Beyond Homeschooling: The Forest
Posted by Mr. Naron, Jul 26 2006, 04:04 PM
(HT: The Blogfather)
From KATU Portland:
QUOTE
May 20, 2004
Forest family had an elaborate camp among trees
PORTLAND, ORE. - A man and his 12-year-old daughter spent the last four years living in a remote hillside in Portland's Forest Park, police said.
<snip>
The man and girl told police they had lived in the park for four years. The pair appeared clean, well-fed and healthy, Barkley said, and the girl was well-spoken beyond her years.
The man, who identified himself as Frank, told police he was a 53-year-old Marine Corps veteran and college graduate who served in Vietnam.
He came to Oregon with his daughter, Ruth, from Tacoma with no job and virtually no money. Frank told police that the girl's mother was institutionalized in New Hampshire, and the two now lived on a $400-a-month disability check.
Rather than live on the streets and expose Ruth to alcohol and drugs, Frank said, they hiked deep into Forest Park and built a lean-to.
<snip>
A pediatrician found the girl free of any illness, any signs of physical or sexual abuse - and no cavities. A criminal background check came up empty, according to police reports.
Even though the child and father lived for such a long time disconnected from society, the girl had been home schooled and was in good physical shape.
In fact, the girl received a very good education from her father while living among the trees. Officials said the girl, who would be normally in 7th grade, is at a 12th grade equivalency.
Forest family had an elaborate camp among trees
PORTLAND, ORE. - A man and his 12-year-old daughter spent the last four years living in a remote hillside in Portland's Forest Park, police said.
<snip>
The man and girl told police they had lived in the park for four years. The pair appeared clean, well-fed and healthy, Barkley said, and the girl was well-spoken beyond her years.
The man, who identified himself as Frank, told police he was a 53-year-old Marine Corps veteran and college graduate who served in Vietnam.
He came to Oregon with his daughter, Ruth, from Tacoma with no job and virtually no money. Frank told police that the girl's mother was institutionalized in New Hampshire, and the two now lived on a $400-a-month disability check.
Rather than live on the streets and expose Ruth to alcohol and drugs, Frank said, they hiked deep into Forest Park and built a lean-to.
<snip>
A pediatrician found the girl free of any illness, any signs of physical or sexual abuse - and no cavities. A criminal background check came up empty, according to police reports.
Even though the child and father lived for such a long time disconnected from society, the girl had been home schooled and was in good physical shape.
In fact, the girl received a very good education from her father while living among the trees. Officials said the girl, who would be normally in 7th grade, is at a 12th grade equivalency.
There we have it. Being poor is not the reason why one does badly in school. Being poor is not the reason why one gets hooked on drugs and alcohol. Being poor is not the reason why families can't stay together. It would appear that the real reason is buying into the notion of what it means to be "normal".
The ending to this story is a mixuture of good news and bad news. On the good side, the cop who found this family didn't automatically go running to family services, which would have more likely than not resulted in the girl being taken from her father and put in a "proper" home and sent to a "normal" public school. Unfortunately, this family has been taken from the life that seems to work for them and now live in a trailer. The dad mows lawns and I would imagine the girl is in school, although the article doesn't mention it. How much sense would it make to stick the girl in Jr. High when she's already testing at the 12th grade level, which many 12th graders can't even reach? The article did state that a college scholarship is being set up for her, so perhaps common sense will prevail there as well.
Like most of you, my heart goes out to the little girl upon hearing that she has had to endure living like this. However, I have to question what it is I'm really worried about since she seems to be in much better shape than most of my students who are virtually pampered by comparison. As a father, I wouldn't want to get into a parenting contest with this guy. And as a professional educator, I can't help but chuckle grimly to myself. You can easily imagine what I'll be thinking the next time I have to sit through a union meeting where they tell us how invaluable we are.
My Mind is Clean
Comments
#1
Floridamom, Jul 26 2006, 05:18 PM
What a marvelous example of true parenthood. I'm sure that I would fall short of the stnadard set by this man. Thank you for sharing a fantastic story, Chris.
Mr. Naron, Jul 26 2006, 06:46 PM
QUOTE(Floridamom @ Jul 26 2006, 03:18 PM)
What a marvelous example of true parenthood. I'm sure that I would fall short of the stnadard set by this man. Thank you for sharing a fantastic story, Chris.
I can just hear some of my friends and family going "Are you nuts!? This guy is neglecting and abusing his daughter by not having her in school and living outdoors."
How little thought we give to what's truly important.
AmJur, Jul 26 2006, 08:26 PM
(IMG:http://www.rightnation.us/forums/style_emoticons/default/thud.gif) Only an exMarine could accomplish all that on $400/month. Either I'm spending way too much or they were making their own clothes too. I wish them all the best. Thanx for this story.
Mr. Naron, Jul 26 2006, 08:45 PM
QUOTE(AmJur @ Jul 26 2006, 06:26 PM)
(IMG:http://www.rightnation.us/forums/style_emoticons/default/thud.gif) Only an exMarine could accomplish all that on $400/month. Either I'm spending way too much or they were making their own clothes too. I wish them all the best. Thanx for this story.
According to the article, they bought clothes at Goodwill. Having seen what we give away to Goodwill, I would say they can dress pretty well. When I was a kid, we wore something until you could see through it. Now, if you just get tired of it after a few months, away it goes.
Riothouse, Jul 26 2006, 08:49 PM
Wow, what an incredible story, and very inspirational. My son had two very good friends who were raised in very low income families. They had it rough, but they had good parents. Both boys are hard working, law abiding, and God fearing men now. One is in the Army, and is only a year from his 4 year degree. The other young man put a full scholarship on hold so that he could go home and take care of his mother (who is a widow) when she fell ill with cancer. He works and attend a community college, and takes care of his mother and younger siblings while she finishes Chemo.
Both of these young men were raised in poor neighborhoods and are black. They have had ever roadblock in life put in their way, and they have been successful because their parents are the very example of what their children have become.
Both of these young men were raised in poor neighborhoods and are black. They have had ever roadblock in life put in their way, and they have been successful because their parents are the very example of what their children have become.
AmJur, Jul 26 2006, 09:00 PM
QUOTE(Mr. Naron @ Jul 26 2006, 08:45 PM)
QUOTE(AmJur @ Jul 26 2006, 06:26 PM)
(IMG:http://www.rightnation.us/forums/style_emoticons/default/thud.gif) Only an exMarine could accomplish all that on $400/month. Either I'm spending way too much or they were making their own clothes too. I wish them all the best. Thanx for this story.
According to the article, they bought clothes at Goodwill. Having seen what we give away to Goodwill, I would say they can dress pretty well. When I was a kid, we wore something until you could see through it. Now, if you just get tired of it after a few months, away it goes.
<whispers> I've been known to shop at goodwill.. and I still dont know if I could do that on 400/month.. although I do live in a college town.. so our hey wait I lied.. its st. vinny's here.. anyway. mostly flannels and furniture all the cool stuff is snatched up by the employees.
DodgerKing, Jul 26 2006, 09:32 PM
When I lived in Arcata, CA; hippie haven USA located in Humboldt County, there were several tree people families living in the lush Redwood forest. I attended an anti-logging protest, just to observe and they had one of these tree people families speaking about protecting the forest. These people were emaciated and missing most of their teeth, with the children in even worse condition. These stupid hippies praised this family for their sacrifice and used them as one reason to protect the forest. They forgot to mention that these people were in violation of every child protection law around and living on private property without permission. This is when my politics began to change; I could not believe that I, as a hippie, associated with this group of ingrates.
For those of you unfamiliar with what a Redwood forest looks like, the Ewoks scene of Return of The Jedi was filmed in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park forest on the Northern California Coast (right behind the college). This place makes San Francisco look like a conservative haven.
(IMG:http://www.englander-workshops.com/photographs/redwoods/15024-14c.jpg)
Tree Peoples home.
This post has been edited by Jason (aka DodgerFan): Jul 26 2006, 09:40 PM
For those of you unfamiliar with what a Redwood forest looks like, the Ewoks scene of Return of The Jedi was filmed in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park forest on the Northern California Coast (right behind the college). This place makes San Francisco look like a conservative haven.
(IMG:http://www.englander-workshops.com/photographs/redwoods/15024-14c.jpg)
Tree Peoples home.
This post has been edited by Jason (aka DodgerFan): Jul 26 2006, 09:40 PM
Mr. Naron, Jul 26 2006, 09:51 PM
QUOTE(Riothouse @ Jul 26 2006, 06:49 PM)
Wow, what an incredible story, and very inspirational. My son had two very good friends who were raised in very low income families. They had it rough, but they had good parents. Both boys are hard working, law abiding, and God fearing men now. One is in the Army, and is only a year from his 4 year degree. The other young man put a full scholarship on hold so that he could go home and take care of his mother (who is a widow) when she fell ill with cancer. He works and attend a community college, and takes care of his mother and younger siblings while she finishes Chemo.
Both of these young men were raised in poor neighborhoods and are black. They have had ever roadblock in life put in their way, and they have been successful because their parents are the very example of what their children have become.
I've seen similar instances played out. One of my black classmates from grade school through 9th grade grew up very poor, and he ended up being my grandfather's home nurse in the months before he died. Many more of them went to college as well. Some decided to drop out, but so did most of my younger uncles.
tigerkat, Jul 26 2006, 09:52 PM
I don't think that being poor causes anything bad in a family. I *do* however think it is a stress that some people can't handle well enough to keep their family going as strongly as they should be able to.
I am glad that girl is in good shape and that her father was able to take care of her in a non-traditional (by today's standards) sort of way.
I am glad that girl is in good shape and that her father was able to take care of her in a non-traditional (by today's standards) sort of way.
Mr. Naron, Jul 26 2006, 09:52 PM
QUOTE(AmJur @ Jul 26 2006, 07:00 PM)
QUOTE(Mr. Naron @ Jul 26 2006, 08:45 PM)
QUOTE(AmJur @ Jul 26 2006, 06:26 PM)
(IMG:http://www.rightnation.us/forums/style_emoticons/default/thud.gif) Only an exMarine could accomplish all that on $400/month. Either I'm spending way too much or they were making their own clothes too. I wish them all the best. Thanx for this story.
According to the article, they bought clothes at Goodwill. Having seen what we give away to Goodwill, I would say they can dress pretty well. When I was a kid, we wore something until you could see through it. Now, if you just get tired of it after a few months, away it goes.
<whispers> I've been known to shop at goodwill.. and I still dont know if I could do that on 400/month.. although I do live in a college town.. so our hey wait I lied.. its st. vinny's here.. anyway. mostly flannels and furniture all the cool stuff is snatched up by the employees.
You can't dress fashionable in college towns unless you shop second hand. (IMG:http://www.rightnation.us/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
Mr. Naron, Jul 26 2006, 09:54 PM
QUOTE(DodgerKing @ Jul 26 2006, 07:32 PM)
When I lived in Arcata, CA; hippie haven USA located in Humboldt County, there were several tree people families living in the lush Redwood forest. I attended an anti-logging protest, just to observe and they had one of these tree people families speaking about protecting the forest. These people were emaciated and missing most of their teeth, with the children in even worse condition. These stupid hippies praised this family for their sacrifice and used them as one reason to protect the forest. They forgot to mention that these people were in violation of every child protection law around and living on private property without permission. This is when my politics began to change; I could not believe that I, as a hippie, associated with this group of ingrates.
For those of you unfamiliar with what a Redwood forest looks like, the Ewoks scene of Return of The Jedi was filmed in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park forest on the Northern California Coast (right behind the college). This place makes San Francisco look like a conservative haven.
(IMG:http://www.englander-workshops.com/photographs/redwoods/15024-14c.jpg)
Tree Peoples home.
Is there something about being a hippie that makes you afraid of soap and toothpaste? I think this Portland guy at least fed his daughter a real diet of protein and made sure she brushed and took a bath.
DodgerKing, Jul 26 2006, 11:03 PM
QUOTE(Mr. Naron @ Jul 26 2006, 07:54 PM)
QUOTE(DodgerKing @ Jul 26 2006, 07:32 PM)
When I lived in Arcata, CA; hippie haven USA located in Humboldt County, there were several tree people families living in the lush Redwood forest. I attended an anti-logging protest, just to observe and they had one of these tree people families speaking about protecting the forest. These people were emaciated and missing most of their teeth, with the children in even worse condition. These stupid hippies praised this family for their sacrifice and used them as one reason to protect the forest. They forgot to mention that these people were in violation of every child protection law around and living on private property without permission. This is when my politics began to change; I could not believe that I, as a hippie, associated with this group of ingrates.
For those of you unfamiliar with what a Redwood forest looks like, the Ewoks scene of Return of The Jedi was filmed in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park forest on the Northern California Coast (right behind the college). This place makes San Francisco look like a conservative haven.
(IMG:http://www.englander-workshops.com/photographs/redwoods/15024-14c.jpg)
Tree Peoples home.
Is there something about being a hippie that makes you afraid of soap and toothpaste? I think this Portland guy at least fed his daughter a real diet of protein and made sure she brushed and took a bath.
I was more of a pseudo-hippie. I showered and ate meat. Some of these people were way too discusting to be around.
![]()
spurwing plover, Jul 26 2006, 11:07 PM
this will probibly get the idiots at the SIERRA CLUB upset becuase they want everybody but themselves and their wealthy benefactors like TED TURNER and various holywood celeberties to be able to live or visit the woods
![]()
Rip, Jul 26 2006, 11:14 PM
I saw this story earlier today (it's obviously a big hit in my circle). It was refreshing to see government agents not acting as such, though I'm not convinced that they are currently better off. Time will tell.
Overall, though, I thought it was very heartwarming.
Overall, though, I thought it was very heartwarming.
Mr. Naron, Jul 26 2006, 11:53 PM
QUOTE(DodgerKing @ Jul 26 2006, 09:03 PM)
QUOTE(Mr. Naron @ Jul 26 2006, 07:54 PM)
QUOTE(DodgerKing @ Jul 26 2006, 07:32 PM)
When I lived in Arcata, CA; hippie haven USA located in Humboldt County, there were several tree people families living in the lush Redwood forest. I attended an anti-logging protest, just to observe and they had one of these tree people families speaking about protecting the forest. These people were emaciated and missing most of their teeth, with the children in even worse condition. These stupid hippies praised this family for their sacrifice and used them as one reason to protect the forest. They forgot to mention that these people were in violation of every child protection law around and living on private property without permission. This is when my politics began to change; I could not believe that I, as a hippie, associated with this group of ingrates.
For those of you unfamiliar with what a Redwood forest looks like, the Ewoks scene of Return of The Jedi was filmed in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park forest on the Northern California Coast (right behind the college). This place makes San Francisco look like a conservative haven.
(IMG:http://www.englander-workshops.com/photographs/redwoods/15024-14c.jpg)
Tree Peoples home.
Is there something about being a hippie that makes you afraid of soap and toothpaste? I think this Portland guy at least fed his daughter a real diet of protein and made sure she brushed and took a bath.
I was more of a pseudo-hippie. I showered and ate meat. Some of these people were way too discusting to be around.
The smell is enough to make you conservative. I was fortunate to grow up in Claremont with the rich hippies who bathed secretly. I used to think hmmm, how does a maggot infested, dope-smoking, FM, rock and roll type afford a million dollar home? Then I realized that peace, love and brown rice is as much a fashion statement as a mohawk and nose ring.
Mr. Naron, Jul 26 2006, 11:54 PM
QUOTE(Rip @ Jul 26 2006, 09:14 PM)
I saw this story earlier today (it's obviously a big hit in my circle). It was refreshing to see government agents not acting as such, though I'm not convinced that they are currently better off. Time will tell.
Overall, though, I thought it was very heartwarming.
I doubt their trailer costs much more than that lean-to they had.
![]()
spurwing plover, Jul 27 2006, 08:00 AM
Well at least the duaghter knows what the real forest it like no treeless areas like the SIERRA CLUB liars have been blabbering about for years and BAMBI is ficional she knows that in reality deer and bunnies dont hang out together and OWLS will just as soon eat little BUNNIES and SKUNKS and that JULIA(BUTTERFLY)HILL is out of her mind
Mr. Naron, Jul 27 2006, 08:46 AM
QUOTE(spurwing plover @ Jul 27 2006, 06:00 AM)
Well at least the duaghter knows what the real forest it like no treeless areas like the SIERRA CLUB liars have been blabbering about for years and BAMBI is ficional she knows that in reality deer and bunnies dont hang out together and OWLS will just as soon eat little BUNNIES and SKUNKS and that JULIA(BUTTERFLY)HILL is out of her mind
You actually comment twice on the same thread! This must be your thing.
Homeschool Mom, Jul 27 2006, 11:59 AM
I can just hear some of my friends and family going "Are you nuts!? This guy is neglecting and abusing his daughter by not having her in school and living outdoors."
How little thought we give to what's truly important.
----------------------
Hopefully he is still homeschooling. It is pretty easy to homeschool in Oregon and he sure has proven he knows what he is doing by the results he has so far! And if they want to do the 'socialization' card, it would be a hoot as I bet his daughter is better behaved and socialized than most of the kids in the school. She is probably more pleasant to be around and didn't draw attention on those trips to town. She could converse with adults which is something unfortunately some high school graduates find very difficult.
This man depended on his faith in God and the gifts and talents God gave him. It sure is a lesson for the rest of us when we think we are having a tough day.
http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=OR
Mr. Naron, Jul 27 2006, 12:06 PM
QUOTE(Homeschool Mom @ Jul 27 2006, 09:59 AM)
I can just hear some of my friends and family going "Are you nuts!? This guy is neglecting and abusing his daughter by not having her in school and living outdoors."
How little thought we give to what's truly important.
----------------------
Hopefully he is still homeschooling. It is pretty easy to homeschool in Oregon and he sure has proven he knows what he is doing by the results he has so far! And if they want to do the 'socialization' card, it would be a hoot as I bet his daughter is better behaved and socialized than most of the kids in the school. She is probably more pleasant to be around and didn't draw attention on those trips to town. She could converse with adults which is something unfortunately some high school graduates find very difficult.
This man depended on his faith in God and the gifts and talents God gave him. It sure is a lesson for the rest of us when we think we are having a tough day.
http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=OR
Great point. Kids learn to be adults by being around adults, not kids. Public school puts you into a social world run by kids, so all you learn is how to "socialize" like a kid.