Primitive skills instructor with students

Homeschool Classes

Ages 613

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!

Jenny Kettle

Girls in Nature Class

Program Description

Our Homeschool Programs consist of outings that provide adventure and rich learning opportunities for children ages 6 – 12. 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 2024 Programs

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Tuesday

Bushcraft Academy

One Spot Available! Sign Up Prorated Online!

Locations:
Tumalo State Park, Mystic Mesa, Juniper Jungle, Skyliner Lodge, Powell Plains
Please review details about these locations before registering

Fees:
$1,177 + $60 Materials Fee

Tuesdays

January 9th, 2024 – May 21st, 2024
9:30am – 3:30pm
Ages 7 – 13

January 9th
Powell Plains
“Games and Community Building”

January 16th
Mystic Mesa
“Friction Fire”

January 23rd
Powell Plains
“Flint and Steel”

January 30th
Powell Plains
“Imbolc Stories and Celebration”

February 6th
Powell Plains
“Cooking Over Open Fire”

February 13th
Powell Plains
“Cold Winter Survival 101”

February 20th
NO CLASS

February 27th
Powell Plains
“Winter Shelter Building”

March 5th
Powell Plains
“Tales from Coyote’s Den”

March 12th
Powell Plains
“Indigo Dye”

March 19th
Powell Plains
“Dragon Egg Hunt”

March 26th
NO CLASS

April 2nd
Skyliner Lodge
“Maps and Treasures”

April 9th
Skyliner Lodge
“Earth Art”

April 16th
Skyliner Lodge
“Bird Language”

April 23rd
Tumalo State Park
“Twining”

April 30th
Juniper Jungle,
“Bark Tanning Level 1”

May 7th
Skyliner Lodge
“Bark Tanning Level 2”

May 14th
Tumalo State Park
“Bark Tanning Level 3”

May 21st
Tumalo State Park
“Potions and End of Term Celebration”

Thursday

Wilderness Adventure

Spots Available! Sign Up Prorated Online!

Locations:

Meet at Powell Plains and children will adventure to a different nature location each week. Please review details about this location before registering.

Fees:
$687 + $37 Gas Fee

Thursdays

March 7th, 2024 – May 23, 2024
9:30am – 3:30pm
Ages 6 – 12

March 7th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Talbott’s Game Challenge”

March 14th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Thrilling Scavenger Hunt Extravaganza”

March 21st
Meet at Powell Plains
“A Magical Encounter with Trees”

March 28th
NO CLASS

April 4th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Sensory Alertness Mastery”

April 11th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Boundless Adventure in Wide Open Spaces”

April 18th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Conquer the Butte: A Thrilling Trek”

April 25th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Plant Explorer’s Paradise”

May 2nd
Meet at Powell Plains
“Deep Dive Chronicles: Unveiling the Secrets”

May 9th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Immersive Sit Spot Experience”

May 16th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Navigating the River’s Mysteries”

May 23rd
Meet at Powell Plains
“Grand End-of-Term Celebration”

Fall 2024Spring 2025 Programs

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Thursday

Wilderness Adventure

Fall 2024 Locations:

Drop off at Powell Plains

Children will adventure to a different nature location each week. Please review details about this location before registering.

Fees:

$660 + $37 Gas Fee Early Bird Through April 1st
$687+ $37 Materials Fee After April 1st

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”

Spring 2025 Locations:

Drop off at Powell Plains

Children will adventure to a different nature location each week. Please review details about this location before registering.

Fees:
$660 + $37 Gas Fee Early Bird Through April 1st
$687+ $37 Materials Fee After April 1st

Thursdays

March 7th, 2025 – May 20th, 2025
9:30am – 3:30pm
Ages 6 – 12

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

Bushcraft Academy

Fall, Winter, Spring 2024/2025 Locations :


Tumalo State Park, Skyliner Lodge, Powell Plains
Please review details about these locations before registering

Fees:

$2,300 Early Bird Through April 1st
$2,397 After April 1st

Fridays

September 20th, 2024 – May 30th, 2025
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
“Footprint Detectives (Level 1)”

October 18th
Powell Plains
“Nature Navigators (Level 2)”

October 25th
Powell Plains
“Stealthy Trailblazers (Level 3)”

November 1st
Powell Plains
“Sensory Explorers (Level 1)”

November 8th
Powell Plains
“Perceptive Pioneers (Level 2)”

November 15th
Powell Plains
“Enlightened Observers (Level 3)”

November 22nd
Powell Plains
“Ember Enthusiasts”

November 29th
NO CLASS
Thanksgiving Holiday

December 6th
Meet at Powell Plains
“Flame Crafters: Open Fire Cooking (Level 2)”

December 13th
Powell Plains
“Friction Fire Artisans (Level 3)”

December 23rd – January 10th
NO CLASS
Winter Break

January 17th
Powell Plains
“Survival Shelter Building (Level 1)”

January 24th
Powell Plains
“Emergency Winter Survival Priorities (Level 2)”

January 31st
Powell Plains
“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
Powell Plains
“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 “

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