Basecamp Live

We have been living in a COVID world for over a year now, the impact it has made on how we live life, our attitudes, habits, and fears are extensive.Are there specific things we can do in our homes and schools to help us get back to healthy living more quickly and parents and teachers? And, how are Christian and classically educated young people in a better position to not only survive but thrive in a COVID and the post-COVID world? It is good news! Join me for this conversation with Keith McCurdy, who is back for this episode of BCL!BIOGRAPHYKeith McCurdy has worked with families, children, parents, and individuals for over 30 years in the field of mental health, working with more than 15,000 individuals and families. He received his Master of Arts and Education Specialist degrees from James Madison University. He is currently the President and CEO of Total Life Counseling, Inc., and is licensed in the state of Virginia as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. For more

The world is getting crazy. How do we raise a generation that refuses to compromise in matters of faith, especially in a world that rejects, even scorns, anyone who believes in absolute truth?  Like walking a roofline, how do we balance being in the world but not of it?  On one side, a person can easily compromise and blindly adopt the latest “correct thinking” and fall into the ditch of becoming a chameleon changing with their environment. On the other side of the roof, it is easy for a person to slide into isolation in a holy huddle, overly cautious and afraid of the world.  A person is only surrounded by those who think and act like them.  Dick Keyes has spent five decades as part of Francis Schaeffer’s L’Abri Fellowship, helping people navigate this balance. Ultimately, he urges them to live confidently and boldly as followers of Christ using what Schaeffer called “True Truth,” which he describes as “the mark of the Christian a love lived out, despite the wild world around us." It’s for sure something we

What does it mean to be human, to be civil, to have a confident purpose in life? Raising up a generation that will genuinely truly is the goal of any loving parent and teacher. How do we do it? Our guest today has written a new book that illuminates the power of a liberal arts education, which for centuries has formed Christ-followers who have gone into the broken world and made significant positive cultural changes. People who know who they are and whose they are, ready to endure whatever challenges unfold before them. Isn't that what the world needs right now? Listen in...BIOGRAPHYR. Keith Loftin is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, as well as the Associate Dean at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Scarborough College in Fort Worth, TX. In addition to the PhD, he holds an M.A. in Philosophy and an M.A. in Humanities. He is the editor of God & Morality: Four Views, co-author of Stand Firm: Defending the Beauty and Brilliance of the Gospel, and the author of numerous articles a

Most classical Christian educators talk about truth and goodness. But when it comes to beauty it seems as though it’s not as critical or practical. At most, it’s an excuse to put some nice artwork on the wall. Yet, when properly understood, beauty can be an antidote to much of the rising anxiety so prevalent in our culture. Even more, it is the door to understand truth and goodness. If we want to raise a generation to love what God loves then we need to figure out where beauty fits in to everyday life. Nick Duncan, a former professional chef and the 10th Grade Humanities Instructor at the Ambrose School in Meridan, Idaho, shares some of his own discoveries about beauty that will transform your school and home.-----BiographyNick Duncan received a BBA in Entrepreneurship Management from Boise State University in 2012 and an MDiv in Global Studies from Liberty University School of Divinity in 2016. He previously taught at the College of Western Idaho for four years. Most recently, he taught Greek I at The Ambros

We classical Christian folk frequently  talk about forming virtue in young people. But if we’re not careful, we can bury students in our well-intended rules and academic expectations and never ultimately transform their hearts and what they love. In a world of digital screens with movies and stories all around, we’d better be even better story tellers if we want to be persuasive in forming what our children love. But how do we do it? One way is rediscovering the power of ancient myths. Louis Markos, author of the new book, Myth Made Fact, tells us how on today’s episode of BaseCamp Live.-----BiographyLouis Markos holds a BA in English and History from Colgate University and an MA and PhD in English from the University of Michigan. He is a Professor of English and Scholar in Residence at Houston Baptist University, where he teaches courses on British Romantic and Victorian Poetry and Prose, the Classics, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, and Art and Film. Dr. Markos holds the Robert H. Ray Chair in Humanities

What could be more important than excellent reading, writing, and arithmetic skills? More than ever, we need a generation of students who are cultivated to love what God loves, to think deeply, and to be real world ready. All of that sounds amazing and makes for good open house talks but is there longterm evidence that it actually works? Our guest today, Head of School Jared Squires, has completed a doctoral dissertation that specifically researches the longterm outcomes and impact of classical Christian education on graduates. More than ever, civilization depends on parents and teachers who recognize the power of paideia in our schools. Listen in and get equipped!_____BiographyJared Squires has been blessed to be a part of the classical, Christian, University-Model school movement for the past 20 years as a co-founder of Kingdom Prep, trustee, and headmaster. He and his wife, Dana, first learned of the classical, Christian, University-Model school movement in the fall of 1999 when his daughter, who is now 27

Culture is always downstream of education. We are reaping today the fruits of what has been taught or not taught in schools. At BCL, we’re big fans of classical Christian education precisely because it gives students what they need to be real world ready rather than sheltering them. Our guest today, Matthew Breazeale of Trinity Academy, completed a doctoral dissertation exploring the reasons why CCE graduates can and do stand strong in their faith and in their life decisions that go the distance.__________Biography:Matthew Breazeale  has 10+ years of educational experience with with 6+ years of administrative/leadership experience. He has served as a teacher (part of Teach For America) as well as an assistant principal within the public school system. He also has experience serving at an independent school as a division head and interim head of school. As interim, he served 7 months to finish an academic and fiscal year while also preparing for the next; this required managing a ~$4.4 million budget and overs

What have we learned from living through the pandemic? Sure, there have been challenges, but also some wonderful discoveries of taking time with family, slowing down, and sharing activities that had been lost in the frenetic shuffle of life. Now, as society reopens, hopefully sooner rather than later, are we going to jump back on the treadmill? In this encouraging episode, Keith McCurdy offers us wisdom on how to protect and embrace the positive new habits and traditions that we started in our marriages, with our children, at school, and in our faith.

How does reading Homer benefit students in a world gone amok? Shouldn’t we focus less on doing the hard thing and more on the practical needs that stem from living through a pandemic? Chris Schlect, Fellow of History at New Saint Andrews College, reminds us that classical classical Christian education is needed now more than ever. Like the early Christians, parents and teachers must look beyond the practical and press in during these difficult times. According to Schlect, reading Homer is how we build the world and teaching kids to face adversity is how the kingdom of God advances. Turns out that aiming for the “timeless” will get you to the practical every time. Tune in today to hear how!

Which age groups are having the toughest time as school reopens this side of the pandemic? Keith McCurdy is back to address what all students are most worried about and how should parents and teachers respond. In this timely episode, Keith suggests strategies to help kids lean in, understand their new environments, and roll with the changes as they return to school. Listen in to help students of all ages navigate this new world.

What anchors a school? This is the million-dollar question author Kathleen Kitchin asks of existing classical Christian Schools. Her new book, First Things First: Keeping Your Classical Christian School On Track, reveals the principles and patterns of success she discovered in her research. In this podcast, teachers, staff, and parents will learn how a school can become the educational "alma mater" - that’s Latin for “nourishing mother” - that our graduates will look back on with gratitude and fondness. Learn how to shore up those practices to help your classical Christian school stay on track...or get your school back on track!

Culture often pressures us to believe that results and outcomes matter more than everything else. This attitude can bleed into the classical Christian school realm and affect our parenting. Josh Dyson, Head of the Classical School of Wichita, urges us to consider Augustine who did not receive the gospel during his formative years. Only years later did his conversion come together with his classically trained mind…and the results were explosive! Listen in to hear how can parents can better manage their expectations and wait on God's prefect timing.

Do you have an abundance of Amazon boxes lately? Laurie Detweiler, the Executive Vice President of Veritas Press, offers some creative ideas for you and the special kids in your life. With just a little bit of time and some imagination, parents and grandparents can reinforce skills and history lessons at home. Invite kids to connect anytime via Zoom! Read online together in a different way! Every generation can enrich children of all ages no matter how busy or how much distance is between them. Listen in for some fabulous ideas from an educator who is living this out.

The Pandemic has challenged our idea that we have only two choices: homeschool or brick and mortar. The blurring of the lines means more choices. But what is the parent’s responsibility and what is the school’s, especially when every family is different with varying needs? Marlin Detweiler, Executive Director of Veritas Press, encourages parents to figure out where they are on the new continuum...and yet keep their authority whether or not there is a crisis. Listen in to hear his predictions for what the future holds for classical Christian education after the Pandemic.

How do we build virtue? Our guests today, Dr. Timothy Dernlan and two special students, share practical applications for teaching virtue that sticks and works. They discuss the methods they’ve used to foster virtue and guard against vice. Dernlan’s new book is Classical Christian Virtues: Contemplating the Good Life.

Someone once said, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” But Keith McCurdy believes it’s the marriage, not mama, that we need to be concerned about. In fact, McCurdy shows how a family’s greatest tool to navigate the Pandemic is marriage. But what if your relationship isn’t as strong as it could be? And this shutdown has added extra burdens? McCurdy’s positive and practical steps can help. This last episode of our Going the Distance series will encourage you if you are already feeling supported...or help you reset and come out of this Pandemic stronger than ever. Listen in!

High school seniors’ graduation plans have been highjacked and many college kids are back home due to the Pandemic. So how do we maximize this gift of being together 24/7 while respecting each other’s significant differences? Counselor Keith McCurdy addresses these specific age groups in Part 3 of our Going the Distance Series. Learn how parents can help these little birdies who want to fly the nest…but are temporarily "there and back again.”

Teachers are having to turn their teaching methods upside down by going online during this Covid-19 Pandemic. But how do teachers save the day for students without losing their own minds? Many are frustrated with the new platform, feeling self-doubt and missing their students. And what is appropriate and inappropriate when connecting online? Speaking directly to classical Christian teachers, counselor Keith McCurdy points teachers away from unhealthy mechanisms and toward a freedom to engage in something that’s a little more clunky right now. Listen in!

Are you losing your mind or loving these extended days at home? Either way, you don’t want to miss this episode! Our four part series, Going the Distance, begins today. In light of the quarantine we are currently experiencing due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, our resident counselor Keith McCurdy offers practical advice to parents of grammar school-aged kids. Learn how to better avoid chaos, partner with your child’s school, entertain grammar school kids (or not!), and reclaim this unique time. Touching on stories he’s seen in the lives of his own clients who are struggling in these areas, McCurdy helps us redeem these days in quarantine with little ones.

Good news during a pandemic…everyone gets a front room seat in a recorded session of digital school! We might as well look on the bright side and make the best of these changing educational platforms during the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic. Today, Joelle Hodge, who is the Director of the Scholé Academy and an online distance educational expert, helps parents and teachers see how distance learning can be more than cramming facts and regurgitating information. Listen in today to hear how this is an opportunity reconnect with children in a new way using the classical Christian model!