Further Reading In addition to these stories about homeschoolers forming their own sports teams, we have printed stories about homeschoolers playing on school teams, or trying to. In particular, see: GWS #77: "Participating in Team Sports" (about a homeschooler on the school's track team) GWS #78: "Getting Permission
Brian Dye (center) and other members
oJ the homeschoolers'bashetball
individual girls' and boys' basketball teams.
We got involved with Denver Parks and Recreation, and when we used their gymnasium, we used it at a kincl of low point in the day, when they didn't ordinarily get many people, so they didn't charge us anything for it. Over the years we moved to fbur or five different recreat-ion centers in Denver, and each one welcomed us with open arms. An intern who worked at the first center was extremely helpful in showing us around and showing us techniques to teach volleyball. That was very helpful to me, as a coach. The nextyear, when I went to another rec center to see if it was available, that same intern was working therel She set everything up for us, and throughout the next eight years, we were always able to call her director to get things arranged - to set up referees, and for help with tournaments. We practiced twice a week, and played games once a week. That can be demanding, and we did have families drop out, but we always had enough for a team. The league we were in required that there be a certain number ofjunior high school kids on the field, or the court, at all times, so we opened it to l3 through 19 year olds. Younger than that - say, l1 or l2 year olds - just weren't quite strong enough to play against high GnowrNr;
Wrrsour Scsoor-rNc #97 .
team in Colorado
toJoin School Team" (gymnastics; see also GWS #95 for the continuation of the story) GWS #79: "Allowed on School Teams in Maine" GWS #82: "Playing on School
school seniors. Sometimes it was a challenge to work with the age range that we had, but the kids got good,
Teams" (track and basketball) GWS #83: "Fitting in at Group Activities" (includes stories about homeschoolers on community
and we became successful rather
soccer teams)
quickly.
GWS #86: 'Access to School Activities in Oregon" GWS #89: 'Access to School Activities in Connecticut"
Although we were playing in a Christian schools league, it wasn't a requirement that the players be Christian. We didn't require it, and the league didn't require that our homeschool team have a certain doctrine. But there is also a league in this area, bigger than our league, that has secular schools in it, so that may be
another option in some places. There were certainly kids from many different backgrounds in our league, and within our own team. It was neat fbr the kids to see the different cultures. I had parents tell me, many times, "If it weren't for this group, we'd have to put our children back in school." Some of the kids were so interested in sports, and had felt that was lacking in homeschooling, but now that need was fulfilled. We were fortunate to have a lot of kids play with us who really wouldn't have gotten a chance to play if they were in school. There were kids who. I believe. wouldn't have made the team in school, but with us they had the opportunity to play. I've enjoyed being able to teach some kids the [undamentals, because, in some cases, they just wouldn't have gotten a chance otherwise.
IAN.,/FES. 1994
Also, we have printed stories
about homeschoolers forming other kinds of groups. In particular, see GWS #85 for stories about social groups, an environmental group. and book discussion groups, and see GWS #94 for detailed stories about two teen groups that are involved in both academic and social activities. GWS #77 has an interview about a homeschoolers' writing group, too.
The December 1993 issue of Mentor, the newsletter of the Home Education League of Parents, has several stories about homeschoolers forming bands, theatre groups, and clubs. This issue is available for $2 from HELP, Suite l3l, 3208 Cahuenga Blvd West, Los Angeles CA 90068.