Who we are

Flying Squads are a youth liberation and anti-oppression collective, with squads taking flight all over the world! We believe in the abolition of divided spaces between young people and the rest of their community. This means that Flying Squads step out of the classroom and off the playground and into public space as a form of youth activism.

our friends Ben and Genevieve spent time with the Grand Rapids Flying Squad and included their experiences in their film project

Our Values

  • Young people’s rights are respected here. Go here for more on this.

  • Flying Squads are consent-based. If you are signing up for your child make sure to get their consent and agreement before doing so.

  • We believe in community, mutual aid, and taking care of one another. These values are reflected in how we work through what we want to do each day, how we address conflict, and how we interact with one another, both within individual Flying Squads, and within our network of facilitators and groups.

ATX Flying Squad Community Commitment 

ATX Flying Squad is intentionally building a brave, inclusive group where every participant—especially Black, Indigenous, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, disabled, immigrant, and neurodivergent youth—can thrive. We recognize that people hold multiple, intersecting identities, and we honor the lived experiences and wisdom each person brings to our community. We actively divest from shame-based thinking and encourage all of our community to show up as their full selves.

1. Respect for Self and Others

  • Treat everyone with dignity, empathy, and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, ability, age, religion, or immigration status.

  • Use people’s chosen names and pronouns. If you make a mistake, correct yourself and move forward respectfully.

  • No teasing, name-calling, bullying, or exclusion will be tolerated—online or in person.

2. Speak Up, Listen Up

  • Practice active listening—give your full attention, honor others’ voices, and be open to perspectives that are different from your own.

  • Share your story, not someone else's. Only speak on your own experiences unless given permission.

  • Call people in, not out: If harm is caused, we respond with accountability, not shame.

3. Safety & Boundaries

  • Respect physical, emotional, and personal boundaries. Consent always comes first.

  • If someone sets a boundary or says “no,” honor it—every time.

  • Violence, harassment, or threats of any kind—verbal, physical, or digital—are strictly prohibited.

4. Care for the Collective

  • Show up for yourself and others. This is a program of collective responsibility and mutual support.

  • Practice community care—offer help, check in on peers, and contribute to a positive environment.

  • Take responsibility for your actions. If harm is done, you are expected to listen, reflect, and make amends.

5. Honor All Abilities and Ways of Being

  • Embrace and support different ways of learning, expressing, and moving through the world.

  • Don’t assume what someone can or cannot do. Ask, don’t guess. Include, don’t isolate.

  • Accessibility is everyone’s job—speak clearly, slow down when needed, and offer help respectfully.

6. Protect Our Group

  • This is a confidential and consent-centered group. What is shared here stays here unless someone is at risk of serious harm.

  • We do not allow hate speech, discriminatory language, or microaggressions.

  • We challenge systems of harm—racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and all forms of marginalization—at every level.

7. Learn, Unlearn, Grow

  • Growth is ongoing. Be willing to unlearn harmful ideas, ask questions, and take feedback.

  • Mistakes are part of learning. Own them, apologize when necessary, and stay committed to doing better.

  • Be curious, be courageous, and stay rooted in compassion.

8. Celebrate Each Other

  • Celebrate everyone’s wins, efforts, and progress—big or small.

  • Uplift joy, creativity, culture, and liberation. This is a space where you get to be your full self.

SQUAD INSTIGATOR

in·sti·ga·tor

/ˈinstəˌɡādər/

noun

1.) a person who brings about or initiates something.

MEGHAN SUNIGA-DAVIES

meghan is a born and raised austinite -recently back from travels abroad, she’s ready to explore austin’s gems, old and new; with self-directed youth, including her own teens (ages 16+14)

meghan has been unschooling her grown and teen children for over a decade while they lived and learned in various places around the world. she has been very involved in The Alliance for Self-Directed Education and is passionate about making SDE more accessible to people around the world.

reach out to meghan any time at ATX@flyingsquads.org