In the 1980s, my dad was one of the pioneers of homeschooling in America. In those early days, homeschooling was barely legal, or even illegal
The Call of the Wild: Teaching Kids to Love Nature
The Call of the Wild: Teaching Kids to Love Nature
In many Native American tribes, an important rite of passage for boys on the brink of manhood was the “vision quest.” The boy would travel into the
Water, Water, Everywhere
Water, Water, Everywhere
Do you ever wonder where the rain goes once it rolls off of you roof? As our knowledge of our natural systems increases, the interconnectivity of our
The Hunt for Wild Asparagus
The Hunt for Wild Asparagus
“Dress warmly and wear something you don’t mind getting wet,” my dad said one morning. My dad was taking us hunting for the wild asparagus. I had read
The Tonic of Wildness
The Tonic of Wildness
"We need the tonic of wildness...At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and
Art is Irreplaceable
Art is Irreplaceable
When school districts are facing difficult budget cuts, one of the first things that gets tossed out the window is the arts: the marching band, the
Getting Your Kids Engaged in Culture-Making
Getting Your Kids Engaged in Culture-Making
During the 1860s, a writer and artist named William Morris began a movement that would later become known as the Arts & Crafts movement.
Expose Your Family to Art
Expose Your Family to Art
I grew up in a family that wouldn’t be considered artistically talented. Some families have members who all play stringed instruments while other
Art Is Not Mere Luxury
Art Is Not Mere Luxury
It was a symbol that inspired the hearts of the people. The name of the symbol carried the connotation of goodness - the word was literally, “good”