SupportGroups

List support groups in your area, or network to start a new group.

The MHA Handbook has an entire section devoted to homeschooling support groups and co-ops which is updated regularly. If you don’t see a support group that’s located near you, consider joining MHA - you’ll receive a copy of the MHA Handbook!

Feel free to contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.

Also, if you’re involved with a Minnesota based homeschooling co-op or support group, please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator with the group’s current contact information. MHA would love to include your group in its Support Group Directory.

Existing support groups and “I would like to start a group…” are listed by county. Statewide and online-only groups are at the bottom of the page.

Anoka Count

This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.

Horizons Homeschool Group (an ECHO group)

We serve the Anoka County area and surrounding areas. We are not religiously affiliated, and meet every Friday for a variety of activities including: nature center, field trips, plays, group activities held at a church, holiday parties, etc. We also have a monthly moms meeting where we plan the next months activities. We welcome kids of all ages. Contact: Megan Megan@bensmom24@yahoo.com or mcpenrod@msn.com

Anoka Homeschoolers!

Are you looking to connect with other homeschoolers? Are you interested in finding a place to network – share ideas, ask questions, and coordinate events? Please join SherburneHSers, a yahoo group for Sherburne county (and surrounding counties, including Anoka!). This forum can be used as a place to share ideas, ask questions, brainstorm, etc. in all matters related to homeschooling. This can be a jumping off point for planning park days, classes and field trips, or simply as a place to connect and chat with other local homeschoolers. On-list discussions are welcomed and encouraged. To subscribe, send an email to: SherburneHSers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Beltrami County

BAHA…Bemidji Area Homeschool Association

Parent support, kids activities, learning coop in the Bemidji area. There’s a great group in Park Rapids, too. You can contact Melanie Burns for information. (218)854-7302 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (218)854-7302 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Benton County

St. Cloud area Life Learners group

A loosely organized group of families supporting each other in our life learning, eclectic homeschooling. Occasional park gatherings, parent meetings, and a 4-H club. For more information e-mail drscheele@charter.net or visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StCloudLL

Carver County

Waconia homeschool group

Over 25 families. Contact ccheeseman@mchsi.com (7/07)

Chisago County

LIGHT Chisago http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LIGHTChisago/

Dakota County

Looking for metro-area groups? Check in the Hennepin, Ramsey, and Statewide categories as well. This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.

KNEEL Co-op for Home Educators

We are currently accepting new applications. Send yours in today!

KNEEL is a Christian Co-operative for Home Educators and their children. We offer classes for preschool age through grade six. Our group meets the first and third Thursday of each month, 12:00-3:30 P.M. in Burnsville at Berean Church near 35E & Cty. Rd. 42.

In order to help make the co-op run smoothly, each mom serves in their chosen service position and is asked to serve as Classroom Assistant 2-3 times during the year. We require Moms to stay at the facility for the duration of the co-op, meeting in the Mom’s Time room enjoying support group time- which offers a variety of FUN activities HOSPEDAGEM.

Each school year we offer three different classes for the 1st-6th grade classes. Past classes have included Physical Education, Music, Science (Physics, transportadora, Earth Science), Art, Drama, The Young Peacemaker, Jr. Great Books and History. The Preschoolers and Kindergartners have their own programs geared to their age level. We also offer nursery care for children under 3 years old.

We start off each school day with a half hour of Friendship Time- so the kids have a chance to get to know one other and have some time to “socialize” before classes begin. We say the Pledge of Allegiance, have announcements and then Classroom Assistants take the children to classes. The kids have one break during the day for snack and more “social time”.web hosting

For the 2009/10 school year we are offering students in first - sixth grade:

Survey of Art with Mrs. Koester, Mrs. Robinson, and Mrs. Tracy Students will discover the broad topic of art and its many uses! From the beautiful illustrations of preschool literature to the famous masters of history to the FBI Agents assigned to art recovery, there is more to art than coloring, relogio de ponto, and sketches. Students will build upon skills learned as they are introduced to a variety of age appropriate techniques during weekly hands-on projects that reflect their own inner creativity.

Occupation Station with community decoupage professionals Occupation Station will be an interactive class for students. It will give them an opportunity to explore the requirements and actual duties of various professions. Each week, several community professionals will be in this class, interacting with the students for relogio de ponto, giving them an overview of their careers and answering specific questions. There will be worksheets or activities to correspond with the scheduled professionals.

Physical Education with Mr. Healy “Who is tired?” The class begins with warm-up calisthenics. Throughout the school year the students will be exposed to a variety of group orientated gym games, geared at getting their hearts pumping and bodies working.

If you are interested in more information about our Co-op, please contact our Registrar via email at kneelcoop@gmail.com or register online by going to our website http://www.kneelco-op.org, clicking on “KNEEL Forms” and clicking on Online Application 2009/10. Pay by Paypal or send your $20 application fee (non refundable) to:

KNEEL Home Education Association Attn: Registrar P.O. Box 241091 Apple Valley, MN 55124 Dakota, Scott County

South Metro Homeschoolers

Southmetrohomeschoolers is a group for the Twin Cities south of the river suburbs. We meet for friendship and get-togethers like field trips and playdates. We are a relaxed group where you can choose and plan activities that fit your schedule needs. We are inclusive and welcome all homeschooling families. Please visit our website for more information: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SouthMetroHomeschoolers/

Hennepin County

Looking for metro-area groups? Check in the Dakota, Ramsey, and Statewide categories as well. This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.

Hedfex (Home Educators for Excellence)

http://www.hedfex.org

Who: We are a group for home educators of all faiths, beliefs, and theories who want a non-judgmental and accepting environment in which their kids receive high quality, challenging classes taught by experts.

What: We offer a la carte classes for Preschool through 9th grade. Our classes are offered at 4 levels and are limited to 15 students in a class. You may also participate in many quality field trips and service projects (ortodontista). Parents stay on-site and can gather for snacks and conversation. Parents of students ages 11+ may choose our drop-off option (parent not required to be present).

When: Thursday afternoons from 11:00-4:30pm Sept. through May. You may attend as much or as little of the day as you want. Junior High students have a drop-off option.

Where: Presbyterian Church of the Apostles 701 E. 130th St. Burnsville MN. Our members come from all over the twin cities…many come from Mpls and St. Paul

Why: We are a group that offers choice and quality. We strive for a supportive, non-judgmental environment. This could be what you’ve been looking for!

Visit our website, or contact a new member liaison for more information: Jody Sunde, jodysunde@yahoo.com or Michelle Halvorson, michelle@hstart.com

Urban Unschoolers

We are a group for unschooling/relaxed homeschoolers in the Twin Cities metro area. Our aim is to create an in person homeschooling community closer to home, using field trips, park days and local resources. All to help our children get to know and enjoy the rich urban environment they live in. We are a diverse group, so tolerance for others is a must.

Website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UrbanUnschoolers/

Plymouth Area Homeschoolers

Plymouth Area Homeschoolers is a new group based on the principals of Families learning together to train, teach and prepare the hearts of their children for Jesus Christ. Plymouth Area Homeschoolers (PAH)is a group of home educating families who have decided to use their gifts,clinica de estética and talents in a cooperative way to provide mutual encouragement, social interaction between children in a parent supervised environment, and join efforts in stimulating learning opportunities that would otherwise be difficult to meet. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Plymouth_area_Homeschoolers/

Twin Cities South Liberal Homeschoolers

A group for families in the southern areas of the Twin Cities who are moderate to liberal on the political spectrum. We have a Yahoo email message board and meet for informal get-togethers and playdates. “Meetings” happen whenever two or more members want to meet-we are very low-structure! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tcslhs/

ECHO-MN

ECHO-MN (Early Childhood Homeschooling Opportunities) ECHO-MN is a metro-wide and inclusive organization for families with young children who are interested in learning more about homeschooling. New families are welcome. For more information about ECHO-MN please contact us at echo-mn@mn.rr.com or see our website at http://echo-mn.tripod.com/index.html

Metro Home/Unschool Gatherings (SMpls-HUG)

WHO: Unschoolers and relaxed homeschoolers of *all ages* WHERE: meets at parks once a week in South Minneapolis This is a non-religious intergenerational gathering supportive of attachment/peaceful/respectful parenting for unschoolers and very relaxed homeschoolers. Hang out, chat and play with us–for people of all ages! Contact: Peter Mullin, 612-807-4842, mullin.peter@gmail.com

Kingdom Builders Homeschool Co-op

Kingdom Builders is a home school co-op made up of Christian home school families. We meet the first and third Thursdays in the mornings during the school year in Bloomington. We offer classes for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade. Preschool and nursery classes are also available at grafica. Our goal is to offer to home schooling maverick money makers review families things which are difficult to offer our kids at home and, as well as support for parents and a place to socialize with other home school families. For more information please email Suanne at suannemarie@hotmail.com or visit http://www.homeschool-life.com/mn/kingdombuilders

Isanti County

Princeton/Cambridge/St. Francis, MN area Unschoolers group now forming!!!

for more info: tomeghandmama@yahoo.com (6/07)

Mille Lacs County

Home/Unschoolers Group

We are a secular group that meets every week in Isle, MN. Right now we meet at the beach…we are a fun easygoing peaceful bunch. If you are interested: tomeghandmama@yahoo.com (6/07)

Nicollet County

Mankato

Hi! We have started a new group in the Mankato area. We have a website at: www.hickorytech.net/~scdesign/ or you can contact me, Chris, at: techw@mnic.net. Thanks! Chris Oldenburg

Olmsted County

Ramsey County

Looking for metro-area groups? Check in the Dakota, Hennepin, and Statewide categories as well. This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.

Highland Park, Saint Paul–Hello!!!

We have just moved to Saint Paul, in the Highland Park area, and are looking for homeschooling friends, and also for children to play with our 6-year old son. We are a conservative libertarian, Polish-American family. Our son is interested in knights, karate, sports, acompanhantes, building toys and drawing. If anybody is interested in getting in touch with us, or in helping us to get around in this new place, we would really appreciate it. Feb., 2007. mattdueholm@yahoo.com

East Metro Eclectics

Homeschooling parents are invited to attend if you:

    * live in or around the North and East suburbs of St. Paul (Ramsey and Washington counties)
    * are looking for a social group for yourself and your homeschooling children

    * and would like to associate with families who have eclectic hs approaches and diverse faiths.

This group is active! Email MHA for more information: mha@homeschoolers.org

December 2009

Rice County

Saint Louis County

This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact, freeway car insurance the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.

Iron Range

Amy Hellman

Hello. I’m looking to connect with home-schooling families on the Iron Range. My children and I live in the Iron area and were part of the Cherry/St. Louis County School District. We are now homeschooling and want to get together with other parents and children!

I’m interested in starting a support group to support one another in homeschooling efforts, parent/child get together/field trips etc. If anyone else is interested in this, please contact me by phone at : 744-5977 or e-mail at: pc_woman_amy@yahoo.com

I have three children Kyle (12b) ,Men Leather Jackets Courtney (10g), and Alicia (8g)! We do field trips, site seeing, a lot of nature stuff, and we have fun learning!

Amy Hellman, Iron Minnesota

Scott County

Shakopee Area Christian Home Educators (SACHE)

We are a Co-op that meets weekly in Shakopee for parent-led activities, classes, and field trips for students in grades K-12 (younger siblings welcome to come along-preschool/nursery and jukebox activities offered as parents are available to lead them) Annual dues: $30

E-mail link on Web Site: http://www.FoCHEHomeschool.org or contact: Jodanne (952) 445-2612

Great Rewards as Children’s Educators (G.R.A.C.E.)

Based on free essays, it started 1992, Prior Lake (Scott & Dakota Counties) 15 families Contact: Lee Ann Waddell, 612-440-2263 Christian. Once a month mom’s get-together. Science and speech classes given (participation expected). Once a month field trip, kids time twice monthly,online ged every other month family get-together, including dads. Dads get-together three or four times a year.

Sherburne County

Elk River/Big Lake/Now Then/Otsego/Monticello Homeschoolers!

Are you looking to connect with other homeschoolers? Are you interested in finding a place to network – share ideas, ask questions, and coordinate events? Please join SherburneHSers, a yahoo group for Sherburne county (and surrounding counties). This forum can be used as a place to share ideas, ask questions, brainstorm, etc. in all matters related to homeschooling. This can be a jumping off point for planning park days, classes and field trips, or simply as a place to connect and chat with other local homeschoolers. On-list discussions are welcomed and encouraged. To subscribe, send an email to: SherburneHSers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

All Homeschoolers in the Big Lake, Elk River, Monticello, St. Michael, Otsego, Zimmerman, Princeton and surrounding areas.

NW Metro Homeschoolers is a local support group in Minnesota. We are a non-sectarian group welcoming families of all faiths and beliefs. We are a diverse organization with many different approaches to home schooling. NWMH has meetups on Wednesdays in the Sherburne county and surrounding areas. In the summer we meet mainly at local parks and during the school year we meet inside a local gym and a meeting room. We enjoy going on field trips, desentupidora, playing games and doing many activities together. Our main goals are for socialization, friendships and supporting one another. The current children’s ages range from newborn to 12 years old. Come and meet us for the endless opportunities in term paper wriitng.

Contact us for more information at nkcstrunc@yahoo.com or check out our web site at www.nwmetrohomeschoolers.org . PLEASE NO SOLICITORS

Secular Sherburne and surrounding areas

Hi! I am a first time homeschooling mom looking for a secular homeschool group in the Sherburne county or surrounding (St. Cloud, Wright, clinica de estética,etc.) areas. I would also be interested in starting one in the area. Please contact me at duncanr@att.net or (763)263-7130 if you already know of a group or are interested in joining such a group in this area.

Thank you, Kristen Ryan

FAITH Homeschool Co-op

See Wright County, below, for more information.

Stearns County

St. Cloud area Life Learners group.

Washington County

St. Croix Homeschool Group

The St. Croix Homeschool Group is an eclectic group of people who meet on a regular basis in the Stillwater, Minnesota area. We have diverse ideologies and teaching methods but we all embrace an open mind. Currently we meet the first and third Fridays of each month at the Visitor’s Center in O’Brien State Park, otimização de sites located off of Hwy 95 in Marine on St. Croix. A State Park sticker is required for entrance to the park, fees as of September 2009 are $25.00/year; $5.00 per day.

Wright County Homeschoolers!

Are you looking to connect with other homeschoolers? Are you interested in finding a place to network – share ideas, ask questions, and coordinate events? Please join SherburneHSers, a yahoo group for Sherburne county (and grafica surrounding counties, including Wright!). This forum can be used as a place to share ideas, ask questions, brainstorm, etc. in all matters related to homeschooling. This can be a jumping off point for planning park days, classes and field trips, or simply as a place to connect and chat with other local homeschoolers. On-list discussions are welcomed and encouraged. To subscribe, send an email to: SherburneHSers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

FAITH Homeschool Co-op

FAITH is a Christian Homeschooling Co-op serving Wright and Sherburne Counties and the surrounding areas.

At FAITH, we desire to help students with learning differences and their families. When this co-op was formed our desire was to offer a variety of supplemental classes and learning opportunities that appeal to all learning styles, including hands-on, active learners and kids who may struggle with reading or math. These classes also appeal to and challenge students who do not struggle with learning issues at all.

FAITH offers classes from Pre-K through high school. Classes are held at Buffalo Evangelical Free Church in Buffalo, MN.

For more information on registration please contact: mnfaithhomeschool@yahoo.com

“…the goal of our instruction is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1 Tim. 1:5

The Natural Learning Network of South Dakota

The Natural Learning Network of South Dakota is a Sioux Falls-based unschooling support group. We welcome unschoolers of Southwest Minnesota or anyone who would be willing to travel to our area to meet with other unschooling families. You can learn more about our group by visiting http://www.naturallearners.net.

Statewide/Online

Home School Dads

I want to introduce you to a new website called http://www.HomeSchoolDads.com. Just as the name says, it is a website I just launched geared specifically for fathers (like myself) who homeschool our children. Yes, I did say FATHERS! There are some of us out there who either full-time teachers or part-timers sharing responsibilities with the Moms. At the website iluminação you’ll find a list of homeschool resources and an already active discussion forum. I invite you to take a look and see whats going on with us homeschool dads.

Minnesota Homeschooling Teens

The Minnesota Homeschooling Teens (MHT) is a social organization for teens 12 years and older throughout the state. MHT works in partnership with the Minnesota Homeschoolers’ Alliance to serve the needs of MN homeschooling teens. MHT is an inclusive, diverse group. Members value and respect our different educational philosophies, political affiliations and religious views.

The Minnesota Homeschooling Teens has two volunteer Teen Coordinators, a Calendar Mom, and an active group of teens. We have monthly meetings to plan MHT weekly activities such as teen chat. The cost to join MHAs MHT group is a one-time fee of $1 and Point of Sale Software.

Events are scheduled based on member interest. Every fall, MHT members play an active role in the MHA Conference and the infamous MHT Bad Bowling Tournament. Winter events typically include Bored/Board Game Days, Movie Nights, Video Game Days, Parties, Skating (ice, inline, skateboard,desentupidora), and winter sports. Warm weather encourages the Park and Beach Days, Ice Cream Socials, Hiking Excursions, Bon Fire nights, and tons of outdoor gatherings.

There is always room for new members! Teens new to the group are often partnered with a teen coordinator or another teen at the first meeting or so, in order to assist in getting to know all the members of the group.

E-mail MHA for more information: mha@homeschoolers.org

Western Wisconsin Homeschool News

The Western Wisconsin Homeschool News is a free newsletter delivered via email about twice a month that supports the homeschool community in the outer East Metro of St Paul and Western Wisconsin along the I-94 corridor. The newsletter lists upcoming classes, performances, group activities, book sales, support groups, and anything our readers would like to share with their fellow homeschoolers. Our readers stretch from Woodbury MN to Eau Claire, and we aim to support the entire homeschooling community.

To subscribe or send a submission email Ellen at homeschool.newsletter@gmail.com 2008