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Local Activities, Classes, and Programs for Homeschoolers This page has been improved for navigation and moved to HERE This page is an archive directory of links and/or contacts to local activities, programs and classes that are either specifically targeted for Christian homeschoolers or would be considered wholesome homeschool opportunities. Webpage links are in blue (purple if you've visited that site before), so click on those to go to that website. Email links have the email address @ in them. Click on those to bring up your internet mail to contact the organization or person. A few activities are well-known favorites to us "old timers," but many are little known and are hidden jewels! Programs and activities can change often, so if you come upon a link that is dead, or an organization that is no longer offering its activity or program, or if you find that the activity is not well suited for homeschool families that hold a Christian or wholesome-type worldview, please click on Contact Us (at the side bar) to let us know. Many of these programs post pertinent information about their seasonal schedules or specials on our CHOC Talk Forums of "Curriculum and Services" or our "Calendar Talk," so be sure to check those forums for their latest data (click on CHOC Talk Forums on the side bar). Academies with Extension Diplomas and Learning Co-Ops Basic Skills/New Covenant Christian Academy Basic Skills has been providing Christian educational support and encouragement to the home schooling community for over 20 years now. We provide many educational services to help you and your student succeed. Our Diploma Program provides support for families who are home schooling through the middle and high school years with a program advisor, quarterly meetings, and a transcript of work completed. The TRACKS programs is very similar to the Diploma Program, but is aimed at elementary students. In addition we offer short and long term tutoring in the core subject areas, curriculum consultations, and weekly home school management. Home school students can also take advantage of onsite classes, hosted by Basic Skills at our Oregon City campus. In these classes quality instruction is delivered to students in small group settings by qualified teachers, many of whom have substantial home schooling experience. We also now provide westside classes. For more information about all the services Basic Skills provides, please visit our website linked above or call our office at 503-650-5282. (Oregon City/Beaverton) Cor Deo Academy This Christian school is sponsored by SW Hills Baptist Church (9100 SW 135th, Beaverton, OR). Fifty minute classes are taught Monday, Wednesday, Friday in various subjects; Tuesdays and Thursdays students are studying and learning under the parent's supervision at home. Homeschoolers are welcome to take 1 or more classes. High school classes will be expanded next year (2007-2008) to include: English, US History, Biology, Chemistry, Algebra I, II, Geometry, and Greek. (Beaverton) UPDATED! The Home School Connection seeks to provide a setting for home schooling families to come together and establish connections with one another in order to draw strength, encouragement and a fresh love of learning. Our foremost aim is to put God first in all that we do so that His love will be manifest within and through us. HSC offers a Family School co-op and Connect High classes for children age 5 years through high school. Classes for junior and senior high schoolers are taught by parents and professionals. Please see our website for more information or for High School classes call Megan Nixon at 503 640 6455, or grade school classes call Danell Macy at 503 372 9469. TREC Academy TREC Academy is an acronym meaning Taking Responsibility for Educational Choices. "We are a private Christian alternative school for Jr. High and High school students. TREC Academy is a God inspired creation in response to needs of home schoolers, struggling students and students who wish to excel academically. Our personal beliefs have compelled us to offer an opportunity for learning where family involvement is still practiced and faith in Christ is the backbone of the classroom." TREC offers a variety of enrollment choices including full-time student to "ghost student," those who meet once a week for instruction and lesson planning but are schooled at home by their parents. Adult classes are also offered to teach parents how to school their own children as well as classes for financial and spiritual growth. Visit their website for more information. (Eagle Creek) Village Home "Village Home is a learning community providing academic and social enrichment and resources for families who choose to home educate." They originally started as a charter-type supplemental school, but in 2006 severed their ties to the public school system and became a for-tuition hybrid co-op/private school geared towards parents who desire to be actively involved with their child's education. They have a large number of educational classes and activities to choose from, which may be purchased individually. They are fully secular with no affiliation to the church whose building they rent from. Some of the activities they have sponsored are a Lego Robotics team and chess club, and hosted a Scripps Spelling Bee. They are located at 5150 SW Watson Avenue Beaverton, OR (Beaverton) Educational Classes and Instructors ArtWaves "Our vision is to give children the knowledge; skills and inspiration to express them selves creatively, to help them grow and expand their minds, and build self-esteem by letting them know that their creative selves have no limits. To bring art education to children so they may develop all facets of their potential." Check our website for more details about us and our available workshops or call 503-531-0935 or email artwaves@mac.com. Barnehage Activity Group at Grieg Lodge is a fun, non-threatening way for children to learn Norwegian. We provide dual-language learning through play, facilitated by experienced bilingual teachers. We meet on Saturday mornings from 9-10 am. The address is: Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97232. There are activities, playtime, but no snack served. Please contact Karen Thompson at ktmoonblue@yahoo.com for more information.
Bella Canto Choir for Homeschoolers. New to Portland Metro Area! Choir Levels: Allegro, Ages 4-7; 1-hr. class; $20/month. Director: Chelsea Cafferky. Arpeggio, Ages 8-12; 1 ¼ hr. class; $25 month. Director: Lynette Isaak.
Cantilena, Ages 13-18; 1 ½ hr. class; $30/month. Director: Kathy Lokteff.
Music Fee: $25.00 per family; Registration Fee: $15/year. Each term includes a variety of music: worship, contemporary Christian, and more! Classes include vocal training, theory, games, choreography/drama and lots of fun! Qualified and experienced teachers are anxious to provide a high-quality music education for your homeschooled child/ren. Three locations to choose from – Beaverton, Portland, and Oregon City. Classes on Tuesday or Thursday. A choir handbook is available by contacting Lynette Isaak at believe@colton.com or call 503-824-3637. Private and group instrument lessons in drums, guitar, piano, violin and voice will be offered at each location, as well as a possible musical theater program each term. Choose your location and come join us! 7/16/08 This program has been suspended due to director's health issues. Christian Youth Theater (CYT) is an after-school theater arts training program for students ages 6-18. Since its founding in 1981 in San Diego, California, CYT has grown to be the largest youth theater in the nation. CYT is dedicated to developing character in children and adults through training in the arts and by producing wholesome family entertainment, all of which reflect Judeo-Christian values. CYT stands in the forefront in its commitment to the highest ethical, moral, technical and artistic standards of excellence. Instructors are professionals, qualified in teaching and/or performing, who must understand our mission statement, values, objectives and goals. All CYT staff strive to be excellent role models. CYT currently has a branch in Portland/Vancouver and seeks to expand further in the Portland metro. For information about CYT, classes, its instructors, and current shows, please go to its website as linked or contact them at cytvanport@gmail.com or call 360.750.8550 Elaine Butler, Music Teacher. These private music lessons and orchestra classes are offered in Estacada, Oregon, through the Estacada Community Schools and Clackamas Community College. Classes include: Piano (classical and gospel), orchestra, voice lessons, music theory, and performance coaching. Private lessons $30.00 per hour. Family classes available. Orchestra class for string players $50.00 per term includes books. Elaine Butler is well-known in the homeschool community as a support group leader, manager of the Philip Foster Farm, and music teacher. She is the artistic director of the Estacada First Baptist Church worship band, and performs professionally for weddings, funerals and local events. She has been teaching private students for over 30 years. For current class information, please contact Elaine Butler at elaineb@cascadeaccess.com (best contact method) or call
503-341-7256. (Estacada/Clackamas) English Country Dance Classes. ECD is a style of dance that could be described as a genteel square dance--a line dance with geometric patterns and gracious civility done to Baroque, English Country, and Classical music. It was popular during the Regency period (Jane Austen's time--think PBS movie Pride and Prejudice--ECD was the dance style in that). Classes are taught by Laura Plett (a homeschool alumni) every Thursday night, from 7 to 8:30pm, at various locations in McMinnville (currently at the McMinnville Grand Ball Room, but check with Laura). Generally once a month, a ball is given at an announced address (nice Sunday church or formal attire is required and many participants dress up in Regency style costume). Classes are open to anyone interested aged 13 through adult (many families come!) Cost is $3 per person per lesson with a discount given if paid for by month as well as a monthly family rate. Contact Laura at maidoflorien@onlinemac.com for more information. (McMinnville) Freedom School. The Freedom School is the efforts of a homeschooling mom in the Beaverton area. It sponsors field trips, classes, and other fun stuff. It asks: "Check often for new listings on our page as new things come along. Come once, or often, the choice is yours, and you are sure to make friends." (Beaverton) George Fox University Homeschool Science Courses — George Fox education and science undergraduates teach science courses in campus laboratories to about 360 homeschool and local elementary students. Between six and nine eight-week classes are offered a year. (beginning end of September for fall semester; beginning end of January for spring semester). The only cost to students is for materials used ($60 at the time of this post). One of the science classes is presented in Spanish free of charge to local Hispanic students. GFU is located at 414 N. Meridian Street, Newberg, Oregon. Click into the highlighted link for more information and the GFU contact person. (Newberg) Christy Goodell, ASL Teacher (BA and Masters in ASL/Deaf Education) I am an American Sign Language teacher with over fourteen years experience teaching students of all ages and needs: Baby sign, Montessori, Middle School, High School, home schooling, large groups like playgroups, Special Education including Cerebral Palsy & Autistic children/adults. I offer the following services: Conversation Classes; Tutouring; Grammar; Vocabulary; and Group Classes. I focus not only on signing conversation skills but also vocabulary, fingerspelling, culture, grammar, history and more. I use a variety of materials, handouts, games and activities; I teach in both 'voice off & voice on' styles. I'm patient, fun, easy going and eager to teach! My rates are $30/hr for individuals; $25/hr per person for groups. I am available to teach in late afternoons, early evenings and/or weekends. Call 503-617-0481 if interested. I look forward to hearing from you. (Bethany area) Grieg Lodge Leikarringen (scandinavian dance) is a non-profit group for all ages 4 and up, sponsored by Sons of Norway's Grieg Lodge. We have been in existence since 1934, and have danced at Disneyland, around the Pacific Northwest, and even for Norwegian royalty. No experience necessary; practices are free. We are a performance group. We meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 7:00-8:00 pm at Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97232. Please contact Karen Thompson at ktmoonblue@yahoo.com for more information. Leikarringen of Portland This is a non-profit youth dance group that promotes all types of Scandinavian dancing for Portland area kids. They perform at large Scandinavian events around the pacific northwest as well as smaller venues such as retirement centers. No dance experience is necessary! No equipment is necessary except hard-soled dance-type shoes. (Costumes are required for performances; however, the club has some costumes to loan as well as patterns to help make your own). Children 4 years of age and older are welcome to learn in a multi-age group. (All the kids in a family can dance in the same group on the same night--perfect for homeschooling families!) Parents and other family members are encouraged to become involved in support of the group. Practices are held Tuesday evenings in Portland at St. David's Episcopal Church, 2800 S.E. Harrison (between Belmont and Hawthorne) September through mid-June. Cost is $40 per family per year with one dancer; $60 per family per year with multiple children. For more information, class times, or if your homeschool group would like to visit a practice for a field trip, please contact Christie Stilson, at paradyse@comcast.net. Sponsored by the Daughters of Norway. (SE Portland) Masters School of Art Masters School of Art stresses a return to the techniques of the old masters and a Christ centered philosophy for art. Their Thursday or Friday Home School Program offers classical art classes in the visual and performing arts. The School has several teachers who are committed to excellence in the arts. Students who wish to pursue a career in the arts may apply for college level classes to achieve their MSOA Instructors Certification or MSOA Mastery of the Arts. For more information concerning either program contact MSOA at 503-786-3428 or go to our linked website. (Clackamas) Northwest Worship Academy is headed by Joel Harris, a local worship leader (and homeschooled son of Gregg Harris). It offers lessons on guitar, piano, bass, and drums. Students (many of whom are homeschooled) are trained to play worship music and ultimately gain the skills that enable them to play on worship teams in their local churches. See the website to find several endorsements from parents, students, and pastors as well as information on its rates and multiple locations. (Portland Metro) On Your Toes Ballet Studios From their mission statement: "On Your Toes is a classical ballet school dedicated to serving God by offering quality dance instruction. The purpose of the ballet school is to use dance in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our objective is to train dancers in the finest classical tradition, instilling in them a desire to refine and use their gifts to glorify God. We serve students of all ages, with varying goals and aspirations who desire to study dance. " (Studios located in Clackamas, Oregon City, and Vancouver)
Piano Studio of Paul Grose "Are you looking for an exceptionally talented and highly-qualified teacher with a unique approach to piano performance? Is the student a beginner, either child or adult, who wants to start creating a beautiful sound in just a few lessons? Are you an intermediate or advanced student who is frustrated because you aren't able to execute the technical passages in your increasingly difficult literature? If you've answered 'Yes' to any of these questions, please contact me for the times available in my schedule. I will send you a packet of information that will explain how you can perform beautifully and effortlessly on the piano. I am classically-trained, with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Wheaton Conservatory of Music (IL) and 4 years of post-Conservatory study in Piano Performance and Technique. In my home studio in Tigard, I teach all genres of literature including Jazz, Hymns, Christian Contemporary, etc. For more information, please call (503) 598-9212 to schedule an Interview Lesson." (Tigard) Riegg Spanish Classes Teachers Brad and Marcy Riegg met at the University of Madrid, Spain. They homeschool their 4 children. Brad, with Marcy as his substitute, has taught Spanish professionally to 4th-12th graders for 17 years. As a family, the Rieggs have led several mission trips to Mexico with YFC. For current class information and schedules for their Oregon City and Canby programs, call Brad or Marcy at 503-715-7227, or email bradriegg@gmail.com (Canby/Oregon City) Savvy Minds summer courses are offered in the Portland Metropolitan area. The founder is a professional math teacher and previous instructor with Portland State University's Saturday Academy. The Savvy Minds Method is based on teaching the core content of a traditional high school math class in an intensive, two week course. Savvy Minds focuses on using innovative, and engaging, curriculum to preview the central concepts which are at the heart of a student's year-round math class. By learning these central concepts, students have a solid understanding of the content of their upcoming math class before seeing the content in school. We offer 4 courses: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus. (Course prices were $395 for 2008 with a discount for early enrollment.) For more information, current course schedules, prices, registration, and FREE math helps (click on resources on the home page), please go to our website or contact us at Ideas@savvyminds.org or call 504-442-8899. Smiling Sunshine Art Education. This is the Lake Oswego cottage art studio of Mrs. Angie Schane. Mrs. Schane, who was an interior design student in college, has taught art classes for over 11 years to students of all ages (4 to 44)! She stresses "Art is a life skill and should be a part of every young person’s basic educational program." Through her "Learning to Look" art program, she emphasizes the importance of observing the world around us and applying "what if" thinking skills. Her studio and outdoor space provide an environment where students have the freedom to imagine the "what if" possibilities and then apply skills to produce their vision. Her classes teach art techniques in many mediums as well as art theory and concepts about the world of art itself. Smiling Sunshine Art Education provides open enrollment, group lessons for homeschoolers, and a small class size. See the linked brochure (in pdf format) for more details about current classes and listed endorsements. To register, please contact Mrs. Schane at 503-522-4204 or email her at iteachart1@mac.com (Lake Oswego)
Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District (THPRD), covering most of Washington County (see their district map on their website), offers some homeschool friendly classes and would offer more if there were interest. Secular, but wholesome atmosphere. Past classes have included nature studies, ASL, art, PE classes, swim classes and homeschool swim team. Check their class search and type in homeschool to see what they are currently offering (Fall and Winter/Spring schedules only, i.e. homeschool classes are generally offered only during the school year). Some homeschool classes or drop-ins are not in their booklet or on the online schedules, so call a facility to see if they are currently offering anything for homeschoolers. Unfortunately many classes have been cancelled due to lack of turn out by the homeschool community, so opportunties come and then go at the various facilities. Let's change that! (Washington County) *Note: check in our Curriculum and Services forum on CHOC Talk (see sidebar) for current known homeschool opportunities at the various rec centers. Teresa Williamson, Piano and Flute Lessons. Teresa Williamson has newly moved to the area and has been teaching music lessons for 26 years. She was a music major at the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC and has a music degree. She specializes in the Suzuki method but also teaches in the traditional style. She is accepting students ages 4 through 104. If you are interested please call Teresa at 503-543-2369 for more information. (Scappoose)
Tualatin Valley Studio of Music Private piano, flute, and band instruction is provided to homeschooled students by Jill Gambill. (The instructor is a homeschooling mom too!). Jill holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance and Education from the U of O, has been a private teacher for 25 years in piano, flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, and recorder, and she also has provided a homeschool band program (beginning, intermediate and advanced) for the last 5 years to the homeschool community at various locations in Beaverton. She currently has openings in private flute instruction and all band levels (band cost is $3/child; $5/family per week plus cost of band books). Students must provide their own instrument. For more information please contact Jill at ima.flautist@verizon.net (Beaverton) Miriam English Ward violin and viola studio. I am a viola/violin teacher at Lewis and Clark college. I teach both private lessons or small groups at either my home in Beaverton or at Lewis & Clark College. I have my Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate in performance and have performed personally at an elite level including locally with the Oregon Symphony and Portland Opera. My husband and I have played in worship bands together including the Intervarsity Following Christ Conference in Atlanta. I'm happy to teach anything from classical to contemporary worship styles. I've had homeschoolers in my studios in Madison, Wisconsin, and would love to build a relationship with the homeschool community here. Please contact me at miriamenglish@hotmail.com for more information or call 503-341-1071.
Write Worthy Writing classes and workshops for students in the elementary and middle school grades are offered in a Christian home classroom, in the Beaverton/Hillsboro area. Taught by a professional teacher, these small-group classes provide structure and accountability for teaching writing. The weekly classes are uniquely designed to work in tandem with Christian home schools – while students enjoy the activities and fellowship in class time, parents benefit by writing activities provided for home school lessons. Short-term workshops are also offered, including various writing-related topics and crafts: spelling, poetry, story writing, grammar, calligraphy, bookmaking… Keep your eye on the website for frequent additions and updates! (Beaverton)
Educational Field Trips and Tours Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall back stage tour. Come see the instruments and workings of the orchestra up close and personal. Attend a rehearsal and discuss what it is like to be a musician with one of the orchestra members. Free of charge. (Downtown Portland) Intel has a good tour opportunity. Go to their website to see tour opportunities of their campus facilities. (Hillsboro) Leatherman The Leatherman factory, which is located close to the Portland airport, provides a free tour. It lasts about 1 hour, is recommended for children 7 and above (must be accompanied by at least 1 adult), and is reported to be very interesting. There is also an outlet store at the factory for gift shopping. Go to the website to see tour times and contacts. (NE Portland) NW Medical Teams Real.Life.Exhibit at the NW Medical Teams headquarters in Tigard has been highly recommended to us by a homeschooling family. The exhibit is multi-sensory displays of disaster camps, various medical triage camps, and placement centers around the world. There is also a room with a 25 foot tsuname wave. The purpose of the Real.Life.Exhibit is to empower each viewer to learn “I Can Make a Difference.” Recommended for older children. Teacher resources are available from the website to help prepare students for the tour beforehand as well as resources for follow up assignments afterwards. (Tigard) Peter's Walking Tours by Peter Chausse offers fun and informative walking tours of Downtown Portland, local parks and natural areas. Peter is a former elementary and middle school teacher who has been leading tours for school groups and homeschoolers since 1995. The tours are designed to be fun and informative, and focus on hands-on exploration and discovery. On the tours, Peter teaches about local art, architecture, history, transportation, urban parks and fountains. Peter offers several different tours in Portland, and can customize the tours to meet your needs and schedule. Peter also has a degree in Forestry, and enjoys leading tours that focus on local trees, plants and natural history. For more information, you can visit Peter's website or e-mail at walkportland@msn.com or by phone at (503) 704-7900. (Portland Metro) Rodgers Instruments 1300 N.E. 25th,Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Contact Person: Lynn Simon, 503.681-0480. An outstanding tour, which takes you through the factory to see how organs are made. (Hillsboro) Rosse Posse Acres Elk Farm We are a 52-acre working elk ranch (and homeschooling family) with more than 75 elk. Our farm tour includes an educational lecture in the barn describing elk antler, ivory teeth, hooves, elk behavior, and interesting stories of our farming experience. Then we take your group on our paved walking trails to see the elk, which we bring to the fence by feeding whole oats. The tour concludes with a visit to our petting zoo where your students will enjoy interacting with our pygmy goats and miniature donkeys. Stop by our Gift Shop for snacks, soda, antler jewelry, and more. The tour will be tailored to your group’s needs. We have hosted classrooms from day care to college age, so we are certain your group will enjoy their elk farm experience. Please don’t delay in calling (503) 829-7107 to schedule your homeschool group's elk farm field trip. For more details and location, please visit our webpage as linked. (Mollala) Extracurricular Clubs American Heritage Girls Clubs American Heritage Girls is a Christ-centered, non-profit scouting organization, offering a wholesome scouting program for girls, ages 5 to 18. American Heritage Girls' vision is to be the premier National Scouting Organization for young women that encourages family involvement and embraces Christian values. Their website describes how to charter your own troop. There are currently 2 troops within our Portland metro area, one in Newberg and one in Portland. For more information about these local troops, contact Tammy Schwartz, Newberg's AHG Troop 541 Chairperson at tammy@whdl.com (Newberg) Chess Vision was formed with the purpose of providing kids the chance to have fun, learn and play chess. With a focus on keeping the game fun for kids while teaching them important lessons they can use in other areas of life such as sportsmanship, problem solving, critical thinking, concentration, patience, and other skills. Clubs are found at various locations in the Portland metro, please go to their website for more information or email them at Info@chessvision.net or call Tony at (503) 880-0581 NEW! Christian Communicators Northwest was founded for Christian homeschooling families in Oregon and Washington who are looking for a team policy debate organization that endorses and practices a highly structured debate protocol but which remains responsive to the needs of participating families. CCNW provides a shorter debate year, more structured debate focused on the substance of the topic at hand and quality of argumentation, and greater local control for Northwest families. CCNW currently has 4 established clubs located in Salem, McMinnville, Corvallis, and Port Angeles (Washington), which are open to new debaters, and is also eager to mentor those interested in forming a debate club within the region area. For more information see the linked website or contact salemdebate@juno.com
Cub Scout Pack 49 (NE Portland) This is a Christian Homeschooling Cub Scout Pack and views Cub Scouts as a wonderful tool to help teach our boys godly character and bring them along toward godly manhood. We participate in many great educational opportunities throughout our year-round program. Den meetings are held during the school year at Calvary Presbyterian Church which is located in NE Portland at the corner of 72nd and Fremont. For more information, please contact Beki Cowling at 503-788-3344 or email her at tbjcowling@hotmail.com. (NE Portland)
Homeschool Cub Scout Pack (Tualatin) Our boys participate in several fun activities each year, including a pinewood derby, family/weekend/ day camps, and attendance at local sporting events. Regular den meetings are held alternating Sunday nights in Tualatin, with one monthly Monday pack meeting in River Grove. The majority of our dens are comprised completely of homeschoolers. It is a great way to build friendships with other homeschooled boys. For more information, please contact Virginia Lenneville at virginia@vjbooks.com. (Tualatin) FIRST LegoRobotics and FIRST Tech Clubs. The FIRST program is internationally recognized with chapters in just about every nation and US State. The goal of FIRST is to introduce the field of engineering to school-aged children in hopes of exciting them about it and developing the next generation of engineers. There are leagues for different age levels: Junior Lego League for early elementary ages 6-9; the First LegoRobotics League (FLL) for upper elementary/middle school ages 9-14; the newly formed First Tech League (FTC) for upper middle school/high school ages 14-18; and the FIRST Robotics League for institutional high schools. Essentially, you form a team that builds a robot using a program kit that performs required manuevers in the "challenge." A FLL team is comprised of a maximum of 10 kids (we recommend no more than 4 to 6). A FTC team has a maximum of 4 (working in teams of 2). You can form a FIRST team within your family, group of friends, homeschool support group, or neighborhood. There are local chapters and tournaments in which to compete and which allow your team, upon successful competition, to progress to state, national, and even international tournaments. Team registration begins around May and goes until September (but register early as they only have a set number of kits). Anyone can be a coach--the kids do the work, the coaches simply facilitate. Free coaching workshops are provided by Oregon's regional group (ORTOP) in our area. There is a substantial money outlay for a new team (around $600 initially as a start up FLL team, around $900 to $1400 for a FTC, (some scholarships are available), which includes the reusable NXT robot kit and game field, plus annual registration fees. Kits begin shipping by mid-August. The current year's challenge is posted by mid-September. Local tournaments generally begin in December for FLL and February/March for FTC. (Portland Metro/Oregon) Washington County 4H Program Many homeschoolers have enjoyed participating in or creating their own 4H clubs. There are a lot of activity areas to choose from including: speech presentation, lego robotics, computer, rocketry, gardening, animal sciences, cooking, sewing and fiber crafts, photography, arts, nature sciences and more. Participants have the opportunity to display their work at the county fair in Hillsboro (generally in July) and county winners are eligible for competing in the state fair in Salem (generally early September). Becoming a leader is easy, and your family and friends can be a club (there's no minimum limit). Cost is minimal (currently $10 per year per participant). Many activity areas have good support materials (some much better than others). Programs are available for grades k-12. (Washington County) Westside Homeschool Chess Odyssey Club Westside Homeschool Chess is led by Chess Odyssey's founder, Chessmaster Pete Prochaska. Pete is a fixture in Oregon scholastic chess. He is a professional chess coach with more than 35 years' experience in helping young chessplayers play better chess and enjoy the game more in the process. WHCC's highly effective teaching/training program has been developed as a blend of this experience and Pete's twin passions for chess and kids. All levels of players are welcome. Many of the strongest players to graduate from the WHCC program started out as total novices. Both serious and casual player are welcome. Currently the club meets from 12:00-1:30 on Thursday afternoons at Evergreen Presbyterian Church (NW corner of the Hart Rd./Hall Blvd. intersection in Beaverton). To register or for more info, please contact Chess Odyssey President Pete Prochaska at 503-504-5756 or visit us on the web. Note: Homeschoolers may also join most of our other ongoing Chess Odyssey programs at schools in the greater Portland area. (Beaverton) Fine Arts and Theater Historic Elsinore Theatre On May 28, 1926, on a former livery stable site, the magnificent Elsinore Theatre first opened its doors to the public. Developed by George Guthrie, an entrepreneur and lover of art, the theatre was designed to resemble the castle in “Hamlet,” Shakespeare’s greatest drama. Restored in 2004, it is truly a place of grandeur and is the last remaining example of a Tudor Gothic atmospheric theatre in North America. With its 30 foot high Gothic lobby, exquisite stained glass windows, 24 foot tall murals of Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth’s Witches along with the 1,300 seat auditorium it is truly a Theatre to experience.
Each season the Theatre offers our community a variety of wonderful shows that delight and entertain including Wednesday night Classic film festivals and Silent film festivals (which are historically accompanied by live music on the theater's "Mighty Wurlitzer" pipe organ just as in the time of the silent originals). See the website for the theater calendar. Group Tours for $3.00 per person can be arranged by calling 503-375-3574. The theater is located at 170 High Street SE Salem. The Portland Art Museum Rotating and permanent exhibits make something for everyone. Part of the Cultural Pass program, see you local library for a pass. (Located in downtown Portland) Trueheart Productions is a Christian, family-owned, non-profit organization that seeks to use the performing arts as medium to display the surpassing worth of Jesus Christ and share his gospel with others. Through open auditions, the company uses a cast of volunteer actors and actresses for its productions. It directors include, Larry Barclay-founder and director, Tiffany Barclay, assistant director, composer, and pianist, and Lorianne Barclay, choerographer and classic ballet dancer. Its productions are given at Mt. Hood Community College's theater. For more information about this theater company, current productions, and show times, please go to http://www.trueheartproductions.org/ Museums and Historical Outings A Cultural Pass The Cultural Pass to Adventure program offers library users the opportunity to expand their experience of the library beyond the walls of our buildings into the community and beyond. Your library card is your passport to visiting nine different and exciting locations in Oregon (many of which are listed below). Please click on the link for complete information on the Cultural Pass program, which is coordinated by WCCLS (Washington County Cooperative Library System). Alpenrose Dairy Park Pasturelands once stretched west of Portland between Hillsdale and Beaverton. Due to population growth and commercial production, times have changed. Alpenrose Dairy, Inc. stands as a reminder of quieter days. Of this once thriving pastoral dairy community, Alpenrose is the only survivor, and it has developed into much more than a dairy and today is shown on Portland maps as Alpenrose park. The park has facilities to accommodate a variety of public entertainment: Alpenrose Stadium where little league baseball games are held; a 600 seat Opera House for theater events (which holds a majestic 4,000 pipe organ from the old Portland Civic Auditorium); an olympic size Velodrome for bicycle races; a Midgit-car race track; a small museum; and Dairyville for free family summer fun. Be sure to check out the calendar of events! (Unfortunately, Christmas Storybook Lane has been discontinued.) Located at 6149 SW Shattuck Road, Portland. Champoeg State Park, Pioneer School and Museums. Located just 7 miles east of Newberg, along the Willamette River, Champoeg was the location of the Northwest Region's first provisional government as decided by vote of the settlers in 1843 and a small but bustling pioneer town until wiped out by floods in 1861 and 1890 after which the town was abandoned. Champoeg is now a historical site, nature park, and campground. It has long been a traditional field trip destination for grade school students in Oregon (including homeschool groups). Through Pioneer School students take part in a typical pioneer school day, learning what it was like to be a student in 1861. What better way to study history than to become part of it? Students work outdoors with instructors making hand dipped candles and a button spinner toy. And of course, they enjoy good old-fashioned pioneer recess. In addition to Pioneer School, Champoeg offers several other educational programs for school groups and individuals supported by the Friends of Historic Champoeg including numerous living history days where pioneer skills are demonstrated, usually on weekends spring through fall (see the Friends website for more information). The Visitor Center has displays, videos and an interpretive museum store, and should be the first stop at the park to see any events scheduled. The Pioneer Mother’s Log Cabin Museum (503) 633-2237, and Robert Newell House Museum (503) 678-5537, operated and maintained by the Daughters of the American Revolution, also offer group tours by appointment, and are open to the public every weekend, spring through fall. To schedule educational programs, call the park at (503) 678-1251 ext. 221 for an information packet and mail-in request form. (Newberg area) Children's Museum "This interactive museum seeks to stimulate children's interest in the natural world and in society. Exhibits foster an understanding of such concepts as sound, gravity, and medicine by promoting experimentation and fun. Kids can toy with light and shadow, manipulate water-powered machinery, play dress-up, and work on art projects too. A
grocery store and cafe provide them the opportunity to experience the world of adults and expand their boundaries even further." (Located Eastide Portland) Evergreen Aviation Museum This museum houses Howard Hughes' famous "Spruce Goose." It also is home to a variety of planes and aircraft on display as well as interactive educational displays and an IMAX theater. The museum also offers a variety of educational programs, retreats and resources supporting the field of aviation and aeronautic engineering. (Located in McMinnville). Historic Elsinore Theatre On May 28, 1926, on a former livery stable site, the magnificent Elsinore Theatre first opened its doors to the public. Developed by George Guthrie, an entrepreneur and lover of art, the theatre was designed to resemble the castle in “Hamlet,” Shakespeare’s greatest drama. Restored in 2004, it is truly a place of grandeur and is the last remaining example of a Tudor Gothic atmospheric theatre in North America. With its 30 foot high Gothic lobby, exquisite stained glass windows, 24 foot tall murals of Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth’s Witches along with the 1,300 seat auditorium it is truly a Theatre to experience. Each season the Theatre offers our community a variety of wonderful shows that delight and entertain including Wednesday night Classic film festivals and Silent film festivals (which are historically accompanied by live music on the theater's "Mighty Wurlitzer" pipe organ just as in the time of the silent originals). See the website for the theater calendar. Group Tours for $3.00 per person can be arranged by calling 503-375-3574. The theater is located at 170 High Street SE Salem. The Northwest Civil War Council (NCWC) "is a non-profit living history organization dedicated to educating the public and our members about the American Civil War. Through membership in the NCWC one has the opportunity to recreate portions of the past in educational drama at reenactments, through which the spectator, as well as the participant, discover and learn more about their history and the people who lived during the year 1863 in Virginia and Pennsylvania." Go to their website for membership information, events calendar, and links for civil war re-enactment clubs and information. A local annual event is their Civil War re-enactment held the weekend of the 4th of July at Willamette State Park, Brooks, Oregon. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) One of Oregon's premier museums with ample opportunity for fun learning. Spendy, but check their info page, often they offer a 1/2 price Thursday once a month during the school year. They also offer hands-on classes (secular). The tour of the Blueback Submarine is wonderful and economically priced (and outside the cost of museum entrance). OMSI's web page says: "This outstanding technology museum offers hundreds of exhibits related to computers, space, and earth sciences. Kids especially love the interactive, make-believe village. If you have ever wanted to know what an earthquake is like, you'll find out at this museum, which has a special room that re-creates the experience. There's also an Omnimax theater, a planetarium, laser show, motion simulator and an outdoor river walk that teaches youngsters about the Willamette River. (Located in Eastside Portland) Oregon National Guard's (Historical) Educational Outreach Program currently provides living-history presentaions for the Lewis and Clark Expedition and WWII. Both programs have received heritage awards for their historical presentation (and raves from fellow homeschoolers). Presentations include discussion and interaction with historical replicas of the time period. The National Guard plans to add Oregon history and WWI to its presentations by the 2008-2009 school year. Their goal with these presentations is "To help enrich the lives of those in our communities by providing a free educational service that immerses those who participate in the rich history that made this country great." Contact them for a currently scheduled presentation or schedule one for your own organization. The presentations are given FREE of charge. For more information contact the Oregon Army National Guard Educational Outreach Program, 503-584-2272 or email: cherie.cavallaro@us.army.mil The Oregon Regency Society is a collection of diverse souls who all share a common obsession with the English Regency (1780 to 1830). Our group consists of Jane Austen fanatics, English Country and Regency dancers, historic reenactors, costumers, artisans and craftsfolk, Regency fans and so much more. Our activities include regency balls, parties, teas, craft and art workshops, and readings. We do Regency movie marathons, costume sewing classes, English Country Dance classes, and all manner of other diversions that are regency themed. We are all ages, all walks of life. Our balls and parties are festive and civilized. We hold them around the state of Oregon. Our members are from Oregon, Washington and even California and Arizona! Please see our website for our calendar of events and what is available for the general public. (Functions located in various locations in Portland Metro and throughout Oregon) Phillip Foster Farm The end of the road for the Oregon Trail. Historic house and site marking an important time period in American history. Tours available. See events for special times at the farm. We've always had a lot of fun when we've toured. The museum attendants have been friendly, informative, and usually period dressed. (Clackamas County) The Portland Art Museum Rotating and permanent exhibits make something for everyone. (Located in downtown Portland) Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals "The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals was founded by Richard L. and Helen M. Rice in 1996 for the express purpose of passing on to present and future generations the opportunity to obtain knowledge and pleasure from these beautiful wonders of nature. The museum collection and reference materials are available for viewing, study and research to all who are interested in the earth sciences." Go to the link for information about museum hours, prices, their calendar of special events and occasional classes. (Located in Hillsboro) Washington County Museum A small but fun museum of early Washington County life from indians to pioneers. Offered on "The Cultural Pass" See above. (Located by PCC Rock Creek Campus in NW Beaverton area.) Washington County Museum's Mobile Museum The Mobile Museum brings the Washington County Museum right to your classroom, community center, or neighborhood group. Choose from seven informative, educational and entertaining presentations on major topics of local history, all taught by experienced professional educators. Bringing a kit of artifacts from the Museum’s collection, presenters demonstrate how the objects were used and explain them in the context of the lives of the people who used them. (At date 3/2008, the charge was $55 per session for the community mobile).
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