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 2019-2020 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.
American Heritage Girls
American Heritage Girls a Christian club where girls ages 6 and older can make new friends, learn new skills and earn badges. Your local troop meets every Thursday in Amherst.
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 host a family kick off each fall, 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 currently meets in Waupaca, although there is a possibility that a new campus will open up in Stevens point next year! We meet once a week on Wednesdays where we introduce 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. We meet for 24 weeks throughout the school year.
Eager Eagles 4-H Club
We are a Portage County 4-H club made up of mostly homeschoolers. Our membership ranges from age 6 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 in October, December, February and April on the first Monday of the month at the Portage County Public Library. Our members enjoy fun club activities, community service projects, participating in two fairs, and growing through educational workshops and opportunities. Enrollment for the academic year takes place during the fall and can be completed online at http://wi.4honline.com.
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!
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.
American Heritage Girls
American Heritage Girls a Christian club where girls ages 6 and older can make new friends, learn new skills and earn badges. Your local troop meets every Thursday in Amherst.
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 host a family kick off each fall, 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 currently meets in Waupaca, although there is a possibility that a new campus will open up in Stevens point next year! We meet once a week on Wednesdays where we introduce 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. We meet for 24 weeks throughout the school year.
Eager Eagles 4-H Club
We are a Portage County 4-H club made up of mostly homeschoolers. Our membership ranges from age 6 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 in October, December, February and April on the first Monday of the month at the Portage County Public Library. Our members enjoy fun club activities, community service projects, participating in two fairs, and growing through educational workshops and opportunities. Enrollment for the academic year takes place during the fall and can be completed online at http://wi.4honline.com.
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!
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Graduation
Homeschool Graduation is 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.
Home Educator's Journal
This student written newspaper is published and mailed to CHAT homeschool families. It's a great way to learn more about interesting topics in our homeschool community and a great opportunity for students to write!
Homeschool Fathers' Exhortation
NEW THIS YEAR - to encourage and help cast vision with homeschool dads.
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! The CHAT library is located in the Hamre Family Home.
Mom's Support Group
Once a month we will be meeting to discuss varies homeschooling topics. This is a fun, low keyed evening to come out, be encouraged, meet new friends and discuss homeschooling. New and veteran home-schoolers are welcome. We meet the 3rd Monday of each month 6:30-8:00 pm at 4949 Kirschling Court in Stevens point.
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!
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 periodic competitions against teams from Evangelical Free Churches around the Midwest. Quiz practices are held weekly at Community Church in Stevens Point.
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! Some classes are available for as young as aged 10. Most classes are for aged 12+. Classes meet Tuesday mornings from 9-12:00 for 12 weeks. A 13th week is reserved in case of a cancellation due to weather, ect. First semester Sep 17th-Dec 10th, and second semester is January 21-April 14th.
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. 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.
Mark your calendars now to attend the RENEW Retreat at Riverside Bible Camp in Amherst! This year’s retreat will be held on Friday, Feb. 7th - Saturday Feb. 8th, 2020.
Riverside Bible Camp
Located in Amherst, this Bible Camp hosts family camp, youth camp and retreats throughout the year. riversidebiblecamp.org
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.
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 September 13-15, 2019.
Homeschool Graduation is 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.
Home Educator's Journal
This student written newspaper is published and mailed to CHAT homeschool families. It's a great way to learn more about interesting topics in our homeschool community and a great opportunity for students to write!
Homeschool Fathers' Exhortation
NEW THIS YEAR - to encourage and help cast vision with homeschool dads.
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! The CHAT library is located in the Hamre Family Home.
Mom's Support Group
Once a month we will be meeting to discuss varies homeschooling topics. This is a fun, low keyed evening to come out, be encouraged, meet new friends and discuss homeschooling. New and veteran home-schoolers are welcome. We meet the 3rd Monday of each month 6:30-8:00 pm at 4949 Kirschling Court in Stevens point.
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!
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 periodic competitions against teams from Evangelical Free Churches around the Midwest. Quiz practices are held weekly at Community Church in Stevens Point.
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! Some classes are available for as young as aged 10. Most classes are for aged 12+. Classes meet Tuesday mornings from 9-12:00 for 12 weeks. A 13th week is reserved in case of a cancellation due to weather, ect. First semester Sep 17th-Dec 10th, and second semester is January 21-April 14th.
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. 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.
Mark your calendars now to attend the RENEW Retreat at Riverside Bible Camp in Amherst! This year’s retreat will be held on Friday, Feb. 7th - Saturday Feb. 8th, 2020.
Riverside Bible Camp
Located in Amherst, this Bible Camp hosts family camp, youth camp and retreats throughout the year. riversidebiblecamp.org
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.
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 September 13-15, 2019.