We are creating A Living Sanctuary - a place where families can breathe, children can unfold in freedom, and parents can rest into trust. A space that grows with us, shaped by the hands and hearts of those who gather here.

Origin Story

This vision did not start recently- it has been unfolding for more than a decade. When my first child was born, I experienced a deep spiritual awakening. I realized that the traditional path for raising a family- daycare, traditional schooling, the constant rush of keeping up- did not align with what I felt in my heart.

Hi, my name is Krystal. I’m a mom of 3 kids, who are 13,11, and 3. We’ve been living in this home for 6 years, and something opened up inside of me when we became homeowners here. Almost immediately we began sharing this space with our community through gatherings and events, and I just know this land and our energy are meant to keep weaving people together in meaningful ways.

Back to the beginning of our story- for the first seven years of being parents, we lived in a tiny apartment, packed our lunches, and spent almost every day in the woods. Nature became our classroom and sanctuary. During those years, we were part of forest-based communities and I often stepped into leadership roles.

Over the years, I’ve studied many approaches to childhood and learning, a few to name: Waldorf, Montessori, Sudbury, unschooling, and even traditional curriculum at home when my oldest daughter expressed interest. Along the way, I’ve led gatherings, brought people together, and created spaces where children and adults could teach, learn, and connect. Each experience has deeply fulfilled me and guided me toward this next step.

There have been times when I strayed from this path- the most recent before I discovered I was pregnant with Theo. But life has a way of calling us back. Each of my children, each season of life, has been part of this unfolding, leading me to the vision I now carry.

The Vision

I have been inspired by Sudbury-style schools. Where children guide their own learning. While that inspires me, this won't totally be a Sudbury school. I am taking the spirit of freedom and trust and weaving it with all of my studies, experiences, and observations. This space will be organic, alive, and flexible, reflecting the passions of everyone who participates.

Here, children can follow their curiosity- whether planting a garden, exploring, creating art, or learning through play. Parents can share their interests, bringing a rhythm and inspritation that naturally invites children to join. Adults will also have space to rest, create, or immerse themselves in something they love.

I have gathered tools and materials over the years, I knew they were never just for my family, but to be shared with others. It touches me deeply to see this space welcoming friends, children, and families into an atmosphere of co-creation again.

We have a table loom on its own stand, an old style kick pottery wheel, collections of wool and paint, and even a third building that holds the possibility of becoming something more. While it still needs work, I hold the vision that this space will continue to expand and grow alongside us.

We also hope to support rites of passage and coming of age experiences. Boys, who often come into the world strong and independent, can explore strength, survival, and brotherhood under the guidance of elders and peers. Girls, who are born closely connected, can learn to step into womanhood by spending time alone, developing intuition, and discovering their individuality. These experiences are part of a community effort- one person alone cannot build this, but together we can.

I am dedicated to creating this sanctuary, and whether you join for a season or journey with us for years, your presence will shape what this community becomes.

If this vision calls to your heart, I invite you to join me. Together, we can create what one alone cannot.

Community & Cost

Schedule: Meeting one day per week, with the possibility of adding more days and field trips as they arise through the children’s interests.

Location: Our home in W. Suffield CT, with almost two acres of land to manipulate and grow with.

Payment: 40$ a month

Use of Funds: 50% to be placed in a bank account for the children: Supplies, classes, mentors, or anything they need to pursue their interests and learning. 50% for our home: To maintain, improve, and optimize spaces so the sanctuary continues to grow and thrive.

This model ensures that the space grows alongside the people in it, and that children are empowered to make choices about their learning and experiences.

What We Offer & What We’re Creating Together

This isn’t a program with a set curriculum or rigid expectations. Instead, it’s a living, breathing space where both children and parents co-create with what unfolds.

Child-Led Learning & Leadership- We believe children thrive when they have the freedom to guide their own learning. Together, they will have the chance to brainstorm, collaborate, and make real decisions about what they’d like to explore and create.

Community Building- Our space is rooted in connection. Families gather not only to share life together but also to weave new tradition, ideas, and projects that grow from the group.

Collaboration Over Curriculum- Rather than being told what to do, children learn that their voice matters- that together they can make something happen. Whether it’s building a project, organizing an outing, or planning what they want to dive into next, they take an active role in shaping their world.

A Place That Evolves- What we offer is not fixed. It will bloom and grow through the many hands and hearts that support it. This is a community designed to evolve with the people who bring their energy and vision to it.

Core Values

Our community is rooted in values that honor children, families, and the power of living whole and true. These values are here for those who already embody them in their homes, as well as for those who are ready to decondition, learn, and grow into them. We believe in creating space for both the knowing and the becoming.

Because every family is on their own journey, the next step after reading through our values is a simple questionnaire. This helps us learn where you are, what feels aligned, and how we can best support you as you step into this living vision.

Child Led Growth- Children are natural learners. Their curiosity, ideas, and voices are at the center of our community. When adults step into a guiding role- walking next to children rather than in front of them- we get to begin to truly discover who they are, and where we, as parents, get to build a relationship not in control or compliance, but in trust, connection, and shared wonder.

Innovation Through Play & Brainstorming- We make space for big ideas, playful creativity, and collective problem-solving. Children learn they have the power to make things happen when they join forces and are in a space where their voices are heard and respected.

Connection Over Comparison- This is not about competition, grades, or checking boxes. It’s about seeing one another fully, celebrating uniqueness, and supporting each other’s journeys.

A Community That Evolves- We honor that this space is alive and always changing. Our values grow with us, shaped by the children and families who bring their hearts to the table.

A Living Vision

This is more than a gathering place- it’s a seedbed for possibility. Here, children learn that their voices matter, that their ideas can spark real change, and that together they can create something bigger than themselves. Families discover a rhythm of support and connection.

Our vision is not a finished picture. It is alive, unfolding through the many hands and hearts who choose to build it. We carry the dream, but it is meant to be shared. This is a place where we lean into trust- trust in our children, trust in one another, and trust in the power of community to blossom into something extraordinary.