Erin Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Help me brainstorm. Our homeschool group has about 9 high schoolers, mostly boys. Our "group" is really nothing more than a loosely organized meet-up. A chance for the kids to "play" or "hang-out" as the age dictates, and for moms to vent, drink coffee, and compare notes. My freshman was wanting to join the mock-trial team and because it's sponsored by the state bar association, there are no inter-district rules that we can't qualify for (our state does not allow homeschoolers to participate in inter-school competitions unless they're enrolled at least half-time). But our DISTRICT does not allow homeschoolers to participate in ANY school activity, regardless of activity's parent-body. No FCCLA, FFA, FBLA, mock trial, quiz bowl, etc. Our state's statute says districts are allowed to determine homeschool participation as they wish. SO--Anything we want to get involved with, we need to create our own team. I've floated out the mock trial idea and gotten some positive response, but due to the competition schedule, we can't do it until next school year. What else should I look at for high school level competitions? Keeping in mind we're extremely rural so it needs to be something where we might find another team within a 100 miles! (Ie, nothing too specialized like robotics/Lego stuff, because that's at least 200 miles to find competitions) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 You can set up an NJCL chapter and then do the NJCL competition exams just within your group, or travel to the regional competitions. The American Classical League is very homeschool friendly and considers homeschool groups to be the same as schools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bambam Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 I'm not sure if your state is different, but we can compete in Debate Tournaments through 4-H here in TX. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grantmom Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 What about Roots and Shoots? You start your own, and then the older boys could apply to be on their leadership council, which looks like a really awesome opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grantmom Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 (And very cool that you are extremely rural yet actually have nine homeschooling high schoolers!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erin Posted October 21, 2014 Author Share Posted October 21, 2014 Yeah, we often laugh about the fact that we're an anomaly with our high school crew. Even the "big" homeschool group that has a few co-op classes and everything, 90 miles away, has fewer high schoolers than we do! lol We were hoping to find something competitive. The girls don't really care, but the boys are wanting to find something "to work toward and beat other kids!" ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in WI Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Have you seen the Engineering Encounters Bridge Design Contest (previously known as the West Point Bridge Design contest)? Since it's online you can do it from anywhere. :-) It's too late for this year, but they may be interested in the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition (Cyber Patriot) for next year. Again, it's online, so it can be done from anywhere. Another thing a lot of homeschoolers are involved with here (although our family is not) is competitive speech/debate with the National Christian Forensics Communications Association (NCFCA). The families that we know that are in it make it sound amazing, but we just can't fit it into our schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 You might look at things that have a longer developmental timeline and then a presentation or competition. National History Day for example. Poetry Out Loud might fit The rocketry 4H program discussed here often sounds amazing. You might also look at things that are community based that don't have an age restriction. For example orienteering or 5k runs (not sure about availability). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttichen Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 You might look at things that have a longer developmental timeline and then a presentation or competition. National History Day for example. Definitely check out National History Day. (www.nhd.org) I mentor a group of kids who enter every year and they absolutely love it. You can't have more than five on a team, so they'll have to split into groups, but they can enter in different categories so they're not competing with each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherdear Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Check out the Congressional Award. It entails a LOT of volunteer, personal development and fitness requirements (and more!) and adds something valuable to their he transcripts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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