BaseCamp Live

In this episode of Base Camp Live , host Davies Owens welcomes Dr. Brian Polk, a seasoned classical educator and director at the College of the Ozarks, to discuss the vital topic of training and certifying teachers and schools in the classical Christian education movement. Together, they explore how schools can ensure both academic rigor and faith formation through accreditation and teacher develo...

In this episode of Base Camp Live , host Davies Owens speaks with Kevin Goodnight, author of Dad Voted: Dads Devoted to Discovering Their Duty, Direction, and Destiny , about the vital role fathers play in shaping their children’s hearts, minds, and faith. Kevin shares insights from his personal journey and offers practical strategies for dads to engage more intentionally at home—through small dai...

In this episode of BaseCamp Live , Davies Owens sits down with Emily Harrison to explore the challenge of managing screen time in today's tech-saturated world. Emily, a mother and advocate for reducing screen time, shares practical tips for guiding children through their screen-filled environments, whether at home or in school. Drawing from her experience as a ScreenStrong ambassador and classical...

How can students make wise choices when faced with tough decisions? When life offers multiple paths, how do they know which one to take? Do they have the personal convictions to guide them, regardless of the situation or consequences? Personal convictions reflect our deepest values and faith commitments. As we raise the next generation, it’s our responsibility to help them develop these deeply hel...

Curriculum—it’s something most parents rarely think about, unless you’re involved in homeschooling or collaborative learning. Even then, you might follow a classical approach without much thought. But curriculum is the software that powers classroom learning, and for those of us who didn’t experience classical education, it can seem quite different from what we remember. Where did the traditional...

In today’s episode, we’re exploring a transformative concept championed by Keith McCurdy: the shift from raising children as consumers to nurturing them as contributors. In a world that often prioritizes “me first,” this mindset asks a different question: “How can I help?” But how does this philosophy play out in real life? The Classical School of Wichita put it to the test, and the results are in...

Education is about more than college admissions and job prospects—it’s about the formation of the human soul and cultivating in our children a love for the true, the good, and the beautiful. Yet, we still need reliable ways to measure learning. If grades and test performance aren’t the focus, how do we realistically assess academic progress? As even colleges move away from traditional standardized...

There is no shortage of opinions and ‘right ways’ when it comes to parenting, with many claiming a Biblical perspective. Navigating these varying views—from authoritarian to permissive—can be challenging. The good news is that Keith McCurdy is back to discuss several trending parenting styles, including the latest approach known as ‘gentle parenting.’ While this method is often presented as a grac...

Southern writer Flannery O’Connor once said, “A good man is hard to find,” and that statement seems more true today than ever. With increasing temptations and fewer strong role models, raising the next generation of good men has become one of our most important—and challenging—tasks. However, there is hope. Classical Christian schools provide a unique environment where boys can grow into the men w...

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, it’s fair to question the value of students reading long-form books, which are at the heart of a liberal arts classical education. With so much content readily accessible, why do we still turn to these age-old texts, especially when the basic stories and facts are just a click away? Are these classic works still the best way to ground the next generation i...

As parents and educators, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily hustle and bustle of our own families, schools, and communities, often missing the incredible stories of what God is doing around the world. Today, we want to take you on a journey to one of the most exciting areas of school and spiritual growth happening on the continent of Africa.  We are thrilled to welcome back Karen Eliot, who...

Have you ever noticed how asking the right question can spark incredible growth, deeper understanding, and engaging conversations? That’s the dream of every teacher and parent, but it’s not always easy! Jesus certainly knew the power of a well-placed question, often using them to challenge his listeners, provoke thought, and reveal deeper truths. Imagine using the same strategy to awaken meaningfu...

Imagine it’s 1927, and you’re flipping through a National Geographic magazine. On the back cover, a full-page ad invites you to join the Book of the Month Club, promising to send you a different great book each month. The tagline reads, “Relive the books that charmed you in your youth.” Fast forward 100 years, and what charmed most of us in our youth likely wasn’t one of those great books that sha...

Many of us remember history as a school subject filled with long lists of dates and random facts to memorize. However, classical education offers a different approach, treating history as a living conversation with the great minds whose ideas have spanned the centuries. It’s about bringing to life the stories of real people, heroes, and heroines, whose tales inspire us in our historic moments. Our...

Have you ever seen a young person struggling to get motivated, complaining about boredom, or seeming a bit lazy and apathetic? Or perhaps they’re the opposite, always busy, distracted, and jumping from one thing to the next throughout the day. This behavior is common in our modern world, but the ancients had a unique word for it: Acedia. Although this term has faded from our vocabulary, it’s worth...

It is officially summer break! Instead of sitting in front of screens or combatting boredom, guest Keith McCurdy brings practical advice for making this an enriching and impactful summer that will leave parents at peace, in control, and excited to have time with their children. Don’t miss this special episode preparing families for this exciting season. What did you think of this episode?  Email u...

If you spend time in classical Christian schools you’ll probably hear the phrase “the true, the good, and the beautiful.” These ideals represent the highest values and aspirations of humanity originating in Greek philosophy and found throughout the works of Plato- but what do they actually mean, and why do they matter today… beyond being an inspiring slogan or an ideal phrase to put on a wall hang...

In this historical episode of BaseCamp Live, Host Davies Owens is behind the mic for a candid discussion with his daughter about his unorthodox start in classical education, what challenges he sees facing the movement, and how his new mission is inspiring him like never before. They also share the history and future of this podcast as well as a huge announcement that will certainly excite parents,...

Proverbs tells us that joy and laughter are good medicine for the soul, but the Bible also cautions us against foolish talk and crude joking. So what role should humor play in our classrooms, hallways, and homes?  It is especially challenging when so much of what is presented to us today in the world is humor that is often inappropriate and at someone else’s expense.  Join us for this episode of B...

In recent decades, classical education has experienced significant growth both in the U.S. and globally. This educational approach takes various forms, including traditional five-day programs, hybrid/collaborative models, and homeschooling. Alongside these formats, a flurry of terms like “classical Christian,” “Christian classical,” “classical liberal arts,” and “humanities education” have emerged...

St. Augustine famously remarked that “to sing is to pray twice.” Music and arts play vital roles in our daily lives and are essential components of any classical Christian school or home. However, engaging meaningfully with traditional forms of music, as well as with worship through prayer and Scripture, can be challenging—especially if we don’t have good examples around us as adults and the idea...

Episode Summary This episode focuses on an often overlooked topic: the image of God and how to apply it to daily life. Davies interviews Lauren McAfee, who shares her personal journey and discusses how her family's involvement in the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court case influenced her interest in the image of God. Next, Davies and Lauren dive into the fundamental insights of her book, featuring contribu...

About This Episode On this episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies and Josh Mulvihill talk about his newest book, 50 Things Every Child Needs Before Leaving Home. Imagine the day your child graduates. Are they ready? Do they have a faith in Christ that will endure? Are they ready to think well and have the critical thinking and hands-on life skills necessary to successfully negotiate the complexity of th...

Episode Summary: Ever told a child to go to their room and do their homework and study? It assumes they know how to study on their own. In this episode of BaseCamp Live Davies Owens and Susan Ison discuss the importance of study skills for students of all ages. They discuss the lack of direct instruction in study skills in schools, the significance of teaching techniques like note-taking and time...

Episode Summary: In this episode of BaseCamp Live Davies Owens and Mack Ogren explore the various stages of parenting. Mack has spent several decades working with JH Ranch, where he has worked with thousands of parents and students providing this helpful framework. They discuss the need for parents to transition from being primary caretakers to becoming consultants, offering age appropriate guidan...