Tips for Co-Hosting a Homeschool Co-Op
Co-hosting an event with a nearby homeschool co-op is a bit like hosting a mixer with another sorority in college. Two groups share the load and both sides wonder if the event will work out at all, but in the end the party goes smashingly well. New friendships are formed and everyone is reminded that we aren’t the only ones like us. It’s very morale boosting for the extrovert and a little intimidating for the introvert.
Homeschool co-ops are the perfect type of club or group to plan a party together! Here are a few tips for making it work easier.
Plan Ahead.
Plan your event several months ahead of time. When working with people you don’t know well, it helps to give everyone extra time to make decisions. For example, it’s a good idea to start your co-hosted end-of-the-year-party planning immediately after Christmas.
Pick One.
Pick one person from each co-op to be the co-hosts. Trust them with assigning tasks to the other parents and to make good plans with the other co-op. The old phrase “too many cooks spoil the soup” definitely applies to a situation like this!
Pass on.
When the co-hosts sit down to divide tasks, make the obvious decisions first. Does one group have access to a great facility? Maybe one group has a DJ on the roster – let them be in charge of party music. Decide your theme and divide the typical party details between the groups. Who will do food? Who will plan the games or activities? Pass the tasks to the one who has interest and excitement for that portion of the party.
Party hard.
If the co-hosts are organized and ready to go, the event will be so much fun. Bring the kids, get them excited about meeting new friends and enjoy the energy in the room. It will be a great exercise in meeting new people and playing with unfamiliar kids.
I am a huge fan of co-hosting events. Maybe it’s the emerging extrovert in me, but I love meeting new people, especially when we already know we have something in common- homeschooling! Even if the group is a little different that your co-op, you will still probably have more in common than not. Plus, it is always good to get to know people different than ourselves and the kids will have a blast.
Lindsay Banton is a caffeinated mother to three great kids. She never expected to homeschool, but has found that it is a wonderful addition to their lifestyle and wouldn’t change it for the world. In addition to homeschooling, Lindsay works alongside her husband in campus ministry at a large university in Connecticut. She grew up in Virginia but has settled into life in New England, learning to love the long winters, cool springs, green summers and gorgeous autumns- and has built a boot collection to meet all the demands. She is currently blogging at www.oaksreplanted.blogspot.com