Homeschool families: Consider these fall outings and opportunities in the Kansas City area

From campus visits and field trips to standardized tests and special celebrations, the fall can bring numerous opportunities for homeschoolers in the Kansas City area. 

Now that the school year has…

From campus visits and field trips to standardized tests and special celebrations, the fall can bring numerous opportunities for homeschoolers in the Kansas City area. 

Now that the school year has started, many places that were busier in the summertime may be providing off-season specials that your family can enjoy! 

Homeschool Day at Johnson County Community College (Sept. 15)

Higher education facilities are increasingly recruiting homeschool students, and Johnson County Community College is no exception. Its Homeschool Day is set for 9-11 a.m. on Sept. 15 at GEB 233 in Craig Auditorium. 

The event will include tips for transitioning to college, describe available clubs and organizations, and provide a campus tour. Attendees can register online or contact Rhiannon Minster at rminster@jccc.edu for more information. 

Worlds of Fun Homeschool Day (Sept. 17)

As part of its outreach to KC-area families, Midwest Parent Educators (MPE) has organized a Homeschool Day with Worlds of Fun to help kick off the 2022-2023 school year.

Families can purchase tickets online at the discounted rate of $37 per person, which includes both admission and parking. 

(Note: While most of the day is family-friendly, Worlds of Fun will be operating its Halloween Haunt in the evening, which is not recommended for children under 14.) 

International Homeschool Spirit Week (Sept. 19-23)

Spirit Weeks aren’t just for local schools – it turns out there’s a homeschool option as well! 

Every September the International Homeschool Spirit Week takes place, with families voting for specific days and activities as desired. Favorites include Pajama Day, Super Hero Day and Crazy Hair Day. 

This year’s week is set for Sept. 19-23. 

Great Wolf Lodge Homeschool Week (Sept. 25-30)

Great Wolf Lodge has organized KC-area Homeschool Weeks through its partnership with MPE for several years. These events are popular and usually sell out within a few weeks, so it’s best to reserve rooms well in advance. 

The next Lodge event is scheduled for Sept. 25-30, with discounts that cater to large families and include a wide age range. 

PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test for homeschool high school students (Oct. 12)

High school homeschool students can take the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test through MPE’s partnership with St. Thomas Aquinas High School on Oct. 12.  

This test can qualify juniors to win National Merit Scholarships if they score well enough, although freshmen and sophomores can also take the test as practice if the school has enough spaces. 

These standardized testing opportunities have become increasingly important for homeschool families, who have experienced increased challenges in accessing college placement exams since the pandemic. 

“Making sure homeschooled high schoolers are given a chance to sign up for these exams at their local public schools is about more than being treated fairly,” writes Dave Dentel, web content manager for the Home School Legal Defense Association. “Barring students from certain standardized tests can also deny them a wide range of opportunities – from competing for scholarships to qualifying for enrollment in college courses while still in high school.” 

Shawnee Town 1929 Homeschool Day (Oct. 14)

From farmstead laundry and grocery shopping to music lessons, the Shawnee Town 1929 Homeschool Day invites children to re-enact history and imagine what their city may have looked like a century ago. 

Parents can pre-register for a morning session (10 a.m. to noon) or afternoon session (1-3 p.m.) at $4 per student with 1 parent free with each group. Families do not receive a guided trip but can self-guide their children through different activities at their own time and pace. 

Homeschool Day at the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum (Nov. 4)

If you enjoy road trips, you may want to consider the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum’s Homeschool Day on Nov. 4. The museum is located in Abilene, Kansas, a little more than two hours west of KC. 

Admission on that day is free for K-12 students, and one adult for every 5 students is admitted for free.  

Check-in begins at 9 a.m., and programs run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on rotating schedules. The museum also invites attendees to make their own lunch plans, such as bringing their own food for a picnic in any of the facility’s outdoor areas. 

Registration for the 2023 homeschool high school graduation ceremony (Nov. 14)

If you have a homeschool high school senior, you may already be counting down the days to graduation – and what better way to celebrate than with a class of fellow homeschool graduates? 

MPE’s 2023 graduation ceremony is scheduled for May 12, and the first class meeting is scheduled for this Monday (Sept. 12). You can sign up for more information and attend one of the meetings on the second Monday of each month anytime before the deadline of Nov. 14. More graduation information is available on the nonprofit’s website. 

Take some time this fall to find (or create) the opportunities that work best for your family!