Some ideas of what kinds of social programs there are for kids who are home

[Jennianne B]

schooled...(ages 9-12) ? I've been homeschooled for a long time and now my two little sisters and brother want to do it. I've always played tennis (up to six hours a day) and so I've never had to worry about keeping myself busy and/or social.
Now that my little sister and twins (brother sister) want to homeschool, I want to make a list of options they can choose from to keep them busy/active/social. ....Especially social for the twins, because they are quite shy and are 12 years old...

Any ideas would be great. (Just kind of brain storming right now...
I must be clueless but I have to ask... What is 4-H ?

[blackfootlady]

4-h, girl scouts\boy scouts, summer sports programs,---contact local chamber of commerce---they would know of public programs that they could volunteer\join, check with local churches--4-h has cooking\sewing\small animals etc etc--good luck

[Worshipful Heart]

they would be allowed to participate in band and/ or
sports programs in the local school. If that is out of the question- try the local recreation park or YMCA - they often have programs or classes available for their age group - different sports or activities.

Other options are
dance classes
martial arts
swim team
girl / boy scouts
4H

[Barb]

Ah, you can't be too clueness. Not with a computer and the internet. Do a search for 4-H in your area and learn all about it. It is a wonderful club program for children of all ages.

Formal home-school groups plan many activities together. The parents have meetings and arrange field trips, gym days, team sports, co-op classes, picnics, parties, etc. We had neighbors that were also homeschooling and we got together for fun things nearly every day.

We have done 4H clubs (horsemanship, woodworking, cooking, sewing, knitting, etc.).
My daughters were on the high-school equestrian team.
My sons played little league baseball and home-school league baseball, and they participated on teams for basketball, wrestling, and football, Ultimate (frisbee) etc.... Check your community newspaper for activities for children and families. One son joined a wood carving class at the art center.

Go online to HSLDA.org and look for links to your state and community. There are many people in your area that are like you and want to get together with others for events and activities.

Find out if any of the local people are in home-school groups. Some are casual and made up of people that just want the kids to play together at the park for a while. Others have what they call, "Friday School" when all of them get together and take classes from the parents that sign up to teach. We've done science classes, drama, report writing, biology, chemistry, art (drawing, painting, ceramics, etc.), the list is as long as the ability within each family.

Some people like to start reading groups -- the children all read the same book and get together to talk about it. Others like to have regular game nights --- once a week or once a month --- along with a potluck meal.

Group field trips include aviation museums, meat packers, leather workers, electrician shops, the zoo, boating, camping, etc. It's easy to figure out what things are interesting to 12 yr olds and then go to see those things. Many businesses hold job-fairs for home-schoolers to see what the working world is like.

My children were in piano classes and group violin classes. They joined a local home-school choir and put on very professional concerts for the community.

There is also plenty to do as community service. One option is to visit a local nursing home on a regular basis. Get to know the elderly people and talk to them -- learn about their history. Another option is to volunteer at a food-bank or at a children's day care center.

My daughter became a regular babysitter for a mom's group bible study (non-homeschoolers) and became good friends with many of the ladies.

Many states have home-school organizations that work within the legislature and also hold conferences and curriculum fairs. They will have newsletters that you can receive. I am the editor for our local newsletter in Oregon and receive articles about events from many people.

The key is to not take on TOO much extra activity. :-) It can become hard to get any actual studies done if they are "playing" all of the time! But, many of the group things are very academic and it works out great.

[BraxOwl]

Look for a homeschool association in your area. Through that, they will be able to have regular play dates, science fairs, spelling bees, co-op classes, etc. Ours also hosts an annual father-daughter Valentine dance, book clubs, and the like.

4H and Scouts would be a good outlet.

What programs are there in your community? Homeschooled children can still participate in mainstream programs, such as baseball, swimming, tennis, etc.

Our local YMCA has homeschool gymnastics programs-they are offered during the day when other children are in school.

Likewise, our local museum and zoos offer programs for homeschoolers. These are not only educational, but provide an opportunity to socialize as well.

You will not be moving, will you? Your siblings will still have their friends from school and your neighborhood. They will still have cousins and the like to play with. Most likely, they will socialize MORE if they homeschool, because they will make new friends and have more time for socializing.

Perhaps they could also spend time at a local hospital or nursing home, play with babies in the neighborhood-socialization need not only be with people born the same year you were. They will probably accompany your mother on outings and meet the mail man, meat cutter, etc.

It is not something you need worry about.

[pinkpiglet126]

Most areas have homeschool groups. Homeschool groups usually get together and do a lot of things.

Some of the things my kids have been involved in, in the last year, are

many field trips
fencing lessons
golf lessons
snowboarding/ski lessons
film school - making their own movies
workshops
musicals/dramas
swimming
summer camps
working at camp
Those are just a few.