Conference Details

The Learning Culture is a conference for teachers, parents, and children. Each session below is noted as a children's section, parents and teachers section, or family section. Conference activities will include:

- Keynote address and Bahamarama welcome reception (PARENTS AND TEACHERS SECTION). 

- Eighteen 60-90 minute presentations on topics relevant to the conference title, with a focus on literacy. * Full details to be announced in October (PARENTS AND TEACHERS SECTION). 

- Children's playhouse workshops culminating with a performance (CHILDREN'S SECTION). 

- One-on-one Phono-Graphix intensive reading therapy (CHILDREN'S SECTION). 

- Language Wise workshops (CHILDREN'S SECTION). 

- Saturday night Gala Island Dinner for the whole family. Our children's playhouse 'Island Life' will be performed before dinner is served (FAMILY SECTION). 

- Parents' night out - dinner and games for the kids (CHILDREN'S SECTION). 

- Our conference store will be open throughout the event (PARENTS AND TEACHERS SECTION). 

- Conference photo gallery and door prize raffle! (FAMILY SECTION)

- Special Word Work certification training. Course and Word Work materials kit included in conference fee (PARENTS AND TEACHERS SECTION).

- Trainer Licensure meeting. Meeting is included in conference fee. You will be required to purchase a trainer kit at a cost of $250 (PARENTS AND TEACHERS SECTION).

ABOUT YOUR ISLAND ADVENTURE 

Grand Bahamas Island's rambling, reef-protected shoreline and cays are filled with numerous beaches, on which powdery white sand is the normal terrain. There are both beaches loaded with activities, and quiet secluded beaches. At the activity beaches you'll find a multitude of fun and games such as parasailing, snorkeling, and windsurfing. The best-known activity beaches are Lucaya Beach, Xanadu Beach, and Taino Beach. As far as secluded beaches go, half of the fun is discovering them! You'll find most of them on the southwest and southeast sides of the island. Following the main highway either west or east, you'll come across miles of empty sand soon enough. One of the most spectacular stretches, though, is Gold Rock Beach, part of the protected Lucayan National Park, which is a must see at low tide when it unfolds its signature 'welcome mat.' It's the beach you see at the top of this page.    

In addition to the beauty of the beaches, there are three national parks on Grand Bahamas Island. Lucayan National Park, the star of the triad, is the only place in the Bahamas where visitors can see all six of the island's ecosystems – a collection of plants and wildlife that offers an unparalleled view into the complex interaction of native land and sea. Also within the park is one of the world’s longest underwater cave systems – a sprawling network of tunnels resulting from the island’s unique limestone geology. The Rand Nature Center, with its resident flamingo colony, and reef-enveloped Peterson Cay National Park are equally thrilling in their beauty. Both the Lucayan National Park and Rand Memorial Nature Center are easily accessible, but Peterson Cay can only be reached by boat. 

Bird watchers and plant lovers in particular will enjoy Grand Bahamas. The island has eighteen of the twenty-eight species of birds endemic to the islands of The Bahamas, including the striking Abaco parrot, and fifty-two sp ecies of orchids. The Hydro flora Gardens, a research center where plants are grown without soil, and the Parrot Jungle's Garden of the Groves, are excellent natural excursions right inside Freeport/Lucaya.

And then there is the sea itself! As part of one of the largest reef systems on Earth, the reefs of Grand Bahamas Island are spectacular in both geographical scope and biological diversity. They are so numerous, in fact, that at one time people here made a living by merely salvaging the ships that wrecked on them. Among the island’s underwater treasures are the Hawksbill turtle, seahorses, dolphins, Caribbean reef sharks, and dozens of species of both coral and fish. 

When you're done exploring the natural wonders be sure to relax in beautiful Old Freeport Town. Old Freetown received its name because it was the first place where slaves were freed in 1834.  Before the advent of roads, a foot path from Old Freetown in the East was the primary thoroughfare for traveling to the settlements in the West.  Although there is some dispute, the Hermitage in Freetown is considered the oldest building on the island. It was first a Baptist Church and later served as a hermitage for a Trappist monk thus its current name. Another lovely town is West End. Located on the western tip of the island, it's the oldest city on Grand Bahamas Island. This picturesque fishing village is probably best known for its history as a liquor smuggling town during the prohibition. 

If you love to shop, a visit to the International Bazaar is a must! This ten acre complex comprises ninety Shops, thirteen Restaurants, and six Snack/ice Cream Stores.  A multinational-themed shopping center, the Bazaar is divided into sections, representing different parts of the world. Feature sections include Africa, India, Orient, France, South America, and many more. Most of the shops offer great deals on goods imported from their "mother regions." Rolex watches, French perfume, fine leather, precious and semi precious gems, and premium cigars are some of the items you can find. The Bazaar also has a Straw Market, where you can pick up local arts and crafts, and a perfume factory, where you can make and name your own fragrance. The straw work industry in the islands of The Bahamas was started in the 1720s by Mrs. George Phenney, wife of the then Governor of the islands. Straw markets began to spring up around Freeport with the development of Tourism here in the mid 1960s, and the vendors have become a major contributor to the industry. 

And we didn't even mention the two championship golf courses!  

This is a conference trip you won't want to miss! Mix business, family and pleasure. Improve your instructional skills, mingle with other like minded professionals and parents, have fun with your family, and explore the beauty of the Bahamas! 

CONFERENCE FEES 

For the Adults: 

$225 Super Early Bird Registration before September 15th 

$285 Early Bird Registration before January 15th 

$365 Registration after January 15th 

$45 Gala Island Dinner 

For the Children: 

$95 Children's Playhouse Workshop consisting of four rehearsal meetings of one to two hours each including song, dance, set and costume design, and participation in the 'Island Life' performance at the Gala Island Dinner on Saturday night. Includes dinner. 

$35 Parents' night out dinner and games. 

$300 Six hours of one on one Phono-Graphix reading therapy. 

$85 Three hour small group Language Wise Workshop for comprehension, vocabulary, and creativity.

HOTEL INFORMATION

Our special room rate at the Royal Oasis Resort is $139.00

To register call US-1-800-HOLIDAY, CAN-1-800-HOLIDAY, and UK 0800-897-121. 

Please mention that you will be attending the Read America Conference April 24-27. The promotional code is RAg. 

These rates will be good for two days before and after the conference dates. 

A hotel direct number special arrangements is 242-350-7000. 

Please click the hotel link below to learn more about the beautiful Royal Oasis Resort.

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