The Rivendell Society: A Homeschool Cooperative

I am delighted to post the information on the homeschool co-op that I am starting. I have thought about starting a co-op for years. So it is with great enthusiasm that I introduce, The Rivendell Society: A Homeschool Cooperative.

Vision:
The Rivendell Society was created to provide a rich source of shared experiences for homeschoolers who seek to build a community of diverse friends, playmates, and mentors.

Building Community:
Modern life can separate us from the heart of community and make us feel isolated and disconnected. The process of homeschooling may offer us a slower, gentler way, but we have to make the effort to build our community - to build our support system. We need friends, mentors, and connections.

Diverse Friends and Playmates:
We anticipate and expect to meet people of all ages and stages in our co-op. Kindness and inclusion are expected from every member. Home education is a family affair and we welcome participation from the youngest to the oldest. We expect that adults will treat each child with gentleness and respect as we model what is expected from the children.

Mentors:
We believe we all have something to bring to co-op. From the smallest baby to the seasoned homeschool parent, everyone offers a lesson. It is our hope that new homeschoolers will find inspiration and encouragement from those who have been on the journey a little longer. In turn, we hope that new homeschoolers will bring fresh perspective and vitality. Older children can offer a helping hand to the younger ones and include them in their games. The youngest among us can offer their delight in the smallest things and their special pace of life that helps us to slow down and enjoy the journey.

A Rich Source of Shared Experiences:
We believe that children learn best when they are offered quality experiences and given time to process and the enjoy the adventure. This is why we prefer quality over quantity when it comes to co-op scheduling. Fairy tales, folk songs, handicrafts, nature walks, children's games, and creative play are all quality activities for children.


Frequently Asked Questions:

What curriculum/philosophy is used?
We will draw materials from many sources and do not subscribe to a specific curriculum. The co-op is a melting pot of Waldorf, Montessori, Charlotte Mason, and traditional Mom-sense (or Dad-sense as the case may be). We are an inclusive group that seeks to celebrate our own traditions while respectfully joining with other members in celebrating theirs. To this end, we take part in seasonal festivals and holidays. We take our cues from nature and enjoy catering our activities to the weather and the season. While we welcome homeschoolers who ascribe to a wide variety of educational philosophies, the co-op is meant to be a gentle, developmentally appropriate experience. We will not do worksheets, drills, or textbook work at co-op. We will take part in hands-on experiences of many kinds.

When will we meet?
Fall 2009 session will meet every Monday morning from October 5-December 14. The co-op will begin at 9:30 and will finish by 12:30. Members can choose to pack a lunch and stay to picnic, or can leave at 12:30 if desired.

Where will we meet?
We will be meeting at a lovely local nature area when the weather is good. Otherwise, we will meet at my home. I am not putting the specifics here online for safety reasons. Please contact me privately for details.