As a new academic year starts, West Virginia University Jackson’s Mill invites homeschool youth to attend “homeschool days”, an event for homeschool youth in grades K-12 in West Virginia.
Homeschool Days will take place on Oct. 23, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Families are welcome to stay or drop their students off. A variety of activities are offered in the content areas of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM), outdoor education and history education. The programming is grade appropriate and instruction supports the West Virginia Department of Education Content Standards.
WVU Jackson’s Mill provides the ideal setting for outdoor, STEAM and history education experiences, such as a low ropes course, a climbing wall, outdoor cooking, grist milling, candle dipping, historic games, computer science, physical science, engineering design and more.
“Homeschool students should attend these events to participate in hands-on learning experiences with other homeschool youth across West Virginia, learn new skills and build friendships,” Emma Gardner, WVU Extension specialist and teaching assistant professor, said. “During homeschool days, students can engage in experiential learning and learn something outside of traditional curriculum.”
Students will have approximately one hour in each program area, which include outdoor education, history education and STEAM education. Some activities that students may have the opportunity to participate in more specifically include historic food explorations with cornmeal and butter, state parks outdoor education, first aid, historic battle reenactments with water balloons, DNA extractions, earthquake resistant engineering design and more.
“By attending this homeschool event, it provides a unique learning experience for the students,” Gardner said. “It is led by programming experts and allows students to practice social learning skills among other youth their age and gives the opportunity for hands-on learning with specialty equipment in a fun and low-pressure environment.”
Students are welcome to attend multiple Homeschool Days, if interested. One parent explained that her child looked forward to Homeschool Day every month and counted down the days.
“I feel these events are important because they ensure that homeschooled students, who often miss out on traditional school field trips, have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning and build lasting memories with peers at WVU Jackson’s Mill,” Gardner said. “Every student deserves access to enriching educational experiences, and our program helps bridge the gap for the homeschool community.”
Participants can register for Homeschool Days by signing up for WVU Jackson’s Mill homeschool program email list to get all registration links, which are sent out a month before the event.
Registration for the Homeschool Day on Sept. 11 is full, but participants can join the waitlist through ZSuite. For ZSuite internal login, register here. For ZSuite external login, register here.
The registration cost is $20 per child, and additional meals are available for $10 for adults. If you have any questions, contact WVU Jackson’s Mill at 304-269-5100 or email jacksons.mill@mail.wvu.edu.
In an effort to reach youth across the state, families with long drives are welcome to use the affordable lodging options at WVU Jackson’s Mill for events. To book your stay, call 304-269-5100 to reserve a room. For more information about lodging and pricing, click here.
If you want to learn more about WVU Extension, visit extension.wvu.edu or follow @WVUExtension on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.
-WVU-
sd/08/22/24
CONTACT: Sophia Darmelio
Marketing Strategist
WVU Extension
304-293-9490; swd0003@mail.wvu.edu