Children's program finds roots in self-sufficiency, nature

A Georgetown family is sharing its model of self-sufficiency and homesteading with children interested in learning the skills and concepts not taught in typical classrooms.

The Holleman family – comprising parents Talon and Travis, and children Bella and Emmett – founded Reaching Outside of Traditional Schooling to create educational opportunities for growth and learning that align with their philosophy, and that they could not find elsewhere.

Talon and Travis grew up in the Baltimore area and have been a couple since they were 14. They wanted to live where they could have land to farm and raise animals, which led to the 2019 purchase of their homestead outside Georgetown. 

“It was a happy accident, and everything just fell into place,” said Talon, who also works from home as a registered nurse.

The family raises babydoll sheep, goats, Holland lop rabbits, chickens, ducks, herding dogs, guineas and roosters. All animals are pets; the family receives fresh eggs from the fowl, and sheep are used to control grass growth.

Being self-sufficient was eye-opening, said the Hollemans, who constantly educate themselves by attending conferences and leaning on passionate local farmers as mentors.

“We consider ourselves learning with everyone else,” Talon said.

They decided to homeschool their children when they realized that public and private schools did not focus on the practical tools they found most important. They expanded upon their homeschool by developing an inclusive community program called R.O.O.T.S., which stands for Reaching Outside of Traditional Schooling.

R.O.O.T.S. offers workshops, spring and summer camps, an afterschool program, a homeschool group, birthday parties and yoga, that revolve around four pillars – regenerative farming, animal husbandry, bushcraft, homesteading and nature studies.

The first session launched in November 2021 as a one-hour afterschool program twice a week with 30 children. Now, more than 300 kids are enrolled each year and come from as far as Middletown and Snow Hill, Md.

Weekly workshops span 12 weeks and cover topics such as composting, soap-making, spring planting, variations of flowers, and bird and bunny care. Spring and summer camps are also offered. Most programming is done outside unless it’s bitter cold, because kids love being outside, Talon said.

In this time, children in different age groups see a project through from start to finish, such as preparing garden beds, seeding and maintaining sunflowers, harvesting them and topping their salads with the seeds or making herb-infused oils.

A certified yoga expert, Talon introduced yoga during the summer camps and added it to the weekly programming because it was such a hit with kids.

“It was impressive to see them trying it, and I was surprised they became so engaged with it,” she said, noting the exercises give children tools to practice mental awareness. “They can do a lot more than we think.”

Children learn how to handle, feed and groom animals. A lesson on sheep poop was especially interesting, Travis said, and useful as well in helping to identify the health of the sheep. Some experiments don’t go as planned, he said, and children learn how to take a step back and reevaluate, just as in real-life situations.

“It’s almost like they’re learning but they have no idea,” he smiled. “Not only do they realize they are sometimes going to fail, they learn to get back to the drawing board.”

Recycling and composting are par for the course on the homestead, where nothing goes to waste. A permaculture designer mapped out the land to help the Hollemans make the most of every inch of green space.

They already have an herb and vegetable garden, and plans for an orchard, nut and berry patch, and rain garden are underway. Travis said they would eventually like to grow half of the food they consume and incorporate solar energy into the homestead.

“We’re always doing something, but we’re bringing the community with us,” Talon said. “Trying new things is our hobby.”

R.O.O.T.S. offers weekly workshops for children ages 1 to 12 in three age brackets. R.O.O.T.S. also offers spring session and summer camps, an afterschool program, homeschool group, birthday parties and yoga. For more information, call 302-200-3936 or go to roots302.com.