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Oregon Family Magazine

Homeschooling Guide to Lane County

09/29/2020 ● By Melanie Griffin
Originally published on EugeneCascadesCoast.org

This guide to free and affordable programs to complement your homeschool studies has it all. 

Spend the night at a nearby hotel and create a fun “education staycation” experience in Eugene - Springfield which is the perfect basecamp for trying any of the activities below. 

Cascade Raptor Center

Choose to have a Zoom session with an owl, hawk, osprey or kestrel and a knowledgeable handler from the Cascade Raptor Center. Plan at-home projects using their online resources. Cascades Raptor Center also partnered with Eco Kids Village to create a birds of prey craft kit. If you want to tour in-person, reservations are required. 

Expand your study exploring the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife's birding resources

Whole Earth Nature School

Coyote Kids — is bringing a homeschooler's version of their popular camp to Mount Pisgah. For one day a week, your student can enjoy nature along with a small pod. Choose courses that highlight stealth and forest integration, naturalist studies or socio-emotional community building. Whole Earth Nature School also offers an extensive online curriculum and more.

Nearby Nature

Nearby Nature is offering Nature Schooling in your neighborhood. For Fall 2020 you can also register for in-person programs. These half or full-day sessions are held once or twice a week at Nearby Nature's "LearnScape" in local parks. There is also a pre-school option prioritizing enrollment for essential workers. 

Eugene Science Center

The Eugene Science Center is a great place to explore homeschooling topics on astronomy and science. Learn about the Earth, Moon and Sun or about planet Earth's volcanos, earthquakes and tsunamis on a 360-degree screen at the planetarium. You can also browse their website for online science resources

Adventure! Children's Museum

Promptly at 3pm., login in for an Afternoon Online Day Camp for painting, writing and crafting. Even learn how to create dollhouse miniatures! Participants will receive a delivery of needed camp supplies the week prior.

Museum of Culture & Natural History

Explore the Museum of Culture & Natural History in-household groups of ten or less or virtually via their online collections gallery. Homeschooling families can utilize the museum's extensive teaching resources. Learn more about the climate, landscapes and natural events that shaped Oregon.

Singing Creek Educational Center

This fall this non-profit is rolling out an entirely online history curriculum. Watch videos on how to churn butter and how to write with a quill pen. 

Sea Lion Caves

Information-rich packets designed for school field trips can be downloaded on the Sea Lion Caves website. From learning about scientific principals to geology to history, there are many opportunities to tie-in grade school and middle school curriculum. One fun exercise requires an ice cream sandwich (pick one up in Historic Old Town Florence at Milk & Cookies) to simulate plate tectonics! 

More Coastal Education

Participate in Oregon State University's self-guided "Quests" along the Oregon Coast. Siltcoos Lagoon Quest and Historic Florence Quest are both in Lane County.

For more information, visit EugeneCascadesCoast.org