Singing Creek Educational Center: Oregon Living History
Place-based learning for children and adults
Our Mission
To inspire children and families toward an appreciation of local history through hands-on learning.
We are a 501 c(3) nonprofit organization, and we depend on your donations.
What We Do
Singing Creek Educational Center provides culturally-responsive living history education for kids and families in all of Western Oregon. We are mobile, traveling to schools, parks, libraries and other places where we engage children and adults in exploring history in meaningful ways.
SCEC is proud to be the fiscal sponsor of the Native American Cultural Encampments!
After working closely with Deitrich Peters and his family for four years, we have agreed to be their fiscal sponsor. Deitz is the Cultural Director of the Native American Cultural Encampments in Linn County. They do public presentations with us for many of our programs so the public can learn directly from a Native American Tribal member.
SCEC is located on Kalapuya Ilihi, the traditional lands of the Winefelly band of the Kalapuya people, who have been here since time immemorial. We recognize and honor their ties to this homeland and support efforts to return the land to indigenous sovereignty. One of the ways we do this is by working with tribal partners to bring cultural education to communities, and by offering free or low cost tuition to our summer camps for Tribal members.
Get your tickets now for the Grandparent's Tea!
Sunday, September 13th at 1pm, Shelton McMurphey Johnson House in Eugene.
Our Educational Programs for Children and Adults
Our programs are fun and engaging while also encouraging critical thinking skills and learning about history from multiple perspectives. Our focus is Oregon history and nature appreciation.
Our interactive history programs for children and families include school field trips, classes, summer camps, and several special events throughout the year. We also offer monthly history homeschool classes from September through May. Some of our activities include Native-led drumming, exploring atlatl throwing (a traditional hunting tool), and other historical and contemporary cultural activities within the context of respectfully learning about Native culture. For pioneer and explorer themed camps we do things like butter churning, grain grinding, washing clothes, gardening, herbal walks and trading with the fur trapper. Summer camps include visits from specialists and local partners with skills to share on topics such as medicine, fiber arts, cordage making, basketry and more. Learn about ways of living in harmony with the Earth, foraging, respect, giving thanks, and protecting the environment. Our goal is to be culturally responsive in all our teachings, including about Native and colonial settler relationships, both positive and negative.
Read our Annual Report for 2025
Learn about how our programs, events, staff and board are growing and serving children and families throughout Western Oregon!
Field Trips for Your Classroom or Group
Classroom field trips are now available for your students (and even homeschoolers or scout groups!) The Travel in Time field trip includes learning about the First Peoples of Oregon, the mountain man trappers, and the pioneer settlers with hands on experiences. The Lewis & Clark field trip features learning about the Corps of Discovery journey to the Pacific Ocean, including First Peoples and nature discovery.
See our Field Trips page for more info.
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 show your support!
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.
