When we first started home schooling, we wanted to join a local home school group. One was awesome, but was too far away. Our local group required signing a statement of faith to join...which wasn't a problem until I read it. Apparently it was written by the minister of the church many of the ladies belonged to (he didn't even participate), and had a lot of language about teaching the subservience of women:roll: As the PK (preacher's kid) of one of pioneer female Lutheran ministers in our state (and country) this wasn't gonna work out. LOL. Oh dear. We did do a few field trips with the farther away group, and I made one really good home school friend who lived near me that I visited quite a bit, but other than that, we were really on our own. Do you have a big homeschool network that you work with? Or do you pretty much fly solo?
We fly solo. We tried to associate with a local group back when DS was schooling at home, but then the truck died, and I had the car at work. So that was the end of that.
We used to be active with several homeschool groups in my area, but as ds13 got older he got tired of the group classes and trips. Now we only join something if it's really good. Mostly we're flying solo.
I don't think I'd have time for a group! But we have a very active church family, most of which also homeschool (but we're not a homeschool group).
We started out looking for groups because "that's what everybody does" and "kids need to be socialized", but it didn't take anytime at all to realize that wasn't going to work for our needs or lifestyle. We've been solo for most of the time we've HS'd.
The church I attended when I first started had a small co-op which we joined. It eventually folded, but by then I had lots of connections. For a while, someone ran a "What's Happening" email list. You would send her anything in the area that would be of interest to hs'ers, and she'd send it out to everyone on the list. We currently attend a co-op.
I pretty much fly solo. I have tried going with this group or that, but then you end up doing whatever the collective does and it gets old. And there are never older kids in the groups so by 7th grade or so, you have to move on. You don't HAVE to, but there just isn't anything for older kids.
We are members of two different hs groups. Both are wonderful and offer a variety of different things. Our groups offer lots of support besides co-op classes which is really nice. We actually have another Mom's Night Out on Friday. We do many of the field trips and events which is nice because dd is really an only now (her sister is an adult living out of state).
I think I joined every group in my area! lol..paid membership fees and everything...and truthfully we will probably not go on very many of the events...but I'd like to have the option..lol. I'm not overly worried about the "socialization" aspect of homeschooling...I feel that being a military family...having lived in EVERY time zone over the last 6 year...the numerous school changes...with at least ONE more family move to go...I'm going to give our socialization efforts an A+ ...lol. Suprisingling...people still hit me with that "they need exposure to other kids"...I'm going to start answering with this... "IKR...that's why we moved them from the Wild West..to the West Coast..to the Dirty South...to East Coast!! They've had to deal with each regions attitudes, dialects, and customs...just for YOU, random person, because I know no one cares more for my kids than you do:roll:" I don't think the groups are a bad thing...my kids are very close with each other...If I had an only..or varying talents/personality traits...it would be different :love:
We have always been solo homeschoolers for the most part. When the kids were young the only group in our area was a Christian group who didn't welcome catholics. Then I found a secular group but my kids were a bit older than the kids in the group, that didn't work either. Now I am in a local Facebook homeschool group that is growing by leaps and bounds. I mainly answer questions for new homeschool moms. I have also done a private Youtube video for the group. It basically teaches new homeschool moms how to homeschool legally in Louisiana. I wish this group would have been aound when my kids were young! There is a homeschool choir, a homeschool spanish club, homeschool drama club, homeschool art lessons, a lego club, Chick-Fil-A Day, Ballroom dance lessons and dances, computer science classes, and lots of field trips. There are way too many activities to do and still have time of schoolwork...LOL.
I happen to live in a huge pocket of homeschoolers. We are involved in a co-op that meets bi-weekly. My oldest also attends another co-op weekly (it's geared towards High School students and offers the tougher courses, etc) - that one is EXPENSIVE, but worth it for the couple classes she takes. Both suit our family very well. We are also involved in several "yahoo groups" for things like field trips and fun things. We often have wAAAAAY too much to choose from on any given day, and therefore, don't do so much! HA HA HAH A!!!! We are very blessed to live where we do and have the resources we have around us.
We go solo. The co-op only does art and field trips together. We live in rural Southern Minnesota near the Iowa border so not a lot of co-ops from which to choose.
In the first year we were solo types but a few years in now and we have a large network. We are in a homeschool orchestra and choir, we are part of a co-op, we are joining a homeschool American Heritage Girls, and my older two are considering a homeschool Civil Air Patrol (they've been visiting but have yet to commit) and we have many friends who homeschool with whom we do field trips, activities, or just hangout. We are TOO busy. lol I love it though! My kids do too- they like being busy.
Fly solo here. We do some classes on currclick...so we do get the "group," but other than that it's us.
We have always joined co-ops and groups. Some years it was great. Some not so great. My oldest went to high school this year and I do think the groups were helpful to her through the years. I now have 3 at home. We are doing co-op this year with dd13 and ds11 but not ds7. Co-op with youngers is just tiring. They don't need 3 hours of mom-led classes that are normally just not that great for k-4th graders. Co-op gets worthwhile to me around 5th grade and up. It is dd13's last homeschool year so we are doing co-op. Next year when I just have the boys, we will not do co-op!!! I am so excited. It really does interfere with actually schooling at home. I have a lot of homeschool friends now so a group isn't really a necessity at this point. I am excited to go more solo next year!
We tried a co-op within walking distance from our house. We only went for one semester--I couldn't get my kids to go back! However, they were part of a homeschooling performing arts program which they loved. We also enjoy getting together informally with homeschooling friends for field trips and just hanging out.
Solo here! I tried some various groups but it just isn't our thing. Way too much drama between parents.
Our church is comprised mostly of middle aged and older couples. Over time most with kids have wandered away or have moved away. For this reason, we have joined a local Christian homeschooler group and will be participating in their once a week co-op classes. My students will be taking PE, Music Appr., and creative writing with the co-op. The group also offers field trips and family nights and mom's nights and other things. I am glad the homeschoolers in this group are so active. I did not want to go through church hunting at this point. We like the church and are active and the lack of many other kids is the only major negative.
This sounds like my church currently. We used to have a ton of kids but for various reasons (people moved, found a different church, sports...) the number of kids there on a regular basis is rather low. We love the people and the pastor so we are not looking to leave but it would be nice to have more kids (especially girls) for dd at church.
