Growing Up Wild a Schoolhouse Crew Review

No, this is not an account of my children’s days.  Some days it may seem like they are wild, though.  Growing Up Wild is missions curriculum.  This is not like anything we have encountered with other missions related materials.  Targeted to children ages 5-12 (don’t stick to these limits – everyone is going to love this!) you could use this with your own family, a homeschool co-op, or children’s groups at church.
The Wild family – Dad, Mom and 4 sons – are missionaries to the Wano people in Papua, New Guinea. They have found a great way to share their lives.  In 15 minute episodes, they show us about different aspects of their lives.  From what their home is like to some of the amazing creatures that share their neighborhood to some of the culture of the Wano people.

At first, their lives may seem very different from what our children are used to.  But are they really?  With help from the included activity guide – project ideas and pdf’s to print out – we learned what things are similar and what things are different.  I love including these things in our school day.  The children don’t mind watching the Wild Brothers episodes again, either.

Some of the activities are outdoors and some are indoor activities (well, of course you can always bring these things outdoors, too!)  The favorite thus far has been their attempt at building their own roundhouse.  They put some together with sticks, but these were small and only good to look at.  Then, inspired by Growing Up Wild episode Home Sweet Hut on Volume 1, they built a “house” using fence posts and sheets.

This was big enough for all of us to sit inside.  Sadly, it’s already cooled off too much to spend too much time here.  We have plans to remake their little house when the weather warms next year.  We may work on planning this winter to build something more permanent (Daddy willing).  One feature they wish we had?  The Lego loft — even this mama would love that one!

We received Volumes 1 and 4 for review.  There are five volumes all together.  You can purchase each individually for $18.99 or all five for $80.99 (plus S&H).  This includes two discs.  One DVD containing three episodes and a CD-ROM with the activity guide.  The activities are discussed at the close of each episode.  The CD comes in handy for printing out any accompanying printables – venn diagram to compare/contrast your home to the Wild home, etc.  The activities touch upon math, writing, scripture and off course hands-on things.  You can tell they are homeschoolers of boys.  Throughout it all the call on their lives to be missionaries is always front and center.  It may look like a fun adventure, but it is so much more.  As a mom, I really appreciate how each episode is wrapped up, pointing it all back the Lord.  Seeing which Lego mini-fig is featured in the closing images is also a highlight.

The episode titled “Tribal Calling” has an activity that really brings to light how any of us can help in spreading the gospel.  Seeing all the “jobs” in spreading the gospel and making disciples, we feel encouraged that we, too, have a part.  One of my daughters has said for years (since age 5 and she is nearly 10) that she is going to be a missionary.  We don’t know if this is the Lord’s will in her life- if she has been called.  Much praying, waiting and listening in our future in this area.

Explore the website, The Wild Brothers.  They have clips of the videos as well as a sample from the activity guides.  They even have shared a newsletter, Jungle Journal, that you can download and print out (recipe!!)  Be sure to check out other reviewers thoughts as well.  Find links to the reviews on the Crew blog.

Photobucket
Disclaimer: As a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew, I received these DVDs at no charge for the purpose of review.  I was not required to write a positive review; all opinions expressed are my own.