FAQs

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Journey Outpost began in 2012 in a basement with just three families, a history curriculum, and a shared love for group games and art projects. What started as a small gathering of friends has grown into a vibrant community of lifelong learners, all driven by a single purpose: to know God, love God, and serve God.

Our Mission

We exist to encourage and equip students of all ages and their families. We believe that education is a lifelong journey, and we aim to provide the resources and community needed to walk that path with confidence and faith.

What We Offer

Based at Mission 31 (formerly the Cass County Rescue Mission), we serve approximately 100 students each week through a variety of heart-led services:

• Resource Center: A curated collection of homeschool curriculum to explore and purchase.

• Diverse Classes: Academic and elective subjects for all ages.

• Personalized Support: High school planning, one-on-one tutoring, and mentorship.

Our Journey

Our growth has been a testament to the needs of our community. From those early basement days, we expanded to Azure Hollow in 2020, and eventually partnered with the Cass County Rescue Mission in 2022 to meet the growing needs of our elementary and secondary students.

Today, we are more than just a resource center. We are a community of families walking together to equip the next generation for a life of service and devotion.

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Journey Outpost is a non-denominational Christian community. Our mission is to equip lifelong learners to know, love, and serve God through a biblical worldview.

• Our Core Beliefs: We believe in one true God, eternally revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We hold that the Bible is the inspired Word of God - completely true, trustworthy, and the essential "map" for our lives and learning.

• Our Teaching: The Bible is the core text in all of our classes. While we serve students of all ages and backgrounds, our curriculum and mentorship are designed to point students toward a personal faith in the One True God.

• Our Culture: We are not affiliated with a single denomination, but our practices are rooted in traditional Christian faith. We welcome all families to join our community, and while we encourage respectful conversation, our ultimate goal is to remain true to our mission of honoring God in all we do.

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Journey Outpost is designed as a drop-off program, but we aren’t a typical school—we are a community of "Parent Partners." Because we are a family-driven ministry, we rely on the help of our families to keep the mission running smoothly.

To ensure every role is covered, we use a Service Deposit model:

• The Commitment: Each family contributes a service deposit based on the number of students enrolled ($400 for the first student, $300 for the second, with a $700 family maximum).

• Earn It Back: This deposit is paid in four installments (July, Sept, Nov, and Jan). You "earn back" your deposit at a rate of $13 per hour served during our program days.

• The Buyout Option: We understand that some families are unable to serve due to work or other commitments. In these cases, you may choose to waive the deposit. These funds are then used to hire staff to cover those essential service hours.

Whether you serve alongside us or choose the buyout, your contribution ensures we can continue to provide a safe, equipped environment for every student.

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Lunch is more than just a meal time . It’s a dedicated hour for rest, fellowship, and a mental reset. All students eat together in our upstairs classroom, and the hour includes time for prayer, socializing, and physical activity.

• The "Fresh Air" Philosophy: We believe a break in the outdoors is vital for a student’s focus. Whenever possible, we head outside, even if only for a few minutes. If it’s chilly, please send a coat so your student is comfortable. If the weather is truly prohibitive, we move to "active breaks" inside.

• Packing a Lunch: While we have a microwave and fridge available, we recommend packing a simple, nutritious lunch in a labeled bag for simplicity.

• Safety First: We are a peanut-free campus. Students are supervised during the lunch hour.

• Student Independence: Middle and high school students are permitted to leave campus during lunch, provided they have prior written permission from a parent.

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We have intentionally designed our class lineup to be complementary, creating a cohesive "full-day" journey for our students. While we find that those who stay for the entire day tend to feel the most connected and have the best overall experience, we offer flexibility to meet your family’s specific needs:

• Middle & High School: You are welcome to pick and choose individual classes that fit your student's schedule and academic goals.

• Elementary: To maintain a steady rhythm for our younger learners, these classes are offered in morning or afternoon blocks rather than individual subjects.

Whether your student is with us for a single hour or the full day, our goal is to make sure they feel equipped and supported every step of the way.

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At Journey Outpost, we believe the parent is the primary educator. Our goal is to provide the resources you need to build a robust learning journey at home, while allowing you the flexibility to adjust the workload to your child's needs.

The Role of Homework Homework is provided for most classes, but it is not required (with the exception of Middle and High School Language Arts, where outside literature is essential to the classwork). We provide a variety of resources via Google Classroom, including videos, worksheets, and articles, to help extend the lessons learned in person.

Tracking Progress

• Validation: Any completed homework can be submitted to the teacher for recording.

• Certificates: We issue a Certificate of Completion for middle and high schoolers who maintain at least an 80% score in Google Classroom.

• Curriculum Coordination: To help you sync your studies, we provide a chart correlating our social studies work with popular curricula like Mystery of History, Tapestry of Grace, and Story of the World.

High School Credits Following HSLDA guidelines, a high school credit typically requires 5 hours of work per week (1 hour in class and 4 hours at home). We provide enough material for the average student to meet this requirement.

Note to Parents: While we track completed work in Google Classroom to assist you, the parent always remains the final authority on assigning grades and credits for their student.

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To keep our program sustainable and high-quality, we utilize a Parent Partner model. This allows us to keep tuition accessible while ensuring the program is fully staffed and supported by the families who value it.

1. Registration & Tuition

• Registration Fee: $125 per family (Non-refundable; due at registration).

• Payment Schedule: Tuition and fees are split into four equal installments due July 1st, Sept 1st, Nov 1st, and Jan 1st.

• Supply Fees: Most classes have a $25 supply fee for materials.

• Books: Middle and High School Language Arts require up to 4 novels (purchased separately). All other books are included or optional.

• Refund Policy: Fees are fully refundable until July 1st. Between July 1st and Sept 1st, refunds are only issued if the vacated seat can be filled.

2. Service Deposit (Parent Partner Buyout)

Every family contributes to the operations of the Outpost. This deposit ensures we have the helping hands needed to serve our students.

• The Deposit: $400 for the first student; $300 for the second (Family Max: $700).

• How it Works: This is paid in four installments alongside tuition. However, you earn it back at a rate of $13 per hour served during the program.

• The Buyout Option: Families unable to serve may choose to waive this deposit. These funds are used directly to hire staff to cover those essential hours.

• No-Show Policy: Because we rely on your help for daily operations, missing a scheduled shift results in a $20/hour deduction from your deposit.

We do not want cost to be a hindrance for anyone. Please talk to us about opportunities to offset your costs.

Journey Outpost is committed to transparency. If you have questions about our Parent Partner model or specific class fees, please don't hesitate to reach out.

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Yes! We would love to show you around!

• Summer Open House: We will host an open house in June (specific date to be determined). This is a great time to see the space, explore our curriculum resource center, and meet other families.

• Personal Tours: Because we want to ensure Journey Outpost is the right "fit" for your family, we strongly encourage you to schedule a one-on-one meeting. This gives you a chance to tour the facilities, meet our teachers, and ask specific questions about your student’s journey. Email info @ journeyoutpost . org to book an appointment.

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At Journey Outpost, we believe that financial barriers shouldn’t stand in the way of a family’s educational journey. We offer several "Parent Partner" opportunities for families to earn credits toward their tuition or service deposits.

Fundraising & Earning Opportunities:

• Annual Rummage Sale: Participate in our community rummage sale. Families who help organize and work the event can earn credits based on their participation.

• Newsletter & Website Ad Sales: Use your networking skills to sell advertisements for our monthly newsletter and website. A portion of the ad sales goes directly toward your family’s account.

• Bookstore Consignment: Do you have used curriculum or educational resources? You can sell items on consignment through our on-site bookstore/resource center.

• Service Shifts: While every family has a standard service commitment, you may sign up for additional shifts during the school year to earn back your service deposit at a faster rate or offset other costs.

Scholarships We are committed to helping families who desire to be a part of our community. If you are interested in learning more about available scholarships or need to discuss a customized payment plan, please contact us directly. We would be happy to discuss how we can partner with your family.

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We strive to keep our program accessible and high-quality for all families. While Journey Outpost is not a 501(c)(3) non-profit, we rely on the generosity of our community to keep our costs low. Here are a few ways your friends and family can help support our mission:

• Amazon Wishlist: You can purchase specific items needed for our classrooms and resource center directly from our Amazon Wishlist.

• Shop to Support: When you shop on Amazon using our Community Link, a percentage of the proceeds is donated back to Journey Outpost at no extra cost to you.

• Support Our Home Base: Journey Outpost partners with Mission 31. When you make a tax-deductible donation directly to Mission 31, it helps offset our utility costs and keeps our program sustainable. For more information on donating to the mission, please email mission31wallstreet @ gmail.com.

• Donations of Goods:

  • Rummage Sale: We collect donations for our annual rummage sale every May.

  • Year-Round: We welcome items appropriate for classroom use, as well as educational resources to sell or share in our bookstore.

Every contribution - whether a box of pencils or a utility donation - helps us continue to equip lifelong learners to know, love, and serve God.

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Yes! We provide a dedicated space called The Commons, designed specifically for co-working and focused study. It’s the perfect "outpost" for students to tackle their assignments and for parents to handle the administrative side of homeschooling.

Hours: Mondays & Thursdays, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

• For Parents (FREE): We invite parents to use this space for planning, grading, or quiet fellowship at no charge. To help you stay equipped, we also offer access to our printing, binding, and laminating machines.

• For Students: The Commons provides a structured environment for Middle and High School students, including guided work sessions and academic support. (Elementary students are welcome to attend for free if accompanied by a parent).

The Commons Membership Rates

We offer several ways to access The Commons, with significant discounts for our Journey Outpost (JO) families:

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Your child’s safety is our highest priority. We have established several layers of security and training to ensure that Journey Outpost remains a safe, protected environment for every student:

• Trained Staff: Our teachers and lead volunteers are trained in CPR and basic first aid, ensuring they are equipped to handle emergencies.

• Secure Facility: To maintain a secure perimeter, our doors remain locked throughout the day unless an adult is actively monitoring the entrance to manage who is coming and going.

• Background Checks: We conduct thorough background checks on all adults who work directly with the children in our program.

• Advanced Check-In/Check-Out:

  • Student Check-In: Students check in using a photo. This provides us with an up-to-date visual record that can be used immediately in the event of an emergency.

  • Secure Pick-Up: We take a photo (and may ask for ID) of the person picking up each child. Students will only be released to individuals listed on the Emergency Contact Form unless we have received prior written authorization from a parent.

We believe that these practical steps provide the peace of mind families need to focus on what matters most: learning and growing together in faith.

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Our youngest learners are at the beginning of their journey!

• Preschool Playgroup: This is a free offering designed for community and play. It allows our youngest friends to socialize in a safe, Christ-centered environment while parents connect.

• Young Explorers: This half-day program transitions children into more structured learning. We focus on sparking curiosity through hands-on activities, stories, and group play that reinforce our mission of knowing and loving God.

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We offer two identical sessions for our Elementary students to provide your family with maximum scheduling flexibility. Whether you choose Tuesday or Wednesday, the curriculum and experience remain the same - we simply ask that you choose one or the other as your primary day.

• Flexible Scheduling: You can enroll your student for the morning block, the afternoon block, or the full day on your chosen day.

• The Full-Day Experience: While you are welcome to pick and choose blocks, we find that students who stay for the full day feel the most connected to their peers and teachers.

• Robust Learning: On both days, we emphasize a "family-style" environment. This includes our combined activities where elementary and older students learn alongside one another, creating a more dynamic and social classroom.

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At Journey Outpost, we recognize that every student’s path is unique. Because the 6th-grade year is often a transition, the choice depends on your child’s current needs and maturity.

To help you decide, here is how we distinguish the two levels:

• Elementary Classes: These target a "middle elementary" feel. The Google Classroom account is in the parent's name and the parent is responsible for chcecking it. These classes focus on engagement and discovery. Homework is optional.

• Middle School Classes: While we still focus on engagement and discovery, class time is more academic in nature as students transition from learning facts to learning the how and why behind the facts. Google Classroom accounts are in the student's name and the student is expected to check the account weekly to build independence, and regular homework is assigned (optional) 1to reinforce the lessons.

We want the "fit" to be just right. In some cases, students can mix and match classes from both levels to suit their strengths. Additionally, on Tuesdays, we often combine our elementary and middle school groups for shared activities, creating a more robust and social learning environment for everyone.

If you’re unsure which direction to take, please reach out! We’d love to help you navigate these options to ensure the best experience for your student.

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Yes. Our curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive path toward graduation.

If a student stays with Journey Outpost for all four years of high school, taking six classes per year and completing the assigned homework for each, they will fulfill the requirements for a high school diploma.

• Earning Credits: As mentioned in our homework policy, we provide enough material (1 hour in class and 4 hours at home) to meet the standard 5-hour-per-week requirement for a high school credit.

• Parental Role: While we provide the instruction, tracking, and "Certificates of Completion," the parent remains the administrator of their homeschool and is responsible for assigning the final grades and credits on the student's official transcript.

We are happy to sit down with you for a high school planning session to help you map out these four years and ensure your student is on track for their post-graduation goals.

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Yes. We are proud to offer academic mentorship specifically for Calvary University Early College students. We know the transition to college-level work can be a big step in a student’s journey, and our "Success Partners" are here to provide the focused guidance needed to thrive.

• Our Service: We provide personalized, 1-on-1 coaching tailored to the student’s specific courses. This includes syllabus mapping to stay on top of deadlines, organization strategies, and thorough editing support for college-level essays.

• The Goal: To help students bridge the gap between high school and higher education with confidence and academic excellence.

• Cost: $240 per 8-week cycle.

If your student is considering or currently enrolled in early college, our mentors are ready to help them navigate the path ahead.