Q: What is SDCH? What is this group all about? What does this organization do and why?
A: SDCH, which stands for “San Diego Christian Homeschools”, is a support group for local Christian homeschooling families. We are a group of Bible-believing homeschool families who gather together for events, activities, field trips, some co-op classes, and more. Homeschooling can be difficult at times and we have found the fellowship and support of like-minded families to be very helpful and encouraging.

Q: What are the differences between SDCH and other homeschool support groups in the area?
A: SDCH is the only homeschool support group in San Diego County that is a true 501-C-3 non-profit organization and is governed by an elected Board of Directors who all serve here as volunteers without receiving any compensation or “perks” of any kind. Our annual membership fee is lower than any other local homeschool group but we are able to offer just as many member benefits. Other groups do not allow their members to use certain methods of homeschooling but SDCH is supportive of all different styles, methods and means of homeschooling.

Q: Who is in this group? Who can join?
A: This is a group made up of homeschooling families from all over the San Diego county area and beyond. We even have families as far north as Temecula and as far south as Tecate. As of this writing we have over 65 member families, totaling about 130 adults and about 200 children. Any homeschooling family can join our group. According to our bylaws (art. 6, sec. 1) we define a homeschooling family as a family who is using one or more of the four legal means of homeschooling in California (see Four Options for Legally Homeschooling Your Children in California on our website), and in which the parents oversee all aspects of the children’s education, and in which the majority of the education is taking place at “home” under the ultimate control and supervision of the parents.

Q: Can we come to a few of your SDCH classes, activities, or events to first “check you out” and see if your group would be a good fit for our family?
A: All of our Park Days are always free and open to the public. We have three Park Day locations each month. Please come and check us out at as many of our Park Days as you wish to attend and see if this group is a good fit for your family. If you contact us ahead of time to let us know you are coming we will make a point to look for you and help you and your children to meet some new friends in our group. We also offer free Homeschool Info Nights that are open to the public. This is another way you can come and get a feel for our group as well as a feel for homeschooling in general. As for our classes, activities and field trips, these are strictly for SDCH members only. There are sometimes exceptions, though. Please feel free to inquire about the particular event you are interested in to see if we can allow non-members to participate in it or not.

Q: Should I join any other homeschool organizations besides SDCH?
A: Every homeschool family should join the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), a national organization that protects our freedom to homeschool our children and assists homeschool families facing legal issues regarding their homeschool status.

Q: Are there homeschool organizations out there that I should avoid?
A: SDCH believes that every homeschool family would be wise to avoid joining local groups that pay or compensate their leadership in any way. You should also stay away from groups that do not allow a regular change in their leadership personnel or groups that will not allow for a majority-rule vote to make decisions especially with regards to group finances. Any group that has one “leader” who stands as the sole decision-maker regarding the finances of that group (or other important decisions) should be avoided.

Q: How is SDCH organized or managed? Who’s in charge? How are decisions made? Who can be on the Board of Directors?
A: SDCH operates according to a very simple but effective set of bylaws established by our four founding families. These bylaws are available upon request. In order to save space on our website we will not post them here. Please contact the Secretary of the Board for a copy of our bylaws. In 2009 SDCH became a federally recognized 501-C-3 non-profit organization, incorporated in the State of California. SDCH is run entirely by an elected Board of Directors made up of six volunteers each serving a two-year term for a maximum of two terms (or three terms with a one-year break). All major decisions are settled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. There is no one person “in charge” of the group or the Board. All Board Members have equal authority. Any person who has been a member of SDCH for at least one year and has homeschooled for at least one year may volunteer to be on the Board of Directors of SDCH.

Q: Is SDCH affiliated with any church? Are you affiliated with any other homeschool group or organization?
A: We are not affiliated with any church or denomination. We encourage each family in SDCH to attend their own Bible-believing church. We are not affiliated with any other local, state or national homeschool organization except for the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).

Q: I am thinking of using a public-charter for our homeschool next school year. Will my family still be eligible to join SDCH?
A: Yes. SDCH supports all homeschooling families no matter what method or style of homeschool they practice.

Q: I want to join SDCH and one or two (or possibly more) local homeschool groups next school year. Is that allowed?
A: Yes. Sure, why not?!?! Go for it! We like to think that SDCH is the only group that you will ever need to join because "we have it all" but you are welcome to join others, too. We don't mind and our feelings will not be hurt.

Q: Is my family still allowed to join SDCH even if we are not a member of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)?
A: Although we consider it very unwise to homeschool and NOT be a member of HSLDA, yes, you may still join SDCH. We do not require our members to also join HSLDA (but we strongly encourage it). Please understand that HSLDA can aid, advise, and protect your homeschooling family should you ever be contacted by local or state education authorities. Being a member of a local support organization (such as SDCH or any other group) will not protect you the way HSLDA can.

Q: I have some children that I homeschool but also have one that attends public school. Is my non-homeschooled child allowed to participate in SDCH activities with us?
A: Yes. Your membership in SDCH is good for your whole family. We encourage you to bring your non-homeschooled children to all SDCH events as often as you are able to.

Q: Is it too late in the current school-year for me to join SDCH?
A: You can join SDCH any time of the year. It is never too late. However, if it happens to be late in the current school-year (like around the 4th quarter or so), we encourage you to first take a look at our calendar of events and our current newsletters to see if there is anything happening in SDCH that you are particularly interested in. If so, then yes, you should still join SDCH and participate in those events/activities. If you do not see anything that interests you or that will fit in to your schedule, then perhaps you might like to wait a month or two, until the next school-year starts to join us. In SDCH, our “school-years” are our fiscal years and they run from July 1st through June 30th each year.

Q: I joined SDCH late in the current school-year. Will I have to pay again and re-join for this next school year even though I've only been a member for a month or two?
A: Yes. Your current membership is good through June 30. On that date all memberships end and we must all re-join for the new school year. Even our Board Members and Leaders must pay and re-join each new school-year.

Q: Since SDCH is a 501-C-3 organization with federal non-profit status, is my membership fee tax-deductible?
A: No. Unfortunately your membership is not considered a "contribution" or "donation" to us, so it is not deductible on your tax return. If, however, you want to make a financial contribution or other donation to SDCH you may be able to deduct that from your taxes. Speak to your tax expert about it. We will even give you an official receipt and our sincere heartfelt thanks.

Q: I am a member of SDCH and am homeschooling my youngest child, but I would also like my adult-children and their kids (my grandchildren) to participate in the SDCH activities with me even though they are not members of SDCH. Is this allowed?
A: Although your adult children and their kids (your grandchildren) are always allowed to freely attend any of our Park Days, the other activities and events that SDCH offers are for our member families only. Because membership in SDCH is so inexpensive we encourage you to invite your adult children who are homeschooling their kids to join SDCH as well. There are sometimes exceptions to this rule, however. For example, if you have family visiting from out of town and would like them to participate with you in one of our field trips or other activities, please contact our Activities Director or other Board Member to see if the particular item you are interested in can allow for non-members to participate.

Q. We are not a homeschooling family but we like what we hear about SDCH from our homeschooling friends. We want to become members so that we can participate in some of your fun or educational activities and events with our friends. Is this allowed?
A: We are sorry, but according to our bylaws (art. 6, sec.1), membership in SDCH is only open to “home educating families.” We define a “home educating family” as a family who is using one or more of the four legal means of homeschooling in California (see Four Options for Legally Homeschooling Your Children in California on our website), and in which the parents oversee all aspects of the children’s education, and in which the majority of the education is taking place at “home” under the ultimate control and supervision of the parents.

Q. Does SDCH ever offer any discounts on its annual Membership?
A: Annual membership in SDCH costs less than any other Christian homeschool group in Southern California, however, our expenses are just the same as the other homeschool groups. Our website, checking account, post office box, co-op facility fees, office supplies, member events and other activities all cost money. Therefore, we are not able to offer any other discounts beyond our already very low membership fee.

Q. Why is the membership fee for SDCH so much less than the fee for other homeschool groups in the area?
A: Unlike other homeschool organizations in the Southern California area, our leadership, including our Board of Directors, does not receive any compensation for their service. They are all unpaid volunteers. It is only because of the hard work of our volunteer Leaders and Board of Directors, in addition to the fact that we are a 501-C-3 non-profit corporation, that we are able to keep our membership fee as low as it currently is.

Q: What do I get as a member of SDCH?
A: Membership in SDCH entitles your family (including grandparents) to participate in all of our classes, activities, events and other special programs. You will also receive our monthly updates, announcements and invitations, as well as access to our members-only online bulletin board. We also offer any interested SDCH member free assistance in filing their Private School Affidavit form and in setting up their homeschool record keeping system (other organizations charge anywhere from $100 to $900 per school-year for this service). And as a member of SDCH your family also qualifies for a discounted membership to HSLDA, the Homeschool Legal Defense Association.

Q: What are my SDCH membership fees used to for?
A: Every cent of our membership fees collected each school-year goes back into the group that same school-year so that those current members who contributed will be the ones to benefit. The money is spent according to a pre-arranged budget determined by the SDCH Treasurer at the beginning of each school-year and approved by the Board of Directors at the first Board Meeting of the School-year. Our budget report and account statements are always available to any SDCH member who wishes to see them. Please direct your inquiries to the SDCH Treasurer.

Q: Should I homeschool? Is homeschooling right for me/my family?
A: Each family should prayerfully consider the option to homeschool and seek the Lord’s will, as well as godly counsel, for their particular situation. Although we believe that homeschooling is the most similar to a Biblical model of educating children, we are open to the idea that not every family may be called to homeschool their children. Among the most important questions to ask yourself when considering homeschooling are: “Do I have the time and willingness to homeschool my children?” “Do I have the financial or other resources to obtain curriculum for my children?” “Do my spouse and I agree on homeschooling our children?”

Q: Is it legal to homeschool in California?
A: Yes. It is completely legal to homeschool in the state of California. Please continue to pray that it remains so.

Q: How do I get started homeschooling my children?
A: Step one is always to pray for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you and your family and each of your children in this new lifestyle. A suggested step two would be to obtain membership in, and legal advice from, the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Step three is to research and purchase (or borrow or create) your children’s homeschool curriculum. Step four is to develop a lesson plan or schedule of lessons for your school-year. And step five, if your children are currently attending a public school, is to legally withdraw them from their school(s). Then just get started doing it. Take it one day at a time. Pray continually. Trust your God-given parental instincts. Keep records of grades and work completed. Find a good homeschool support organization that your kids can make friends in and that you will feel comfortable with. Most importantly, enjoy it.

Q: What is a homeschool retreat?
A: A homeschool family camp or homeschool retreat is a great way for the homeschool family to “get away from it all” together and enjoy God’s creation and the fellowship of like-minded Christian Homeschooling families, who will usually come from all over the region in order to attend. Some of these camps host a weeks’ worth of activities and crafts, combined with one or two educational (but fun) offerings such as Creation Science or Bible History, etc. and some offer a more relaxed “on-your-own” schedule. A favorite among the SDCH families is Hartland Christian Camp, located in the Sequoia National Forest. Visit their website at www.HartlandCamp.com and click on their link for Homeschool Family Camps.

Q: What are homeschooling conventions and homeschool conferences?
A: A large homeschool convention or conference is the best way to see and explore lots of different text books and curricula in person and then have the opportunity to purchase these items with no shipping fees. These events usually last all weekend and take place in large banquet halls or conference centers. They can be costly but are a great benefit, especially to those new to homeschooling. There are also usually several hired guest speakers at a homeschool convention or conference who have many years experience in homeschooling. Attending their speaking sessions can inspire or encourage you and provide answers to many of your specific questions about homeschool, such as “What is my child’s learning style?” “How do I homeschool my high school student?” “How do I homeschool a special needs child?” “How can I homeschool several children all at once?” “How do I prepare my homeschooler for college?” “How do I prepare my preschooler for homeschool?” and more.

Q: What is a used curriculum sale?
A: A used curriculum sale is a great place to buy homeschool books, manipulatives, curriculum and other class supplies that have been gently used and are being sold at half or less than half the cost of new items. These sales are usually held annually by a local homeschool support group and are usually free to participate in.

Q: How or where do I get a curriculum for my children?
A: In addition to buying curriculum directly from the vendors’ websites and catalogs (see our list of resources), you can also easily search the internet for homeschool curriculum that is free or very inexpensive to download. You might also like to visit a local teacher supply store (there are only a few here in San Diego) or purchase some items from a used curriculum sale or a homeschool convention as described above. Homeschool curriculum used to be quite difficult to find but in the last decade the popularity of homeschooling has grown greatly and so has the availability of homeschool curriculum.

Q: What is a homeschool co-op?
A: A homeschool co-op is an opportunity for several several homeschool families to get together and teach their children in a small group setting. These co-op days may happen once or twice per month or as often as once a week. The classes or workshops offered may include Art, Drama, Choir, Preschool, Physical Education, Knitting, Literature Studies, Book Reports, Cooking, Geography Club, History Lessons, Science Labs, and more. Smaller co-op groups might gather in a homeschool family’s home, while large co-ops usually find a church to rent or use public facilities in a recreation center or library. Except for possible fees to rent the facility and occasional materials costs, co-op classes are typically free to the co-op participants, the only requirement being that a parent of each family participating takes his or her turn helping to teach or lead the various classes. SDCH offers a great, low-cost homeschool Co-op Day that meets once per month throughout the school-year. Visit our Co-op page to learn more.

Q: What is a homeschool PSP?
A: The term PSP (formerly called an ISP) stands for Private School Satellite Program. It is a program for homeschool students usually offered through a private school. Each PSP is unique in what it offers to their homeschooling families. The most basic PSP will usually keep the records of the homeschool student and file the Private School Affidavit on behalf of the homeschool family. Some other PSPs will also offer a class day one or more times per week and provide testing and other activities or services. PSPs can range in cost from as little as $100 per school-year to as much as $1000 or more per school-year, per student. Although SDCH does not offer a PSP, as a way to help our members save money we do offer any interested SDCH member free assistance in filing their Private School Affidavit form and in setting up their homeschool record keeping system.