Where are most of your events held?

It depends. If you're looking to join in on educational field trips that enrich your homeschooling experience, the field trips that we've organized over the past couple years have ranged from Northern Virginia to Baltimore, from the Chesapeake Bay to Frederick.

If you're looking to join in on a co-op (our term for collaborative teaching between several families studying the same subject), they can be wherever. Currently most of our families are in and around Howard County but we also have members from Baltimore to Chevy Chase and from Crofton to Westminster.

If you're interested in our family events like our Science Fair, Art and Talent Show, Field Day or Family Dance, they have been mostly centered in Howard County.

Families from any area are welcome to join. Currently we have families from many cities such as Baltimore, Catonsville, Chevy Chase, Clarksville, Columbia, Crofton, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Gambrills, Hanover, Highland, Jessup, Laurel, Linthicum, Odenton, Olney, Severn, Silver Spring, Sykesville, West Friendship, Westminster, Windsor Mill, and Woodstock

What kinds of activities events do you host?

Connections facilitates LOTS of events, nearly every day of the month has at least one activity going on. Here is a snapshot of our April 2008 Calendar. As you can see, there is no shortage of things to participate in and make your homeschooling connection!

How does Connections work?

Connections uses our Web site, http://www.hccmd.org, as our on-line base of operations from which you can keep informed about activites and events that might be of interest to your family and connect with other homeschooling families with children of similar ages or interests.

The true power of Connections is found in its people, in small groups meeting in people's homes or sharing classes in subjects like dance, music, scouting, or martial arts, or in large groups at the Science Fair, Field Day, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, or our annual Family Dance. Connections families work together to organize co-ops, field trips, play dates, and many other types of programs.

There are no strict requirements of participation for members of Connections; you'll find a way to get involved as you make your journey. All events and programs are completely voluntary and most are handled on a pay-as-you-go basis. Plus, Connections is often able to negotiate special discounts (or even free programs) for your children based on our size.

In addition to the wealth of activities and events, four times a year, Connections fully funds major programs exclusively for our members, such as our Field Day, Science Fair, and Talent Shows.

Once you join and meet up with our some of our families, we're confident that you'll soon find yourself networking with other like-minded homeschool families in both big and small ways that greatly enrich your homeschooling experience.

What are my obligations or participation requirements as a member?

There are no obligations or event participation requirements. We don't impose requirements, rather our families volunteer to make our community the success it has become. Most members happily open up programs they are doing for their children to others in the community, or just pitch in a helping hand in existing programs and activities already planned.

What does the 25$ dues pay for?

Membership in Connections is just $25/year for your whole family. The fees are used to cover basic insurance and operating costs, as well as funding for our major programs each year. Most Connections programs are free or handled on a pay-as-you-go basis, making it very affordable for a wide variety of families.

Does your organization have children the same age and gender as my children?

Connections currently has over 180 child members in ages ranging up to 17. As a member, you will have access to query the family directory database to find children of the same age, gender and interests as your children, to help your children make friendly Connections that can last a lifetime.

How many families are in your organization?

Connections currently has over 80 homeschooling families with over 180 children in ages from infant up to 17 spread out over central Maryland.

How do I join?

To join, download and read the bylaws of our organization, then the simple one page member registration form (remember, we have no participation requirements). Please send your check for $25 to the address on the form. Click How To Join for detailed instructions and to download the bylaws and registration form.

How do I find out more about Connections?

Need more information? We'll connect you with someone who can answer your questions and give you whatever information you need. Send an email to joinus@hccmd.org and let us know if you would like a call or email in return. We're looking forward to hearing from you.

Why can't I see more areas of the website

Part of the benefit of joining Connections is gaining access to our event calendar, family directory, a support network of private forums and other information to help you make your homeschool connection. In addition, we take our members privacy seriously and have established a privacy policy found here: Click HERE to view our privacy policy.

As a courtesy, we do offer public access to part of our library of homeschool weblinks, a public forum for posting questions about our association (but not our private forums), as well as general news about homeschooling and our organization.

Do you have a privacy policy? If I join, will my name and family information be made public on your website?

Our website is a private website and only our members have access to the family directory and event schedule. Non-members have no access to any specific information about our membership.

Members also have the ability to edit and update their own family directory entries. Generally, only your name and address is required, however we do encourage you to fully utilize the directory to help you find that homeschooling connection.

In addition, all members agree to abide by our privacy policy found HERE

What is the mission or purpose of Homeschool Connections

Connections was founded by a group of Maryland families to promote the intellectual advancement, social development, and community involvement of homeschooled children in Central Maryland and facilitate the public awareness of homeschooling as an educational alternative. We are chartered in our bylaws to accomplish this by:

How is the organization governed?

Connections is an association charted in the State of Maryland and governed by By-Laws approved by the membership. The By-Laws establish a Board of Directors comprised of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Board Member At-Large which are elected to 2 year terms. Elections occur yearly and the Directors have staggered terms to ensure the continuity of governance from Board to Board.

In addition to administering the policies and budget, one of the board's fundamental tasks is to provide high level guidance and direction on membership communication and event programming but still allow families the freedom to create and facilitate activities that serve them best. Each family has a voice in our community.

Do you have a Charter or By Laws?

Yes. The membership has voted in By-Laws to provide policies and procedures to govern the community. We ask that each member review and accept those By-Laws prior to becoming a member of our group. In addition, you may be asked from time to time, to vote on changes to the By-Laws, or perhaps to even serve on the board. Among other things, the By-Laws establish our mission statement, determine timeframes for elections, establish terms for officers, explain officer roles, and address budget and financial procedures to name a few. Click HERE to view our By-Laws.

Are your financial books open for inspection?