Our Philosophy…
It's your homeschool, but using my resources!
Do you want another option for education for your preschool, elementary, and middle and high school aged young people that includes independent studies, mentoring, creative pursuits, outdoor explorations, volunteer opportunities, social interactions, peer leadership, and entrepreneurial exposure? These are at the heart of the Creative Learning Center!
I utilize a developmentalist approach to education based on sound brain research and how each stage learns.
The Forest & Farm Program covers ages 4-7. This age shows you how they learn. They learn amid their strengths and preferred brain dominance. To support this stage, we will:
offer hands-on explorations of diverse topics and interests
encourage exploration of the natural world
expand their curiosities, wonder, and play-based learning
The Junior Program covers ages 7-11. This age is ready to sample outside of their interests and strengths and be challenged and stretched. To support this stage, we will:
offer concept explorations of diverse topics and interests
encourage critical thinking and creative problem-solving through challenges and team building exercises
expand their perseverance, initiation, and confidence
The Teen Program covers ages 11-18. There are two stages in this age group. The middle school stage needs a little hand-holding as they figure out the logistics of being a young adult, yet they have an instinct to dabble in safe risks. The high school stage is ready for the Big Conversation going on in the world, self-initiating their passions into learning, and converting their strengths into ways to bless the world. To support this stage, we will:
offer independent studies specifically created for them
encourage connection with the bigger world through engagement with entrepreneurs who will share his/her passion in various fields of interest
impact their communities and world through volunteer opportunities
expand their interests and knowledge by collaborating with their peers, mentoring and peer teaching others, and learning from real world perspectives
All the ages and stages and CLC programs will be supported to:
explore creative pursuits from music to art to building (the skies the limit)
nurture their connection to the outdoors and animals
strengthen their emotional and social skills from direct mentoring
As parent collaborators, you will receive a weekly journal about your young person’s experiences at the Creative Learning Center. I always welcome insights and feedback from you to foster the best outcome in nurturing each attendee to find their purpose and passion in life.
I look forward to collaborating with you,
Cindy Gaddis, Owner
CLC Programs
Rooted in Curiosity. Guided by Purpose
What differentiates the CLC Programs across the ages from other programs?
First, flexibility. For the Teen Program, you may attend 2-, 3-, 4-, or 5-days a week. We want to expand the Junior Program to a four-day offering, so you may attend 2-, 3-, or 4-days a week. We will start the Forest Program off at 2-days a week, but as soon as there is enough interest, we will also expand to a 4-day offering where you can have the choice of 2-, 3-, or 4-day a week attendance.
Second, creativity. We embrace that our world is now at a place that creative thinking is highly valued as technology can take care of all the automatic functions. For our Forest Program, there will be a lot of space to initiate creativity to nurture this trait when it is at its most natural form. For our Junior Program, we begin to offer open-ended challenges and team building activities that encourage creative problem-solving. And for our Teen Program, we still offer space for creative expressions through art, music, sports, entrepreneurial opportunities, and critical thinking integrated into lessons.
Third, social and emotional mentoring. Though we offer plenty of academic learning, it can also be obtained through a myriad of places including online. At the CLC, we understand that emotional intelligence is a process that is best navigated through a variety of social encounters. Our lead facilitators seek to teach social and emotional skills as well as model and lead young people through the intricacies as opportunities arise in real time.
Fourth, outdoors. Technology is an amazing and influential tool that opens the world up to us, but being connected to our natural world, the fresh air, and nature centers and grounds us in the development of our bodies, minds, and spirits. In our Forest Program, being outdoors is at the center of the day, and one will be surprised at all the learning that can occur in the middle of a forest or at a farm! In our Junior Program, not only will children have the typical “recess time” common to this age, but children will learn to set their intentions, participate in group games, and connect lessons to the real world. The Teen Program continues to value outdoor time and is a coveted time as young people engage in sports, deep conversations, and creative expressions. This age participates in building projects, going on field trips, and volunteering in the community. Across the groups, animal care and interaction is available.
Fifth, journals. The CLC doesn’t give grades, doesn’t really “test”, and doesn’t have homework. How do we quantify their learning? Through weekly journals that are sent home to parents. The lead facilitators chronicle not only the physical elements that were part of the learning process for the week, but most importantly, the growth in social, emotional, and soft skills that truly help a young person find their way in the world. Perseverance, tolerance, initiative, passion, patience, confidence, leadership, and a voice are just some of the traits you will see show up in various ways that are shared through journals. There are pictures that paint the thousand words as well.
If these qualities peak your interest for the holistic education of your young person, reach out for a tour today!