How to Start a Homeschooling Co-Op

Homeschool Co-op Field Trip

Homeschooling parents often want to provide social opportunities for their children to interact with and learn from other homeschooled children. A homeschooling co-op is an effective way to get involved with other homeschoolers, and to teach your children in the process. Starting a co-op takes some time and dedication, but it is very rewarding once it is under way.

Instructions

1. Choose two to four great leaders. A great homeschool co-op has leaders with the time, energy and desire to get things done. A good leadership team should include at least one person with excellent organizational skills. Delegation skills are also important, as homeschooling parents are very busy, and no one person can (or should) take on too much outside responsibility.

2. Decide on a purpose. Is your group's goal to get children together to socialize? Is it to hold academic classes for the children? Perhaps your group's purpose is to serve the community while encouraging one another. The leadership committee needs to come up with a mission before announcing the new co-op to the homeschooling community. Also, decide whether every parent needs to be involved or if you will be largely offering "drop-off" activities.

3. Recruit members. Speak to anyone who might know homeschoolers: church leaders, librarians, the YMCA and other places that cater to families. Find local homeschool groups online, and send emails to those group leaders. Print out your mission statement, and hand it to any homeschoolers that you meet.

4. Hold an information night to gauge interest and to communicate your co-op's purpose to potential members. At this time, tell interested parents more about your goals. It is a good idea to have any guidelines or rules printed up to hand out at the meeting. Offer a sign-up sheet for your first planned activity or class.

5. Have a leadership meeting periodically to discuss what is going well and what could be improved upon. Be sure that the activities that are being planned continue to support the goals that you have already established. If your mission statement has changed, then change it officially. Good communication is key among the leaders of the homeschooling co-op in order to be successful.

Tips & Warnings

• Be flexible and patient. Remember that everyone involved in a homeschooling co-op is a homeschooling parent and has many obligations. At the same time, expect parental cooperation and participation. Insist that reasonable expectations are met.

Resources

• Homeschool Co-Op Know How