Homeschool Groups                                                  
 

Why have a separate page for homeschool groups?

Because homeschool groups, as distinct from public and private schools, have their own structure, needs and goals.

We recognize that homeschool groups tend to be informally organized, so we bill differently than we would a school or scout group. We recognize that many homeschool families have multiple children who will participate at the same time, so we built in a multi-child discount. Our Homeschool Package offers programs that are geared towards groups with large age ranges, and we are excited to offer Christ-centered programming all groups that are open to it!

Homeschool Group Field Trip Package:

Starting in the spring of 2011, Highroad offered a Homeschool Field Trip Package to introduce homeschool groups to our staff, site, and programs. Because of the success of these "Homeschool Days" we have decided to continue offering homeschool packages indefinitely through the spring and fall each year, at the same reasonable price that we offered the intro package for!

Here are the specifics:

• Ages: Students in 1st-10th grades. Younger and older children may also attend, but please keep in mind for younger children that there will be a great deal of walking involved in many of our activites. Siblings younger than 1st grade come for free, but will only be able to participate in those activities that are safe for them and that don't take away from the experience of the older children. Parental supervision is required for children younger than 1st grade. 
• Price: The price per student for the first student in each family is $20.00. Each additional sibling of the first student is $15.00, up to three additional siblings. The fifth sibling, and any additional siblings after that, are free. Payment takes place on the day of the event with either checks or cash being collected by the trip organizer.
• Programs: Choose four hours of programming from the following list:
  - Low-Ropes Challenge Course (1-2 Hours)
  - Native American Nature Class (1-2 Hours)
  - Survival Skills Nature Class (1-2 Hours)
  - Animal Traces Nature Hike (1-2 Hours)
  - Totally Trees Nature Hike (1-2 Hours)
  - Stream Study Nature Hike (1-2 Hours)
  - Pond and Bamboo Nature Hike (1-2 Hours)
  - Fascinating Fields Nature Hike (1-2 Hours)
  - Nature Craft (1 Hour)
  - Archery (1 Hour)
  - Canoes (1 Hour)
• Maximum and Minimum: There is a ten child minimum for  homeschool packages. There is currently no maximum, but please check with us when your group size reaches forty so that we can ensure adequate staff numbers!
• Dates: Homeschool packages are available April-May and September-October. For those groups willing to brave the cold, winter programs are also available. Date availability is determined by the number of previously scheduled groups on camp who are doing programming. However, once a Homeschool Package has been scheduled, we will never be cancelled because another group requests programming. Please call us at 540-687-6262 to find the available date that works best for your group.
• Registration: In order to register, your group must have a point of contact willing to organize the trip on the group's end, and who will collect names and payment from the individual families. This can be the group leader or a volunteer within the group. Because of logistics, we cannot accept individual registrations from each individual family. Give us a call at 540-687-6262 or e-mail naturalist@camphighroad.org for more information and to register!

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

When we do your nature classes, what will your focus be?
Our nature classes and other programming will be led be our permanent staff and summer staff, which is to say, we are Christians and we see life through a Christian worldview. We would be happy to incorporate scripture and a Christ-centered focus into your programs.

Can I bring my children who are younger than 1st grade?
Absolutely! There is no charge for children five and under or for children with special needs who you do not wish to participate in the program.

Is there a place for my younger children and I to set up shop while the older children are doing the activities?
Yes again! Our classes will start from main camp, and you are welcome to set up shop in our picnic areas or one of our buildings. We even have chairs and tables so that you can get some schoolwork done with your young ones while you wait.

Can I participate in the activities with my 1st-10th grader?
Parents are welcome to join in the fun, although we ask that children always be allowed to go first! For some activities, such as archery and team building, parents are asked to be encouragers, but not to actively participate.

What are the bathroom facilities like?
In the main camp area there is a bathhouse with both men's and women's restrooms. The bathhouse has flushing toilets, other areas of camp are equipped with latrines.

What are your classes like and what other classes do you offer?
 For descriptions of our classes, check out the School Groups page.

Can you help teach specific content during your classes?
Absolutely! Just let us know beforehand and we'll be happy to work specific content into your program.