EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Our purpose is to provide quality opportunities for CHESS families to build relationships with like-minded families through athletics, field trips, recreational activities, and other extra-curricular events.

If you have any questions, please contact Bobby & Susan Menzel, our Extra-Curricular Activities Coordinators.

Areas of Ministry

Baseball
Last summer we had numerous teams participating in the Lansing Parks and Rec league. So if you're interested in coaching or your child participating, let us know! The sign-up deadling with Parks & Rec is usually the end of April.

Basketball
A few different opportunities exist for basketball in the Lansing area.  We have two homeschool athletic associations: CHAP and LAHAA provide leagues and/or teams to compete at youth, elementary, junior high and high school level sports including basketball, soccer and volleybal.  For more information, click here for CHAP and here for LAHAA.

Classes at the YMCA
The YMCA is a wonderful resource for homeschooling families! They have helped us organize classes from swimming to floor hockey, with a lot in between. For a small per child fee (which varies by class and is lower if you are members of the Y) the YMCA provides instructors and space for our active youngsters to stretch and exercise. With activities for all ages provided at or near the same times, your whole family can participate! Keep checking your CHESS newsletter for the next YMCA class series.

Field Trips
Regular educational field trips are organized throughout the year in our area. Anyone is encouraged to organize a field trip and let the rest of us know how we can sign up to join in! Our Field Trip Coordinator keeps track of Field Trips "in progress" and can help you design a field trip to coordinate with your current curriculum. Many local "hot-spots" offer special times for schools (including homeschools!) to come and explore their facilities and services. Start planning your field trip today, and invite us to join you by submitting it to the CHESS Newsletter!

Flag Football
Many area Parks & Recreation departments offer Flag Football leagues for age division from Kindegarten to 5th grade.  We have had a 4th/5th grade team play in the Lansing Parks & Recreation league for 2 years.  The league is based on the NFL Youth Flag Football league & rules.  Our Teams have done well and we always have fun.  If you are interested in finding out more or are willing to coach a team, we can help you get the word out.  Please contact us for more information. (Pictures: 2007 team, 2006 team)

Tackle Football
We are in the preliminary stages of forming an independent tackle football league.  The Christian Football League of Michigan is in its early stages of development in cooperation with Christian schools and homeschoolers in the southeast Michigan area.  The goal of the league is to: 1. provide opportunity for kids who don't have a football team, 2. provide high integrity coaches with a positive coaching style, 3. teach young men the right way to play, 4. develop players for the next level - in football or life.  Click HERE for the registration form. 

Playtime in the Park
In the summer, CHESS parents gather weekly at various Lansing area parks for fun and fellowship. Each family is invited to bring a picnic lunch and play as late as nap schedules allow! This is a wonderful time to maintain or build relationships with other homeschooling moms and children during the summer months.

Soccer
Many  CHESS families play soccer in the CARS (Capital Area Recreational Sports) league with teams from Windemere Park Charter Academy, the Seventh Day Adventist School & potentially other organizations. Coached by homeschool dads, these teams don't only teach soccer skills and sportsmanship but also Godly character on the sports field. Under 6, Under 8, Under 10, and Under 13 teams will be forming during the next soccer season (7-week Fall and 6-week Spring seasons are observed). These teams are making a terrific homeschool presence on the soccer fields!  For more information go to the CHAP Chariots website: http://chapchariots.org/soccer/youth-soccer-league

Theater
Discounted group ticket sales are arranged for a number of different theater and musical productions at the Wharton Center, All-of-Us Children's Express, Teenworks, and more! Study Guides are available for many productions with fun activities you can use to prepare your children for a wonderful experience at the theater. Some productions include question-and-answer time and others involve the audience in the programs. Many are historically based and serve as great supplements to your homeschool program.

Geography Bee 
In past years, CHESS has offered an official National Geographic Geo Bee in January for all mid-Michigan homeschool students whose age would place them in fourth through eighth grade. Although this is a contest, it is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. A Geo Bee coordinator and sufficient interest from CHESS families is needed to offer this co-op. Let us know if you would be interested in coordinating a geography bee this year.

Science Fair

Preschool through 12th grade homeschool students in mid-Michigan are invited to participate in this event scheduled for early spring. Projects can be presented by individuals or teams. Students participate at three levels: non-competitive through 3rd grade, optional judging for grades 4-8, and judging of all 9th-12th grade projects. Students should use the scientific method to perform scientific investigations and display the results of thier projects. A packet detailing the goals, requirements, guidelines, and ideas is available upon request.

Speech Meet
This is an opportunity to help your elementary-aged children overcome their fears of speaking in front of a group and to learn other public speaking skills as well. The participants choose selections from a list of categories; the pieces must be memorized. Speech Meet is typically held in the spring.

Spelling Bee 
Good old-fashioned fun for students in grades 1-8!  A great learning experience, just-for-fun, as we've not yet found a local sponsor which would enable us to participate in the "Scripps-Howard" National Spelling Bee. The top 3 finishers at each level will receive awards from CHESS. Our word lists this year are based on the popular Spelling Power program. Students are invited to participate at whatever level is most appropriate for their spelling abilities: Level 1 Red Word List,Level 2 Pink Word List, Level 3 Light Yellow Word List, Level 4 Blue Word List, Level 5 Green Word List, Level 6 Yellow Word List, Level 7 Light Blue Word List, and Level 8 Light Green Word List. 

Other Activities Offered: Summer Basketball Camp, Dance Classes, Bowling, Roller Skating, Gymnastics, Ice Skating, WaveRunners Swim Club