Cola City Homeschoolers

Let Grow Play Club: April
2025-04-16 12:30 - 14:30 UTC | In Person
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

Cola City Consignment Sale
2025-06-27 12:00 - 2025-06-28 15:00 | In Person
Cola City Consignment Sale
Friday, June 27 from 1-6 pm
Saturday, June 28 from 11 am-3 pm
Admission: $1/shopper
Location: At Jamil Shrine Center with the SC Homeschool Expo
Got used books you want to sell? We want ’em! Every year, the shoppers tell us they wish there was more used books. We all love a deal. So, Cola City Expo can help rehome your used educational items.
Click HERE to register as a consignor

SC Homeschool Expo
2025-06-28 10:00 - 16:00 | In Person
SC Homeschool Expo 2025

Saturday, June 28th, 10 am-4 pm
Jamil Center, 206 Jamil Road, Columbia, SC 29210
Free Admission — Open to the Public
Follow the Facebook Event here for more information and updates: CLICK HERE

If you’re considering homeschooling, new to homeschooling or you’re an experienced homeschooler–this is the event for you! Cola City is committed to creating an environment that celebrates the unique perspectives, backgrounds, and identities of all people, embracing diversity as a cornerstone of our success.
Through intentional efforts, this Expo strives to cultivate an atmosphere of belonging, where everyone has equitable opportunities to thrive, contribute, and reach their full potential. By championing inclusivity and affirming the dignity of every person, we aim to inspire positive change and build a brighter, more harmonious future for all. In order to reach this goal, we need vendors and exhibitors who represent a variety of educational resources, materials, and services that cater to diverse learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and abilities.
This year’s theme is: Mirrors and Windows. Educational resources to provide our children with both reflections of their own lives (mirrors) and a peek into different perspectives of others (windows).
Vendor/Sponsor Registration: Click HERE

Book Club for Parents (Part 1)
2025-07-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Book Club for Parents
by Cola City PLUS
Tuesdays, July 15 & 29, 1-3 pm
FREE — Parent/Educators
Note: This is a free opportunity with the Cola City PLUS membership. Scroll down to sign up, so you get the zoom link–and more details to get access to the Cola City App!
We’re launching the Cola City PLUS membership with a private app to help streamline communications and activities. This is the chance to get in on the foundation level to build this community resource together!
Book Club topic for July is: A Place to Belong by Amber O’Neal Johnston. If you came to the Expo and got a chance to meet the author, you got a glimpse at her practical ideas of celebrating diversity and kinship in the home and beyond. We want to expand on that to spark meaningful connections with each other locally.
The book is available in print, e-book and audio. There’s a discussion guide to go with it and lots of interactive questions in the book as well.
Get it from the library or with this affiliate referral link.
Zoom discussions on Tuesday, July 15 and July 29 from 1-3pm. Plus, on the Cola City PLUS App. Ready to get started?
Sign up here to reserve your space:

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Virtual Workshop & Roundtable Discussion
2025-07-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Community Roundtable & Workshop
Abuse & Neglect Prevention
By CHRE & SC Connection
Postponed till September
Free — Virtual
NOTE: This workshop is hosted by the SC Homeschooling Connection. Free for Home Educator’s in SC to raise awareness about abuse and neglect–and practical ways to protect our homeschool community. CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE, you’ll be notified when the new date is set.

Presentation: The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is an organization run by homeschool alumni that provides resources for homeschooling families, conducts research on homeschooling issues, and educates the public on how gaps in homeschooling oversight policy can provide cover for abuse and neglect. Since 2013, we have conducted research on homeschooling outcomes, paying attention to unique red flags, risk factors, and patterns of abuse that are unique to homeschool settings. Our research shows that, while most families homeschool responsibly, abuse and neglect do occur in homeschooling environments, and that community-based solutions are critical to prevention.
In this introductory workshop, we introduce our organization’s work and give an overview of our key findings. We will then facilitate a group discussion to explore how our data and perspective can be of service to homeschooling community stakeholders. We do so with the ultimate goal of developing resources that aid homeschooling communities in recognizing and preventing abuse and neglect.
Presenter: Jonah Stewart is the Interim Executive Director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE). Jonah leads CRHE’s research on homeschool policy and outcomes, and oversees CRHE’s core projects, including the Homeschooling’s Invisible Children database. Jonah earned a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Oxford on a Rhodes scholarship.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE

Book Club for Parents (part 2)
2025-07-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event

Office Hours: Cola City PLUS
2025-08-22 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Office Hours: Cola City PLUS
by Cola City Homeschoolers
Friday, August 22 @2pm
FREE — Parent/Educators
Brainstorming, planning and community building time! Come find out more about the *NEW* Cola City PLUS app.
We’ve got lots of ideas–but, we need YOU and your ideas too! Field trips, Clubs, Share Fairs, Market Day, Career Day, Family Dance, Park Meet-ups, and more.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85685414485?pwd=[REDACTED]
Or go to: https://zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 856 8541 4485
Passcode: [REDACTED]
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If you’re not on the app, yet, set up your free trial account first:CLICK HERE. Once the admin approves your account, you’ll be able to log in to the app. Directions will be emailed to you with instructions.

DISCUS: Open House Workshop
2025-08-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Discus Open House: Online
by SC State Library
Tuesday, August 26 @2-3pm
FREE — Parent/Educators
NOTE: This is *not* a Cola City event. It’s open to the public. More info click here
Do you know about Discus – South Carolina’s Virtual Library? It’s a FABULOUS resource for your homeschool. Find out more at this Open House Q/A workshop.
Discus Open House: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 2:00PM – 3:00PM Whether you’re new to Discus or a long-time user looking for tips, this is your chance to get personalized support in a flexible, open format. No formal presentation—just answers, demos, and discussion!
Click here to register! https://statelibrary.sc.libcal.com/event/15046270

Cola City PLUS: Zoom Chat
2026-01-19 14:30 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Cola City PLUS: Zoom Chat
Monday, January 19 @2:30pm
FREE — Parents
What are you gonna do about socialization? You know the question. And you may have some cliches to answer. But, just between us–we have to acknowledge socialization is harder when we are homeschooling.
Let’s be honest: The struggle is real.
Finding interesting activities, kids that your kids like, and moms that you like. Plus coordinating schedules and paying for the fees. Then, what happens when conflicts arise or your friends move away?
Finding a group makes you feel like you’re Goldilocks. This one’s too big; that one’s too small. Or too quiet or too loud. Or too far away or too expensive. You can’t find one that fits just right.
So, what are your biggest challenges? Let’s put the problems out there and start brainstorming some possible solutions.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85685414485?pwd=[REDACTED]
Or go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 856 8541 4485
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Read more Cola City PLUS

Columbia School Choice Fair
2026-01-24 11:00 - 14:00 | In Person
Columbia School Choice Fair
By National School Choice Week and Palmetto Promise
Saturday, January 24 from 11am-2pm
FREE — Parents/Families
NOTE: This is *NOT* a Cola City event. It’s FREE and open the public.
Pre-registration is recommended: HERE
Stop by to see SC Homeschooling Connection (Kim Andrysczyk), or come hang out at her vendor space.
Families in South Carolina have more choices for their children’s education than ever before! Parents: learn more about the different K–12 education options available for your kids at the Columbia School Fair on January 24, 2026, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, at Brookland Baptist Church.
At the school fair, you’ll have the chance to meet representatives from traditional public, public charter, magnet, private, faith-based, online, home, and nontraditional schooling options across the greater Columbia and Lexington area and have your questions answered.
This event is hosted by Palmetto Promise Institute in collaboration with the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. It’s family-friendly, free to attend, and will include complimentary snacks, face painting and balloon artists.
RSVP today!
