Outsiders on Why We Build Our Own Curriculum

Education isn’t what it used to be.
And maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

Families everywhere are waking up to the realization that traditional models don’t always fit their kids—or their values. They’re noticing that education shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all, and that sometimes the best way forward is to stop following someone else’s map and start writing your own.

That’s what we’ve done at Outsiders Adventure Co.

We didn’t begin with a master plan.
We began with a feeling: there has to be more than this.
More than worksheets and screens.
More than prepackaged units and silent classrooms.
More than ticking boxes on a scope and sequence someone else designed.

What we were after was connection. Purpose. Joy. Wonder.

And when we couldn’t find a curriculum that fully captured that?
We created it ourselves.

Why We Write Our Own Curriculum

We write our own curriculum because children are not static.
Because the world is not predictable.
Because learning is not meant to be a formula.

Instead of relying on someone else’s version of “what works,” we began writing curriculum that reflected our own students—living, breathing, wild and growing right in front of us.

We believe curriculum should be:

Rooted in relationship

Built with flexibility

Responsive to the environment

Anchored in hands-on learning

Fueled by curiosity and courage

We write because the landscape of education is always changing. And in a world that shifts faster than any textbook can keep up with, writing your own curriculum isn’t just a creative option—it’s a powerful form of educational stewardship.

It Didn’t Start Perfectly—And That’s the Point

We’ve tried all the things. The Pinterest-worthy units. The scripted lessons. The ones with pretty graphics and promises of perfect outcomes.

Some were helpful. Some were beautiful. Some inspired us.
But they never felt fully like us. There was always a disconnect between the lesson on the page and the real children sitting in front of us—mud on their boots, questions on their lips, and the energy of a thousand possibilities in their bones.

So we stopped trying to follow every boxed curriculum to the letter. We stopped asking, “What are other people doing?” and started asking, “What do these kids need today?”

That shift changed everything.

What followed was a patchwork of real moments and living ideas—hands-on projects, seasonal rhythms, place-based learning, and a willingness to let the land and the learners lead the way. And along the way, we began writing it all down.

Not to be perfect.
Not to package and sell.
But to remember. To repeat. To refine.

And eventually, to share.

A Curriculum That Grows With Us

The beauty of writing our own curriculum is that it grows with us.

When seasons shift, we adapt.
When students light up over a topic, we dive deeper.
When we find something that isn’t working, we toss it and try something new—without guilt, without shame, without waiting for someone else’s permission.

Our curriculum allows us to:

Teach across multiple ages through layered, thematic units

Respond to student interests while still hitting core academic standards

Incorporate outdoor learning and place-based experiences

Build in margin for rest, reflection, and revision

Honor the voices, cultures, and needs of the kids we serve

We are not just teaching subjects.
We are teaching humans—whole, messy, curious humans.
And that requires an approach as dynamic as they are.

Hands-On, Heart-First

At Outsiders, we believe that education should start with doing—with getting your hands dirty and your heart engaged.

We build units around experiences. We use science as a bridge to storytelling. We use history as a window into empathy. We use the outdoors not just as a setting, but as a teacher.

Our students:

Build

Explore

Create

Debate

Observe

Reflect

We’ve found that when students are immersed in a project—when they are cooking over fire, digging into a compost pile, or constructing a model of Stonehenge—they don’t just remember the content. They embody it.

Hands-on education isn’t a trend. It’s the way learning was always meant to be.
Embodied. Alive. Relational. Relevant.

Curriculum as an Act of Hospitality

Writing custom curriculum is also an act of hospitality.

When we design a lesson or unit, we are saying to our students:
“You matter enough for me to create something just for you.”

We’re not trying to impress.
We’re trying to invite.

Invite them to discover.
Invite them to participate.
Invite them to see that the world is full of wonder, and that they belong in it.

And in doing so, we’re also inviting other families into this way of learning.

We’ve learned that we don’t have to hold everything close.
The curriculum we’ve created—born from years of trying, failing, and flourishing—can now be shared with others who want to do education differently.

Tried and True Custom Units – Now Available

We’ve spent years writing curriculum that reflects real learners, real environments, and real connection. And now, we’re sharing it with families, homeschool communities, and micro-schools who are hungry for the same thing.

A few of our current units include:

Free to Roam: Geography, culture, food, and storytelling from around the globe

Under the Sea: Marine science, water filtration, and deep-sea discovery

Wild West Camp: History, survival skills, leadership, and outdoor STEM

Little House Life: Pioneer living, sustainable practices, and historical empathy

Compost to Kitchen: Garden science, soil studies, and hands-on sustainability

These units aren’t just worksheets and quizzes. They’re full of hands-on projects, cross-curricular integration, and real-world application—designed to be flexible, inclusive, and wildly fun.

Whether you’re teaching around a kitchen table, on a forest path, or in a field full of tents, our curriculum can adapt to your rhythm.

You Can Do This Too

If you’ve ever looked at a boxed curriculum and thought,
“This doesn’t feel like us…”
—know that you’re not alone.

And more importantly—you are allowed to build something better.

You don’t need to be a curriculum expert.
You just need to be brave enough to begin.

Start with one unit. One lesson. One idea sparked by a question your child asks.
Let it grow. Let it shift. Let it be delightfully imperfect.

And if you’d like a head start?
We’ve got you covered.

Try one of our custom-written, field-tested units. Use it as-is or let it inspire your own version. This isn’t about doing what we do—it’s about finding your own rhythm and realizing… you can write new paths too.

Final Thoughts

Education is not a race. It’s not a checklist. It’s not about doing what everyone else is doing.

It’s about connection.
It’s about curiosity.
It’s about courage.

And sometimes, it’s about setting down the map and writing your own.

We believe you can do that. And we’d be honored to walk alongside you as you do.

Come check out our tried-and-true custom Outsiders Adventure Co. units. They’ve been shaped by real students, real dirt, and real joy. And we hope they’ll serve you well—wherever your path may lead.