Memories of a Happy Childhood

Claude Monet’s Luncheon on the Grass

Dear Parents,

Years ago while at a friend’s house, I noticed a handwritten list on her refrigerator. It was titled “Summer Goals” and had about a dozen or so activities listed on it. “Visit a water park” was one and “practice math facts daily” was another. The activity at the top of the list: “go on a picnic.”

I confess: our family doesn’t do a lot of picnics. But one thing that I DO enjoy greatly is having breakfast on the deck with my son on nice weekends and summer mornings when I don’t have to rush off to work. It is usually fairly cool first thing in the morning, and the birds and insects are singing out in all their glory. We always linger over our meal, and I will sometimes have a second cup of coffee. (Glory!)

Believe it or not, Charlotte Mason actually had something to say about picnics. 

Besides the gain of an hour or two in the open air, there is this to be considered: meals taken alfresco are usually joyous, and there is nothing like gladness for converting meat and drink into healthy blood and tissue. All the time, too, the children are storing up memories of a happy childhood. Fifty years hence they will see the shadows of the boughs making patterns on the white tablecloth; and sunshine, children’s laughter, hum of bees, and scent of flowers are being bottled up for after refreshment. - Charlotte M. Mason, Home Education, Volume I

And it wasn’t just picnics she encouraged. Mason wrote over 50 pages on out-of-door life for children — it was THAT important to her vision of their proper bringing up. 

What better time than the summer to do just that? Ride bikes, go on nature walks, visit a water park, and yes, have a picnic or two.

In all of it — to put it in the words of Mason — we are helping our children in “storing up memories of a happy childhood.” I can’t think of a better goal for a summer to-do list.

Enjoy your summer and stay safe,

Krise Nowak, M.Ed.
Head of School