Homeschool Classes
Thursdsay Wilderness Adventure
Friday Bushcraft Academy
Ages 6–13
Our Homeschool Programs are for families who want their children to understand and feel deeply connected to the natural world.
Children Will:
- Develop a deeper connection with nature
- Gain knowledge about local plants, animals, and ecosystems in Central Oregon
- Learn interpersonal skills and make friends
- Become better at maintaining focus
- Learn how to thrive in challenging situations
- Exercise their growing minds so that they can develop in a positive and healthy setting
Your programs have changed my son’s life in very powerful ways. He learned to embrace his uniqueness! I saw him grow into a more confident young man that is more in touch with himself on a spiritual level and with nature. He learned to be quiet within himself and for him that has been profound!
Thank you for all you offer!
Program Description
Our Homeschool Programs consist of outings that provide adventure and rich learning opportunities for children ages 6 – 13. The program is open to all families, even if you do not Homeschool. Investing time outdoors learning, playing, and exploring has countless benefits for children’s emotions, physical health, social development, and happiness. According to Aurora Early Childhood Education, mixed-age learning environments nurture early childhood learning and leadership, help kids establish a sense of uniqueness, encourage cooperation over competition, introduce new ways for kids to develop and grow, and help kids grow more confident. In the Homeschool Programs, we allow participants to experience and study the land they call home. Each class has a unique and fun theme such as “Primitive Skills” and “Local Animals.” Although we follow a curriculum, we also welcome spontaneous exploration, investigation, and intuitive changes of focus. Our learning philosophies and many of our activities are inspired by Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature by Jon Young, Ellen Haas, and Evan McGown. Much of our curriculum has been developed by us as well. We facilitate a variety of activities such as nature arts and crafts, attuning to the wild, tracking, primitive skills, survival skills, nature songs, and much more! Along with the in person classes, we also give parents tools for continuing the learning at home through follow-up exercises and resources. You are welcome to sign up for as many of these sessions as you want.
Winter + Spring 2025 Programs
Thursday
Winter and Spring Wilderness Adventure
Details
Open for Registration
Spring 2025 Locations:
Drop off at Powell Plains
Our Thursday Adventure program is all about exploring the local landscape and fostering a deep sense of connection to the land. It’s an exciting mix of guided discovery and spontaneous exploration. Children will adventure to a different nature location each week. Please review details about this location before registering.
Thursdays
January 16th, 2025 – May 29th, 2025
9:30am – 3:30pm
Ages 6 – 12
January 16th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Frozen Footprints”
January 23rd
Meet at Powell Plains
“Warmth in the Wild”
January 30th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Group Secret Spot”
February 6th
Skyliner Lodge
“Enchanted Forest Scavenger Hunt”
February 13th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Exploration Team”
February 20th
NO CLASS
Teacher Development
February 27th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Wildlife Survey”
March 6th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Enchanted Forest Games Galore”
March 13th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Nature’s Architects: Building with Earth’s Elements”
March 20th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Elemental Explorers: Harnessing Earth’s Forces”
March 27th
NO CLASS
Spring Break
April 3rd
Meet at Powell Plains
“Spiderweb Symphony: Weaving Wonders”
April 10th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Mindful Nature Retreat”
April 17th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Majestic Mosses and Lichen Marvels”
April 24th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Birdwatchers Bonanza”
May 1st
Meet at Powell Plains
“Forest Feast: Nature’s Bounty”
May 8th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Wildcrafting Wisdom: Herbal Hunt”
May 15th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Floral Fantasia: Blooming Beauties”
May 22nd
Meet at Powell Plains
“Whispers of the Wind: High on the Mountain”
May 29th
Meet at Powell Plains
“End of Term Celebration”
Friday
Winter and Spring
Bushcraft Academy
Details
Open for Registration
Winter and Spring 2025 Locations:
Tumalo State Park, Skyliner Lodge, Powell Plains
Bushcraft Academy is a focused, hands-on class where students will build essential bushcraft skills. Please review details about these locations before registering
Fridays
January 17th, 2025 – May 30th, 2025
9:30am – 3:30pm
Ages 6 – 13
January 17th
Powell Plains
“Survival Shelter Building (Level 1)”
January 24th
Powell Plains
“Emergency Winter Survival Priorities (Level 2)”
January 31st
Juniper Jungle Learning Farm
“Survival Skits (Level 3)”
February 7th
Powell Plains
“Tale Tenders (Level 1)”
February 14th
Powell Plains
“Epic Narrators (Level 2)”
February 21st
NO CLASS
Teacher Development Week
February 28th
Juniper Jungle Learning Farm
“Mythic Maestros (Level 3)”
March 7th
Powell Plains
“Chameleon Scouts (Level 1)”
March 14th
Powell Plains
“Phantom Rangers (Level 2)”
March 21st
Powell Plains
“Knot Novices Trap Setting”
March 28th
NO CLASS
Spring Break
April 4th
Powell Plains
“Trap Trailblazers Hunting”
April 11th
Skyliner Lodge
“Forest Foragers”
April 18th
Skyliner Lodge
“Bark Crafters: Deer Leather (Level 1)”
April 25th
Powell Plains
“Bark Crafters: Deer Leather (Level 2)”
May 2nd
Tumalo State Park
“Bark Crafters: Deer Leather (Level 3)”
May 9th
Tumalo State Park
“Tannin Artisans (Level 4)”
May 16th
Tumalo State Park
“Nature Observers (Level 1)”
May 23rd
Tumalo State Park
“Wilderness Watchers (Level 2)”
May 30th
Tumalo State Park
“End of Term Celebration “
Fall 2024 Programs
Thursday Fall 2024
Wilderness Adventure
Details
Fall 2024 Locations:
Waitlist Only
Drop off at Powell Plains
Children will adventure to a different nature location each week. Please review details about this location before registering.
Fees:
$687+ $37 Gas Fee
Thursdays
September 19th, 2024 – December 12th, 2024
9:30am – 3:30pm
Ages 6 – 12
September 19th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Wonders of Water: Lake Adventure”
September 26th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Hiker’s Haven”
October 3rd
Meet at Powell Plains
“Whispered Secrets of the Forest”
October 10th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Riverside Revelry: Aquatic Adventures”
October 17th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Nature’s Rhythms: Harmony in the Wild”
October 24th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Autumnal Abundance: Harvest Party”
October 31st
Meet at Powell Plains
“Ghostly Gathering: Halloween Adventure”
November 7th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Leaf Labyrinth Adventure”
November 14th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Mystical Creatures Unleashed”
November 21st
Meet at Powell Plains
“Fungal Foray: Mushroom Magic”
November 28th
NO CLASS
Thanksgiving Holiday
December 5th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Starlight Stories: Tales from the Cosmos”
December 12th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Whimsical Woodland Olympics”
Friday Fall 2024
Bushcraft Academy
Details
Fall 2024 Locations :
Waitlist Only
Please review details about these locations before registering
Fees:
$959
Fridays
September 20th, 2024 – December 13th, 2024
9:30am – 3:30pm
Ages 6 – 13
September 20th
Tumalo State Park
“Poisonous Plants (Level 1)”
September 27th
Tumalo State Park
“Blossoming Botanists (Level 2)”
October 4th
Powell Plains
“Arboreal Alchemists: Salve Making (Level 3)”
October 11th
Powell Plains
“Tracking: Footprint Detectives (Level 1)”
October 18th
Powell Plains
“Tracking: Nature Navigators (Level 2)”
October 25th
Powell Plains
“Tracking: Stealthy Trailblazers (Level 3)”
November 1st
Juniper Jungle Learning Farm
“Sensory Explorers (Level 1)”
November 8th
Powell Plains
“Perceptive Pioneers (Level 2)”
November 15th
Juniper Jungle Learning Farm
“Enlightened Observers (Level 3)”
November 22nd
Powell Plains
“Ember Enthusiasts”
November 29th
NO CLASS
Thanksgiving Holiday
December 6th
Powell Plains
“Flame Crafters: Open Fire Cooking (Level 2)”
December 13th
Powell Plains
“Friction Fire Artisans (Level 3)”
Tuition
Thursday Wilderness Adventure Program:
Deposit $176
Monthly Payment January-May: $200
Friday Bushcraft Academy:
Deposit: $216
Monthly Payment January-May: $244
