Q:

A:

None of the above. We are a group of homeschool families who support one another with additional activities, events, and encouragement beyond what you may get from a co-op, tutorial, or umbrella group. 

Q:

A:

A major benefit of joining is having a group of families with which you journey for a year or more while you are a member.  Families inevitably find families with children of similar ages and interests to journey with through our group.   It is nice to attend activities with people you see on an ongoing basis.  Unlike a co-op or tutorial, the time commitment to AHSG is what you make it.  Some families interact with AHSG on a weekly basis; others attend less frequently.

Another advantage to joining AHSG is the support.  We have a monthly meeting where an experienced homeschooler helps new homeschoolers or homeschoolers at different parts of the journey.  We also have discussion forums in our private Facebook group and website where members encourage each other with tips, resources, and wisdom.

We sponsor several events such as graduation and a science fair yearly. 

Finally, our volunteer families and volunteer Board members work within the community to develop learning opportunities.  We have worked with Guitar Center to offer music classes for homeschoolers and a skateboard instructor with AA Co Parks and Rec for homeschool classes.  We worked with Kids First Swim School in Severna Park to offer homeschool swim times.  Often because we are a large group, we are able to secure discounts to activities and events for our families.

Q:

A:

We are a nonprofit organization whose members plan field trips, classes, and activities all over the Maryland and DC area.  Occasionally, before the pandemic, our activities took us to Pennsylvania or Delaware, too.

Our plan for the pandemic is to adhere to government, facility, and health guidelines when holding in-person events.  We plan to still have in-person events, but we know they will be smaller than in the past.

Q:

A:

No, a membership allows one family access to membership privileges, information, events, and responsibilities.  Anyone who violates this expectation will have the membership privileges revoked.

Q:

A:

When you join AHSG, you join as a family.  On the event/activity signup page, register the appropriate number of people attending and contact the host with questions to approve any exceptions before the event or activity.  If you have any questions at anytime, please contact our events coordinator.

Q:

A:

Families who join AHSG must do the following:

• Pay dues of $35 for the membership year (August 1 - July 31).
• Complete membership registration form on our website.
• Volunteer once a year.  The volunteer signup is available at https://www.homeschool-life.com/1302/class/ and helpful tips about how to volunteer can be found at https://www.homeschool-life.com/1302/custom/50840.

Families who join AHSG are encouraged to:

• Support each other through participation in the Facebook members' group and website forums.
• Attend events hosted by fellow AHSG families that are relevant and meaningful for their homeschool journeys.
• Support AHSG fundraisers: SmileAmazon (all year long - select Arundel Homeschoolers to receive your donations) and BoxTops for Education (all year long - select The Arundel Homeschoolers to receive your Box Tops).
• Communicate to the Board any questions, feedback, or suggestions throughout the year by emailing our Secretary.

Q:

A:

Our member families volunteer in a variety of ways:

• hosting field trips
• teaching classes
• creating digital flyers for advertising
• develop fundraisers
• set up/clean up after picnics
• participate on the Science Fair or Graduation Committees
• lead forums on homeschool topics

Q:

A:

No, we welcome all homeschoolers.  Members of the Board of Directors are asked to sign a Statement of Faith.

Q:

A:

Please read the page Homeschool: Getting Started for information about how to get started whether your student is currently enrolled in any school or whether you plan to homeschool from the beginning.

Q:

A:

Homeschool families are diverse because some some parents work part time, others work full time, and others are stay at home parents. We encourage you to find encouragement in many groups and websites like ours where you feel comfortable asking questions and find information relevant for your family.  Members of AHSG have access to our Facebook members' group and website forum to pose questions and seek advice from other homeschool families.

Q:

A:

Arundel Homeschoolers Support Group have monthly meetings when community guidelines allow in person meetings. Please contact Elizabeth Milley by email at mentor@arundelhomeschoolers.com for more information about these meetings and for information about how you can be or have a mentor.  Any of the activities and events member families create are great opportunities to talk and share experiences.  We encourage you to get involved by attending these activities and events, by joining our Facebook members' group, and by participating in the website forums by posting and replying to others' posts.

Q:

A:

If you are homeschooling for a short period of time, you may want to check out this information from the Maryland Homeschool Association.