including glamping tents and holiday homes.
Do we need to come the full gathering?
You are welcome to join us if you stay at least ten days. Most spots are reserved for families staying the full 4 weeks with us for the stability of the group and to offer families the opportunity to spend more time together and build stronger bonds.
What languages are spoken?
The main language spoken is English, so it will be easier to blend in for teens and tweens if they speak at least a little English.
What is the difference between a gathering and a hub?
During hubs, we offer planned activities on 3-4 days each week. At gatherings (like this one in Croatia), we don’t offer this iterinary, and we leave it open for spontaneous meet-ups, hang outs and activities. Every family can organise activities as they please. It is our experience that a lot of activities spontaneously occur. Also, knowing ourselves and our children, we are pretty sure that we will come up with several spontaneous things, like potlucks, games and sharing circles.
Are activities obligated?
No, all activities are optional, so don’t feel obligated to visit every activity. We know how valuable it is to have a good balance between community time and personal time.
Can I join communal meals with allergies/diets?
Yes, definitely. Everyone is asked to include a note with the ingredients at organised potluck meals. In our experience, there’s always a good selection of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
What's the price of the holiday park?
This depends on the type of accommodation and family size. Kindly check the
website of the holiday park for their prices. You’ll receive an additional €100 discount if this is your first time staying at Valamar and the price of your booking exceeds €500.
See below some sample prices for reference. These are based on a two-week stay for family of four: 2 adults, and 1 child aged 13 and child aged 9. Prices of the holiday park can be higher or lower depending on your family situation. This sample doesn’t include the €100 discount mentioned above.
Campsite pitch: from € 826 (€ 59 per night)
Glamping tent: from € 974 (€ 70 per night)
Holiday home: from € 1.160 (€ 83 per night)
These prices include electricity, hot showers and access to facilities like the swimming pools. Tourist tax is not included in above prices. For apartments: The costs of a final cleaning, linen and towels are not included. These prices might be subject to change and availibilty.
Do we need to book the holiday park ourselves?
Yes, you need to book your accommodation directly at the
website of the holiday park. You can do so after we have confirmed your spot. Let us know if you need help with making a reservation.
Can we decide last minute?
Yes, as long as we have spots available.
