Cola City Homeschoolers

Homeschool Spirit Day
2025-01-29 12:30 - 14:30 UTC | In Person
Homeschool Spirit Day & Dance Party
By Cola City Homeschoolers
Wednesday, January 22 @12:30 pm
Rescheduled: January 29 @12:30
All ages — $5/participant
Note: This is a Cola City event. Registration required, so we can get an accurate head count and cover our overhead costs. Scroll down to sign up.
Due to INCLEMENT WEATHER Forecase: The alternate date is next Wednesday, January 29 at 12:30 pm, same location (at UU Congregration of Columbia).
Show off your Homeschool Spirit and come dance it out! National School Choice Week is the last week of January. We’re preparing with our own celebration day to learn the School Choice Dance (and some other fun dance steps).
Wear yellow and red clothing/accessories, if you have any!
Cost: $5/participant to help cover the overhead costs and facility rental.
Location: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, 2701 Heyward St, Columbia, SC 29205. Free parking along both sides of the street. Spaces may or may not have lines. Just don’t block driveways or firelane.
Sign up here to reserve your space:

Career Day Expo
2025-02-06 09:00 - 15:00
Career Day Expo
by Cola City Homeschoolers
Thursday, February 6 from 9am-3pm
$25 — Teens (ages 13+)/Parents
NOTE: This event is hosted by Cola City Homeschoolers. Registration is required: Click HERE
Are you ready to explore exciting career paths and gain hands-on experience? Join us for an engaging Career Day, specially designed for homeschool high school students! This event is packed with interactive workshops, expert advice, and real-world activities that will help you discover your passions and shape your future.
An Event Especially for High Schoolers!
What to Expect:

Interactive Workshops led by industry professionals in various fields.
Hands-On Experiences that let you try out different skills and discover what excites you.
Career Exploration where you can ask questions, learn about potential career paths, and get personalized advice.
Networking Opportunities to connect with mentors and professionals who are eager to share their knowledge.

Why Attend?

Explore a variety of career options through real-world experiences.
Gain valuable insights from professionals in various fields.
Get inspired to take the next steps toward your future career.
Make connections that could help guide your career journey.

Learn, Grow, and Have Fun While Discovering Potential Career Paths!
Date and Time: Thursday, February 6 from 9am-3pm
Location: Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (Fellowship Hall), 5637 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29212
Cost: $25 for teens (ages 13+); Lunch/Refreshments optional add-on; Parent-Educator/Chaperone: $25 with student

Featured Workshop: Be Pro Be Proud, Exploring Trade Skills and Careers
SC Discus: Free resources for Career Explorations for High Schoolers presented by SC State Library. Bring your own electronic device for hands-on practice
Test Prep and Science Apps: Free resources (and games) to improve your test scores presented by US Army.
Soap Knapping Workshop: Highlighting land history and preservation for park ranger/guide/naturalist by Nature As Teacher
STEM Stations Open Lab: Highlighting several hands-on STEM activities to explore your interests. Presented by Cola City Homeschoolers

Click HERE to
Reserve your space NOW!

Make-it-Take-it Crafts
2025-02-19 12:30 - 14:30
Make-it-Take-it Crafts
By Cola City Homeschoolers
Wednesday, February 19 @12:30
All ages — $5/participant
Note: This is a Cola City event. Registration required, so we can get an accurate head count and cover our overhead costs. Scroll down to sign up.
The Common Ground Collective is a space for students and parents to come together, connect, and grow. In a world often divided by differences, our mission is to create a joyful and supportive community where we celebrate what makes us unique and discover the common ground that unites us all.
Whether you’re looking to foster stronger relationships, deepen your understanding of others, or simply find joy in meaningful conversations, the Common Ground Collective offers a welcoming space to grow, learn, and thrive—together.
Join us as we build bridges, spread kindness, and create a community rooted in understanding and joy! Read more about the Common Ground Collective
This week’s activity is Make-it-Take-it Crafts. Some of the activities we have planned: reverse coloring pages, Tinfoil balloons, yarn hearts, and more. All ages. Teens can participate or help facilitate the games.
Cost: $5/participant to help cover the overhead costs and facility rental.
Location: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, 2701 Heyward St, Columbia, SC 29205. Free parking along both sides of the street. Spaces may or may not have lines. Just don’t block driveways or firelane.
Sign up here to reserve your space:

Common Ground Collective: Jackbox Games 2
2025-03-19 12:30 - 14:30
Jackbox Games: Rescheduled
March 19 from 12:30-2:30pm
At UU Congregation
All Ages — $5/participant
NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED from 3/5.
The Common Ground Collective is a space for students and parents to come together, connect, and grow. In a world often divided by differences, our mission is to create a joyful and supportive community where we celebrate what makes us unique and discover the common ground that unites us all.
Jackbox is a collection of fun party games played digitally. Think of it as updated versions charades, trivia, or win lose or draw. The games are easy to learn and play–if you’ve never played before or if you’re shy or introverted. https://www.jackboxgames.com/
Location: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, 2701 Heyward St, Columbia, SC 29205
Bring a wi-fi device (phone or tablet or laptop computer) for each player. Players can also buddy up on a shared device. Bring your own lunch or snacks, too.
Look for Angela to greet you. Call or text if you get lost along the way 803-743-8802
Sign up here to reserve your space:

Let Grow Play Club: April
2025-04-02 12:30 - 14:30
Let Grow Play Club: April
by Cola City Homeschoolers
Wednesday, April 2, 12-2:30 pm
FREE — All ages
This activity *IS* hosted by Cola City Homeschoolers, but there is no sign up necessary. Just show up but there is a sign up form so we can send you a reminder about the location details each week.
This is not just another playground meet-up group. It’s a new kind of play program. Intentionally designed to foster independence, social development, problem solving–for all ages (especially 8+). Families with younger siblings are also welcome, though.
We hope to see this grow and expand to more projects and activities thru the fall to develop interpersonal connections as well as personal agency. We’re meeting up on every other WEDNESDAY.
Let Grow Play Club WEDNESDAYS 12:30-2:30 pm now thru May
This Week’s Location: Owens Field Park, 1401 Jim Hamilton Blvd, Columbia
We will be doing shadow art drawings. Supplies will be provided, but you can also BYO sidewalk chalk, crayons, poster board, cardboard and figurines.
See examples here: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/137133/how-to-make-shadow-art-with-kids/
Bring: yard games, balls/frisbies, bubbles, nerf blasters, sidewalk chalk, table games/activities, scooters, skate boards, bikes.
Parents also bring beach chairs, sunscreen, bottled water and snacks.
For more information about the “Let Grow” initiative, Click HERE
Contact Kim with any questions or to brainstorm ideas: colacityinfo@gmail.com
Call or Text if you get lost along the way: 803-307-4880

Let Grow Play Club: April
2025-04-16 12:30 - 14:30
Let Grow Play Club: April
by Cola City Homeschoolers
Wednesday, April 16, 12-2:30 pm
FREE — All ages
This activity *IS* hosted by Cola City Homeschoolers, but there is no sign up necessary. Just show up but there is a sign up form so we can send you a reminder about the location details each week.
This is not just another playground meet-up group. It’s a new kind of play program. Intentionally designed to foster independence, social development, problem solving–for all ages (especially 8+). Families with younger siblings are also welcome, though.
We hope to see this grow and expand to more projects and activities thru the fall to develop interpersonal connections as well as personal agency. We’re meeting up on every other WEDNESDAY.
Let Grow Play Club WEDNESDAYS 12:30-2:30 pm now thru May
This Week’s Location: Owens Field Park, 1401 Jim Hamilton Blvd, Columbia
Bring: yard games, balls/frisbies, bubbles, nerf blasters, sidewalk chalk, table games/activities, scooters, skate boards, bikes.
Parents also bring beach chairs, sunscreen, bottled water and snacks.
For more information about the “Let Grow” initiative, Click HERE
Contact Kim with any questions or to brainstorm ideas: colacityinfo@gmail.com
Call or Text if you get lost along the way: 803-307-4880

Reader's Theater
2025-04-23 12:30 - 14:30
Common Ground: Reader’s Theater
April 23 from 12:30-2:30pm
At UU Congregation
All Ages — $5/participant
NOTE: This event has been cancelled due to low response/not enough registrations. If you’re interested in these kinds of facilitated activities, please be sure to pre-register so we can prepare supplies.
The Common Ground Collective is a space for students and parents to come together, connect, and grow. In a world often divided by differences, our mission is to create a joyful and supportive community where we celebrate what makes us unique and discover the common ground that unites us all.
This week we’re doing Reader’s Theater. Participants are given the opportunity to perform a script together. Reader’s Theater gives students the chance to practice reading aloud, and practice reading with fluency and expression.
One of the most enjoyable ways to help students comprehend stories they read is to have them act it out, using strategies for prompting oral development, plus team effort and collaboration! Geared for ages 9+, but younger readers may also participate.
We’re asking for $5 contribution toward the overhead costs of the facility. If you have multiple children or the cost is prohibitive, pay what you can afford–and come anyway. We’d rather you come out and play, than stay home. Please sign up so we know how many participants are coming!
Location: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, 2701 Heyward St, Columbia, SC 29205
Look for Kim to greet you. Text and/or call if you get lost along the way 803-307-4880
Registration is Closed for this event. Sign up for the next session:
Science Share Fair on May 7 at 12:30, located at UU Congregation

Creek Study @Nature as Teacher
2025-05-15 10:00 - 12:30
Creek Study Field Trip
by Nature as Teacher
Thursday, May 15 @10:15
Ages 6-15 — $10/participant

Note this event is hosted/organized by Cola City Homeschoolers. Click HERE to register directly with Nature as Teacher
Calling all Cola City Homeschoolers ages 6-15! Visit the Nature as Teacher Preserve for Education on 5/15 from 10:30-12:00 to learn about Water Quality at our Creekside Classroom. We will be citizen scientists exploring creek macroinvertebrates and learning their relation to water quality.

Date: Thursday 5/15/25 10:30-12
Location: The Nature as Teacher Preserve for Education, 247 Chestnut Ferry Road, Camden SC 29020. Please aim to arrive 15-20 minutes early so the activities can start promptly at 10:30.

Cost: $10.00/participant
What to bring/wear: Please help students dress for the weather and be prepared with a full, reusable water bottle. We recommend closed-toe shoes (water proof boots preferred) and long pants to help protect legs in nature. All science supplies provided.

Directions: From Walmart in Camden head north on Springdale Drive, toward the race track. Chestnut Ferry Road (a dirt road) crosses over Springdale drive at the bend. Turn left onto Chestnut Ferry road and continue down until you see our pinecone logo sign. Our driveway is the last on the left. After proceeding through our gate, do not stop in the maintenance lot. Continue down our long driveway, past the right turn, and into the parking area. You will see our green and tan restroom building. The bus parking is just past the building on the left hand side.
Trips are non-refundable except in the case of cancelation by the provider.

Click HERE to register
directly with Nature as Teacher
