With truckload of Christmas trees and glittering snowflakes, in the winter of 2005 we introduced our support group to the Mid-West homeschooling community. Inspired by our founders’ vision to provide homeschooled teens with the social opportunities not offered within the homeschooling community, IL Homeschool Teen and Family Activities was the first teen-focused family support group in Illinois to offer unique social and educational opportunities, open to all homeschoolers in the Mid-West region. As the first to offer formal dances, including Prom to Homecoming, beyond what high-schools continue to offer, we continue to take pride in providing your family with unforgettable memories to last a lifetime.
Eleven year later, our goal has been the same: to provide a safe and inviting environment for homeschooled students birth through college, along with enduring support to families; giving students a reason to continue their educational path and ensuring the continuation of support within the broader homeschooling community. We love what we do and we hope you do too! It takes a village, welcome to our family!
Our elaborate events take months to prepare. From hand-crafting the gift bags, decorations, table setting and scenery, everything you see is custom designed and trucked onsite by our mother-daughter team. With an average of 8 to 10 hours of on-site decorating, and countless hours of preparation, our events guarantee an amazing and unforgettable night for you and your family. Registering early will allow students to take advantage of all available opportunities, and provides funding to purchase event decor and supplies, rent venues, create party bags, and assemble all the fine details that make our events spectacular.
Under the continued guidance of our mother-daughter team, IL Homeschool Teen Activities currently hosts nine main events throughout the school year:
- Flashback Family Decade Dance
- All-American Homecoming
- Historical Murder Mystery and Lecture
- Autumn Family Gathering
- Snowflake Ball
- Valentine Dinner Dance
- Bunny Hop Eggstravaganza Family Dance
- Masquerade Prom
- Family Celebration and Awards Night
Along with several minor events:
- Prom Preparation Workshops
- Formal-Wear and Accessory Shopping
- Coffee Shop Get-Togethers
- Meet and Greets
- Beach Days
- Bowling and Laser Tag
- Rollerblading
- Ice Skating
- Family Camping Trips
- Movie Premiere Nights
Families are encouraged to find which level of annual support they wish to receive. Our Pre-Teen and Teen General Membership provides invitations to all of our major and minor events, with the purchase of major event tickets, while our Preferred Membership includes the guaranteed best prices, one registration for the entire year, event exclusives, primary roles in our annual historical murder mystery dinner, and much, much more! Memberships are sold in June and last until the following May. All fees for memberships and individual tickets cover the costs of the event location, food and decor. Expenses of all events exceed the amount collected for events, with additional funds have been covered by donors to ensure extraordinary programming. Early Bird tickets for major events are typically sold a month or two in advance with membership renewals in June. Members will be also invited to join our Private Member Yahoo Group to receive member only event notices.
Follow our posts at http://ilteenactivities.blogspot.com/ and request to join our Private Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/346139598009/ to receive information and updates about our activities, events and offers including Early Bird pricing!
While our more formal events remain open to independent homeschooled students 12 years and older ONLY, students 11 under and those who require a chaperone, are encouraged attend crossover family events with our new support group, IL Homeschool Family Activities. After numerous requests over the past decade to provide activities for students of all ages, we have branched our support group to provide events exclusively for families. We look forward to welcoming all the families who have been waiting to join us! More information about our family support group can be found on our website at http://ilfamilyactivities.blogspot.com, or by emailing ilfamilyactivities@gmail.com.
To continue our established reputation among the homeschooling community throughout Illinois and the Mid-west and ensure the safety and privacy of our membership, adults will drop off, sign-in and sign-out their students. Adults and siblings may wait in another location during events to prevent disruption of the planned activities; we do not allow parents to remain in the building. Students transported by someone other than their parent must contact us prior to the event and also provide a signed note with information about their student's transportation for that event. Students driving themselves and/or other guests are required to have each of their parents contact us prior to the event and provide a written permission note. Without this prior contact and written permission, we will not knowingly release a student to be driven by a student member or other driver. Minors attending events that end after curfew must use parental transportation. We also hold a firm policy that only those who homeschool full-time or are attending college part-time as part of their homeschool will be allowed to attend our events, to ensure that our group is private and secure. Those who provide false registration information, are not dressed appropriately, or act inappropriately will be asked to leave. We are absolutely unable to issue refunds of any kind.
Student and Family participation forms are REQUIRED at EACH and EVERY event for ALL attendees. A student is not considered registered or welcome to join our events without their yearly membership fee, and have emailed a complete support group application, medical and photography release, and any contact or other paperwork. NO attendee will be allowed to leave before the event concludes unless they have prior written permission and leave with a legal guardian over the age of 21, and ONLY in an emergency situation.
Most events are held in the Crystal Lake, IL area near the Metra Station that links to Amtrak and Greyhound in Chicago. Traveling families are encouraged to participate while enjoying museums and other cultural activities in and near Illinois. Families should expect teen events to typically begin at 7PM with student pick up at 10PM; unless posted. Clean up is usually from 10-11PM Families MUST participate in clean up until the venue, and event supplies are cleaned up, packed up and loaded on the trucks. Parents are responsible for their student's safety and personal needs AT ALL TIMES. Our support group and our volunteers do not assume any responsibility or liability hosting events.
Our events are organized and mentored by volunteers who support homeschool socialization and friendships; we love ensuring that homeschooling continues in the future and hope you can join us!
Questions? Email TeenActivities@Gmail.com
