Understanding and Finding Local Homeschool Groups

Finding a Homeschool Group
How you find homeschool groups depends on the kind of groups in which you want to participate.

Finding an Informal Homeschool Group
As you identify people you know who homeschool, you will naturally become aware of the informal groups in which people you know participate. It is common that when a homeschooler finds out you are getting started, that person will invite you to various activities the group is doing. This is an excellent, and the most likely, introduction into an informal group and is the way most people get involved. Once you become involved in one group, the connections you make in that group will inevitably lead you to become aware of and connect with other groups.

If you don't get invited to other people's groups, you should "start" one on you own. It is easy enough to do so, just plan an activity for homeschoolers you know to participate in. It might be as simple as a group project or you might want to set up a field trip. Make it known that you desire to be part of an informal group and ask others if they are interested in the same. The vast majority of homeschoolers are involved in these groups so this isn't something out of the ordinary. Inviting other homeschoolers to your activities will invariably lead to you being invited to their activities.

If you don't know anyone else who homeschools (which means you probably aren't looking very hard!), you should try to find a formal group. Participating in a formal group will also lead you to finding or creating an informal group.

Finding a Formal Homeschool Group
The first place to look for a formal homeschool group is your own homeschool network, such as people you know who homeschool, your mentors, your informal group, and so on. Ask these people if they are members of a group or know of anyone who is. It is likely that someone in these circles either participates in a group or knows of one in your area.

As with most other information for which you search, the Web can be a great place to start in your search for a formal homeschool group. You can use any of the standard search pages to help you find groups that might be useful to you. As you can see in the following example, finding groups in your area can be done quickly and easily.

Suppose I live Indiana (which I do) and am looking for a homeschool group. Here is how I would go about finding one using the Web:

1. Open a Web browser and move to www.google.com or other Web search page.

2. Enter search text; try "homeschool groups yourstate" where yourstate is the name of the state in which

3. Follow the links on the search results page that look promising. You will quickly find information about groups in your state, including their location, Web site addresses, email addresses, and other contact information.

After you have identified groups that look interesting, contact the group for more information, such as what kind of group it is, when the next meeting is, what requirements to participate are, and so on.

Another option is to contact a homeschool association in your area.