Have teens looking for community?

Homeschooling teens can be incredibly rewarding. Helping them find community that isn't all academically focused can be daunting. Finding a community with like minded families can also be daunting!  We just decided to create our own. 

We are a Waldorf family embracing the teen space.  We value outdoor time and indoor time.  We have a balance with media. We are freedom minded. We expect that everyone attracted to our community will be mindful of one another and kind. We are modeling this space for our children. 

This community/co-op is willing to meet all over the Jacksonville area. I ran a large co-op in San Diego and the secret sauce was that we met all over San Diego county so the driving was distributed among all the members. One week it might be in your neighborhood and another week it might be near another member. Every member was expected to participate, that's what makes a community run smoothly. 

We thought we would come up with the first gathering topic and once they have worked through it then as a community they can come up with what they'd like to do next. 

This is NOT an academic co-op, this is a community building opportunity.  As a community the teens will decide what they want to learn about or experience. They are each talented and a community draws on the talents of members to grow and learn. 

First opportunity: Let's make a movie! My husband, Erik, is a filmmaker and he'll take the group through the basics of making their own movie. All the aspects of the process will be driven by the kids.  Erik will be on hand to help them when they get stuck.  We expect this will take a few months and in that time they will hopefully bond and get comfortable with each other. This will help them in their next community opportunity.

Dates: Not set at this time, please fill out the form below.

Cost:  There is no cost at this time. As they work on projects, costs will arise and as a community they will sort out how to raise the money or ask their parents for donations. 

Ages: This is open to children ages 13-17. We are FIRM on this.  I will consider a Waldorf centered co-op for younger children later this Spring. If you are interested in a younger co-op please let us know below. 

First meet up plan: Once we know where everyone is and we have an idea of who is interested, we'll pick a park location for the first meet up. We were thinking a pot luck style mix and mingle for the teens and of course everyone in your family interested in getting to know others.  We would like to have this first gathering the week of Feb 21st with our regular community gatherings beginning the second week in March.