Local Support Groups

Local Support Groups

Eastern Panhandle North Central Northwest Southeast Southwest

Herewith, a (partial) list of support groups throughout the state. Many of these groups have regular gatherings and activities; some publish newsletters, and some have websites and e-lists. If you live near any of the surrounding states, be sure to look for support across the border. Find support groups in VA at http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/support/ and in other states at http://www.gomilpitas.com/homeschooling/weblinks/support.htm.

If your support group is not listed here, please email your information to support at wvhea dot org or call 800-736-9843. Thanks!

Eastern Panhandle

Charles Town Christian Home Educators. Leaders: Sandra Kinnaman sandrakinnaman@juno.com; Jane McGillibray sjmcgillibray@frontiernet.net; Rhiannon Babson rhiannonbabson@gmail.com

Hampshire County Homeschoolers http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hampshire_county_homeschoolers/ Contact Kim Rosen kim.a.rosen@gmail.com or 822-5571

Covenant Homeschool Group. Donna Bent msbackhoe@frontiernet.net 876-8535

Fellowship Bible Church Homeschool Group. Colleen Uhlenhoppf 725-1478

Homeschoolers of the Eastern Panhandle. A co-op that meets every Wednesday 1-3 PM at Martinsburg Public Library. Classes currently offered are "Mythology" and "The Physics of Star Trek," geared towards 4th grade level and up. Classes planned for the 2012-13 school year will be divided more by reading and conceptual abilities than age or grade level, with 5th grade and up reading in one group, first to fourth grade in another group. The co-op is free, but there may be a cost for materials. For more information, call Christine Johnson 304-839-9853 or email christinejohnsonrn@yahoo.com.

Jefferson County Christian Homeschools. http://jcchwv.org/

Mineral County. Laura Custer mailto:custer2@charter.net 726-4662

Morgan County Homeschoolers. Morgan County Homeschoolers come in many different shapes and sizes. This group is for everyone, regardless of reasons for homeschooling, religious affiliation or homeschooling style. All are welcome. Pam Mann 258-5189; Cindy Smalley 258-9599.

Mountain Homeschoolers. Helen Lafferty mailto:helencandr@netscape.net 728-4715; Kathie Pierce mailto:tavnkate@myfam.com 728-2574; Pam Jones mailto:Joneshome@ix.netcom.com.

Panhandle Family Schools. Ted and Lena Browne 264-8271; Rusty and Cindy Biedler 229-3640; Scott and Sharon Wolford 263-2284.

Potomac Home Learning Circle -- Our group is based out of Hagerstown, MD, but we have members from Berkeley County, WV. Open to all homeschoolers. For more information, visit www.Phlic.org or email Jessica at ebaith@yahoo.com.

Potomac Valley Christian Home Educators http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pvche/ is a small local co-op that meets every Monday for various activities and field trips. We have families from Hardy, Grant and Pendleton Counties. "We hope to meet more homeschoolers in our area." Email amy@maher.org for more information.

St James Homeschoolers www.sjhomeschoolers.org A Catholic homeschool group for WV’s Eastern Panhandle. We meet the 4th Thursday at 7 pm at the St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Charles Town, WV. If you would like information, please email homeschool@stjameswv.org or call (304) 725-5558.

North Central

Barbour County Homeschoolers. Contact Diane Andrews jjmom4@frontier.com

Catholic Homeschool support group meets on First Fridays in Morgantown & on various days throughout the year for field trips, service projects, family activities & to celebrate the liturgical year. Please contact Patricia Johnson at 304-292-0474 or wildhillclam@gmail.com or Louise Deal at 304-599-3902 or u1b04062@mail.wvnet.edu.

Christian Association Taylor County Homeschoolers (CATCH). Paula Poling 265-0540

Clarksburg Homeschoolers ROCK! We are a Christian homeschool group in Clarksburg, WV, hoping to provide enriching activities for our children in a social setting. We also seek to support and encourage one another in our educational endeavors. On Facebook http://www.facebook.com/groups/155187164510578/

Covered Bridge Christian Home Educators. (Barbour County) Teresa Ward jrward3@citynet.net 457-4084

Fairmont Area Home Schoolers Together (FAHST). The FAHST Support Group currently has member families from Marion, Taylor , and Mon Counties. We meet together for cooperative learning activities, Club Days, Field Trips, Mom's Night Out, Couples Nights, Spelling Bee, Learning Fairs, Seasonal Parties, Testing Center, and more. We have serious textbook curriculum followers and unschoolers too. The group's leaders are welcoming and inclusive Christians. Most group members are Christians-- some are not-- and we get along really well-- and like each other! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FAHSTmemberfamilies/ Betsy Batson bpaigebatson@yahoo.com

Families Realizing Excellence in Education (FREE) (Buckhannnon and surrounding area) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FREE_WV_/ Contact Amy Karnes amy.karnes@sago.com and Christina Rogers cmrogers926@suddenlink.net or cmrogersmom@gmail.com.

Harrison County Homeschool Group. We are located in Harrison County, WV. We welcome all parents that are homeschooling or are planning to homeschool in the future. If you are thinking about homeschooling, but are not sure if it is right for you, please join to learn more. All members must be approved. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisonCountyHomeschoolGroup/

HIP – Homeschooling In Preston. An inclusive group located in Preston County, WV striving to bring together the local homeschool community. We look forward to field trips, informal get-togethers, and even some structured classes. Anyone in the surrounding areas, including MD and PA, is welcome to join. We welcome all styles of homeschoolers. So whether you are using a boxed curriculum, making your own or unschooling, please join us. We have our first Meet & Greet and curriculum swap on Oct. 8th at Brown's Park in Kingwood, WV. You can check out the blog at http://hip-homeschoolinginpreston.blogspot.com/.

Learning Out Loud. www.learningoptions.us A co-op under the auspices of Learning Options, Inc. Meets weekly in the Fairmont area September - May. Mary Ellen Sullivan mary.ellen@frontiernet.net 304-795-4388.

Monongalia Area Homeschoolers Assn (MAHA). http://monhomeschoolers.blogspot.com/ An organization of homeschooling families in Monongalia County, West Virginia, and surrounding areas. We are dedicated to serving the needs of homeschoolers in our area, and providing information to all those interested in homeschooling. Services we provide: newsletters, field trips, monthly meetings, playgroup, special events and activities, annual testing, portfolio evaluators. MAHA is open to any homeschoolers or those interested in homeschooling in our area. Our purpose is to provide support to all families involved in home education regardless of educational philosophies and approaches. We welcome people of all races, religions, lifestyles, and approaches to homeschooling. E-list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monongaliahomeschoolers/. For more info, email MonHomeschoolers@gmail.com.

Mothers Encouraging Christian Home Education (MECHE) meets the first Thursday of the month. Kim Kincell (testing@chewv.org) would be happy to send information about location, time, and scheduled topics. Other activities vary depending on the moms who sponsor.

Special needs homeschoolers support group -- Anyone dealing with children learning outside the norm, medical or emotional issues that impact your homeschooling http://specialneedshomeschooling.com/ experience, or parents homeschooling with their own special need is welcome. Fairmont area. Contact: Heather Laurie blueknightdawn@yahoo.com 304.376.1504

Trinity Home Educators Supporting In Service (THESIS). The group meets at Trinity Assembly of God, 70 Maranatha Dr, Fairmont, WV 26554. Hector & Ileana Martinez 842-4293; Matt & Heather Sprenger 363-8174; Brad & Liz DeRoos 534-5822.

Calhoun Co. area. We have a very eclectic homeschool group that meets on Wednesdays at Chloe Park on Rt. 16 @ 11 am. For more info, email Rosanne. rosanne.rankine@yahoo.com

Christian Home Educators of Jackson County. Allen and Barbie Null 372-8100 or email Andrya McDonald mmcdonald@citynet.net

Jackson County Homeschool Support Group. A group of homeschooling families from Jackson Co., WV, and the surrounding counties who want the very best for our children. This is not a "formal group" to join, and no fee is involved. Our goal is to interact with other homeschoolers for field trips, games, parental support, etc.Sherri Stahlman 372-8721

Ritchie County Home Educators. http://ritchiecountyhomeeducators.blogspot.com/ A great resource for homeschool information. We are a very diverse group. Our members include families large and small, new to homeschooling and old pros. We are blessed to have a few teachers and other former professionals in our group, as well as many different religions and educational philosophies. We are a support group designed for parents or grandparents who homeschool their own children or grandchildren.

Society of Home Learners for Independent and Natural Education (SHINE) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MOVFL/ A collection of families that have chosen a lifestyle outside of school. We are an open door for current and potential home educators, regardless of religious conviction or method of "schooling." SHINE serves families in the Parkersburg-Marietta area of the Mid-Ohio Valley. Rachel Hyde 424-5250 rrhyde@hotmail.com; Elizabeth McClung 424-6602 emcclung2000@charter.net

Wood County Christian Homeschoolers. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WCCH/ A group of homeschooling families that support and encourage one another in our God-given ministry of teaching our children at home. This group is open to anyone who is presently homeschooling or is interested in learning more about it. Barb Holbert 295-5750

Cabell County Home School List http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CabellCoHS/. For ANYONE who learns at home in the Cabell Co. area and wants to converse, make friends and share information and experience. Of course everyone is welcome to join and please do! But please understand that our conversations will probably remain geared towards our local area.

ENRICH co-op meets every other Friday at Perrow Church in Cross Lanes. We are a Christian-based group offering classes from nursery up to about age 13. ENRICH holds open registration every semester with classes running from September through December and February through May. Though our class offerings fluctuate every semester, this semester we will be offering a class on deconstruction/construction, science, drama, and country studies. ENRICH begins at 9:30 and concludes around 12:00 with picnic-style lunch and play/social time. If you are interested in joining or would like more information, please contact Tascia Curry tasciacurry@gmail.com, Jamie Snuffer jamiesnuffer@yahoo.com, or Kelly Casebolt casebolt6@suddenlink.net.

Kanawha-Putnam Home Educators. http://kphe.knotworkdesign.com/ Christian support group for the greater Charleston area. Academic and social events including chess club, horsemanship, crafts, keepers of the faith clubs, chemistry labs, and art classes. Find KPHE on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KPHEWV.

Tri-State Homeschoolers. tristatehomeschoolers.org We are an inclusive group in the Cabell and Wayne counties area. We welcome people of all faiths and homeschooling styles. We have no membership fees. Some of our activities include monthly skating, project day, homeschool band, teen activities and Mom's Night Out. All homeschoolers are welcome to join in our activities. Send email to tshomeschoolnews@homtail.com or phone Melinda Vance at 304-521-9752

Wayne County Homeschool Support Group (WCHSG). We are a Christian-based support group for Wayne County, West Virginia and surrounding areas. Our group enjoys getting together for various activities such as visiting museums, bowling, parks, and more. You can find us on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/groups/wchsg/ to contact us and find out about the activities we are planning.

Greenbrier Homeschool Co-op Martha Snider 536-2183 (if you get call interrupt, use code 5674) SndHomer@aol.com

McDowell County Christian Home Educators Assn (MCCHEA). Karen Wilson kwotr@aol.com; Pat Barker 436-5023

Raleigh Educational Assn of Christian Homeschoolers (REACH) exists to support, encourage, and promote Christian home educators in excellence by providing activities, opportunities, information, and guidance. Some of the activities REACH members are involved in include: band, co-op classes, sports, field trips, Mom's Night Out, testing, and various ministries. http://www.reachhome.org/

Eastern Panhandle: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arc-homeschool/ An inclusive group of homeschoolers in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. We welcome anyone interested in group activities for all ages. The group is open to all homeschooling philosophies, including self-directed and unschooling. We encourage everyone to plan an activity that is open to group members. Information about our annual conference and monthly newsletters can be found at http://ephsc.org/.