How do I find a home school group/co-op in my area?

Question

im thinking about home schooling but want to see what is available in my area as far as groups/co-ops and things like that for my kids to be around other kids as I feel this is very important. They do not like sports, so thats out. How do I find out this info? This or any info would be helpful, I know nothing about homeschooling! =)

Answer 1

Check Yahoo Groups. That's where I found a great homeschool group for my city and where I learned about other groups that are around here, although they weren't findable in any other way online.

Answer 2

Google  "homeschool, your town, your state".

Also, if you've already met 2 homeschool families there are bound to be more.  When I couldn't find a group that suited my schedule and preferences, I just started one.  It doesn't have to be real organized at first, just a get together with the families you already know.  YOu could plan to meet at a park periodically or something.

Since you didn't say where you are from, it makes it hard to say exactly what is available in your area.

Answer 3

Same problem here! I'm thinking of starting my own group. Here's what I did & am doing first, though, to find out what is around here:

Go to the library every day during school hours and check in the children's section for parents and kids & I walk up and ask the parent if they homeschool and if they belong to a group.

Ask at the homeschool/teacher store(s) and find out if there are groups that they know of. - I live in an area that doesn't have one of these, but I did this in the next town (30 miles+ away) to find out if those groups knew of any groups in my area!!

Ask the librarians in the children's section if they would be willing to give my card (business card but it just has my name & email & phone # on it) to anyone who homeschools if they would like to join a group or if they already belong to a group. I explained that I'm looking for a group & if I can't find one I'm thinking of starting one and I assure them that I'm not selling anything!!

I'm toying with the idea of placing a small ad in the paper, but since I don't read the classifieds myself, I'm not sure how this will go!!

There's always 4H, Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls, Campfire Girls, and the boy versions of the same. Look online for these groups' websites to find out if there are local chapters. (4H is run by the state university extension offices, so you can just start by calling them for that info. I got the run-around when I tried calling mine, but then found out that they have an event at the local fairgrounds in October of every year to have kids decide if they want to join or not.)

As far as other info about homeschooling, go to your library and check out the books on the subject. There are so many of them!! If you can't find them, ask at the reference desk and they'll help you find what you're looking for!

Good luck and I hope this has been helpful.

Answer 4

Try googling the name of your town/district and something akin to homeschooling groups; Check out your local library and any local notice boards; Check out your community's own website if your town has one; Go to the park on a school day and get talking to any parents you find there.

Edit: have you tried http://www.home-school.com/groups/

Answer 5

I'm homeschooled and I've been taking Shotokan Karate at my local YMCA since I was 6.  I've made the vast majority of my friends through that program, and I find that most of the kids who come through the club are really good kids, who I enjoy spending my time with.

Answer 6

OK Start with the laws in your state at hslda.org! just search the Internet for home school groups in your area or if home school is popular at your church ask any mom if they know of one in the area! Also they don't have to be in sports you can get them involved in ballet or karate or something like that!

Answer 7

Do lots of research on homeschooling, and ask the other two families if they are interested in starting a group.

Answer 8

Check your state's HS association for a list of groups.  Also search on Yahoo Groups and Google Groups for those in your state and area.  Many communities have HS groups on one of the sites.