Early Childhood, Reimagined

Phoenix House reimagines early childhood education by aligning learning with the natural rhythms of children. Our program blends place-based education with meaningful inquiry and play-based learning opportunities. By organically integrating foundational academic concepts into tangible experiences, we strive to create a deeply memorable early childhood experience that equips children to make an impact in and beyond their communities.

Daily Rhythm

  • Meet at Basecamp

    8:30am

  • Venture to Place

    9:00am

  • Learn & Explore

    ~9:30am-12:00pm

  • Return to Basecamp

    12:30pm

The Power of Place

Since the dawn of humanity we have learned from place.

Unfortunately, current societal rhythms have

Where Do We Explore?

  • Balboa Park

    FOUNDER

  • Mission Trails Regional Park

    DESIGN DIRECTOR

  • Tecolote Canyon

    SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR

  • Jamie Kokot

    CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

  • Karl Holland

    SALES MANAGER

Why Basecamp?

Basecamp, our quaint Reggio-inspired classroom in the heart of Barrio Logan, is the drop off and pick up point for our explorers. While many place-based education programs sensibly meet at *insert name of place*, we have made the intentional decision to make place-based education accessible to families who might not be able to meet at the edge of a remote trailhead or in the parking lot adjacent to an obscure canyonside each morning before going to work.

While drop off and pick up in the heart of San Diego emphasizes our program’s commitment to serving urban families, Basecamp also serves as a space for us to brief and debrief each day, shelter in severe weather, host events, and showcase all of our treasures from the trail.

Incorporating State Standards

At Phoenix House we strongly believe that standardized academics can be integrated into a place-based learning experience. In fact, we believe that the holistic, kinetic learning styles in which we deliver information to children are more biologically appropriate modalities for them to process and retain knowledge.