Singing Creek Educational Center is a 501c(3) nonprofit providing living history programs, led by Executive Director Karen Rainsong. Karen has been doing living history programs and events in the area for 20 years and founded SCEC 10 years ago. Karen says “I absolutely love what I do. Teaching kids and families about Oregon’s history and Native culture is a joy for me. Connecting with other organizations in the community to collectively promote peace, understanding and environmental stewardship is another way I like to give back.”
During the warmer months SCEC is located at the Dorris Ranch living history village in Springfield. They have a broad range of living history programs throughout the year including homeschool, summer camps and in-classroom presentations. SCEC serves ages pre-K through adults, with emphasis on the elementary school grades. Special events include an Oregon History Festival (Free!) in June and a Grandparent’s Tea fundraiser in September at the SMJ House in Eugene.
Now is the perfect time to signup for spring break camps and summer camps, including Forest Path Nature Camp, Old School History Camp, Lewis & Clark Adventure camp and much more! Camps feature immersive history and nature activities such as art, music, games, crafts, old-fashioned chores like washing clothes on a washboard and writing with a quill pen, and tons more! Families love to come to our programs and parents report that their children cherish the experience, and are often singing the songs and practicing the crafts at home.
SCEC takes pride in teaching culturally responsive, wholistic history including BIPOC voices and points of view. SCEC is the fiscal sponsor and supporter of the Native American Cultural Encampments held each summer by a group of local indigenous culture-bearers. New this year is an addition of pre-K and teen programs, including a Healing in Nature workshop with a local nature-focused counselor. Meet Karen as Mrs. Mary Skinner (and hear about her life in the 1850’s) at the Eugene Masonic Cemetery on Memorial Day, along with other first-person interpreters acting as other people from our town's settler history (SCEC staff in costume.)
To learn more or inquire about volunteer opportunities, including serving on the Board, please visit: www.singingcreekcenter.org
Learn about our events here: https://www.singingcreekcenter.org/events/
And to read more about the living history teaching philosophy and approach of SCEC, visit the blog: https://www.singingcreekcenter.org/latest-news/
