About the Retreat
Rooted in Twenty is a one-day Charlotte Mason retreat hosted by Child of God Scholé. Each retreat is grounded in Charlotte Mason’s twenty principles, which form the foundation of her philosophy of education. These principles give clarity to the why behind Mason’s methods and offer a coherent vision of education rooted in truth, goodness, and reality.
Each year, the retreat will focus more closely on a particular aspect of the principles. The 2026 retreat centers on one of Mason’s most well-known summaries of her philosophy: education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life. This theme is not separate from the principles, but a way of entering more deeply into them.
Rather than a conference filled with information to take home and implement later, this retreat invites participants to slow down and reflect on Mason’s foundational ideas. Together, we will consider how the principles shape not only our homeschools, but our homes and our own formation as mothers.
Our Speaker: Celeste Cruz
Celeste Cruz lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and their eleven children. With advanced studies in English and a background in the humanities and art history, she has taught literature and writing in a variety of educational settings. For more than twenty years, she has studied Charlotte Mason’s philosophy and sought to live it faithfully in her work as a mother and home educator.
Celeste has organized local Charlotte Mason communities, including co-ops and nature groups, and she writes and shares about home education through her long-running work at Joyous Lessons. She is a frequent speaker at retreats and conferences across the country.
Since 2018, Celeste has worked with the Charlotte Mason Educational Center (CMEC), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families and educators put Mason’s philosophy into practice. She currently serves as Executive Director, supporting member families and engaging deeply with Mason’s educational thought alongside them.
Her talks for this retreat draw from years of study, teaching, and lived experience, offering both depth and warmth.
What the Day Will Be Like
The retreat follows a gentle, thoughtful rhythm. Teaching sessions are interwoven with discussion, reflection, and opportunities to engage personally with Mason’s ideas. The day builds intentionally, beginning with atmosphere and discipline, and moving toward a deeper exploration of education as a living thing.
One session focuses especially on education as a life, with interactive elements drawn from Charlotte Mason’s practices such as immersion and narration. The day concludes by drawing the three ideas together, offering space for personal reflection and practical insight.
This retreat is not about perfection or performance. It is a place to listen, reflect, and be encouraged.
Who This Retreat Is For
This retreat is for anyone who desires to learn and rest in the wisdom of Charlotte Mason: whether you live by her philosophy fully or weave only parts of it into your home. Mothers at every stage of the homeschooling journey are welcome, including those who are still exploring what a Charlotte Mason education might look like for their family.
A Note on Welcome and Setting
Rooted in Twenty is open to homeschooling mothers from all faith backgrounds. While the retreat is hosted by Child of God Scholé and held at a Catholic parish, the focus of the day is on Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education, not on religious instruction.
There may be brief prayer offered as part of the opening or closing of the day. Participation in prayer is always optional, and no theological teaching or faith-specific discussion is part of the retreat content. The primary purpose of the gathering is to study and reflect on Charlotte Mason’s twenty principles and the clarity they bring to the why behind education.
All who are interested in resting, thinking deeply, and growing in understanding of Charlotte Mason’s ideas are warmly welcome. The parish setting simply provides a quiet and hospitable place for the retreat.