Our field day with Hazen Audel

The first weekend of the month, with the support of our community partners Book & Game, Hot Mamas Espresso, and 100 Kilos JiuJitsu Gym, we were able to bring National Geographic's Hazen Audel to Three Acre Ranch and teach two days of outdoor skills to not only our homeschooling community but even some non-homeschooling community members. It was a fun-filled two days, and I enjoyed meeting all the new families and seeing all the children run through the pasture, trying out their new skills and with their new friends.  

This event was just what I had in mind when looking at what I wanted for Homeschooling Walla Walla. A place where many different families from different homeschool co-ops or different philosophies can come together to create connections and support one another on this homeschooling journey. So, you will see more events like these at Homeschooling Walla Walla so we can continue to build those relationships and support one another in this homeschooling journey.  

Enough about Homeschooling Walla Walla. Let's look at what Hazen had to teach the children!

Just get out in nature.

This was one of the main themes of Friday and Saturday. We need to get our kids out in nature. They need the freedom to roam (safely) around their environment, have their hands in the dirt, and build things as they go. More than once, Hazen mentioned how far away the model of community is in American culture. Having the experience of living with many different cultures across the world, Hazen provides a unique perspective. The American family unit tends to be an island, depending only on themselves, when historically, we have done life together and supported one another along the way. (Psst...this is why I have created Homeschooling Walla Walla). 

But we watched 35+ children, who (mostly) had never met, band together to meet a challenge and do things they hadn't done before. I loved it, and I can't wait to offer something similar. 

Do your children have the ability to play independently in nature? Even if that is the backyard or the park, you don't need a cattle ranch to provide the areas for your children. However, we can set up our homeschool day for more unstructured play and outdoor education. 

Learn about our surrounding environment with your children.

Find a good book or app that helps you identify the flora and fauna around you. Make it a game with your kids to have them identify as many plants as they can when you are out playing or on a nature walk. 

Hazen took us on a walk around the pasture we were meeting in, pointed out many different plants and trees, and gave a brief history of the plant. Did you know that cottonwood is native to our area of Eastern Washington, but the Willows, Black Walnuts, and Black Locust that dot our landscape most likely came from the Sears Roebuck catalog? 

Our remaining activities

Hazen taught the kids about shelter building, fire starting, archery, and cooking lunch over an open campfire. His teaching style is hands-on, and watching him work with the kids in groups was fun. He took the time to make sure each child understood the concept they were going over, and when they were making shelters, he went around to each group and helped them create a strong shelter. 

On Saturday, we divided the 30+ kids into groups to shoot arrows down the field. Parent involvement was vital, and this event would not have been possible without their support. Each group took turns, and all the kids worked together; I loved watching the teamwork between the children and their peers. After the children had killed all the cow pies, Hazen led the group on how to start a fire and cook a meal over the open fire.  They could make baked potatoes, corn on the cob, and even chocolate cake baked in an orange peel. 

Looking Forward

This event was a fantastic kick-off for Homeschooling Walla Walla and Three Acre Ranch. We look forward to hosting more events like this and providing the opportunity for the homeschooling community of the Walla Walla Valley to get together and create connections.

If you want to be added to our mailing list for events like this, please sign up here. If you are already on our mailing list but want to be sure you know about any further events, please sign up again so that we can add you to the correct list. 

This event would not have been possible without our community partners. We are so thankful for their support.