Homeschooling offers us the unique gift of learning through real, lived experiences—the kind that stick with our children far beyond textbooks and worksheets. On our recent field trip to explore Native American heritage, we experienced firsthand why immersive history lessons matter in homeschooling.

Before we even hit the road, we downloaded the audiobook Children of the Longhouse by Joseph Bruchac. This beautifully told story follows Ohkwa’ri, a young Mohawk boy, as he navigates community life in the 15th century. It’s a rich introduction to Native American heritage, weaving in themes of family, responsibility, respect for elders, and the importance of community ties. Listening to this story during our drive set the tone for the day ahead—it grounded us in the cultural values and daily life of Indigenous peoples long before we reached our destination.

As we listened, the kids talked about what they already knew about Native American history and what they hoped to learn. These conversations are a powerful teaching tool. They show us where our kids’ understanding truly stands, help us see what captures their attention, and—most importantly—prime their minds for deeper learning. It’s incredible what they remember when they’re engaged in their own curiosity.

Our field trips always include spontaneous stops, and this trip was no exception. We found a hidden gem at Meinig Memorial Park in Sandy, Oregon—a fantasy forest playground with winding trails and a cool stream. It was meant to be a quick stretch-your-legs stop, but the kids could have stayed for hours. These unexpected pauses are often where the richest memories are made, discovering beauty in the small, unscheduled moments.

Our main destination was the Warm Springs Reservation and the Museum at Warm Springs. For a Saturday, the museum was surprisingly quiet, giving us the perfect opportunity to explore at our own pace. The building itself was stunning, designed to blend into the natural surroundings with a beautiful water feature, wood beams, and stonework that the kids were sure was a “secret spy entrance.”

Inside, the exhibits were thoughtfully curated, filled with artifacts, interactive displays, intricate beadwork, and carvings that brought the stories of the region’s Native peoples to life.

The kids were fascinated by the arrowhead collections and spent a long time examining the craftsmanship up close. A friendly woman in the gift shop even gifted us a locally found arrowhead, sending us off with locally made huckleberry candies for the next leg of our drive.

For dinner, we found another treasure—a historic church from the early 1900s, now transformed into a pizzeria called Grace and Hammer in Redmond. This stop turned into an impromptu lesson on reclaimed wood, architectural preservation, and creative restoration of historical buildings. Over slices of pizza, we talked about how old structures can be repurposed, blending the past with the present in meaningful ways.

Our overnight stay took us to Mountain Lavender Farm, where we had the incredible experience of sleeping in a real teepee. Heidi, the farm’s owner, welcomed us with a tour of her lavender fields, bee aviary, and shared stories about the local flora, rocks, and wildlife. The kids got to see a copper oil distiller, still warm from that day’s lavender harvest, and we left with a small bottle of lavender oil to use in future sensory learning projects.

The teepee was cozy and filled with books about Native American culture, local plants, and camping guides, which we browsed through before bed. As night fell, the sounds of a great horned owl echoed in the distance, and the kids—tired but full of gratitude—slowly drifted off to sleep.

These are the lessons that can’t be replicated in a workbook. This was learning through sight, sound, touch, and conversation. A day where history was not a distant concept, but an experience they lived, breathed, and connected with.

As my oldest said before bed, “Thank you for this cool adventure.”

These are the kinds of days that remind us why we chose this path—to give our children an education rooted in connection, curiosity, and real-life wonder.

What’s been your family’s most memorable hands-on learning trip? I’d love to hear your stories!

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