ISEEN Southeast Regional Expedition

Power of Black Land

Savannah, Georgia | November 14 - 16, 2024

Hosted by Nobis Project


Register Now


Schedule
| Registration | Accommodations & Travel

 

Join fellow experiential educators in a cultural immersion and networking experience in the Southeast. Together we will  learn how different communities and heritage organizations have worked to preserve history, culture, and Black land ownership in the Lowcountry, historically and today. Focusing on the themes of race, slavery, cultural preservation, environmental justice, Black land ownership, and Gullah-Geechee floodways, this ISEEN Regional Expedition, in partnership with the Nobis Project, considers the impact of Field Order 15 (40 acres and a mule), reparations, banking inequity, gentrification, redlining, and heirs property law on the development of community values and culture. Additional time will be dedicated to learning from other seasoned practitioners. 

Program Highlights

  • Trace the history of the African-American experience and land ownership in the Lowcountry from slavery to present day.

  • Visit historical sites such as the Savannah slave market, secret schools, 1st African Baptist Church  (the oldest Black church in the US), and a Geechee community.

  • Hear from Gullah-Geechee descendants about the value and struggle of land ownership and cultural preservation from emancipation to today.

  • Network with experiential educators in the region to problem-solve and collaborate on educational innovation.


Schedule-at-a-Glance*

*Subject to change

Thursday, November 14, 2024

  Attendee Arrival 

 

Day One - Friday, November 15, 2024

  Breakfast at Accommodations
9:00 AM ISEEN Welcome, Introductions, Safety Guidelines, Brave Space Activity
9:45 AM Overview Nobis Big Ideas
10:15 AM Letter to Future Self
10:30 AM Walk to Franklin Square
11:00 AM

African American History Walking Tour

Discover the untold stories and profound legacy of Savannah's African American community and how Gullah-Geechee heritage has influenced the region. This immersive and enlightening experience takes you on a journey through centuries of history and culture, showcasing the vital role that Africans have played in shaping the city's identity. Visit historic sites, including churches, sites of secret schools, and neighborhoods that played pivotal roles in African American history. Hear about the lives and achievements of prominent African Americans who called Savannah home, including civil rights leaders, entrepreneurs and educators.

12:30 PM Walk to Accommodations
1:00 PM Lunch
2:00 PM Power/Privilege Continuum
2:45 PM Walk to King-Tisdell Cottage
3:00 PM

King-Tisdell Cottage - Flipping the Dollar Activity and Museum Tour

Birthplace of the movement to preserve African American history in Savannah. The storyteller at this museum interprets black life in the region from slavery to freedom. They also tell the story of two working class families in the early decades of the 20th century. Engage in the Flipping the Dollar simulation that highlights the supportive, thriving Beach Institute neighborhood in the 1930s.

4:30 PM Walk to Accommodations
5:00 PM Downtime
6:00 PM Welcome Dinner - Lowercountry Boil
7:00 PM Group Reflection

 

Day Two - Saturday, November 16, 2024

  Breakfast at Accommodations
9:00 AM

Action Planning Workshop

Semi-facilitated time to work on plans for incorporating learning from the weekend back at school.

10:00 AM Drive to Pin Point
10:30 AM

Pin Point Heritage Museum Tour

For nearly one hundred years, Pin Point was isolated and self-sustained, a Gullah-Geechee enclave founded by first-generation freedmen where life was deeply connected to the water. Today, the factory has been reopened as Pin Point Heritage Museum and offers an interactive experience celebrating the life, work and history of this Gullah-Geechee community that calls Pin Point home.

12:00 PM Drive to Accommodations
12:30 PM Lunch
1:30 PM

Indigo Dyeing Workshop

During this hands-on workshop learn about the indigo plant’s history starting in West African and later in the Lowcountry. Indigo joined rice as the region’s major cash crop from 1744 to 1774. This was largely due to the knowledge and skills possessed by the Gullah-Geechee as learned by their ancestors’ century old practices. Learn about the process of creating dye from this green plant and make a hand dyed scarf.

2:30 PM

Where Do We Go From Here - Professional Affinity Group Networking

School leaders and educators working together to solve problems creatively and support each other in experiential learning work.

4:00 PM Program Ends - Optional Happy Hour at Local Venue

 

Suggested Reading

  • “God, Dr. Buzzard, & the Bolito Man” by Cornelia Walker Bailey

  • “Daughters of the Dust” by Julie Dash

  • “Mama Day” by Gloria Naylor


Registration

 

Early Bird Rate
Until October 1

Regular Rate
Until October 14

Member with accommodations $691 $768
Non-member with accommodations $741 $824
Member without accommodations $541 $601
Non-member without accommodations $591 $657

 

Register Now

Registration will close on October 14. Waitlist registration will open October 15.


Accommodations & Travel

The expedition includes two-nights in shared accommodations at vacation homes in downtown Savannah. Attendees may opt for the no accommodation option. Attendees may arrive on the evening before (for ex. Thursday) or arrive at 9:00am the morning of the Regional Expedition (Friday). If you select to include accommodations, it includes Thursday and Friday nights.

Participants are responsible for their own transportation for the duration of the program. The closest airport, Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV) is 20 minutes from the accommodations. Atlanta (ATL) airport is a 4 hour drive and Jacksonville (JAX) is a 2 hour drive.


Event Policies 

ISEEN Waiver & Release

In consideration of the services of the Independent School Experiential Education Network, a not-for-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas, with its principal offices in Washington State (“ISEEN”), I, the undersigned, acknowledge and agree as follows:

I expect to participate in a number of activities of a recreational, historical and cultural nature while attending the ISEEN Southeast Regional Expedition 2024 in Savannah, Georgia. 

Activies may include, but are not limited to; walking in urban and rural areas; traveling on rocky and uneven terrain and perhaps near open water. These and other activities are optional and will be explained by the staff. Any loss which I may suffer during activities conducted by a party other than ISEEN is the responsibility of that party, not ISEEN, and disputes arising out of that party’s performance must be resolved solely with that party, and not with ISEEN.  

The risks of participating in the activities include slips and falls, abrupt contact with other persons and fixed objects. These risks are inherent in the activities; that is, without them, the activity would lose its basic character and appeal. These risks and others may cause bruises, sprains and more serious injuries and even death. I understand and assume all risks of the activities, inherent or not and whether or not described above.

If COVID-19, or any other communicable disease, is suspected to have been contracted in connection with an ISEEN activity, and contact tracing is sought by a government health authority, I agree that ISEEN may give to that authority whatever information it has to allow the authority to contact me.

I hereby release, indemnify and agree not to sue ISEEN, its employees, staff, and directors, staff and directors of the Nobis Project (“Released Parties") with respect to any liability, claim, or expense in any way associated with my being enrolled in or participating in the activities by whomever they are conducted, or the use of any equipment or facilities in any way related to the activities or the premises on which they are conducted. These agreements of release and indemnity include losses caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of a Released Party to the fullest extent allowed by law and include claims for personal injury, property damage, wrongful death, breach of contract, or any other type of suit (not including claims for gross negligence or willful or wanton conduct).

I agree that the substantive law of the State of Washington governs this document and any dispute or suit I have with a Released Party. Any mediation, suit, or other proceedings must be filed or entered into, and maintained, only in Washington. Any portion of this document deemed unlawful or unenforceable is severable and shall be stricken without any effect on the enforceability of the remaining provisions.

Photo Release

I agree that ISEEN may take photos, videos, and other images of me for use in ISEEN promotional materials and/or social media as appropriate. I understand that there is no compensation to me for this use. Images will not identify the individual unless specific additional permission is sought.

Terms & Conditions

Should registration numbers not be robust enough to support a quality experience of any of the above outings or workshops, ISEEN has the right to cancel the activity (a refund minus a 10% administrative fee will be issued). 

Refund Policy

Should you need to cancel your registration, the following Cancellation Policy will take effect. This policy is based on the fact that we have to confirm final numbers with vendors far in advance, and often have wait list for each Institute. Should you need to cancel your registration, your options are to either substitute a fellow colleague (in which case there is no loss of the cost paid), or cancel your registration, in which case the refund policy below will go into effect.

  • Cancellation greater than 30 days prior to the event: Full refund, minus a 10% processing fee

  • Cancellation after 30 days prior to the event: 0% refund


General registration questions? Contact [email protected].

For programming questions, contact Shoshanna Sumka, ISEEN Executive Director, Mary Barber, ISEEN's Director of Professional Learning & Programs.