About Us

History of Singing Creek Educational Center

From 2007 until 2015 Karen Rainsong, our Executive Director, coordinated educational programs at the Alvord Farm and Museum in West Eugene, including summer camps, workshops, field trips, and special events like baby farm animals day. After seven years, we outgrew the space and needed a new home. We then moved to the farm of Sue and Tom Hunton, owners of Camas Country Mill & Schoolhouse. We were located there until Spring 2019, when we relocated to the Snapp House in Cottage Grove. We moved rom the Snapp House in November 2022. Today, Singing Creek Educational Center serves about 1000 children (plus adults) annually with our many programs and events. We are looking for volunteers that would like to serve on our board and committees, or would like to intern. If you have a particular skill to share contact us to talk about how you can help. Contact Karen for more info at: director@singingcreekcenter.org.

We are proud to be a member of the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums.

Karen and kids at the Alvord Farm and Museum pond.

Download our Mission, Vision and Values statement (2024).

Our Policies

We do our best to ensure your safety and the safety and peacefulness of the property at all times. We ask you to observe our safety rules when visiting Singing Creek Center.

The Singing Creek Educational Center, located in Cottage Grove, Oregon, is open during pre-arranged events only, and pre-registration is usually required. See our Events calendar for listings of events, and please respect the property. Please do not bring your pets inside the building, except official assistance dogs, who must be kept leashed at all times.

Use caution near the river edge on the property, as it is a steep and sometimes slippery slope.

Knives and other weapons- Settlers, Trappers, and Native Peoples made use of tools such as knives and guns, but during camps or tours we do not allow these. The only exceptions may be our “Trapper” or “Mountain Man” interpreters, with muzzle loader type replica or real weapons which will never be loaded on site, and will be kept safe on their persons. Please do not bring knives or guns to camp, even artifacts or pretend ones. The only knives children may use would be butter knives on cooking day. If your older child is interested in knife skills, we recommend our friends at Whole Earth Nature School who offer training in that area.

Please comply with all requests from our staff and guides while visiting us. Please maintain a respectful demeanor including driving slowly, respecting wildlife, keeping outside noise down, and picking up all your trash before leaving. This helps us all have a great time, and may improve your chances to see wildlife. Thank you!