Oklahoma Dad Transforms Home Schooling Into Hands-On Learning Adventures

Frustrated with the traditional classroom setup, Oklahoma father Neil Turner is embarking on a new approach to homeschooling.

Around three years ago, Neil began turning learning into an interactive adventure for his son Alex.

"When we first started doing homeschooling, I tried to make it like a regular classroom at home," Neil said. "He was miserable, and I was miserable."

Determined to make education more engaging, Neil began incorporating field trips into their learning schedule.

Their travels, documented on their YouTube channel, Okie School of Adventure, have taken them across the state and beyond, providing Alex with hands-on experiences ranging from fishing and touring wastewater treatment plants to meeting interesting people.

These trips have helped educate Alex and allowed him to experience Oklahoma's different landscapes and industries.

"It's been very amazing seeing all the new places that I've never been, to seeing behind the scenes, that's just awesome," Alex said.

The pair’s latest adventure took place at a small private lake in Lincoln County, marking the completion of Alex’s goal to catch a fish in all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties.

Alex said his quest to catch a fish in every county began as a joke.

“He knew that Oklahoma had 77 counties,” Neil said. “So he said, ‘Dad, I wonder if I can catch fish in every county?’”

What started as a playful challenge became a serious mission, with the Turners logging countless miles and enduring several trips with no fish.

Their efforts came to a triumphant end on a beautiful day in Lincoln County.

After six previous unsuccessful attempts, Alex finally landed a largemouth bass, achieving his goal.

“Number seventy-seven, baby!” Alex said. “Lincoln County! Woo! Let’s go final, final county!”

Through their adventures, the Turners have not only explored Oklahoma but have also visited 49 states, documenting their travels and sharing educational content with their audience.

Neil said the experience has been as educational for him as it has for Alex.

“The people really enjoyed having us take an interest in the work they do,” he said. “That’s some of the learning philosophy.”

With a perfect mix of education and adventure, the Turners continue to explore new horizons, proving that learning can be an exciting journey.