Southwest Home Educators Association

Check out SHEA for their community and their resources. From fundraising to sport to field trips they have a ton of resources!

http://www.southwest-home-education.com/

From their 'About Us' Section:

Southwest Home Educators Association (SHEA) is a multi-state organization formed for the benefit of providing positive and inclusive social and academic opportunities to home-educated students and their families. The member states consist of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.

We believe that every child should have the opportunity to learn as much as they desire, at their own pace, and in a nurturing and encouraging environment. In addition, we believe that children should be able to choose their social situations, based upon their family values and individual interests, and not ever be forced into social situations that are undesirable or make them feel uncomfortable.

To encourage positive socialization, SHEA will strive to keep families in their member states updated with a variety of calendared options to choose from by appointing Area Leaders to assist in implementing them. Such activities may include opportunities for field trips, workshops, cooperative classes, sports training, academic competition, regular park and library days, and more. Area Leaders will work with existing groups, especially those that are struggling to get members to participate, and help to provide inclusive activities.

Lots of ideas are being developed to offer more to students – especially those in middle and high school. We offer a Virtual Student Body - or VSB, where students can learn leadership skills and participate in community awareness projects. Home-educated students should be able to participate in community service clubs and organizations, particularly those that offer scholarship grants, so we are working hard to make that happen. In addition, student members of the VSB can lobby their own student body government to resolve issues that home educated students face.

SHEA's sports program is like none other currently offered to home educators. Every child should have the opportunity to learn how to play a variety of sports, without the pressure of feeling like they must compete, or they are not "good enough" to be on a team. Our training program will help students focus on learning the sport, with less emphasis on competition. Area Leaders will be able to coordinate a variety of sports and physical education programs that have been developed by SHEA specifically for home educated students. You don't have to be a professional or have years of experience to play, just get out there and learn. Our leaders will encourage peer development, so that those who do have more experience can help with the teaching (just another way for kids to learn service). This is an excellent program, and is available through Area Leaders. If it is the parent's desire that the child compete in a sport they are excelling at, the Area Leader or the SHEA Regional office will assist the family in locating an AAU team.

Field trips for home educators should be academically-oriented as well as fun for the whole family. In addition to regional field trips such as the annual Not Back to School Days at Disneyland, the Tall Ships expedition to Catalina Island, and the Family Retreat; SHEA will offer a host of local field trips that are coordinated through Area Leaders. You do not have to be a member of SHEA to attend our field trips - they are designed to maximize your networking opportunities so all home educators are invited. Fundraising opportunities will be available soon for those who otherwise could not afford to attend these trips. We do not want anyone to miss out on the opportunity to build lifelong memories!

Area Leaders are a key factor to building a strong, regional alliance. SHEA offers training to individuals who are inclusive and willing to learn innovative techniques which encourage growth, and are anxious to advocate home education by example. Some of these will be leaders of an existing home educators group, and others will be joining us with their years of experience in leadership from other arenas to open up new groups. Everyone will bring unique talents to the organization, which will increase the amount of resources available to home educators. If you are a group leader struggling to get your members to participate, SHEA can help you.

Additionally, we hope to provide home educators with resources, tips, and updates to make your job more manageable. From curriculum resources to free downloadable lessons, legal updates to uplifting discussion forums, to our online magazine that is currently in development, we hope that you will find everything you need here. Remember that social activities are about choices, and as a strong regional organization, SHEA can provide more choices for your family!