Podcast Summary: The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

Episode 1KHO 566: Let Kids Be Kids | Guest: Raven Kramer

Host: Jenny Erich
Date: September 7, 2025

Episode Overview

This vibrant episode centers on the power of letting kids be kids—specifically through unschooling, outdoor time, and honoring childhood as a unique, finite phase. Host Jenny Erich talks with Raven Kramer, a mother of four, unschooling advocate, and co-founder of Wild School Tampa Bay. Together, they dismantle stereotypes of unschooling, discuss redefining education, the new era of homeschooling, fostering social and emotional development, cultivating academic readiness organically, and the transformative impact of nature and family travel.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rethinking "Unschooling": What It Actually Means

[03:10–04:04]

• Both Jenny and Raven note their dislike of the term "unschooling" because of negative perceptions.
• Raven clarifies:

  "People then kind of put you in a typecast...they do whatever they want. That's not true...it's just letting my kids lead their own education and trusting their process...letting their interests take the lead." — Raven [03:33]

• She describes unschooling as child-led, interest-driven learning with intentional parental guidance, not a lack of structure or responsibility.
• Jenny calls it "life schooling" or an extension of parenting, not abandoning education.

  "You've already unschooled. Every parent who's listening has already unschooled...in the evenings, summers, or weekends." — Jenny [14:11]

2. Raven's Path to Unschooling

[04:07–09:48]

• Raven shares her motivation: breaking cycles from a difficult childhood and creating a nurturing family environment.

  "I have a really hard backstory...I want to reclaim what I didn't have and give my kids...all the things I didn't have, relational wise." — Raven [04:22]

• Started homeschooling with traditional curriculum and quickly realized it didn’t fit her Type B personality or her children's needs.
• Discovered unschooling as a better fit, focusing on play, curiosity, and interest-driven activities.
• Board games and daily play became core to her children's learning—her 5-year-old learned math concepts naturally through dice and play, not formal lessons.

3. Trusting the Process & Child-Led Growth

[09:48–12:05]

• Both mothers discuss how children thrive when allowed to pursue their own interests passionately—such as Raven's son's interest in alligator hunting.
• They highlight cross-curricular, integrated learning:

  "When you learn about a particular topic, you learn about all the subjects woven together." — Jenny [09:48]

• Jenny shares her daughter’s journey, becoming a certified personal trainer at 15, despite never having taken a formal test before.
• The conversation emphasizes “trusting the process”—skills and mastery may emerge later or via nontraditional paths.

4. Critical Research & Mindset Shifts in Education

[12:04–13:09]

• Discussion on Dr. Peter Gray’s "Free to Learn": children are biologically wired to self-educate.

  "Children are naturally wired to be curious...that natural curiosity leads them to self-educate." — Raven [12:08]

• Providing an environment for growth is key—schooling systems can hinder this natural process.

5. The New Era of Homeschooling

[14:15–18:02]

• Homeschooling has evolved: no longer the isolated, illegal, or stigmatized practice it once was.
• Socialization myths are disproved; homeschoolers are thriving socially, emotionally, and academically.
• Raven shares how her children comfortably interact with a wide range of ages and backgrounds, highlighting real-world proficiency over same-age peer bubbles.

  "My kids are literally the most social kids on the planet Earth...they will talk to anyone, anytime." — Raven [16:35]

6. Supporting Emotional Health Through Unschooling

[22:28–26:52]

• Secure attachment, emotional awareness, and downtime are vital.
• Raven notes:

  "If we could get 80% of the world just aware of what they're feeling, we would see a different world." [22:45]

• Unschooling/homeschooling provides space for children to rest, regulate, and develop a healthier emotional baseline.
• Conventional schedules are compared critically: over-scheduling is linked to rising anxiety and depression among children.

7. Rethinking Academic Measures & Accomplishments

[28:03–34:45]

• Academics occur naturally through real-life experiences (e.g., writing a Pokémon story, learning fractions through baking).
• Board games, hands-on activities, and child-led curiosities are viewed as superior for mastery and retention.
• Not all learning needs to be measurable in the traditional sense—growth and thriving are the true benchmarks.

  "It is more important today than seat work because we don’t know what skills they’re going to need..." — Jenny [52:19]

8. Social, Emotional, and Academic Competency for the Future

[22:27, 37:47]

• Modern success will rely on relational and adaptive abilities, not rote memorization or early academic "achievement."
• The importance of being able to connect, adapt, and learn for mastery is emphasized throughout.

9. Downtime & Flexibility: A Feature, Not a Flaw

[47:00–48:22]

• Flexibility allows families to thrive with dual incomes or as single parents.
• Downtime fosters creativity, resilience, and the ability to “sit with your thoughts”—increasingly rare skills.
• The success of homeschoolers from all backgrounds, including dual-working and single-parent families, is underlined.

  "Anyone can do it...If you have the heart to homeschool, it is absolutely possible for anyone." — Raven [47:00]

10. The Transformational Power of Nature

[48:24–55:32]

• Outdoor time is essential to development ("as important, if not more, than a math lesson").
• Nature and movement are seen as not only beneficial for physical health but essential for cognitive development, confidence, grit, and adaptability.
• Even modest access (a small yard, urban parks) is enough—environment over perfection.
• Adaptation to weather and discomfort builds resilience ("It's okay to be uncomfortable...you can adapt"). — Raven [52:48]
• The family goal: 5–6 hours outdoors per day, mirroring Charlotte Mason’s philosophy.
• Experiences with travel enrich family bonds, allow for life learning, and create core memories (trips to St. Augustine, Rainbow River, Charleston, etc.).

11. Handling Financial & Logistical Concerns

[59:31–62:11]

• Homeschooling is more affordable and flexible than expected: scholarships, discounts, seasonal travel, and simple living help make it accessible.
• Families trade larger homes, more cars, or name-brand goods for shared experiences and flexibility.

  "My family is a six person family living in a thousand square foot house with one bathroom. We have one car—we started very small." — Raven [62:01]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Breaking Stereotypes:

  "Was it hard to teach your kids to walk? You naturally did that...So why then think twice about being able to teach them...when you are a functioning adult?" — Raven [13:27]

• On Socialization & Skills:

  "Homeschoolers are actually thriving...far more social than their traditional school peers...doing better emotionally, psychologically, and academically." — Raven [15:06]

• On Screen Time & Boredom:

  "Boredom creates creativity. Anytime my kids come and say I'm bored, I'm like, I'm doing my job then. I'm so glad you're bored." — Raven [38:21]

• On Academics & Play:

  "Every single board game has math and you do not realize it...It naturally flowed because naturally in childhood you want to play board games." — Raven [29:26]

• On Nature & Movement:

  "Kids being kids outside in nature is just as important, if not more, than a child sitting down to do a math lesson." — Raven [49:14]

• On Resilience:

  "It's okay to be uncomfortable. You can adapt." — Raven [52:48]

• On Flexibility:

  "Anyone can do it...Do what's best for your family. If you have the heart to homeschool, it is absolutely possible for anyone." — Raven [47:00]

• On Family Travel & Memories:

  "We're both, like, getting to experience this amazing situation together...for both of our whole memories, it'll be entwined." — Raven [57:01]

Highlighted Segments with Timestamps

• [03:10] - What is unschooling really? Dispelling myths and defining child-led learning.
• [04:22] - Raven’s personal backstory & family values.
• [09:48] - Real-life examples of interest-driven learning.
• [12:04] - Dr. Peter Gray’s research and the biological basis for self-education.
• [16:35] - Homeschoolers and socialization: real-life examples from the skate park.
• [22:45] - Supporting emotional health through emotional vocabulary and awareness.
• [28:03] - Academics through stories, games, and play.
• [34:45] - Favorite board games and how they foster academic & cognitive growth.
• [38:21] - The importance of limiting screens to foster creativity.
• [47:00] - Strategies for working parents: how a dual-income household can homeschool.
• [49:14] - The crucial role of nature and movement.
• [57:01] - Travel as family bonding and learning.
• [62:01] - Creative solutions for affordability and making lifestyle trade-offs.
• [63:34] - Raven’s favorite outdoor childhood memory: tubing down Rainbow River.

Tone, Spirit, and Takeaways

The conversation is warm, humorous, and deeply encouraging. Both Jenny and Raven blend practical strategies with inspirational philosophy, aiming for parents to feel empowered—whether interested in unschooling, traditional homeschooling, or simply incorporating more real-life learning and outdoor time. Their message: Every family can construct a vibrant, resilient, and fulfilling childhood—whatever their starting point.

Resources & Where to Find Raven:

• Instagram: @ravenandkramer
• Homeschooling guide (see show notes)

Closing Note:

“There is a vibrant life in this homeschooling world. No matter how you do it, there is a lot to love, a lot to look forward to, and a lot to celebrate.” — Jenny [end]

This summary captures the essential lessons, inspiring stories, and practical wisdom of an episode designed to empower parents and celebrate the finite, magical window of childhood.