Comments on: Starting a Homeschool Group

by: Sebastian (a lady)

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:08:56 +0000

I think it is a great idea for a while to just get together and make friends. My kids take a taekwondo class for homeschoolers and this spring we did a mini curriculum fair each lesson. We’d each bring in something that we really liked or a mom would mention something she was considering and someone would bring in a copy to look over.
If your group expands beyond park days, I think you should be clear about what the group’s current mission is. I think that folks get bent out of shape if they expect a lot of group learning opportunities (field trips, group classes, spelling bee, etc) and see only play dates. On the other hand, some families may feel less welcome because they are only interested in fellowship with other homeschoolers and feel pressured to participate (or organize) in group outings. So either be really clear about what the group is doing or be willing to accept that different families will have different levels of participation.
I would also be clear about religious expectations. If the group is a fellowship group for lots of homeschoolers regardless of education philosophy or religion, then don’t let one viewpoint crowd others out. If it is really a support group for a particular style of homeschooling or homeschooling within a faith structure, then be clear about that too.

by: Terry

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:46:33 +0000

My best tip(esp. for small, rural groups would be to just host a home
school meeting in your home. I have done this for years and had between 4 to 12 ladies in attendance each month.

I have a question of the month that we all take turns answering and to close off the evening, there is a show and tell time - bring any new curriuculum, book, HS tip, etc to share with others.

It works in a rural area.

Then we do extras as members wish - field trips, park days, home school swim and more. I even look after the Scholastic book orders.

by: Christy

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 22:22:13 +0000

I have been part of two groups. One of which I started. It was just an association of families in our church that homeschooled and the church let us use a room for free once a month.
The group I am part of now has been meeting throughout the summer, every Friday, at the same park. We actually had business cards made up, and have had opportunity to hand them out to people who happened by. In the past, the treasurer of the group had an account in her name. This year, we found a bank that let us use the group’s name without our being 501c, or incorporated.
I would hop on the phone and find a willing church, or property owner’s association and bank.
Find out what the needs and wants are of homeschoolers in your area, and minister to that.

by: Lori

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 02:52:39 +0000

I don’t think there is a great way of getting homeschoolers together. Every family has a different schedule and different things they have to do so usually it is hard to pick a time when everyone can just be there. I think the best thing to do is just set a date to meet and people will either show up or not and don’t take it personally if they aren’t able to show up. I know we would like to get together more, but a lot of the time, our schedule causes problems.