Homeschool Co-op Picnic:

Family, Food and Festivity

To celebrate the end of the school year, a homeschool co-op family picnic is almost a must. If one is not on the support group agenda yet, maybe you and several other Moms could take the reins. There's still plenty of time to plan one. It's simple and will be much appreciated by all.

Follow this simple guide:

1) Decide the type of homeschool co-op picnic. Pot luck? Grilling?

2) Pick a location that has:

--a convenient location to most members

--equipment suitable for children of different ages--swings, slides, teeter-totters, basketball court, volleyball pit, baseball diamond, etc.

--a playground for toddlers

--restrooms very close by

--running water (a plus)

--grills, if needed

3) Check on the availability of shelter houses.Sunday afternoons and Friday nights work best for our group.

4) E-mail homeschool co-op members with 2-3 possible picnic dates. Get feedback.

5) Set the primary and rain-out dates.

6) Send a "save the date" e-mail with the date and time. Ask them to watch for a second e-mail with details.

7) Reserve a shelter house, if possible. They are not necessary, but convenient and comfortable (protection from sun, drizzle).

8) Decide how to handle ice, charcoal, cups, napkins, plates, plastic ware, etc. For each family to be responsible for its own is simple but dull.

9) If there are costs involved, will money be taken from the co-op treasury? An alternative is to ask each family to donate -say $3- for any rental fees, ice, charcoal, paper goods, etc.

10) Decide on activities. A playground will entertain the little ones. An adult vs. child softball match is always popular...or the older children could play volleyball by themselves.

A more elaborate picnic might include sack races, relays, and scavenger hunts--complete with witty prizes. Choose games that don't require much skill but that encourage people mixing together.

11) Send the second notice reiterating primary and rain-out dates, time, location and directions, money, if any, what to bring, special instructions and a contact 'phone number. If you think it will be a problem, you might ask for volunteers to sign-up for set-up and clean-up.

Suggestions for what each family should bring--tablecloth, sports equipment (eg. baseball gloves and bats), lawn chairs, camera, bug spray, and food.

Food example: dish should serve 10-12 people, meat dish to share (pot luck) or meat for your family (grilling), and A-H=side/vegetable, J-O=drinks, ice and coolers, P-Z=desserts.

12) The organizers might want have plastic wrap, hotholders, paper towels, and hand sanitizer available. (These costs should be added in when figuring dollar contributions.)

Then relax, have fun and enjoy the camaraderie of your homeschool co-op. What a great way to close the books and welcome the summer!

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