Local Resources
Some people wonder if they homeschool, how will they or their children ever meet anyone else? No, you don't have to join a co-op - although you can. And, no, you don't have to stay isolated - although you can. The longer you homeschool, the more you will find you have to actually struggle to keep the "home" in homeschool. There are more opportunities around this area than you will have time, money, and energy to do. It is also perfectly fine to participate in none of these opportunities. Staying home is valuable! Here are some of our favorite opportunities, not all are exclusively homeschool opportunities. If you know of something not listed, please email us.
Arts
- William King Museum art classes, camps, changing exhibits in the museum, docent led tours are available
- Paper Moon Studio art classes, some for homeschoolers - CLOSED, but offering some summer camps
- Holtston Mountain Artisans - classes
- Fine Arts Teacher Ronald Bayens - Mr. Bayens is currently providing fine art training for students in middle and high school. Please contact him for times, availability and cost.
Bible Study
- Community Bible Study - Ladies Bible study, homeschool groups for elementary through high school, meets on Thursday mornings
- eTeen - an evening Community Bible Study for teens, led by a local homeschool grandparent team, while not only a homeschool group, many homeschool children attend
- Bible Bowl - local group
- Bright Lights/Bitty Brights - 2 local groups for girls 6-10, 11+ - email for details
- Highlands Fellowship has a "Kids Small Group" Bible study on Wednesday nights for 1st through 6th graders (and other programs for older kids). This is not just for homeschool children. The link to attend is at the bottom of the page.
Clubs
- Trail Life - Christian Boy Scout type club, meets weekly in Abingdon - not exclusively homeschoolers, although homeschoolers are involved
- Lego Club - meets once a month in Abingdon during the school year with various themes
- Shakespeare Club -
Co-ops/Classes in Area
- CHATT - Classical Christian Co-op for Abingdon
- HELP
- TEACH
- KACHEA
- NATHEA
- Bristol Academy - classes for high school homeschoolers
- Charlotte Mason Book Discussion group for parents, contact Living Books Library for dates/times.
- Charlotte Mason Soiree Society - focused on the study of Charlotte Mason's Volumes
- Overmountain Academy - Former school teacher/homeschool mom offers science intensives - Also, find out more on Facebook
- Oak Cottage - a Charlotte Mason enrichment program in Kingsport, TN
Dual Enrollment/College
- Virginia Highlands Community College
- Blue Field College - Online courses
- Get Unbound An online resource to help plan a unique college experience for your high schooler or graduate - online, in-person, CLEP, AP... They have connections with over 750 institutions.
Farms/Zoos
- Fern Valley - farm animals/garden tours for children (540) 273-9137
- Dreamland Alpacas - tours
- Brights Zoo
Libraries
- Living Books Libraries - a private, membership library in Bristol, specializing in out-of-print books, owned by a local homeschool family.
- Bristol Public Library - story time, book clubs,
- Washington County Libraries - special homeschool activity days, currently Wednesdays at 2:30
- Kidz Place - free for Washington county residents to check out of games, books, and educational resources - mostly targeted for pre-school and elementary age students
Living History
- Rocky Mount - lots of special days, plus homeschool days in September
- Muster Grounds - Abingdon summer day camps
- Exchange Place in Kingsport, TN offers a homestead apprentice training program for young people
- Crab Orchard - in Tazewell, VA offer apprentice training program
- Sycamore Shoals - Elizabethton, TN
- Davey Crocket State Park - TN - Lots to learn on Davey Crocket days
Music
- Kindermusik
- Children's Choir: Emory Virginia Children's Choir (EVCC) Highlands Youth Ensemble (HYE) (Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy) - EVCC is fantastic younger choir opportunity. They meet at Emory and Henry college on Thursdays from 4-5:30 - grades 1 to 8. HYE is for high school and meets in Bristol.
- Junior Appalachian Musicians
- TriCities Homeschool Band
- Celebration Church Worship Arts ministry
- King University offers a summer Choral Camp - rising 4th through 12th
- Private Music Lessons - There are many wonderful music teachers in the Abingdon Area. Those listed with an * are GRACEduacator graduates and either have or are pursuing a music degree. These teachers may not have openings or times that work for you, but it is a place to start. If you'd like to add another teacher for the group to know about, please email us:
- Piano - * Eva King, * Emily McCraw
- Cello - * Bethany Dawson
- Violin - * Bethany Dawson
- Voice - * Rachel Dawson
Nature
- Steele Creek Nature Center - monthly nature walks, camps, nature center
- Warrior's Path State Park - summer nature programs, Weekly Outdoor Wanders, also check their facebook page
- Roan Mountain - quarterly naturalist rallies, great events for children -
- Rooster Front Park - check with Friend's of Steele Creek for events sometimes held here
- The Creeper Trail - walking, running, biking
- Lake Estanoa Wetlands - St. Paul - offers nature programs
- Blue Ridge Discovery Center - offers nature programs, naturalist rallies, and summer camps.
- Other places for exploring include - Backbone Rock, Natural Tunnel, Bristol Caverns, Appalachian Caverns, Bay's Mountain and hunting for the wild horses on Mt. Rogers.
Podcasts/Audio
A few GRACE families have national podcasts.
- A Delectable Education, focusing on the Charlotte Mason Method of education
- HomeWise, focusing on seeking Christian wisdom for homeschool and families concerns.
Science
- KidsTech - meets twice a year on a Saturday, not just for homeschool families, but a great opportunity for 9 -12 year olds.
- 4-H - Washington County 4H club - Crystal Peek
- Lego League
- Hayters Gap Library and Glade Spring library are hosting weekly STEAM days. Please check with them for the details.
Sports
- Upward Football and Cheer
- ACTS basketball - a homeschool league for boys and girls, ages 5-18, through GRACEd - Appalachian Christian Team Sports
- Highlands Soccer
- Little League
- High School baseball may be available through Appalachin Christian Academy
- Swim Team, both year round and a summer league - Coomes Center
- Golf - First Tee - has an exclusively homeschool group
- Gymnastics - Mountain Empire Gymnastics - Abigndon and Hart Gymnastics - Marion, VA - Both have had homeschool classes, contact for current info.
- Bristol Ballet
- Grace Studio of Motion and Dance
- Highlands Ballet
- Kingsport Ballet offers a Spring and Winter school performance for a low fee
- Karate - Omega - taught by a homeschool dad
- Lacrosse - contact Bristol Rage LAX
- Skiing/Snowboarding - great homeschool day deals
- Celebration Worship Arts ministry - dance, art, music
- Volleyball - ACTS has a new team forming for middle and high school homeschool students - contact through GRACEd
- PE - GRACEd is hosting a PE class for members 5 and up. Cost is $5 a child/ $10 per family.
Summer Fun
- Kingsport Waterpark
- Saltville Wavepool
- Steele Creek Park splashpad
Theater