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 â˜† Summer Workshops! â˜† 
Elementary, Middle, & High

InPerson, Online, & Outside!

We now offer fun short 4 week summer sessions! Classes are a mix of locations, days, and times. Some are in-person, some are online, some are outside! They might be small group classes or 1-on-1 tutoring. Read on and join us for some summer educational experiences! Please read about our fees and policies under the Fees tab, to better understand those details, as well as the About Us tab, for our stance on diversity, sick policy and more, to be sure we are a good fit for your family. Please use the Registration Form found on the "More" tab above to begin enrollment.  Parents are welcome to enroll their children in 1 or more drop-off classes.  Once a class becomes full, a waitlist will be started. You will be notified by the email you list on your Registration Form, about class status.  You may need to check your spam folder for our email. Please read about our class philosophy on the About Us Page, under the "More" tab above.  We believe in the benefits of mixed age classrooms and acknowledge skills and concepts as a continuum of learning.  Elementary classes include a range of activities, skills, and extension lessons in place to support all learning styles and levels.  Some classes are listed as Elem/Middle or Middle/High, for a wider range of ages, and will be tailored to the majority age range.   Please stay to assist your child as needed if they are struggling with completing activities, or having difficulty coping within this structured classroom environment.  Also consider a partial schedule, as learning to cope in social settings can be exhausting at any age. Our minimum age for elementary classes is 7yo, due to length of classes, readiness levels for structured activities, and number of students.  We often offer PreK classes for the younger set, and the possible opportunity for ready 6yos to attend Elementary level classes. Anyone interested in a Mommy Play Group for our Littlest Ones (1-4yo) on Thursdays, please inquire. You are asked to supervise your child on the grounds when they are not in class.   As well, a small snack between classes is advised if a child cannot wait until their schedule is finished.  Masks are welcome but not required. We ask that all families stay home when recovering from illness, or wear masks when questionable, to respect the health of all families and tutors, and honor our diversity of comfort levels. PreK-5 year olds are welcome to play together outside under parent supervision.

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* Summer Registration will officially open Saturday May 24th 10am . 

Please wait until 10am to submit your completed Registration form found under its own tab, then send your $32 Family Registration Fee through our new link button, to complete your registration process.  You will receive a reply within 24 hrs from our THC Gmail, as your form is processed manually throughout the day.  Thanks!!

Please check age ranges in class descriptions below. Jot down your class choices to help you register! ​Scroll below for descriptions and more.  Thank you! Enjoy this term's selections:

Forest Academy!

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Forest Academy
Elem/Middle/High (ages 5-16)

Mondays in July from 10am~12pm

(Pre-Registered Drop-ins welcome, for those on vacation!)

Join us for The Homeschool Collective Forest Academy at Codorus State Park in Hanover, PA! 

 

Anything we teach in a traditional indoor classroom can also be taught outdoors with amazing benefits. In Forest Academy our outdoor classroom will be hands-on using our real life surroundings to inspire practical natural lessons. Freed from the regulated environment of the indoor classroom, children can be more relaxed, more willing to try new things and more motivated to participate in the lessons provided. We are pleased to be bringing Forest Academy to the Homeschool Collective. Where we will have a wild range of activities from science, math, literature art, physical well-being, humane nature practices and more. In this community we will connect with our land, ourselves and one another through being one with nature. 

 

Here are some of the activities that will be on our summer schedule…. 

Weed Walks~ We will enjoy walks in nature while we learn how to identify local plants and how to harvest them humanely. 

Nest Making~ Build a bird’s nest using only materials you find outside. Students will participate in this engineering challenge. They will use science, incorporate math skills with measurements, estimation, and weights too. 

Nature Painting~ We will make artwork by only using natural elements. We will learn how to create natural paint out of natural plants. We will also forage for different paint brushes and stamps to use with our natural paints. 

Mud Art is an abundant and attractive medium for creation, exploration, and adventure. Playing with mud engages all the senses, encourages creativity, and creates long-lasting childhood memories. As parents, we see mud and only see a mess. At Forest Academy the students have permission to get dirty. 

 

Students will be participating in different STEM activities. STEM activities have a vast array of benefits for children as~ Critical thinking skills, Teamwork, Collaboration, Creativity, Hands-on experience, Problem solving, Boosts curiosity, Encourages experimentation, Cognitive development, Fostering innovation and so much more. 

 

Parents who choose forest schools do so because they believe in the positive effects nature has on children. A recent study showed that children who grow up surrounded by nature have up to a 55 percent lower risk of developing mental illnesses later in life. Another study found that children whose schools have more green space had higher cognitive development. And there are many other tangible benefits for children when they spend time in nature. 

 

Nature is alway trying to talk to us. She has great secrets to tell.

If only we would slow down and listen. 

See you in the forest!! 

 

Forest Academy $70 for 4 week session, or $25/week

(For those who may be away, pre-registered drop-in weeks are available for $25/week!)

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Jessica Homan is a Spiritual Mentor, Author, Artist, Poet and a proud Homeschool Mama. She loves to use her talents to inspire her clients and students to live intentional lifestyles. Jessica lives with her husband and three teenage children, where she loves swimming, gardening, meditation and being alone in nature. During the summer months she travels to the shore, as nothing makes her feel more at peace and grounded than wading in the healing energies of natural salt water.

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Julia Hancock has been teaching students for 25 years, with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Middle School Education, a Master's in School Counseling, and certifications in music and the Montessori method.  As a musician and nature lover, she is inspired by children, music, and nature, and brings energy and a creative spirit to the learning process. For the last nine years Julia has enjoyed homeschooling with her daughter and offering many clubs and classes to their local homeschool community.

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Wednesdays in Abbottstown
July 9, 16, 23, 30
9am-12pm 

​(Register for 1 or more!)

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​◇ And More Online & Outdoor Classes listed below! â—‡

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July

Meditating
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Writing by the Water
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9:15am Yoga
10-12pm Classes & Lunch
12:30-1pm Instrument Sessions
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Sunlight Yoga Adventures:
9:15am.  All Ages, teens & adults!
Come greet the morning together with a delightful 30 minute outdoor stretch, as we adventure through the jungle, soar in the sky, and swim in the waters of our imagination! Yoga-ish poses meets storytelling in this fun version of not-so-yoga for kids of all ages. Exploring a bit of Patanjali's 8 limbs of yoga, we'll safari though breath, mindset, meditation and movement together, as we play in this space where body meets imagination!
Julia Hancock. 
4 week Fee: $30.  1 Class Fee: $10
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Stranger Than Fiction (Lit): 
10am. Ages 12+
Have you ever read a story and wondered, “How did the author come up with that?" What if the truth was stranger than you thought?  In Stranger Than Fiction, students will learn over a four week period the real stories behind storytellers such as the disappearance of Agatha Christie, the alien abduction of Whitley Strieber, the ghost story challenge that birthed Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the real body behind Stephen King’s body of work, and the reclusive strangeness of J.D. Salinger, whose book The Catcher in the Rye forever holds a connection to the assassination of John Lennon.  Jessica Stephens. $40

Nature Journaling with Watercolors & Poetry: 
10am ages 9-12.  11am teens & adults.
Let's practice observing and appreciating the beauty of nature! Whether in person or on Zoom, we'll find joy in the small living details around us, capture them with watercolors, and add a bit of poetry and prose, for a calming outdoor journaling experience. ​No art skills needed.
  Julia Hancock. $40
 
The Lost Colony:  11am. Ages 9-12.
The lost colony of Roanoke Island is a question mark etched into the surface of America’s history, a mass disappearance of 115 colonists in what would become the state of North Carolina that was never fully explained, regardless of the many theories and unearthed evidence. Travel to 1587, learn the story, learn its clues, and perhaps solve the mystery that historians never could of Roanoke Island. Jessica Stephens. $40

Kids Teach:  10am. Ages 7-11.
In this unique class, students will take turns becoming the teacher, sharing their passions and skills with their peers. Each student will have the opportunity to present something they love and the topic and style is theirs to choose! This class fosters confidence, communication skills, and leadership as students learn how to explain and demonstrate their expertise. It also encourages curiosity and teamwork, as classmates ask questions and engage in hands-on activities led by their peers. By the end of the course, students not only gain new knowledge but also develop a sense of community and appreciation for each other’s talents. Kristin Hoffman. $40

Amazing American Women: 
 11am. Ages 8-10.
You’ve heard of Abigail Adams and Harriet Tubman. Maybe Harriet Beecher Stowe and Mary Cassatt. But have you heard of Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumper, Ann Moore, or Joan Cooney? We’re going to dive into the stories of some of the famous AND lesser known (but not any less important!) American women who made history because of their achievements. We’ll be using “A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women” as the base for this crash course on American women. There could be a Part 2 in the fall if enough interest. Kristen Hoffman. $40

 
Guitar 101: All ages, & adults.
Introducing guitar and bass guitar! Learn chords, picking styles, and more in this fun basic level class for 1-2 students per half hour, starting at 1230pm. Julia Hancock $80
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Native Flutes 101:All ages & adults.
Learn to play native flutes or recorders with ease in this fun basic level class for 1-2 students per half hour,  starting at 1230pm. Julia Hancock $80 â€‹â€‹
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Online Workshops

PreK/Elem/Middle/High (ages 5-16)

Join us from home & keep your summer curious!

Jessica Stephens - -


Bunnicula 3: The Celery Stalks at Midnight - 

Ages 8-11.  Online. 

Continue the exciting saga as we dive into our next mystery in this favorite series!  Storymaps, comic drawings, and crafty predictions as we read in class and try to solve this next case!

Thursdays 11am, starting 6/26.

Week fee: $20. (per student)


Walden Pond: Henry David Thoreau-

Ages 12-16. Online.

​Explore the life and poetry of Thoreau, as writer,  environmentalist, abolitionist, and proto-anarchist. Discussions, reflections, and nature appreciation assignments fill this class with creativity.  Henry David Thoreau is not just an example of a person in American history, but of American history itself, and the spirit of one unwilling to back down from what mattered to him. 

Thursdays 1pm 

(Other date/times available)

4 Week fee: $40. (per student)


French 1-

All ages.  Online.

Begin French lessons 1-on-1, with fun engaging themes each week on Zoom. C'est très bien! 

​ Mondays or Tuesdays, flexible times. 

4 Week fee: $40. (per student)


Film Club: Making of Lord of the Flies Adaptation - 

We need background characters! Join in the filming of this teen-scripted modern adaptation! Dates and Locations tbd through the summer, in Hanover or Gettysburg, depending on scenes and schedules. No cost!

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Julia Hancock - -


Boating 101:

Kayaks, Paddleboard, & Sailboat!!  

All ages, adults too!

Come learn balance, steering, water safety and more in this​ fun immersive introductory outdoor experience on Lake Marburg, Codorus.  I have 2 Kayaks,  paddleboard,  and mini 2 person sailboat to share, focusing on a different boat each week. You can also rent them at the marina shop, if you prefer or need more. Parent can enroll as well or simply monitor from shore; no drop offs please. 

Mondays or Fridays.  Flexible times. 

4 Week fee: $60. 1wk: $20. (per person)


Phonics Fun for Almost Readers: Word Families, short vowels, Blends etc. Ages 5-8Online.

Join us for fun interactive games that practice these foundational reading skills towards decoding and words building. Letter Sound Stories for those who need review, and beginning writing efforts for those who are ready.  Let's try together!

Tuesdays 11am

Small Group 4 Week Fee (per child): $40.

  Or 1-on-1 rate: $20/hr

 
Math Review: All ages,  Online.

Interactive game-style tutoring for any skill your child needs! Live engaging online fun, as 1-on-1 or small groups, using toys, puzzle props, learning palettes, and screen drawing!
Elem - skip counting/math facts, time/money, adding/subtracting.
Middle/High - mult/div facts, hands on Geometry, Algebra, fractions fun.

Tuesdays or Fridays. Flexible times,

​ Small Group 4 Week Fee (per child): $40.

  Or 1-on-1 rate: $20/hr

Register now & keep your child connected  & curious!

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