One of the groups that I belong to is a very small co-op. We have 10 families and each family is responsible for one month. On the third Friday of that month, they host a get together for an event. Yesterday was our first meeting of the new school season and the mom in charge put together a great co-op that I thought I’d share.

The mom in charge this month called the St. John’s River Water Management District and they sent a volunteer to discuss water conservation and protection with the children. She had a model of the land and used all kinds of props (the most popular was the fake poo) to demonstrate for the kids how pollution, run off, and waste affect our environment, our drinking water, and the surrounding wildlife. The kids were engaged and had fun while really learning about the impact we have on our surroundings.

Government agencies, conservation projects, charitable organizations, among others, are all very interested in talking about what they do and what their goals are and when you mention that you’re part of a homeschool group, they’re usually thrilled to come speak. As a matter of fact, I’ve never come across a group, or heard of one that wasn’t interested in addressing the group. It’s great for the kids, exposes them to new and different ideas and causes and it’s good for the groups that come speak as you never know which of the audience members might hear something that sparks an interest in them! As a matter of fact, quite a few of the older kids are already discussing ways to volunteer to help. And in the end, isn’t the goal to raise informed children who are engaged and involved in their surroundings?