Fellowship for Homeschool Moms and Dads

We appreciate all that mothers and fathers do for their family day in and day out. You have not chosen the easiest route for your child's education.  Motherhood and fatherhood are each a full-time job and when you are homeschooling you have to be even more intentional about taking little opportunities to connect with other adults. At ETC, we feel that it is important to build relationships with one another and create a culture of support and community within the group. This is why we treasure our monthly Moms' Night Out and other parent fellowships.

We invite all mothers in the group to take part in our Moms' Night Out events where we step away from the family for a short time to meet up, relax, encourage one another and laugh together over an evening of fellowship and dining.

Fellowships for Dads are scheduled when there are men to take the lead.  Contact the Acitivities Director if you would like to organize a fellowship with other ETC dads.

Student Fellowships

Hands-On, fun activities geared toward your K-6th grade students  each month. Fieldtrips and classes just weren't quite enough -  we've created extra monthly opportunities for elementary students to build relationships and enjoy one another’s company. In the past we have explored a cave, met at a park, blessed a fire station, cooked with the Young Chef’s Academy, and painted Christmas ornaments at Imagine Studios. Wondering what's happening this year? Check out our calendar!

Teen Fellowships

ETC students in grades 7th-12th can look forward to activities on the first Friday of each month in which the goal is not only to have fun but also to foster a sense of community within the ETC teen group.  Check out our "Company Z" page for more information.

Family Fellowships

Family Fellowships are planned 1-2 times per semester to include Dads, Grandparents, and extended family.

As much as possible activities are planned to be family integrated. Family members of all ages are welcome to attend unless otherwise specified.  

Upcoming Homeschool Parent Workshops...

ETC's goal is to provide information, support, and fellowship through the monthly educator's meetings.  Many ETC members are seeking encouragement in the their journey of homeschooling and this is a great way to personally invest in others and get encouragement and support in our community. At meetings we usually have a prepared speaker on a relevant home school topic or a facilitated sharing of ideas and discussion.  These meetings are a great place to meet other members, get questions answered, and hear a speaker on a specific topic of interest. 

All home educating parents are welcome at ETC Meetings, making it a great time to invite a friend who might be interested in either homeschooling or in ETC.  Parents may be accompanied by lap babies only. 

At ETC, we know that field trips can be a fun way to get together and learn at the same time. We aim to offer opportunities & experiences to members that they would not be able to have by themselves. We try to vary the field trips so that they are fun and enjoyable for  varied ages. We keep costs as low as we can by negotiating group rates so all our members can take part. We also have parties each semester for families to enjoy together that often include games, competitions, crafts, and more. We enjoy creating a space where you and your family can grow in community while making memories.

ETC students in grades 7th-12th can look forward to activities on the first Friday of each month in which the goal is not only to have fun but also to foster a sense of community within the ETC teen group. It is important to us that teens find positive peer pressure and a place where they can encourage one another in their walk with the Lord and in living rightly in His eyes.  Fun activities are intended to draw students in and give them events to look forward to each month.  These events range from movie/pizza events, to solving a “who-done-it style” mystery, "Hunger Games" tag, and other youth-focused activities.  ETC teens have the opportunity to serve regularly in Service Projects.  In addition, we often have informal meet-ups for lunch or ice cream.  Some of our children's closest, longest lasting friendships have begun in ETC.

Check the calendar monthly for upcoming events and your opportunity to sign up.

* Each youth will need a parent to attend at least one orientation and two events per year. 
Check calendar event description to see which events are parent-optional or parent-required.  Parents are always welcome, however, occasionally a parent will be necessary to help facilitate the activity.

ETC’s Creation Studies is an opportunity for group nature studies in the Charlotte Mason fashion.  

Outings often include a hike, careful observation of the natural world, and recording of observations through nature journaling. Sometimes we may have a guest speaker or a guide for a hike. Nature Studies will usually be followed by a picnic and a time of play and fellowship. 

"Nature's Lessons" - a mother's journal

God's creation is always a marvel!

The view of the hillside was unencumbered by the
trees, which have yet to dress for spring. My little
anglers really enjoyed fishing, even though we only
got a couple of nibbles between us.

Everyone was excited to see a sandy killdeer fly down
to where most of the children were playing on the
ground. He made a lot of commotion and then hobbled
away as if injured to lure the children away from his
"territory". I have read about this but have never
actually witnessed it. It was a great little nature
lesson, and boy did it work. All the children jumped
up and chased the bird several yards until it finally
climbed into the sky and then met its mate down the
rocky shore.

We saw tiny caterpillars, ruby ladybugs, and a spider
hiding inside a vacated shell. The daffodils were my
favorite; they always announce spring's arrival, which
never comes soon enough for me.

After several hours we watched the clouds roll in over
the mountains and listened to the thunder become
louder and deeper. Finally, the blue-grey clouds
dropped a blanket of rain over the pavilion. It's
beautiful how the heavy pellets dimple the water's
surface. Far more quickly than it came in, the rain
disappeared leaving us with a shower-fresh view of the
mountainsides.

Clothes got muddy, hands got wormy, and hair got wind
blown... but we had a wonderful time. The children
all fell asleep in the van on the way home and I got
to check science off my to-do list for the week,... so
what's a little extra laundry.

Check the calendar for specific times and locations.

Each month we'll focus on a new country.  The country will be announced at the beginning of the month and families have the opportunity to learn about the country at home if they like.  When we come together for Culture Studies we will meet a person who is from the country, has lived there, has served as a missionary to the country, or who has visited.  We may see pictures or videos of our guest speaker's time in the country, handle souveniers or artifacts, learn a song or dance, practice a few word or phrases of the language, play a local game, or more.  If students have prepared they may present information that they have learned at their at home studies.  Then we'll learn about some of the ways we can pray for the highlighted people group and pray for them.  We'll conclude our time in Culture Studies with a pot-luck meal of dishes from the country we've learned about.  

Serving other is more rewarding and more fun when its done with others.  Together we'll serve the food insecure, the elderly, veterans and active servicemen and women, orphans, and others.