Welcome to Singing Creek Educational Center
Children Learn What They LiveOur Mission
To inspire children and families toward an appreciation of local history through hands-on learning.
Show Your Support
Singing Creek Educational Center acknowledges that we are on the traditional land of the Winefelly Tribe of the Kalapuya people, past and present. We recognize and honor their ties to this ancestral homeland and wish to express our gratitude for their stewardship of this place.
Due to the Coronavirus most of our programs and events are cancelled at this time. Our History Homeschool is being offered online.
Life on the Early Homestead: Authentic Experiences
Hands-on history is fun and engaging. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a homesteader in Oregon in the 1800’s? Have you been yearning to get outside and learn about nature and experience the river side in a green park? Wanted to know more about First Peoples (Native Americans,) Lewis & Clark, and early settlers of Oregon?
Our interactive history programs for children and families include school field trips, classes, historical summer camps, and several special events throughout the year. We also offer monthly homeschool classes for your group from September through May. Some of our favorite activities include butter churning, grain grinding, sewing, making puppets, learning pioneer games and songs, washing clothes, gardening, herbal walks and trading with the trapper. Summer camps include visits from costumed interpreters like the medicine woman, the spinners, the trapper, “grandma” and more. If your family enjoys reading about life on the prairie, or watching the T.V. shows, your kids will love living the experience.
We are located at the historic Snapp House in Cottage Grove. See More>
Our Perspective on Teaching Oregon’s History
Singing Creek Educational Center has been asked about our association with the term “pioneer” and whether our programs strive to portray pioneers with historical accuracy. In embracing “pioneer,” we simply recognize the historical fact that predominantly white settlers came west and used this term to describe themselves. As the Salem-based organization Oregon Black Pioneers notes…
History Homeschool- Now Online
Join us this school year with a fun and educational homeschool program, all online, with a history and nature focus! Fun videos and activities each month, available on the 20th of each month. You can come back anytime and access past months’ curriculum. Just sign up with a subscription using our form and try it out! For ages 6- 10 or so.
How to Think Historically
For those who wish to learn how to think historically, Thomas Andrews and Flannery Burke have codified the five Cs: change over time, context, causality, contingency, and complexity. Most of these are terms non-historians can understand readily, although contingency requires the explanation that if you changed a single condition, any historical outcome could have turned out differently. Accordingly, learning to think historically encourages citizens to be responsible because the conditions we set forth determine the kind of future we will have.
Field Trips for Your Classroom or Group
We hope to offer these again in 2021- check back soon. Classroom field trips are now available for 3rd- 5th graders (and even homeschoolers or scout groups!) The Travel in Time field trip includes learning about the Kalapuya First Peoples of Oregon, the mountain man trappers, and the pioneer settlers with hands on experiences, crafts, and a guided nature walk around the park by the river. The Lewis & Clark field trip features learning about the Corp of Discovery journey to the Pacific Ocean, including First Peoples and nature discovery.
See our Field Trips page for more info.
Our Location: The Historic Dr. Snapp House
Singing Creek Educational Center is located in the historic Dr. Snapp House in Cottage Grove, OR at 360 River Road. The house is located along the Coast Fork of the Willamette River greenway. It is also adjacent to a large city park so there is plenty of room for outside activities as well as our inside programs in this cozy home built in 1886.
The house bears the name of one of Cottage Grove’s first physicians, Dr. G.O. Snapp. The doctor built the house to serve as his residence and office. The home has ornate exterior gingerbread features and a tall spire called a “witch’s hat” atop the front entrance. It’s a one-story house with 12.5 foot high ceilings throughout its interior and is decorated in period style. See More>
Your Donation Makes A Difference!
Please support our work — bringing history to life. Your financial contribution makes it possible for us to bring high-quality educational experiences to kids in under served communities in Lane County. Click the Donate button above and be a part of the magic!
Watch Our YouTube Channel!
The videos on our channel show the many engaging, hands-on activities the children participate in during Singing Creek’s programs and workshops, where they learn about history and values like teamwork, respect for the land, honoring elders, and more.