List support groups in your area, or network to start a new group.
The MHA Handbook has an entire section devoted to homeschooling support groups and co-ops which is updated regularly. If you don’t see a support group that’s located near you, consider joining MHA - you’ll receive a copy of the MHA Handbook!
Feel free to contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
Also, if you’re involved with a Minnesota based homeschooling co-op or support group, please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator with the group’s current contact information. MHA would love to include your group in its Support Group Directory.
Existing support groups and “I would like to start a group…” are listed by county. Statewide and online-only groups are at the bottom of the page.
Anoka County
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
Horizons Homeschool Group (an ECHO group)
We serve the Anoka County area and surrounding areas. We are not religiously affiliated, and meet every Friday for a variety of activities including: nature center, field trips, plays, group activities held at a church, holiday parties, etc. We also have a monthly moms meeting where we plan the next months activities. We welcome kids of all ages. Contact: Megan Megan@bensmom24@yahoo.com or mcpenrod@msn.com
Anoka Homeschoolers!
Are you looking to connect with other homeschoolers? Are you interested in finding a place to network – share ideas, ask questions, and coordinate events? Please join SherburneHSers, a yahoo group for Sherburne county (and surrounding counties, including Anoka!). This forum can be used as a place to share ideas, ask questions, brainstorm, etc. in all matters related to homeschooling. This can be a jumping off point for planning park days, classes and field trips, or simply as a place to connect and chat with other local homeschoolers. On-list discussions are welcomed and encouraged. To subscribe, send an email to: SherburneHSers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Beltrami County
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
BAHA…Bemidji Area Homeschool Association
Parent support, kids activities, learning coop in the Bemidji area. There’s a great group in Park Rapids, too. You can contact Melanie Burns for information. (218)854-7302 rpburns1@yahoo.com
Carver County
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
7/07
Waconia homeschool group
Over 25 families. Contact ccheeseman@mchsi.com
Chisago County
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
Dakota County
Looking for metro-area groups? Check in the Hennepin, Ramsey, and Statewide categories as well. This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
KNEEL Co-op for Home Educators
We are currently accepting new applications! Send yours in today!
KNEEL is a Christian Co-operative for Home Educators and their children. We offer classes for preschool age through grade six. Our group meets the first and third Thursday of each month, 12:30-4:00 P.M. in Burnsville.
We start off each school day with a half hour of Friendship Time- so the kids get to know each other and have some time to “socialize” before classes begin. We say the Pledge of Allegiance, have announcements and then Classroom Assistants take the children to classes. The kids are offered one break during the day for snack and more “social time”. We offer three different classes each school year for the 1-6th grade classes which have included Physical Education, Music, Science/Physics, Art, Drama, The Young Peacemaker, Jr. Great books and History. The Preschoolers and Kindergartners have their own programs geared to their age level. We also offer nursery care. In order to help make the Co-Op run smoothly, each mom is assigned a service position, asked to serve as Classroom Assistant during the year and are required to stay at the facility for the duration of the co-op meeting in the Mom’s Time room enjoying support group time- which offers a variety of FUN activities.
If you are interested in more information about our Co-Op, please contact our Registrar via email at KNEELCOOP@gmail.com or mail in your registration by snail mail by going to our website www.kneelcoop.com, clicking on “About us” and downloading the application in pdf.
Send your application along with your $15 application fee (non refundable) to:
KNEEL Home Education Association
Attn: Registrar
P.O. Box 241091
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Dakota, Scott County
Southmetrohomeschoolers is a group for the Twin Cities south of the river suburbs. We meet for friendship and get-togethers like field trips and playdates. We are a relaxed group where you can choose and plan activities that fit your schedule needs. We are inclusive and welcome all homeschooling families. Please visit our website for more information: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SouthMetroHomeschoolers/
Hennepin County
Looking for metro-area groups? Check in the Dakota, Ramsey, and Statewide categories as well. This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
Plymouth Area Homeschoolers
Plymouth Area Homeschoolers is a new group based on the principals of Families learning together to train, teach and prepare the hearts of their children for Jesus Christ. Plymouth Area Homeschoolers (PAH)is a group of home educating families who have decided to use their gifts and talents in a cooperative way to provide mutual encouragement, social interaction between children in a parent supervised environment, and join efforts in stimulating learning opportunities that would otherwise be difficult to meet. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Plymouth_area_Homeschoolers/
Twin Cities South Liberal Homeschoolers
A group for families in the southern areas of the Twin Cities who are moderate to liberal on the political spectrum. We have a Yahoo email message board and meet for informal get-togethers and playdates. “Meetings” happen whenever two or more members want to meet-we are very low-structure! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tcslhs/
ECHO-MN
ECHO-MN (Early Childhood Homeschooling Opportunities) ECHO-MN is a metro-wide and inclusive organization for families with young children who are interested in learning more about homeschooling. New families are welcome. For more information about ECHO-MN please contact us at echo-mn@mn.rr.com or see our website at http://echo-mn.tripod.com/index.html
Bloomington homeschoolers
Secular, conscious/gentle-parenting, relaxed-homeschooling friends get together for support and fun—for all ages.
Contact: Amy a_roff @ yahoo.com
Metro Home/Unschool Gatherings
WHO: Unschoolers and very relaxed homeschoolers of *all ages* WHERE: meets at parks in both of these cities once a week: Minnetonka and South Minneapolis (Meetups are held indoors during the cold months.) BRING: blanket to sit on, plenty of food/beverages for your family; if desired: knitting supplies or other projects
This is a non-religious intergenerational gathering supportive of attachment/peaceful/respectful parenting for unschoolers and very relaxed homeschoolers. Hang out, chat and play with us–for people of all ages!
The Metro Home/Unschool Groups are inspired by the Dragon Tree Home Learners in Long Beach, California: http://dragontree.vilter.us/
Contact: Amy a_roff@yahoo.com
Twin Cities Learning Co-Op (TCLC)
Serves Twin Cities area Began in 2000 (started by Kim Hayward) Classes are offered by homeschoolers for homeschoolers. The two terms run from September-November and February-April. Visit the webpage for more information: www.mamaresource.com/tclc Contact: Amy a_roff@yahoo.com
Kingdom Builders Homeschool Co-op
Kingdom Builders is a home school co-op made up of Christian home school families. We meet the first and third Thursdays in the mornings during the school year in Bloomington. We offer classes for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade. Preschool and nursery classes are also available. Our goal is to offer to home schooling families things which are difficult to offer our kids at home, as well as support for parents and a place to socialize with other home school families. For more information please email Suanne at suannemarie@hotmail.com or visit http://www.homeschool-life.com/mn/kingdombuilders
Isanti County
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
6/07
Princeton/Cambridge/St. Francis, MN area Unschoolers group now forming!!!
for more info: tomeghandmama@yahoo.com
Mille Lacs County
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
6/07
Home/Unschoolers Group
%We are a secular group that meets every week in Isle, MN. Right now we meet at the beach…we are a fun easygoing peaceful bunch. If you are interested: tomeghandmama@yahoo.com
Nicollet County
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
Mankato
Hi! We have started a new group in the Mankato area. We have a website at: www.hickorytech.net/~scdesign/ or you can contact me, Chris, at: techw@mnic.net. Thanks! Chris Oldenburg
Olmsted County
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
Ramsey County
Looking for metro-area groups? Check in the Dakota, Hennepin, and Statewide categories as well. This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
Highland Park, Saint Paul–Hello!!!
We have just moved to Saint Paul, in the Highland Park area, and are looking for homeschooling friends, and also for children to play with our 6-year old son. We are a conservative libertarian, Polish-American family. Our son is interested in knights, karate, sports, building toys and drawing. If anybody is interested in getting in touch with us, or in helping us to get around in this new place, we would really appreciate it.
Feb., 2007.
mattdueholm@yahoo.com
East Metro Eclectics
Homeschooling parents are invited to attend if you:
- live in or around the North and East suburbs of St. Paul (Ramsey and Washington counties)
- are looking for a social group for yourself and your homeschooling children
- and would like to associate with families who have eclectic hs approaches and diverse faiths.
Contact Amy for details and directions if you are interested in participating. amyjleinen@yahoo.com 651-552-0753 2/08
Rice County
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
Saint Louis County
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
Iron Range
Amy Hellman
Hello. I’m looking to connect with home-schooling families on the Iron Range. My children and I live in the Iron area and were part of the Cherry/St. Louis County School District. We are now homeschooling and want to get together with other parents and children!
I’m interested in starting a support group to support one another in homeschooling efforts, parent/child get together/field trips etc. If anyone else is interested in this, please contact me by phone at : 744-5977 or e-mail at: pc_woman_amy@yahoo.com
I have three children Kyle (12b) , Courtney (10g), and Alicia (8g)! We do field trips, site seeing, a lot of nature stuff, and we have fun learning!
Amy Hellman, Iron Minnesota
Scott County
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
The Fellowship of Christian Home Educators (FoCHE)
We are a Co-op that meets weekly in Shakopee for parent-led activities, classes, and field trips for students in grades K-12 (younger siblings welcome to come along-preschool/nursery activities offered as parents are available to lead them) Annual dues: $20
E-mail link on Web Site: http://www.FoCHEHomeschool.org or contact: Jodanne (952) 445-2612
Great Rewards as Children’s Educators (G.R.A.C.E.)
Started 1992, Prior Lake (Scott & Dakota Counties) 15 families Contact: Lee Ann Waddell, 612-440-2263 Christian. Once a month mom’s get-together. Science and speech classes given (participation expected). Once a month field trip, kids time twice monthly, every other month family get-together, including dads. Dads get-together three or four times a year.
Sherburne County
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
Elk River/Big Lake/Now Then/Otsego/Monticello Homeschoolers!
Are you looking to connect with other homeschoolers? Are you interested in finding a place to network – share ideas, ask questions, and coordinate events? Please join SherburneHSers, a yahoo group for Sherburne county (and surrounding counties). This forum can be used as a place to share ideas, ask questions, brainstorm, etc. in all matters related to homeschooling. This can be a jumping off point for planning park days, classes and field trips, or simply as a place to connect and chat with other local homeschoolers. On-list discussions are welcomed and encouraged. To subscribe, send an email to: SherburneHSers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
All Homeschoolers in the Big Lake, Elk River, Monticello, St. Michael, Otsego, Zimmerman, Princeton and surrounding areas.
NW Metro Homeschoolers is a local support group in Minnesota. We are a non-sectarian group welcoming families of all faiths and beliefs. We are a diverse organization with many different approaches to home schooling. NWMH has meetups on Wednesdays in the Sherburne county and surrounding areas. In the summer we meet mainly at local parks and during the school year we meet inside a local gym and a meeting room. We enjoy going on field trips, playing games and doing many activities together. Our main goals are for socialization, friendships and supporting one another. The current children’s ages range from newborn to 12 years old. Come and meet us for the endless opportunities. Contact us for more information at nkcstrunc@yahoo.com or check out our web site at www.nwmetrohomeschoolers.org .
Secular Sherburne and surrounding areas
Hi! I am a first time homeschooling mom looking for a secular homeschool group in the Sherburne county or surrounding (St. Cloud, Wright, etc.) areas. I would also be interested in starting one in the area. Please contact me at duncanr@att.net or (763)263-7130 if you already know of a group or are interested in joining such a group in this area.
Thank you, Kristen Ryan
Washington County
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
Wright County
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups in your county.
Wright County Homeschoolers!
Are you looking to connect with other homeschoolers? Are you interested in finding a place to network – share ideas, ask questions, and coordinate events? Please join SherburneHSers, a yahoo group for Sherburne county (and surrounding counties, including Wright!). This forum can be used as a place to share ideas, ask questions, brainstorm, etc. in all matters related to homeschooling. This can be a jumping off point for planning park days, classes and field trips, or simply as a place to connect and chat with other local homeschoolers. On-list discussions are welcomed and encouraged. To subscribe, send an email to: SherburneHSers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Hello! We are a homeschool family with a 5 1/2 year old girl. We live in Monticello and I see quite a few other families in Wright County and surrounding areas are looking for a support group and haven’t found one! There doesn’t seem to be any around here, so maybe a few of us should think about starting our own! I am willing to go as far as Maple Grove or up as far as St. Cloud. What would everyone think about that? Sara Beebe <NOTE: EMAIL DOESN’T WORK ANYMORE: herecomessunshine@charter.net> 612-221-5742
Statewide/Online
This list is set up by users such as yourself. It isn’t necessarily a complete and/or the most current list of groups. Please contact the MHA Support Group Coordinator to request a current list of groups.
05/07
Unschoolers in Minnesota Elist
This group is for people in Minnesota that unschool (learn from life, rather than formal educational curriculum): adults, children, parents and nonparents.
In this group, we can ask questions, and get opinions and support.
We understand once a parent, always a parent (so parents of adult children are welcome). The parenting and living style reflected in this group is similar to Scott Noelle’s, parenting coach. To quote him and his website:
“EnjoyParenting.com is a resource for parents who believe that children are innately good and that responsive, natural, creative parenting is the best way to foster their goodness.
“If you’re looking for clever ways to control your child’s behavior, you won’t find this site very useful. But if you want to experience authentic power with your child — joyfully, nonviolently, and unconditionally — you’ve come to the right place!
“As an idealistic, progressive, leading-edge parent, you already have a desire to parent in harmony with your child’s nature and spirit. The question is… How does one make the shift from the old parenting paradigm of control to the new paradigm of partnership and co-creation? EnjoyParenting.com supports parents in making that shift successfully, from the inside out.”
Source: http://www.enjoyparenting.com/about
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mnunschoolers/
Contact: Amy a_roff@yahoo.com
Home School Dads
I want to introduce you to a new website called http://www.HomeSchoolDads.com. Just as the name says, it is a website I just launched geared specifically for fathers (like myself) who homeschool our children. Yes, I did say FATHERS! There are some of us out there who either full-time teachers or part-timers sharing responsibilities with the Moms. At the website you’ll find a list of homeschool resources and an already active discussion forum. I invite you to take a look and see whats going on with us homeschool dads.
Minnesota Homeschooling Teens
The Minnesota Homeschooling Teens (MHT) is a social organization for teens 12 years and older throughout the state. MHT works in partnership with the Minnesota Homeschoolers’ Alliance to serve the needs of MN homeschooling teens. MHT is an inclusive, diverse group. Members value and respect our different educational philosophies, political affiliations and religious views.
The Minnesota Homeschooling Teens has two volunteer Teen Coordinators, a Calendar Mom, and an active group of teens. We have monthly meetings to plan MHT weekly activities. The cost to join MHAs MHT group is a one-time fee of $1.
Events are scheduled based on member interest. Every fall, MHT members play an active role in the MHA Conference and the infamous MHT Bad Bowling Tournament. Winter events typically include Bored/Board Game Days, Movie Nights, Parties, Skating (ice, inline, skateboard), and winter sports. Warm weather encourages the Park and Beach Days, Ice Cream Socials, Hiking Excursions, Bon Fire nights, and tons of outdoor gatherings.
There is always room for new members! Teens new to the group are often partnered with a teen coordinator or another teen at the first meeting or so, in order to assist in getting to know all the members of the group.
Contact the MHT Calendar Mom Amy at 651-552-0753 or e-mail MHA for more information: mha@homeschoolers.org
Western Wisconsin Homeschool News
The Western Wisconsin Homeschool News is a free newsletter delivered via email about twice a month that supports the homeschool community in the outer East Metro of St Paul and Western Wisconsin along the I-94 corridor. The newsletter lists upcoming classes, performances, group activities, book sales, support groups, and anything our readers would like to share with their fellow homeschoolers. Our readers stretch from Woodbury MN to Eau Claire, WI, and we aim to support the entire homeschooling community.
To subscribe or send a submission email Ellen at homeschool.newsletter@gmail.com 2008