Beyond the Books in Our Homeschool

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Back when I was in high school, there was a definite emphasis on ‘extra-curricular activities.’  Some of these activities (e.g. piano lessons) might have started back in elementary or middle school.  But, once you were in high school it ALL became public record and could determine what you would do after graduation.

The only thing that seems to have changed in recent years is that more kids are being put into these activities at an early age.  I sometimes wonder why some families need a HUGE house when they are rarely even there, all because the kids are either in school or at some kind of lesson or practice session.  It’s no wonder that the family dinner seems to be a dinosaur of yesteryear, too.

If you think that overbooking is an issue reserved to kids going TO a school environment with both parents working, think again.  Maybe some of us are afraid that staying home too much will deprive the kids of all the opportunities out there.  So, we can quickly over schedule our lives trying to squeeze in one more worthwhile activity for the kids.  Keeping a good balance can be difficult, but it is well worth it in the long run.

All that being said, this week’s TOS Blog Cruise is about extra-curricular activities.  Here’s the short list of what the boys have done or are currently doing…

Karate…they’re on a break again as I don’t want to spend every night of the week away from the house.  But, after the holidays, we might get back to it.  After all, that’s when I can turn into a gym rat and hit the treadmill!

Scouting…P’s been in Scouts since 2nd grade.  R and D both started as Tigers and continue.  Sadly, the Cub Scout pack is not set up like the ones we had back in Ohio and Maryland with everyone meeting on the same night.  So, R and D have different nights they are in den meetings.  P’s Boy Scout Troop meets the same night of the week as R’s den, but it hasn’t been a problem yet.  Come February, R will cross over and I hope that the boys will agree upon a Troop for both of them.

Other fun…A program targeting military affiliated youth (including DoD kids) on the Fort Rich side of JBER has programs running most afternoons.  In May, the older boys did paintball and had a blast.  This fall, they did the hunter’s safety education class through them.  Now they are doing some fun (and educational!) programs this coming month.  Monday afternoons will be snow shoeing & s’mores, Wednesday afternoons will be a space themed ‘class’, and Fridays is more winter outdoor fun.

Two years ago, they all did soccer through the Catholic Youth Organization at our parish.  Since then, they’ve had no desire for organized sports.  Call me a little sick in the head, but I actually miss the times when P was doing basketball back in Ohio.  But, I refuse to run myself ragged when they aren’t enthusiastic about the activity.

There you have it, what the boys do in an organized fashion apart from book studies.  Since we are trying very hard to NOT be overscheduled, they also have the opportunity to just enjoy childhood.  And, that’s a good thing!