Help your family understand America, not just memorize it.
This path is for the family that wants their children to know this country from the inside out: its founding, conflicts, cuisine, geography, and the people who shaped it (not sugar-coated, not villainized, just facts). Students study the military and major wars, founding documents, 50 states (with local recipes accompanying each one), and more — all while covering other core school subjects, as well. Written by the Campfire creator: an SOF combat veteran, built by working with historians and others around the country.
“I used this unit with 7 kids ranging from 1st to 11th grade. We all loved it! There was so much information… modern wars, American history, highlights of the stories of real people… The activities were fantastic.” – Teresa R.
How Campfire Teaches History Differently
How Campfire Teaches History Differently
Campfire does not teach history as “memorize the textbook and trust the official story.” We put students directly in front of primary and secondary sources (journals, letters, newspapers, speeches, court records, government documents, inquiries, etc.) and teach them how to interrogate the source.
Who said this? Why? What was left out? Who benefits from this version? What conflicts with it? What evidence actually exists or supports the claim?
Our Titanic unit is a great example. We don’t just repeat the widely accepted claims and run with them. We go to the inquiries, look at conflicting data, and challenge assumptions. We spend hundreds of hours researching before putting pen to paper (or—you know—finger to keyboard).
We talk about how the news and media shaped public understanding. And most importantly, we make the larger point: do not blindly trust everything you are told. But also… do weigh the evidence, so that you don’t walk around lost.
We do not treat every theory as equally proven or equally supported. Students can’t go through life trusting everything, trusting nothing, or falling into rumors and traps.
We teach students to ask better questions. “What do you believe about this?” is not enough. We want students asking, “What evidence convinced me? What sources shaped my opinion? Where did those sources come from? What would change my mind?”
That is the heart of how Campfire teaches history: not blind acceptance, cynicism, or just theories, but disciplined discernment.
Critical thinking without agenda.
Real customer photos from Campfire families from our FB page. Hands-on application is optional, not required. But when your child wants to go further, Campfire includes simple application ideas often using items you likely already have at home.
“I just wanted to write in to thank you. I’ve tried everything before this. We’ve tried Notgrass America the Beautiful and Exploring America, Story of the World, BFB, Guest Hollow, all of it. And I’m on year 18 of homeschooling. Nothing, I mean nothing, has compared to Campfire. ALL of my kids were engaged. The history delved more deeply than any other, and my kids STILL remember why it matters, which is what matters to me the most. The other day, my 8-year-old and 15-year-old were having a debate about how things are going in the world today, and they used HISTORY and LOGIC to back up their answers, all thanks to Campfire! I couldn’t believe it. You’ve also sparked a love in my own life. I thought I disliked history before this. I tell everyone I know! Thank you, thank you, thank you! – Rebecca B.
How to Count Credits
Choose any of the units from the list. Think of each unit like an oversized chapter in a year-long course. You complete multiple “chapters” to earn 1 full credit by the end of the year. Because each full unit covers multiple subjects, you can earn a credit in each school subject.
Use it your way:
- All-in-one: Use the main guidebook + Core Connections Companion when included.
- Single subject: Use the guidebook on its own.
- Full-year credit: Choose about 8 units per year (or 4 per year semester). ~8 units = 1 full credit in each subject (history/social studies, science, ELA, geography, ethics, Bible, and elective).
Most families can cover the year in about 8 units — all ages and subjects except math — and still land under $400. Mix and match as desired.
Other curriculum charges by age bracket: if you have three kids at different stages, you’re buying it three times (and again when the next sibling catches up). Campfire is one purchase, used by every child in your home, at every age, indefinitely.
-
-
-
Flexible unit Island Life (Digital)
Price range: $32.50 through $52.50 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
★ If you choose units from this path, a good first unit to start your year is: Independence Day
Academic Portfolio available now for Independence Day
Academic portfolios are optional and include additional note-taking support as well as a record of lab reports, learning extensions, and transcript-ready documentation.
ACADEMIC & CREDIT HIGHLIGHTS: Students engage in applied inquiry across U.S. military history, founding documents, civic structures, and state and regional geography. Drawing on primary sources, case studies, and expert-modeled instruction, students develop evidence-based reasoning, practice historical and technical writing, providing U.S. history, civics, and geography credit. Core Connections companions delve into chemistry, biology, and more while also providing differentiated grammar, composition, and analytical writing instruction across all levels. Social studies, geography, ethics, and Bible are all included.
“I’ve been homeschooling my kids for 11 years. We’ve tried LOTS of curriculum and NEVER found one that we’ve all learned so much and had so much fun with as CC! Military was our first purchase (13yo son’s pick). My 10yo daughter was not thrilled at first, but has actually really enjoyed it as well! I love that we’re all learning together, its low stress and no prep, and that there are videos, hands on (FUN) activities, and stories all in each lesson. Everything is so well written and organized!! We just can’t say enough about how awesome campfire curriculums is and how grateful we are!!! Thank you for making our homeschool environment magical!! Trisha P.”
Have questions?
Here are a few of the most common ones we hear from families just like yours.
Because Campfire is integrated, the science credit doesn't need a specific name right away. Many families temporarily list the course as "Integrated Science" while their student is still working through high school.
When your high schooler is ready to graduate, you can separate those credits. They naturally fall into biology, chemistry, foundational physics, and applied science. Some units will also directly apply to health or pre-med.
Another option: list a specific science course and award partial credit per unit, as shown on each product page. For example:
Biology — 1/6 credit for Holocaust
Over time, those partials add up. Your simplest approaches:
- Option 1 — Use "Integrated Science," then separate credits into subjects once the student is approaching graduation (biology, chemistry, foundational physics, etc.).
- Option 2 — Keep "Integrated Science" permanently. Many public and private schools now do this intentionally — Integrated Science 1, 2, 3, 4.
- Option 3 — Track each unit under a specific science category and award partial credit as you go along.
All approaches work. US transcripts use the Carnegie method (credits based on time spent in a subject). Visit the High School & Newcomer page for more.
Great question! Many parents of younger students opt to complete that unit on its own, pausing other subjects for the duration.
Older students may layer it on top of a regular unit — think "Finance Fridays" or 20 focused minutes a day. Set a timer, stop when it goes off, and it can carry you throughout the year.
Yes. Our Classic units come from our original catalog when the units were structured differently. They include a gentler Core Connections Companion for full subject coverage (except math) and will take less time to complete than our Signature units. They are also organized slightly differently.
Our Signature units carry our deepest, most comprehensive coverage. We plan to move all units into the Signature category over time, and if that happens, you'll receive the Signature version FREE of charge if you purchased Classic.
Check out our History pathway — it shows you exactly how to approach sequence! For any similar questions about structuring your high school years, the High School & Newcomer page lays out everything you need.
My children and I have been working through the geography series, and we are LOVING it! This is such a rich experience for studying US Geography and is so much more than that. In true CC fashion, there are multiple topics and connections interwoven into this masterful curriculum. Even months later, my children will still hear someone mention a state they have studied and they’ll be able to contribute to the conversation. As it tends to go, everyone learns something they didn’t already know. We love sharing what we learn, and yes, I mean “we” because I learn alongside them.