Who are
we?We are an intentionally diverse and inclusive group of
homeschooling families, Homeschool Explorers encompasses many life and
homeschooling styles. The group' s activities are designed around the school
age members who participate and their needs.
What do we do? We provide
academic and social activities/support in a
parent led co-op environment. We are geared for grade school and middle
school age kids, younger siblings are welcome. As the kids grow and change,
we plan to have an active teen program as well. After our regular meeting
time we go out to the playground, have lunch and relax. We also have a
regular Mom' s Night Out and occasional field trips (not scheduled on
Tuesdays). A few times a year, depending on our agreement with Method, we
may also participate in volunteer activities sponsored by the Parks and
Recreation Dept.
When do we meet During the regular public
school year, we meet every Tuesday at 11:00. We do not meet if it is a
public school holiday or if Method is being used as a polling place. We have
use of the big room at Method from 11:00 until 1:30. Playground time is
generally from 1:00-3:00 or as long as we can sit around and talk! During
the summer, many of us meet at Lake Wheeler on Tuesdays for conversation and
play time.
What does it cost attend? Currently we are
charging $1 per person, per week, including adults and not including
children 3 and under. There is a $30 membership fee due at the beginning of
the school year or paid in installments with your weekly payment. Some of us
prefer to pay our weekly dues on a monthly basis. The weekly costs help us
pay our rent to Method. The yearly dues help us have some paid programs from
outside sources.
What do we expect from you? After you have
visited with us and (hopefully!) found the group to be a good fit, we ask
that you provide us with contact information (phone and email). Once you
have settled in a bit, figured out how you would prefer to pay your yearly
dues and told us your most embarrassing homeschool story (okay, I' m
kidding!)...we will kindly but firmly wave our calendar under your nose and
ask you to sign up for something. We do NOT expect you to pull an awe
inspiring program out of your hat (although if you have one, who are we to
discourage you?). But we do hope to see whatever unique talents and skills
you may bring to our group. If that involves being really good at calling
around and getting someone in to do an awe inspiring program, then so be it.
The commitment we need from you is at least 1 program day per semester and 2
activities for other program days.
Let us know your strengths and limitations; we want
to work with you! We will also add you to our email loop, the place where
you can get all the info you need to know what' s happening with the group.
What do we expect from your kid(s)? Well,
we expect them to be...kids!...which means sometimes a bit rambunctious, but
generally polite, respectful and well meaning. We want kids to be kids while
at the same time learning how to respect a public space and the rules that
Method and the group have established. We hope to have a bunch of
interesting, fabulous, enthusiastic young folks who, with loads of guidance,
learn how to treat a guest who presents a program and the parents who work
so hard to create fun and interesting things for us to do. We do NOT want
automatons! Many kids simply aren' t ready to sit through an hour of any
program, no matter how interesting...that' s why we feel so fortunate to
have the outside space and gym available for anyone who might get restless.
If you have an older child who wants to attend the program and a younger sib
who wants to play, there will usually be a parent willing to keep an eye on
your older kiddo while you meet the needs of the younger one. Some kids want
to stay for the program but may need your help to stay focused, please
participate with your young person and help them get the absolute most out
of the program.
Again, we want to very warmly welcome you to
Homeschool Explorers. We hope that you and your family will find what you seek
here!
