BaseCamp Live

What happens when the tests no longer reflect the education? In this episode, Davies Owens sits down with Sarah Novlan, Chief Academic Officer at Hill Country Christian School and a doctoral candidate studying the Harkness Seminar model, to explore why the once-revered AP program is falling short in today’s classical Christian schools. Together, they unpack the misalignment between AP coursework and the mission of classical education, the challenges of teaching to a test, and the dumbing down of rigor and content, especially in the humanities. Sarah shares her own journey from AP instructor to advocate for better assessments and introduces CLT’s new Enduring Courses, an emerging alternative that honors intellectual virtue, great books, and oral expression. If you’ve ever wondered whether AP or dual credit is still the right path - or what better options may be on the horizon - this conversation is a must.🎧 Join us to discover:Why more classical schools are rethinking AP coursesHow assessments shape teaching and missionWhat makes CLT’s Enduring Courses a game-changing alternativeSpecial Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:ZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

How do we know if our students are truly being formed - not just informed? In this powerful episode of BaseCamp Live, host Davies Owens is joined by educator and researcher Katherine Schultz to explore one of the most pressing questions in Christian education: how do we assess and support the formation of a child’s beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes?Katherine introduces her groundbreaking tool, the 3D Worldview Survey, which helps parents and schools evaluate students in all three dimensions - head, heart, and hands - to spark meaningful discipleship and spiritual growth. This isn’t a spiritual report card—it’s a catalyst for real conversation and next steps.🎧 Tune in to discover:Why so few students (and even pastors) hold a consistent biblical worldviewWhat schools and parents can do to bridge the gap between belief and behaviorHow the 3DWS can be used to shape school culture and mentor students more effectivelyDon’t just hope your students are growing—know how to help them take the next step.Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:ZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

What if the key to raising thoughtful, balanced, and flourishing kids isn't found in big moments - but in the quiet rhythms of daily life?In this episode, Davies Owens welcomes back Joanna Hensley, head of lower school at Wilson Hill Academy, pastor’s wife, and homeschool mom of six. With wisdom rooted in classical Christian education and a deep love for Charlotte Mason’s philosophy, Joanna shares practical ways families can cultivate meaningful habits, routines, and wonder even in the unstructured days of summer.From math games and nature walks to reading “living books” and resisting digital distractions, this conversation is packed with creative ideas for shaping lifelong learners without turning your home into a classroom.Whether you're parenting preschoolers or teens, this episode offers realistic, life-giving rhythms that bring formation, not just information.🎧 Tune in to discover:Why rhythm—not intensity—is the key to lasting impactHow to train the habit of attention in a distracted worldWhat it looks like to partner with others in community-driven formationYou don’t need more to-do lists - you need better rhythms. Start here.Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:ZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

In this lively and thought-provoking Summer Flashback episode of BaseCamp Live, Davies Owens is joined by AJ and Graeme - hosts of the Classical Stuff You Should Know podcast - for a conversation that’s anything but dry. With humor and deep insight, they explore the enduring value of the Great Books and why these ancient texts still matter in today’s fast-paced, tech-saturated world.What do old works like Plato’s Republic, Lewis’s Abolition of Man, and the Epic of Gilgamesh have to do with raising wise, virtuous kids in 2025? More than you think. AJ and Graeme argue that these works don’t just fill students with facts - they shape souls, build moral reasoning, and connect readers with timeless questions of virtue, mortality, and purpose.Along the way, you’ll hear about:The danger of reducing education to "skills" aloneHow reading trains sentiments and cultivates characterWhy kids actually love Plato (yes, really!)And what a classical education offers that modern schooling can’tWhether you’re a parent wondering why your school insists on Dante and Homer, or an educator seeking fresh ways to inspire students, this conversation is a must-listen.🎧 Tune in and rediscover the delight, relevance, and real-world impact of the Great Books - and why they’re more urgent than ever for the next generation.Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:ZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching  Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

In this summer flashback episode of BaseCamp Live, host Davies Owens revisits an insightful conversation with Megan Atherton, founder of Common Sense Classical and program director at Golden View Classical Academy.Megan addresses a common concern: Is classical Christian education elitist? She explores why many prospective families feel intimidated by the uniforms, rigorous curriculum, and emphasis on excellence – and how these schools can communicate their mission with humility, gratitude, and dignity.Key topics include:Why classical education is not just for the eliteHow schools can cultivate excellence without fostering arroganceThe difference between making judgments and being judgmentalWhy classical education is for every child whose family is on board with the missionPractical ways parents and educators can nurture confidence and humility in studentsMegan shares candid insights on how classical schools can better welcome families, build inclusive communities, and form students marked by wisdom, virtue, and grace – not prideful elitism.🎧 Whether you’re a school leader, teacher, or parent navigating these questions, this episode will encourage and equip you.Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:ZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Welcome to this summer flashback episode of BaseCamp Live! In today’s conversation, host Davies Owens revisits a powerful interview with Andrew Pudewa, founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing.In an age of shrinking vocabularies, short attention spans, and over-reliance on screens, Andrew shares why writing and speaking well are more critical than ever. He explains that students cannot think complex thoughts without the words to express them, and highlights how classical education – with its focus on grammar, logic, and rhetoric – equips students to become articulate, thoughtful communicators who can engage the world with truth and clarity.Andrew unpacks the decline he’s witnessed over three decades in students’ vocabulary and attention spans, and why reading aloud, memorizing beautiful language, and teaching students to write and speak persuasively are not just academic exercises but essential skills for life and faithfulness. He challenges parents and educators to see education not merely as preparation for wealth and comfort, but as formation for mission in the world.With practical encouragement, humorous reflections, and deep conviction, Andrew calls us back to raising students who can read, think, write, and speak well for God’s glory and the good of others.🎧 Tune in to hear:Why reading aloud and memorizing are vital for language developmentHow writing well prepares students for any vocationThe role of rhetoric in equipping students to stand firm in today’s cultureEncouragement for parents and teachers to stay the course in cultivating eloquenceSpecial Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:ZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

In a world ruled by FOMO—the fear of missing out—what if the real antidote isn’t more digital connection, but less? In this encouraging episode, Davies Owens sits down with author and digital wellbeing advocate Christina Crook to explore the power of JOMO - the Joy of Missing Out.Christina shares her story of stepping away from technology, launching a global movement, and helping parents and schools reclaim space for what matters most: real connection, creativity, and Christ-centered joy. From setting tech boundaries to building intentional family habits, this episode is packed with practical advice for parents, educators, and school leaders navigating the challenges of raising kids in a hyperconnected world.🎧 Tune in to hear:Why “shame-based” digital parenting doesn’t workHow schools and parents can build healthy tech boundaries togetherHow to create joyful alternatives to screen timeWhat JOMO really means—and how to live it outSpecial Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:ZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

What happens when we teach science and math not just as technical subjects—but as opportunities for wonder, worship, and wisdom?In this summer flashback episode, Davies Owens is joined by renowned classical educator Ravi Jain, co-author of The Liberal Arts Tradition and a leading voice in the recovery of classical science education. Too often, classical schools are seen as focused on the humanities, while math and science remain untouched by the classical tradition. But Ravi makes a compelling case for why recovering natural philosophy—the pursuit of truth in the created world—is vital to forming whole human beings.From sketchbooks and pendulums to Pascal, Newton, and Galileo, this conversation explores how students can rediscover the beauty and order of God’s creation—and how science class can become a place of discovery, not just memorization.🎧 Tune in to hear:Why observation and wonder must be central to classical scienceHow integrated courses reveal the unity of knowledgeWhat it means to raise students who seek wisdom over utilityWhether you’re a parent, teacher, or school leader, this episode will reshape how you think about math, science, and the pursuit of knowledge.Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:ZipCastWilson Hill AcademyLife Architects Coaching Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Summer Flashback: Virtue in Action with Tim DernlanHow do we move virtue from a vague school value to a transformative life habit? In this special Summer Flashback episode, we revisit one of our most impactful conversations with Dr. Tim Dernlan, joined by two of his high school students. Recorded five years ago but more relevant than ever, this episode explores how one classical Christian school brought virtue to life through intentional student formation—and yes, even lunchtime conversations at Five Guys.From Aristotle’s golden mean to Biblical foundations, this isn’t just a theoretical discussion. You’ll hear how weekly student groups, guided reflections, and peer accountability made virtue tangible, relational, and long-lasting. If you’ve ever wondered how to bridge the gap between what students know and how they live, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen in and discover:Why character education isn’t enough without virtue formationHow to define virtues—and their corresponding vices—with clarityReal stories from students on how these lessons shaped their friendships and faithSpecial Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:ZipCastWilson Hill AcademyClassic Learning TestClassical Academic PressLife Architects CoachingLight Phone Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Do sports build character—or just fill the calendar? In this Live Sturdy conversation, Christian counselor Keith McCurdy joins host Davies Owens to explore the role of athletics in the lives of students and families. From travel teams and over-scheduled lives to the hidden virtue of humility after a tough loss, Keith brings decades of experience as a counselor, coach, and classical school board member to help us navigate the tension between healthy competition and unhealthy obsession.What are the true benefits of team sports? How do you know when your child (or family!) is overcommitted? And what should classical Christian schools consider when expanding their athletic programs? Whether you’re raising a future Olympian or a kid who prefers chess to cross country, this episode will help you keep perspective—and put sports in their proper place.🎧 Tune in to learn:Why the generalist often beats the early specialistHow sports can help train emotional regulation and resilienceWhat wise athletic involvement looks like at home and at schoolSpecial Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible:ZipCastWilson Hill AcademyClassic Learning TestClassical Academic PressLife Architects CoachingLight Phone Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.