Two moms with the Aubrey Community Homeschoolers have a specific message to share with the community: You're not alone.
That is why Rachel Byrd and Caitlin Mullis organized the Homeschool Expo held on April 26 at the Cross Roads Town Park.
'Our community came out and showed up,' Mullis said. '… There's so many people that care about our kids' education, and it doesn't have to be the same path that every kid may go down.'
The event, which was the second of its kind, focused on connecting homeschool families with community resources to help round out their educational efforts and to help their children explore their interests.
'With the growing homeschool community, it's great to have all of these resources in one spot,' Byrd said. '… We've been homeschooling for a couple of years, but there's always new things coming and new businesses because the area is growing so much.'
That mission was a success, new-tohomeschooling parents Angela and Steve Stanley said.
'There's so much information out there and you don't know what is going to fit best for your kid, because not every kid is a one-size-fits-all kind of a child, and education shouldn't be that way, either,' Angela said.
Steve added that having other people to speak with about the options makes a difference.
'The whole reason we wanted to be here was to touch, feel, see, ask—all of that that you can't do on Google,' he said.
Their son, Matthew Stanley, agreed.
'It just gives me a good view of what different people have for me to choose to do,' he said.
The event drew out long-time homeschoolers as well.
'I don't feel like I get out that much the last couple of years to see new things, what does exist in our community,' said Kathy Gaige, who has homeschooled for about 12 years, adding she was happy to see what resources are available nearby.
For some of the vendors, it was a great chance to connect about their businesses with the parents.
'I just enjoy meeting people, talking to people and just enjoy being outside,' Christie's Golf Ranch owner Jeff Christie said. 'I never had any kids myself, so they're all my kids when they come to see me.'
He spoke of some of his golf camps planned for the summer and options during the school day for homeschoolers to come out to the course.
In addition to Christie's were other local businesses that offer options during the traditional school day for families to come in, including Starbright Music and Performing Arts as well as Frontier Martial Arts.
Some of the vendors also provide alternatives for courses such as Spanish and sewing.
'We have play immersion classes in Spanish for kids,' said Katie Ridley of Spanish Sprouts. 'The main goals are to have fun, for the kids to understand there are other languages out there and that it's cool to learn.'
Events like the expo mean giving families who homeschool a chance to connect with one another and the Aubrey area community at large.
'It's just knowing that we're not alone,' Mullis said, with Byrd adding that, 'It's a huge support system.'
