The CHAT Homeschool Community links members to other homeschoolers and to ministries seeking to serve homeschooling families. The activities and
events often change year to year depending on the desires and needs of the group and what volunteer parents decide to lead. Details about all events are communicated via the CHAT email group for members. Here is what is expected to be offered for the 2022-23 school year.
Activity Day
Fun activities on Thursday afternoons during the school year. Join us at area parks for games and sports or for other activities such as bowling, sledding, swimming, skating and field trips. Watch for details announced via CHAT email each week. Come when you can or send your children with another adult who can supervise them. This is a great way to have fun and connect with other homeschoolers!
Backpacks for Hope
Backpacks for Hope is a program that provides food for kids who don’t have enough to eat over the weekend. We work directly with The Boys & Girls Club. Volunteers drop off between 40 and 50 bags of food each week during the school year at the Stevens Point Boys & Girls Club. They distribute the bags to other clubs throughout Portage County where the kids pick them up as they leave the club for the weekend. Our mission statement is “providing food for a weekend and encouragement for a lifetime.” This is a great opportunity for families to serve. You can participate in a fundraiser, collect food, pray for the ministry, write encouraging notes, or help shelve food after a big food drive.
CHAT Administrative Team
The CHAT Administrative Team serves members who are part of CHAT by maintaining the email group and this website. They also maintain member data in a directory, welcome new members, answer member questions, and pray for members. They provide general oversight to CHAT and seek to connect members with each other and with encouraging opportunities!
Classical Conversations
Classical Conversations meets weekly in Stevens Point where enrolled students are introduced to material for the week, do science experiments together, have fine arts lessons, and play review games. Older students work on English grammar in the afternoons.
https://www.facebook.com/Classical-Conversations-Stevens-Point
Field Trips
Field trips are planned by any member of CHAT and announced via the email group. In the past, groups have visited the cheese factory, toured the local police and fire departments, learned about bats and trees, and watched a dog sled team run!
4-H Clubs
If you're interested in joining 4-H, you can check out https://portage.extension.wisc.edu/4-h-youth-development/join-4-h/
There are many clubs in the area, which are all listed on the website, along with contact info.
Eager Eagles We are a Portage County 4-H club made up of mostly homeschoolers. Our membership ranges from age 5 through 18 and is made up of about half boys and half girls. Our group is friendly and low key and we have a lot of fun learning and growing together. Our club meets on the first Monday of the month. Meetings have typically been held at the Portage County Public Library but are on Zoom for a season. Our members enjoy fun club activities, community service projects, participating in two fairs, and growing through educational workshops and opportunities.
Nelsonville Zippy Zees Our club, Nelsonville Zippy Zees, has kids that show rabbits, chickens, cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, as well as some who only do projects - anything from arts and crafts to baking and cake decorating to gardening to woodworking to anything in between! We meet on the 2nd Monday of each month at the Nelsonville Lutheran Church. If your 5-18 year old is interested in joining 4-H, please check out the above website.
Graduation
Homeschool Graduation is usually held in May and is a great opportunity to celebrate graduating seniors. Watch your email in the fall to sign up for the following spring.
Homeschool Fathers' Exhortation
Dad’s connecting with each other for encouragement and vision casting.
Library
Over the years, CHAT has collected many homeschooling books and curriculum. This is a huge blessing to families who wish to borrow items or review items before purchasing. Donations and requests are welcome! Details about using this private library will be sent to the member email list.
Mom's Support Group
Once a month we will be meeting in person to discuss various homeschooling topics. This is a fun, low key evening to come out, be encouraged, meet new friends and discuss homeschooling. New and veteran home-schoolers are welcome. Watch CHAT email for details and invites.
Music Lessons
There are several homeschool parents and alumni that offer music and dance lessons. CHAT members are welcome to post a message to the CHAT group if they are looking for lessons and other members will reply with suggestions!
REACH
Weekly tutor led classes! (Please note, there is no longer a requirement from parents to teach, these classes offered are all tutor led!) Consider supplementing with these great tutor led classes that are at a great value! Classes meet Tuesday mornings from 9-12:00 for 12 weeks at Woodlands Church. A 13th week is reserved in case of a cancellation due to weather, etc.
RENEW Retreat for Moms The purpose of this retreat is to bring rest to weary souls, assist in overcoming many homeschooling hurdles, enjoy fellowship with other homeschool moms, and come together to worship our Lord and Savior. At the RENEW Retreat, you can count on meeting and reconnecting with other homeschooling moms just like you; praying over our homes; surrendering our families to the Lord; laughing, learning, and sharing in a safe environment; and feeling encouraged and rejuvenated to work through the rest of the school year with renewed joy and focus.
So please mark your calendars now to attend the RENEW Retreat at Riverside Bible Camp in Amherst!
Riverside Bible Camp
Located in Amherst, this Bible Camp hosts family camp, youth camp and retreats throughout the year. riversidebiblecamp.org
Used Book and Curriculum Sales
Several used book sales are available throughout the year and are sponsored by different groups. For example, Academic Consignors maintain a book sale trailer containing thousands of used books and homeschool curriculum for sale. They hold sales throughout the year and take consignment items to sell. Watch email so you don't miss these opportunities.
YEAH! (Youth Educated at Home)
A student-led ministry for home educated teens ages 7th-12th grade. Monthly social events that build a fun, safe, Christ like, encouraging homeschool community.
YEAH Retreat
The YEAH Retreat is an annual fall getaway for homeschool students grades 7-12. The weekend consists of fun games, encouraging speakers, relational conversations, and spiritual development. The retreat is located at Riverside Bible Camp in Amherst and will be held in September.
events often change year to year depending on the desires and needs of the group and what volunteer parents decide to lead. Details about all events are communicated via the CHAT email group for members. Here is what is expected to be offered for the 2022-23 school year.
Activity Day
Fun activities on Thursday afternoons during the school year. Join us at area parks for games and sports or for other activities such as bowling, sledding, swimming, skating and field trips. Watch for details announced via CHAT email each week. Come when you can or send your children with another adult who can supervise them. This is a great way to have fun and connect with other homeschoolers!
Backpacks for Hope
Backpacks for Hope is a program that provides food for kids who don’t have enough to eat over the weekend. We work directly with The Boys & Girls Club. Volunteers drop off between 40 and 50 bags of food each week during the school year at the Stevens Point Boys & Girls Club. They distribute the bags to other clubs throughout Portage County where the kids pick them up as they leave the club for the weekend. Our mission statement is “providing food for a weekend and encouragement for a lifetime.” This is a great opportunity for families to serve. You can participate in a fundraiser, collect food, pray for the ministry, write encouraging notes, or help shelve food after a big food drive.
CHAT Administrative Team
The CHAT Administrative Team serves members who are part of CHAT by maintaining the email group and this website. They also maintain member data in a directory, welcome new members, answer member questions, and pray for members. They provide general oversight to CHAT and seek to connect members with each other and with encouraging opportunities!
Classical Conversations
Classical Conversations meets weekly in Stevens Point where enrolled students are introduced to material for the week, do science experiments together, have fine arts lessons, and play review games. Older students work on English grammar in the afternoons.
https://www.facebook.com/Classical-Conversations-Stevens-Point
Field Trips
Field trips are planned by any member of CHAT and announced via the email group. In the past, groups have visited the cheese factory, toured the local police and fire departments, learned about bats and trees, and watched a dog sled team run!
4-H Clubs
If you're interested in joining 4-H, you can check out https://portage.extension.wisc.edu/4-h-youth-development/join-4-h/
There are many clubs in the area, which are all listed on the website, along with contact info.
Eager Eagles We are a Portage County 4-H club made up of mostly homeschoolers. Our membership ranges from age 5 through 18 and is made up of about half boys and half girls. Our group is friendly and low key and we have a lot of fun learning and growing together. Our club meets on the first Monday of the month. Meetings have typically been held at the Portage County Public Library but are on Zoom for a season. Our members enjoy fun club activities, community service projects, participating in two fairs, and growing through educational workshops and opportunities.
Nelsonville Zippy Zees Our club, Nelsonville Zippy Zees, has kids that show rabbits, chickens, cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, as well as some who only do projects - anything from arts and crafts to baking and cake decorating to gardening to woodworking to anything in between! We meet on the 2nd Monday of each month at the Nelsonville Lutheran Church. If your 5-18 year old is interested in joining 4-H, please check out the above website.
Graduation
Homeschool Graduation is usually held in May and is a great opportunity to celebrate graduating seniors. Watch your email in the fall to sign up for the following spring.
Homeschool Fathers' Exhortation
Dad’s connecting with each other for encouragement and vision casting.
Library
Over the years, CHAT has collected many homeschooling books and curriculum. This is a huge blessing to families who wish to borrow items or review items before purchasing. Donations and requests are welcome! Details about using this private library will be sent to the member email list.
Mom's Support Group
Once a month we will be meeting in person to discuss various homeschooling topics. This is a fun, low key evening to come out, be encouraged, meet new friends and discuss homeschooling. New and veteran home-schoolers are welcome. Watch CHAT email for details and invites.
Music Lessons
There are several homeschool parents and alumni that offer music and dance lessons. CHAT members are welcome to post a message to the CHAT group if they are looking for lessons and other members will reply with suggestions!
REACH
Weekly tutor led classes! (Please note, there is no longer a requirement from parents to teach, these classes offered are all tutor led!) Consider supplementing with these great tutor led classes that are at a great value! Classes meet Tuesday mornings from 9-12:00 for 12 weeks at Woodlands Church. A 13th week is reserved in case of a cancellation due to weather, etc.
RENEW Retreat for Moms The purpose of this retreat is to bring rest to weary souls, assist in overcoming many homeschooling hurdles, enjoy fellowship with other homeschool moms, and come together to worship our Lord and Savior. At the RENEW Retreat, you can count on meeting and reconnecting with other homeschooling moms just like you; praying over our homes; surrendering our families to the Lord; laughing, learning, and sharing in a safe environment; and feeling encouraged and rejuvenated to work through the rest of the school year with renewed joy and focus.
So please mark your calendars now to attend the RENEW Retreat at Riverside Bible Camp in Amherst!
Riverside Bible Camp
Located in Amherst, this Bible Camp hosts family camp, youth camp and retreats throughout the year. riversidebiblecamp.org
Used Book and Curriculum Sales
Several used book sales are available throughout the year and are sponsored by different groups. For example, Academic Consignors maintain a book sale trailer containing thousands of used books and homeschool curriculum for sale. They hold sales throughout the year and take consignment items to sell. Watch email so you don't miss these opportunities.
YEAH! (Youth Educated at Home)
A student-led ministry for home educated teens ages 7th-12th grade. Monthly social events that build a fun, safe, Christ like, encouraging homeschool community.
YEAH Retreat
The YEAH Retreat is an annual fall getaway for homeschool students grades 7-12. The weekend consists of fun games, encouraging speakers, relational conversations, and spiritual development. The retreat is located at Riverside Bible Camp in Amherst and will be held in September.
