This spring and summer, LREC had the opportunity to develop a relationship with some homeschooling families in St. Louis. Eighteen homeschool families recently participated in two half-day orientation sessions that provide them seasonal access to the site and resources of LREC. This has been made possible through the gracious efforts of Kim Kuntz, one of the moms, who has taken it upon herself to get the word out to the St. Louis homeschool community. We recently hosted a summer outdoor learning session for several of those families. And they are already signing up for a fall date.

Some parent comments following the orientation:

…extremely encouraged by the training (perhaps empowered is another word), specifically on the point to “bring the classroom outdoors”—reminded that it was something that motivated some to home educate in the first place! and to refocus and to not get overly wrapped up in a routine that keeps them inside too much and forget the resources and opportunities right outside their door!

…being able to watch the volunteer Litzsinger educators work with our children. “Watching and listening to them was probably the most beneficial moments of the training—HOW to explore with kids, WHAT to draw to their attention, WHAT answers you don’t have to have!”  These observations made of the volunteer educators helped us to see our potential role as fellow-explorer to our children wasn’t overly complicated or impossible.

Homeschooling in St. Louis? It’s a growing phenomenon.
From St. Louis Magazine: Class is in Session: Home Schooling Families in St. Louis