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Thursday, March 01, 2007

How do I find homeschoolers in my area?

This question was posed in a comment on my blog - THANK YOU to the person who commented!

The first place I'd try is the internet (since we're here anyway). Type in your city and state name and the words "homeschool", "home school" or "homesschoolers" in a search engine. If you get nothing, try each of those words with just your state name. Many websites have incomplete lists of homeschool support groups listed by state. (homeschool groups pop up all the time.)

Your state organization may have lists of support groups in your area or as close as you can get.

Libraries and bookstores are traditional hang-outs for homeschoolers. If that librarian isn't helpful, ask a branch manager or the head librarian or the children's librarian. Many homeschool newsletters end up on librarian bulletin boards or on library shelves. Your library, or the one in the next town, may have programs specifically for homeschoolers. Even if you aren't homeschooling, yet, you could go to the program and ask the librarian to make an announcement at the beginning of storytime (or whatever the program is) that you are [state you name] and are looking for information about homeschooling or homeschool groups, etc. Your local bookstore may have a group of homeschoolers who meet there once a month. You might want to leave your name and number with the bookstore clerk, who can spot a homeschooler a mile away, and ask him to make an initial contact for you.

Ask around. My newspaper has featured a few stories about homeschoolers in the last few years and in many areas lots of people know at least someone who homeschools. Even if that person isn't your style, they may have a contact name or number for you.

Go to a convention and ask the people who are taking your money when you walk in EVERYONE IN THAT BUILDING IS A HOMESCHOOLER AND KNOWS OTHER HOMESCHOOLERS. We advertise our Catholic group's annual gathering on the Catholic radio station, in the Diocese newspaper and in church bulletins of larger parishes. This would be true of almost any group of any denomination or no denomination. We want to find you to help you. We know how overwhelming it can be at first and know that a friendly ear or the knowlege of where to find books in the area can be invaluable.

I see homeschoolers I've never met in my daily errands. Moms at the grocery store with a bunch of kids during school hours on a day when I know school is in session. At the Salvation Army or bookstores or Target. If you see someone who you think may be homeschooling ask them if they know of anyone in the area who homeschools because you're looking into it.

Some areas have very organized homeschool groups. My town has all of the above things mentioned in an effort to inform new or prospective homeschoolers. They have websites, formal groups, newsletters, conventions, library programs, bookstore meetings, even initial meetings for new homeschoolers to find the resources in our area. Some areas (particularly sparsely populated areas) have less.

Once you find a group or an individual to contact, make the effort. It can be hard when you don't know anyone. It can be even harder if you've gone to one group and had a less than complimentary experience. Even if you have to travel a fair distance, go to a support group meeting (or try a couple of groups) until you find one that seems to fit with you. Finding other homeschoolers can mean the difference between quitting or success in homeschooling for you and your child.

Make the effort and good luck! And thanks for the comment!! (It makes me feel heard here in cyberspace.)

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