Base Camp

03/01/2026

Time for a photo dump. These adorable characters are so easy to get great shots of. Love them to bits!

02/27/2026

We sure are LOVING this winter sun!

02/17/2026

Great news for teachers and providers at all stages of development. Get those kids outside! Incorporate gearing up as part of the play and learning. In other words show kids what to wear and how to gear up instead of doing it for them. Pretty quickly they’ll be doing it on their own. AND….yes!!…it’s ok to spend 20 min gearing up for just 10 min outside. It’s part of the learning and every bit of outside time counts.
❤️☃️Enjoy the snow today, Central Oregon providers and teachers!

Children who spend time learning outside may reap benefits physically, academically, and emotionally, according to a Texas A&M University researcher. Dr. Arianna Pikus, an assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Development who studies how nature can be used as a learning envir...

02/06/2026

“When we rush childhood for the sake of achievement, we might see quick results. But we risk losing long-term resilience, creativity, and motivation for short-term progress.”

A well-known study compared play focused preschool classrooms to highly academic, direct-instruction classrooms. It found that while children in academic settings scored a bit higher at first, by fourth grade they were much more likely to have regulation challenges, struggle with social adjustment, and show weaker work habits (Miller & Almon, 2009, summarizing the HighScope Preschool Curriculum Comparison Study).

Other long-term studies of early academic pressure show similar results: early progress that fades, along with possible increases in stress and lower motivation over time (Marcon, 2002; Bassok et al., 2016).

This doesn’t mean academics are harmful. It means how and when we introduce them matters.

Classrooms centered around play help children develop executive function, self-control, language, and flexible thinking. These are the basic skills that help academic learning last. Research by Whitebread et al. (2012) and Bodrova & Leong (2007) shows strong connections between in depth play and the growth of planning, impulse control, and flexible thinking. These abilities are better predictors of later academic success than early skill with worksheets.

When we rush childhood for the sake of achievement, we might see quick results. But we risk losing long-term resilience, creativity, and motivation for short-term progress.

The real issue isn’t whether children can memorize things sooner. It’s about helping children become learners who can think, adapt, work with others, and keep going over time.

That’s what it means to play the long game.

(Sources cited in comments)

02/05/2026

Digging up some frozen dirt and talking about how and why the dirt becomes frozen is the best way to start our day!

02/04/2026

01/22/2026

Put the gear on take the gear off. Repeat as needed. Or not.

01/15/2026

Chilly morning toddle through the park

01/09/2026

12/27/2025

We’re looking for a super adventurous preschooler or older toddler to join our group. Flexible schedule options, minimal closures, Wednesday/Thursday/Friday available! Care hours between 7am-5:30pm (7-4:30 Friday) with meals, snacks and most gear included!