Who We Are
Homesteaders began in 1990 as a ministry of Columbia Presbyterian Church, with just a few families. In 2016, Homesteaders became an independent, non-profit ministry and continues to grow.
Our membership is open to homeschooling Christian women who are active participants in Bible-believing churches. As a group, we are unified in our purpose of honoring Jesus and educating our children at home by encouraging and supporting one another.
How We Work
We expect each member to attend our Moms' Support Night meetings as a key component of our care for each other.
God has created us with unique gifts, so we trust that He will provide the right people to meet the needs of the group each year. Therefore, each member is expected to serve on a committee.
Organization
We are organized along cooperative committees which take responsibility for conducting our administrative business and planning our activities. Every member accepts a committee assignment and is responsible for completing the duties that go with her assignment.
This format has served us well since 1991. Homesteaders is a well-run and productive organization thanks to our dedicated moms and their servants' hearts and hands.
The greatest benefit of Homesteaders is the camaraderie and support of like-minded families. Our Moms' Support Night is a keystone of our ministry to one another. Worship, devotions, prayer, teaching tips, and very limited business are part of our monthly meetings.
Field trip opportunities for students and special events for member families are planned and held throughout the year. Some of our best homeschool memories are the result of participating in field trips or events such as the Back to School Picnic, Mid-Winter Luncheon, and the Homesteader Share Fair.
Homesteaders sponsors two separate and optional homeschool cooperatives for the benefit of member moms and their homeschooled children.
Radius is a once-a-week academic accountability opportunity for moms and their 6th - 12th grade students that meets on Fridays for 30 weeks.
SPOKES (Special Programs of Kids' Enrichment and Support) provides co-op enrichment classes and/or clubs for grades K-6. The classes accomodate special interests, address specialized academic needs, and encourage friendships within small groups of students. SPOKES meets on Friday afternoons, for 10 weeks in the fall and 10 weeks in the spring.
All classes are taught entirely by current Homesteader parents or, occasionally, mature teens with an adult sponsor.
Childcare is provided for our youngest members when their parent is teaching/co-teaching/aiding a class.
Step 1: Preview
Please note that prior to joining Homesteaders, all potential members are required to visit two Moms' Support Night (MSN) meetings during the school year to determine if Homesteaders is a good fit.
While MSN meetings are open to visitors from September to April, all other official Homesteader events (field trips, special events, co-ops, etc.) are open to members only.
Our Visitors Support Committee members are purposeful in giving an overview of Homesteaders, requirements for membership, expectations of members, and what benefits you will enjoy as a member. They will answer any questions you have about our group.
Step 2: Interview
In an effort to preserve the Christian foundation and emphasis of our ministry, visitors who are interested in membership must request and complete an interview with the Membership Interview Coordinator prior to recommendation for membership. During the interview, we will look for evidence of saving faith in Jesus and discuss the commitments that are involved in membership.
You must be a registered homeschooler with either your county or an umbrella group to initiate this step.
Step 3: Paperwork and Membership Fee
After the interview, you will need to complete and submit the paperwork for joining, for the background check, and pay the annual membership fee.
Key Membership Dates
December 1st - Final day to initiate membership/interview process for the current school year.
April 20th - Final day to initiate membership/interview process for those interested in Radius (middle/high school) or SPOKES (elementary) co-op registration in June.
Membership is not final until the background check is completed and the paperwork and payment have been received.
Note: Membership to Homesteaders is closed from December until after the May MSN meeting.
New Member Support
Once your membership is finalized, the New Member Support Committee will contact you.
This Committee is dedicated to supporting our newest members, helping them navigate homeschooling, and networking with our group.
Support includes fellowship, mentoring relationships, insights, and answers to questions about Homesteaders and homeschooling.
New members will receive training on using our website, including how to register for field trips, special events, and classes.
Members are expected to actively volunteer their service on one committee and to attend the monthly Support Night meetings.
This leadership committee is responsible for the overall functioning and the business aspects of Homesteaders. The members are nominated by a Nominating Committee and voted on by all members in good standing. Positions include Facilitator, Co-Facilitator, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Committee/Scheduling Secretary, and Membership Interview Coordinator.
This committee manages the Homeschool-Life website for Homesteaders and helps members navigate the site. Our membership keeps in contact via email and forums through our website. It contains our events calendar, official documents, links to homeschool resources, co-op and field trip registration, classroom dashboard, etc. Most features are accessible to members only.
This committee plans field trips to enrich and augment academic subjects taught at home. Special emphasis is placed on programs and trips that are specially designed for school groups, including docent-led tours where applicable. Trips are planned for a variety of ages, dates, and times. All trips are optional and are open to members only.
This committee raises supplemental funds for the Homesteaders Christian Homeschoolers non-profit Christian ministry.
The MSN Committee provides opportunities for support, encouragement, worship, and the learning and sharing of ideas and talents at our monthly support night meetings. Members take care of set up, take down, organize refreshments, and also plan and lead all portions of the meetings, except for the business portion.
(Must be able to get to the church early and/or stay late)
Our New Member Support Committee is dedicated to supporting our newest members, helping them navigate homeschooling and network with our group.
Support includes fellowship, mentoring relationships, insights, and answers to questions about Homesteaders and homeschooling.
(Must have 2+ years of membership in Homesteaders)
The Radius Committee administers optional, co-op based academic instructional classes for 6th - 12th grade students during the current school year.
This committee encourages community among the Middle- and High School- aged students by offering events ranging from causal times of fellowship around a bonfire to highly anticipated milestones like the High School Gala. This committee also mentors students as leaders and planners of select activities and events. These events are open to middle- and high school-aged students of member families, even if the students are not taking classes in the Radius Co-op.
Radius Planning coordinates co-op classes for middle and high school students for the following school year. The committee solicits desired classes and teachers, then plans the schedule. All classes are taught by current Homesteader parents.
This committee plans several optional fun events and fellowship opportunities for the entire family. Members look forward each year to activites such as the Back-to-School picnic, the annual winter luncheon, and our premier end-of-the-year event, the Share Fair.
SPOKES (Special Programs of Kids' Enrichment and Support) provides co-op enrichment classes for grades K-6. This committee plans and organizes classes or clubs that meet on Friday afternoons.
(Must be able to attend at least 2 hours on SPOKES days)
Our Visitors Support Committee members are purposeful in giving an overview of Homesteaders, requirements for membership, expectations of members, and what benefits you will enjoy as a member. They will answer any questions you have about our group.
(Must have 2 years of membership in Homesteaders)