Report of Needs/ Interests Survey Results 2010

First of all, let me thank each of you who took the time to fill out one of the surveys this year. Your information should help all of us contribute effectively to our local community of homeschoolers.

The results of our survey suggest the following:

Respondents were most interested in:
Group Activities such as Science Experiments, Geography Fairs, or activities related to literature or history studies. Possibly doing a unit study together such as States History or a Beautiful Feet character study, etc. was also suggested.
Public Speaking Opportunities

These were very closely followed by Group Field Trips. Socialization was named 4th most often and academic classes rated a distant last.


Most respondents wanted to meet no more often than twice per month though there were a few interested in meeting once a week.

Several respondents were willing to offer their organizational skills to the group to organize field trips or other group activities. Responses indicated a general willingness to help in whatever way possible.

The best day of the week to get together seems to be Thursdays followed by Fridays.

The overall best time of day for group activities of any sort seems to be mornings with midmorning (10:00ish) rating highest.


Taking into account the results of this survey, I suggest:

• We come to our annual planning meeting prepared to offer to take a date on which we'll head up a group activity or field trip. I think we often have lots of good ideas and share information well during that meeting.
• I’ll bring a list of dates and each person who would like to, can take a date and offer to head up something on that date.
• We’ll use the planning time to toss out ideas and get feedback on those ideas to see what the general interest level is.
• Moms who are interested in hosting "socialization" times could come prepared with those dates which would meet that need within our group.

For example:
Let’s say 2 dates are available in the month of September - 9 & 23 (both of which are Thursdays). Several people toss out ideas of things they’d like to do with their own children and want to open those things up to others. Of all the ideas, one which others seem most interested in is a visit to a Civil War era cemetery in Troy. One mom volunteers to head that up for September 23 and it goes on our “Homeschool community” calendar. We might also include a picnic at the park afterwards to give the children some time to socialize and to give moms time to encourage each other.

If any of you can think of a different or better way to meet the top needs within our group, please feel free to respond to the whole group.

The proposed meeting time and place has been emailed to you if you are part of the group. If you are planning to homeschool in 2010-2011 in the Troy/ Pike County area and would like to attend our planning meeting, please contact Melanie Hamlin at drhamlin@bellsouth.net or Carlene Sessions at carlenesessions@hotmail.com

Your feedback on all the proposed actions is priceless. Please don't hesitate to comment.

If these suggestions work for y’all, I’ll try to send out a meeting itinerary for your review at least a week before the meeting so that you can be prepared for each section of the meeting.

Thanks again for your willingness to come together as a community of homeschoolers- sharing your ideas, strengths, and encouragement with others.

Melanie Hamlin