One of the most meaningful parts of homeschooling is the freedom to learn through real-world experiences, where history, culture, and curiosity come to life beyond the page. Our recent field trip to the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute in Mission, Oregon, was one of those experiences that left a lasting impact on both me and my children.

I can't recommend this place enough if you want a rich, educational, and profoundly human experience that aligns beautifully with your homeschool values.

What Is the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute?

Tamástslikt (pronounced tuh-MOST-slickt) is a museum and cultural center outside Pendleton, Oregon, about 75 minutes from Walla Walla. It sits on the Umatilla Indian Reservation and tells the story of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla tribes—through their eyes, in their own words.

This isn't your average museum. It's immersive, interactive, and moving. It invites you to listen, see, and feel what Native people experienced through colonization, displacement, resilience, and cultural renewal. It honors the past but is equally focused on the present and future of Indigenous communities.

Our Experience: Four Kids, Countless Conversations

I brought all four of my children, ages 4 through 10. As any parent knows, that's a wide range of attention span and engagement—so I wasn't entirely sure how it would go. Would my younger ones stay interested? Would the topics be too heavy? Would we make it through the exhibits without someone needing a snack or a break?

But from the moment we walked in, something shifted. The space felt peaceful and welcoming, and each of my kids found something to connect with.

My older two were immediately drawn into the story—reading the timelines, exploring the interactive displays, and asking questions about the tools and traditions of the tribes. They were especially interested in how the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla people moved with the seasons and relied on the land in such intentional ways.

My younger two, especially my 4-year-old, loved the sensory elements—the visuals, the lighting, and the movement of people through the space. There was enough to see and hear that even the little ones felt included in the experience. When their attention started to wane, we took a short break outside before circling back for more.

One of the most meaningful parts of the visit was the section about contact and colonization. It opened the door for gentle, age-appropriate conversations about fairness, justice, and people's resilience in the face of hardship. We didn't dive too deep, but we planted seeds—ones I know will grow over time.

When we reached the final exhibits focused on language revitalization, education, and cultural renewal, all my children asked thoughtful questions. Even the 6-year-old wanted to know how kids on the reservation attend school now and whether they still speak their traditional languages.

This wasn't just a field trip. It was the start of deeper conversations—and a new awareness of the people and history woven into the place we call home.

Learning Highlights

Here are a few of the topics and learning tie-ins that came up during and after our visit:

Geography & Map Skills: Where is the Umatilla Reservation located? How did the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla tribes live across the region?
Civics & History: Treaties, sovereignty, and the Indian boarding school system
Literature & Oral Tradition: Storytelling and how oral histories preserve truth and culture
Art: Native beadwork, regalia, and symbolism
Language: Introductions to the Umatilla language and its revitalization
Character Education: Resilience, community, and honoring differences

We came home with resources to follow up on many of these themes—including books, activities, and ideas for writing reflections. Each of my kids connected with something different, which made our debrief at dinner that night all the more special.

Extend the Learning: Junior Ranger Program for the Lewis & Clark Trail

If your kids enjoy hands-on learning and earning badges (like mine do!), there's a fantastic follow-up activity that ties in beautifully with your visit to Tamástslikt: the Junior Ranger Program for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

This free program, created by the National Park Service, helps kids explore the people, places, and stories along the historic trail—including those of the Indigenous nations Lewis and Clark encountered on their expedition.

Tamástslikt is an official site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and they actively participate in the Junior Ranger program. That means:

You can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet right at the museum
Your kids can complete the activities during or after your visit
When finished, they can turn in the booklet onsite and receive their official Junior Ranger badge

No need to mail anything or wait—it's an immediate and exciting reward that adds a layer of purpose to the visit.

The activities are age-appropriate, engaging, and encourage kids to reflect on what they've seen, heard, and learned—especially about the vital role of Native communities in the Lewis and Clark story.

We picked up a few books during our visit, and my kids were so proud to receive their badges before we left. It was a fun and meaningful way to reinforce everything we experienced at the museum.

This kind of learning—connected, layered, and alive—is exactly why we homeschool.

If You Go: What to Know

Location:

Tamástslikt Cultural Institute

47106 Wildhorse Blvd

Pendleton, OR 97801

Distance from Walla Walla:

Approx. 75 minutes by car (a very easy drive)

Hours:

Open Tuesday through Saturday

10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

(Closed Sundays and Mondays)

Admission:

Adults: $10
Youth (6–17): $6
Under 6: Free
Discounts available for families and school groups.
If you have a Fort Walla Museum membership, your admission is covered.

Food:

There's a café onsite, or you can pack a lunch and enjoy it outside. Wildhorse Resort and several fast food options are nearby.

Gift Shop:

Their shop is beautifully curated with books, art, beadwork, and items made by Native artisans. My kids each picked something small, and we brought home a few books to deepen our learning.

Tips for a Meaningful Visit

Prep with a picture book or short documentary about Native life in the Columbia Plateau.
Print a scavenger hunt or reflection sheet to guide younger learners.
Leave room for emotions—some exhibits are heavy but important.
Plan discussion time afterward, either in the car or at dinner.
Be respectful and present. This isn't just a museum—it's a living story.

Why This Matters

As homeschoolers, we have the incredible privilege—and responsibility—of shaping how our children understand the world. Field trips like this one do more than check a box for social studies. They plant seeds of empathy, awareness, and a deeper understanding of the land we live on and the people who came before us.

Tamástslikt reminded us that history isn't something we learn about—it's something we listen to. And that listening is the beginning of real learning.

If you're looking for your next meaningful field trip, put this one at the top of your list. It will meet your children right where they are—and leave you all changed for the better.

Would you like a printable field trip guide or reflection worksheet for your visit? Let me know—I'd be happy to share.

Homeschool Field Trip Spotlight: Tamástslikt Cultural Institute