The CHAT Homeschool Community is made up of member families and links them 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 2017-2018 school year.

Activity Day
Fun activities on Thursday afternoons during the school year.  Join us at area parks for games and sports May-October or for bowling, sledding, swimming, field trips, and other fun family activities November-April.  Details announced via email each week.  Come when you can or send your children with another adult who can supervise them.   This is a great way to connect with other homeschoolers.  To see the schedule for the year, please click on Activity Day Calendar.

CHAT Administrative Team
The CHAT Administrative Team serves the following ministries and members who are part of CHAT.  They seek to connect members and ministries to each other.

    Directory
     CHAT maintains a directory of member names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.  The directory is               distributed to the CHAT email group several times a year.

    Email Group
     Join the email group and receive information regarding CHAT events, homeschooling news, and tidbits of encouragement! 
     A vital way to stay connected.  Go to the Membership Tab and the administrator will add you to the group.
 
    Fall Family Kick-off 
     Each fall there is a kick-off event that includes registration for CHAT, introduction to the ministries, information,
     announcements, news for the upcoming year, and a special event or speaker.

    Mom's Appreciation Get Together
      Each Spring CHAT plans a fun time for homeschool teachers (Moms) to connect and support each other and be
      encouraged.  Food, fun and fellowship fill our time!

      Prayer Requests
      The CHAT Administration Team is committed to praying for our members and ministries.  Pass a prayer request to the
      Administration Team.
 
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!   If you want to plan one and need assistance or have questions planning a field trip, please contact Lori Guilliams, lsguilliams@gmail.com

Fundraising
 “Milk Moola” monies go to the REACH program.  Collection boxes are available at REACH or Activity Day.

Library
Over the years, CHAT has collected many homeschooling books and curriculum.  The CHAT library is in the basement of Family Church, located at 3017 Church St.  A listing of the materials can be viewed from the Resources tab.

Planetarium Show
Offered twice a year to show both winter and summer skies, Dr. Ken Menningen, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at UWSP, gives a special planetarium show for CHAT members.  Watch email for the next showing!

Quiz Team
Central Wisconsin Quiz Team is a fun and competitive way for young people to learn Scripture with a periodic competitions against teams from Evangelical Free Churches around Wisconsin.  Quiz practices are held weekly at Family Church in Stevens Point.  For more information, contact stanke.sara@gmail.com

REACH Co-op
A weekly educational opportunity for families in the greater Central Wisconsin area.   Classes may include science, history, phy ed, art, music, drama and more!.  Classes at REACH are meant to supplement, not replace, what is being taught in individual family's homeschools.  Parents share the teaching responsibilities by teaching at either REACH Kids or REACH High for at least one 12-week semester or more as necessary, determined by the size of membership.  Pre-registration and tuition is required. REACH meets weekly on Tuesdays at Woodlands Church in Plover.  For more information, please visit www.homeschool-life.com/wi/reach

REACH Kids
REACH Kids is  for children ages birth - 11 years.  It is a great opportunity for children to build friendships with their peers and learn to take instructions from other adults in a safe and loving Christian environment.  Children ages 4 and above have three class periods each week, one of which is always phy ed.  REACH Kids meets from 9:00 - 11:50 am.

REACH High 
REACH High seeks to be an enhancement to the home education of Middle School and High School students by offering classroom instruction in a variety of core supplemental classes, all of which reflect a Biblical worldview and offer the opportunity  to learn in a positive and dynamic environment.  Classes at REACH High are taught either by Co-op parents or by outside tutors.  Tutor led classes require additional fees.  Pre-registration,tuition and enrollment are required.  REACH High meets from 8:50am - noon.  There are cometimes optional afternoon classes offered.  

Reading Incentive: Great America
(Grades K-6) Earn free tickets to Great America by reading books!  Watch email for details and sign-up.

Reading Incentive: Local
Sign-up online for Pizza Hut BookIt! (http://www.bookitprogram.com/enrollment/homeschool.asp) or at Fazolis for their Friendly Reader Program.  Look for other reading programs and share the information with the group!

RENEW Retreat for Moms
RENEW is an overnight retreat and is a time of encouragement and fellowship with other homeschooling women.  A keynote speaker shares stories and experiences from her homeschool journey and various workshops are available to encourage and up-lift women on their own journey.  This year’s retreat will be held Friday and Saturday, February 2-3 at Riverside Bible Camp.

SONSHINE Ministry
Does your family have a heart for the elderly or just have an interest in serving?  Then join us as we bless the elderly in assisted living/nursing homes throughout the year.  If you play an instrument, this would be a great way to share a piece that you have worked hard to perfect.  But if not, come join us anyway because we will also be doing crafts or games with the residents so we will need lots of helpers.

Used book and Curriculum Sales 
Several used book sales are available throughout the year and are sponsored by different groups.  Watch email so you don't miss these opportunities.

YEAH! (Youth Educated at Home)
A students-led ministry for home educated teens age 12-18 in 7th-12th grade.  Monthly social events and/or service projects give teens a place to connect, have fun, and serve.

YEAH Retreat
The YEAH Retreat  is an annual youth retreat provided by YEAH (Youth Educated At Home) and its leadership team of local homeschooled students.  The YEAH Retreat is a weekend full of fun, worship spiritual growth and ultimate frisbee held at Riverside Bible Camp in Amherst!  The weekend offers a variety of workshops, keynote sessions and lots of awesome games and activities!  Date: September 15-17, Cost: $45.00.