Mission Statement
The mission of Deseret Homeschoolers is to make opportunities for families involved in the intellectual, social, physical, and spiritual education of their own children to connect with other families involved in similar efforts.
Our Vision
Deseret Homeschoolers is meant to be of interest to families involved in the education of their own children who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although membership is not limited to members of the church, nor is a statement of faith required for participation.
Deseret Homeschoolers is meant to provide connections, share information, develop leadership skills and spiritual commitment in youth, and help families enhance their homeschooling experience.
Deseret Homeschoolers is an association. As an association, the focus of activities will be based on what the participating families are seeking in their associations with others. Participating families are expected to be involved in serving, leading, and helping to make activities happen. Parents will be totally responsible for the safety and behavior of their own children when participating in any Deseret Homeschoolers activity.
A History of Deseret Homeschoolers
Deseret Homeschoolers of Southeast Texas was founded on December 12, 2005, organized as a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Five founding families participated –with moms, dads and kids all contributing to the formation and organizational plans.The mission was straightforward: to make opportunities for families involved in the intellectual, social, and spiritual education of their own children to connect with other families involved in similar efforts.
During Deseret’s first year about 40 families participated. Over the years, participation has fluctuated between 50 and 100 families that have come from all over the Greater Houston Area, with most activity centralized around the Spring area.
As the founding families migrated away from the area, Deseret’s organizational structure has necessarily changed over the years. The organization is currently headed by an Executive Council and a Board of Officers who oversee the various programs.
Activities, also, have changed depending on the interests and energies of the families participating. Some of the ongoing programs include:
Co-op: a weekly block of classes taught by parent volunteers
Theater: yearly theatrical productions
Parties & Events: holiday parties and group events such as science fairs, history exhibits, graduation, etc.
Teen & Tween Night: monthly activities for the older age groups
Field Trips: outings around the area including plays, musical performances, museums, hands-on learning, natural encounters, real-life experiences, and just-for-fun adventures
HMNS: monthly, engaging science classes at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
Teen Camp: yearly excursion meant to strengthen friendships and leadership skills
Leaders and members have been highly adaptable as we’ve worked around unexpected bumps (like Hurricane Harvey and Covid-19 forcing us to meet at parks) and taken advantage of new opportunities (like moving Co-op from the Centrum to St. Dunstan’s to the Bush Community Center). But through the 20 years Deseret Homeschoolers has been around, our mission has always remained the same: joyfulling working together and supporting each other as we strive to educate our most precious charges –our children.