How can I make home schooling more fun?

Question

Everyone who's been home schooled or knows someone who has been home schooled knows that it's difficult to have field trips (Especially when it's a free state-wide cyber school.)

Seeing as field trips are basically the only way for us to meet our classmates, I want to be able to help out and suggest locations and events we could have in my area. But since this is a free school, the only money they get is from the government and donations. So how can I help my school make money (They don't really hand out chocolate sales and fund raisers, y'know) to do things like rent busses for out-of-state trips and go to museums that cost money for educational groups?

Answer 1

try www.groups.yahoo/group/homeschools

for great ideas.

Answer 2

Do what other schools do; they sell candy, t-shirts, etc to raise money.

Answer 3

Even though you homeschool from a cyber school, you can still find a local homeschool group.  There are homeschool groups that get together once a week and they have loads of fun together.  They will sometimes even offer other things, like cooking class, sports, arts & craft, and many other things, too.  Also, you might want to consider karate classes, music lessons, and voice lessons.   Or you can go to your local library and see what they offer.  A lot of homeschoolers will participate in these type of activities.

Answer 4

why can't you ask them if you could do fundraisers? you could get the whole school involved.

Answer 5

I'm a little confused... The way field trips work here, be it for schools or homeschoolers, is each pays their way. In schools, each child pays a little extra to pay for renting the school bus. No government money, no donations. As a homeschooling family, I don't find it hard to have field trips at all--we set things up with other families. We meet up at the location and pay our own way. If a group rate is available, one family will set that up ahead of time. We've never rented a bus.

You don't have to set up things with your "classmates" to have fun. Just get to know other homeschoolers in your area and do things with them. It'll actually be easier to get going and you'll be able to do more than trying to organize things with people who don't even necessarily live near you.

Answer 6

Sell the entertainment coupon books.

I buy one every year and they allways pay for themselves.

check out the link

Answer 7

I don't know why you say it's difficult to have field trips when you're HS'ed (or even cyber-schooled).  Just this past week, my son had the opportunity to attend three field trips with other HS'ers.  We live in a small city, too!

All you need to do is set up the field trip with the organization or business you want to attend.  Then the parents should pay the entrance fee and the transportation - even *if* you're in a state-wide cyber school.

I don't think many parents would allow their kids on out-of-state field trips.  I wouldn't unless I came along - in which case I'd drive my kids and any other kids that fit in my car.

Your cyber school is part of a school district.  That district will have funds available for activities just like their B&M schools.  Have you even contacted your school or district to see what they can do?

Answer 8

This doesn't sound like homeschooling to me at all. This is public school at home - in real homeschooling you go on field trips all the time, with anyone you want to. We have great trips with lots of kids at least once a month, we go on our own for other stuff.  

Don't know how to help you, but this is definitely not a typical homeschool situation!

Answer 9

I agree with the majority, this is Long Distance Education no homeschooling.

Homeschoolers who are night owls do their work for 8pm til 2am and sleep in late.

Homeschoolers with sports activities do some morning work and then do afternoons in gymastics, at the batting cages, at the ice skating rink and them come home and finish up courses after dinner.

Field trips are an essential part, since you don't have "auditorum" stuff like in a brick school.

So parents need to take you to a stage play once or twice a year, the zoo, a museum.  A fishing trip with Dad qualifies.  Going out to the County Fair qualifies.

Answer 10

Since the school is free can't people put out thei own pockets for field trips. I pay for school. I also pay for field trips.

Answer 11

Have a chocolate bar selling contest? :)

Answer 12

Have a bake sale....tried and true resource.

or maybe a fun run....a garage sale, anything like that.