Cola City Homeschoolers

Susannah Bowling: Virtual Workshop
2022-12-05 14:30 - 15:30 UTC | Virtual Event
Susannah Bowling, Author: A Virtual Workshop
Hosted by: Home-Schooler.com
Monday, December 5 at 2:30 PM
FREE — All Ages

Note: This event is not hosted by Cola City. Contact Home-Schooler for more information
The Girl Who Won the Revolutionary War: Come for this free virtual workshop on December 5, 2022, as we celebrate the birthday of this famous author! Susanna Bowling (b. December 5, 1764) – As a 16-year-old girl she rode to warn General Lafayette of the trap to catch him (and end the Revolutionary War).
Homeschoolers can participate in this virtual field trip/webinar to learn – and to experience just one of the benefits of a Home-Schooler.com membership.
Only 1,000 spots* are available for non-members so register here: https://home-schooler.com/free-field-trip-december5/

Firefly Games: Family Fun Day
2022-12-03 17:00 - 19:00

Winter Fun Day @SCETV
2022-12-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Firefly Games, 736-C, St Andrews Shopping Center, 736 St Andrews R, Columbia, SC, 29210, United States
Winter Fun Day @SCETV
Saturday, December 3 at 1 pm
FREE — RSVP
Note: This event is not hosted by Cola City homeschoolers. Please contact etveducation@scetv.org with any questions
The SCETV Kids Club and the ETV Endowment invite families for a flurry of activity at the SCETV Studios. Meet Alma and Smart Cat live and in-person! We hope you can join us for this early celebration of winter that will be packed full of activities, crafts, fire truck tours, snacks, holiday episodes of Daniel Tiger and Molly of Denali and more!
RSVP:
https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSdWDNVKTVnZoe…/viewform

Firefly Games: Homeschool Day
2022-12-02 12:00 - 14:00 | Firefly Games, 736-C, St Andrews Shopping Center, 736 St Andrews R, Columbia, SC, 29210, United States
Homeschool Game Day
By Firefly Games
Friday, December 2 at noon
FREE — All Ages
Note: this event is not hosted by Cola City. Contact Firefly with questions.
Homeschool Game Day is from 12pm to 2pm and open to all homeschool families! This is a great chance to meet new people, socialize, and play games! We have over 300 games in our demo library that are free to play!
Home School Game Day FAQ’s:
Is the game day for a specific Homeschool group or organization? All Homeschoolers are welcome no matter what Homeschool group or organization you are part of.
Is there a cost to attend Homeschool game day? No, Homeschool Game Day is free to attend. Our game library is free for you to use during game day or whenever you choose to come hang out. However, should you choose to play in the arcade you would need to purchase tokens.
Firefly is located at 736-C, St Andrews Shopping Center, 736 St Andrews Rd, Columbia, SC 29210

Chess Club @Firefly
2022-12-01 17:00 - 21:00 | Firefly Games, 736-C, St Andrews Shopping Center, 736 St Andrews R, Columbia, SC, 29210, United States
Columbia Chess Club
by Firefly Toys & Games
Thursdays from 5-9 pm
FREE–all ages
Note: This event is not hosted by Cola City. Contact Firefly for more info.
The Columbia Chess Club www.columbiachess.org meets each Thursday evening at Firefly Toys & Games (736C Saint Andrews Rd, Columbia SC 29210). We have several homeschool teens who participate each week. If you’re interested in learning chess, and socializing–come on out for a game of chess!
Club President: James Brandmair columbiachessclub@gmail.com
Visit the Columbia Chess Club Facebook Group: Click HERE

Engineering in Space
2022-11-30 | Virtual Event
Engineering In Space
by X-STEM All-Access
Available on Demand: Wednesday, November 30
FREE: Ages 6-12 (and beyond)
X-STEM All Access – presented by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and Discovery Channel – is a free virtual conference series for middle and high schoolers designed to get students excited about STEM.
Students will get an inside look into the exciting careers and inspiring personal journeys of diverse STEM role models through a lively Q&A session with a fellow STEM professional. The 30-minute max episodes will premiere throughout the school year and will be available on-demand to fit in your schedule.
Episodes will be released on the following dates – Watch any time after they premiere!
April 27 | May 18 | September 21 | October 5 | October 19 | November 30 | December 14
Access NGSS and CASEL aligned lesson plans and other resources for each episode HERE.
SIGN UP HERE | LESSON PLANS | SERIES STATUS UPDATE

Holiday Card Exchange 2022
2022-11-28 | Virtual Event
Holiday Card Exchange Project
by Cola City Homeschoolers
$1/donation — All Ages
Sign up deadline EXTENDED: November 30
The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is…SENDING CARDS! It’s also a great way to make connections with other homeschoolers. Back by popular demand! Cola City Homeschoolers is hosting our annual holiday card exchange during the month of December.
Sign up by November 30. We will organize the lists by religious preference and by ages (as much as possible). You’ll get a list of participants to exchange cards with–up to 25 cards to send/receive.
Note: Your mailing address will be shared with other participants and student names, so that the cards can be personalized by the sender.
Some more recommendations:

Send one envelope to each household. Include a small card/note for each child, or small token gift (ie: sticker, tattoos, paperdoll, etc).
Consider your child’s abilities and stamina for their part of the card preparations. They can put a sticker on the card or envelope, if it’s too much to write out the addresses.
Remember this is FUN!

Take a Hike @SC State Parks
2022-11-25 | Firefly Games, 736-C, St Andrews Shopping Center, 736 St Andrews R, Columbia, SC, 29210, United States
FREE ADMISSION TO ALL SC STATE PARKS – Friday, November 25! Including FREE historic home tours!
This year on Black Friday we challenge you and yours to #OptOutsideSC and enjoy South Carolina’s state parks.
Admission will be free at state parks in South Carolina on Friday, November 25 — including tours at our three historic homes. The promotion encourages people to spend some time in the great outdoors the day after Thanksgiving!
Reservations may be made for historic home tours:

Rose Hill Plantation
Redcliffe Plantation
Hampton Plantation

Enjoy some time in our parks, on us. Make sure to post pictures to social media using the hashtag #OptOutsideSC.
We hope to see you in a SC State Park!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Consider this great gift idea (or ask for it!) SC State Park Passport is a great way to explore SC. Plan your own adventures and spend more time outdoors this year. Get a State Park Adventure Book to create a journal keepsake of your progress. Digital or Hardcopy with our referral link.

Nutcracker Ballet
2022-11-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Firefly Games, 736-C, St Andrews Shopping Center, 736 St Andrews R, Columbia, SC, 29210, United States
Nutcracker Ballet
By Anne Brodie’s Ballet
Wednesday, November 23 at 10 am
$10/ticket — All ages
Every year during the week of Thanksgiving, Anne Brodie’s studio performs The Nutcracker at the Township Auditorium in Columbia, SC. This full length ballet also features a live orchestra, and live choir.
Each year we are proud to offer one show to Homeschool Families at a discounted rate for the matinee performance on Wednesday, November 23 at 10. Call the Studio 803-771-6303 to reserve your tickets for $10 each. That’s 50% off the box office. Tickets will be available at “will call” when you arrive for the performance.
Click here for other show times at full price.
Want to expand your Nutcracker experience? Check out these fun learning activities too!

Poetry Tea Time
2022-11-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Virtual Poetry Tea Time
by Literary Adventures for Kids
Tuesday, November 22 at 2pm
FREE–all ages

The live, virtual teatime is on 11/22 at 1:00 pm CST
It’s FREE
It will be fun for all ages (even prereaders – but they’ll need a little help from Mom or Dad)
Students will bring their snacks & a thankful or fall poem & I’ll bring the activities!
They can sign up here with this referral link: Click HERE

Homeschool STEMlabs
2022-11-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Firefly Games, 736-C, St Andrews Shopping Center, 736 St Andrews R, Columbia, SC, 29210, United States
Homeschool STEMlabs
hosted by SC Military Museum
2nd/4th Thursdays at 10 am
FREE — All Ages
Click HERE for more information: Note this event is not hosted by Cola City Homeschoolers. Please contact the event host with any questions.
All the the STEMlabs are FREE and all materials are included. They will take place on the 2nd/4th Thursdays. NO REGISTRATION necessary.
We encourage self-guided museum tours before or after the STEMlabs activity.
For more information contact Jennifer Gossett: 803-299-2730 or email jennifer.gossett@scmd.sc.gov
November 17: Native Americans in SC. Learn more about the Native American Tribes that have (and still do) call SC home. Explore Midden Mounds and flex your inferring skills as you excavate artifacts.
December 8: Santa’s Sled Race. Explore force and motion as you design and build a sled for Santa. Use what you know about friction, force and energy to have the fastest sled.
December 22: Cold Weather Survival. How do our military service men and women survive in climates they are unaccustomed to? Can you design and create a blanket that will withstand the cold?

Beyond Baking Cookies Workshop
2022-11-10 13:00 - 14:00
Beyond Baking Cookies Workshop
by Kids Cook Real Food
Thursday, Nov 10 at 1pm
FREE — Parents
Click HERE to register. Attend live or catch the replay afterwards.
What You’ll Learn When You Attend This Workshop: You’ll be able to put some of this into action IMMEDIATELY–perfect timing for the holidays!

The Biggest Mistake Parents Make (when inviting their kids into the kitchen)…and how to avoid it.
3-Step Process to Teach Kids ANYTHING (and apply it in the kitchen)
What brain science says about HOW to Motivate Kids to Help Out (and eat more healthy food, too!)
What Skills are Perfect for Your Child’s Age, Including When to Start Knives
How to Start (and supercharge) the “Confidence-Competence” Loop Discovered by Psychologists for your Kids
The Kids Cook Real Food system for helping little ones who can’t read truly make recipes on their own – this one is like magic!
How to Build Connection, Confidence and Creativity in your Kids – for Life!

AND when you watch you’ll get a sweeeeet gift!!
Click HERE to register. Attend live or catch the replay afterwards.

Riverbanks Zoo Homeschool Class Registrations
2022-08-01 08:00 - 17:00 | Firefly Games, 736-C, St Andrews Shopping Center, 736 St Andrews R, Columbia, SC, 29210, United States
Registration OPENS August 1 for Riverbanks Zoo Homeschool Classes
Click HERE for more details
Explore nature through hands-on learning during Riverbanks’ Homeschool Monday programs throughout the school year. Whether you’re an animal enthusiast, budding gardener, or knee-high naturalist, homeschooled children ages 3–12 will enjoy a variety of exciting experiences to pique every interest.
Homeschool Classes: ages 5-12
Enjoy a new class each month for homeschool children ages 5–12. Each class focuses on a particular zoo topic and includes hands-on activities at the Colonial Life Discovery Center.
Homeschool Family Workshops: for ages 5-10/all welcome
Join us in Waterfall Junction to enjoy this program designed especially for Riverbanks’ Homeschool families. Families will cooperatively learn and participate in activities that explore our natural world.
Little Learners: ages 3-5 (with adult)
These programs are offered for our littlest learners. Ages 3–5 can join us in discovering cool things about the animals in our world.

Peach Festival--Gaffney
2022-07-15 08:00 - 2022-07-18 17:00
South Carolina’s salute to the peach. There’s something for everyone to enjoy at this year’s festival. The South Carolina Peach Festival started out as a weekend event in 1976 and is now being recognized by The Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast during July. A 4-day event with carnival, parade, food vendors, arts and crafts, pageant, live music and entertainment.
110 Railroad Ave * Gaffney
http://southcarolinapeachfestival.weebly.com/

Homeschool Expo 2022
2022-06-25 10:00 - 16:00 | Firefly Games, 736-C, St Andrews Shopping Center, 736 St Andrews R, Columbia, SC, 29210, United States
Homeschool Expo 2022

Mark your calendars for:
Saturday, June 25th, 10 am-4 pm
Jamil Temple, 206 Jamil Road, Columbia, SC 29210
Free Admission — Open to the Public

Click HERE for more information and Vendor Registration

If you’re considering homeschooling, new to homeschooling or you’re an experienced homeschooler–this is the event for you! Cola City is an inclusive resource for all homeschoolers, regardless of religious preference, ethnic background, family structure, political affiliation or educational philosophy. This Expo promotes resources that include all varieties of homeschools.

Local Services and Products
When we say local, we mean local to South Carolina. Accountability Associations, support groups, resource centers, sports programs, special needs testing and services, music classes, art programs, and lots more educational opportunities! Plus, home business opportunities and fundraisers.
Used Books and Handmade Items
Everyone loves a good book sale. This Homeschool Expo invites homeschoolers with Used books, resources, and curriculum. Find the books you’re looking for–and talk to someone who has used it to see how it worked for them.
Demos and Interactive Presentations
Live demonstrations from local groups and programs. Hands-on, interactive activities, too.

Juneteenth Freedom Fest
2022-06-18 10:00 - 2022-06-19 17:00
Juneteenth Freedom Fest
Public Event by Juneteenth Freedom Fest
Saturday-Sunday, June 18-19
All ages — $$
Note: This is a public event. More details at https://www.juneteenthfreedomfest.com/
Tickets for admission and various concerts HERE
The SC Official Juneteenth Freedom Fest Celebration is a family friendly, community event and will include activities and resources, such as:

Historical Awareness and Reenactments
Local and National Recording Artists Performing LIVE
Fair Rides
Fireworks Display
Health Information to include Covid testing, Sickle Cell Awareness and more
Seminars
Live Musical Performances
Award Ceremony honoring key figures in the SC African American Community
Retail Vendors
Food Vendors
Civic Engagement
Voter Registration

Tickets are on sale right now!!! This year’s 2-day event will take place at the Benedict College Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
Contact: jamalbradley@juneteenthfreedomfest.com

Around the World Summer Camp: Asia
2022-06-13 09:00 - 2022-06-17 14:00 | Firefly Games, 736-C, St Andrews Shopping Center, 736 St Andrews R, Columbia, SC, 29210, United States
Around the World Summer Camp: Asia
by HERO Homeschoolers
June 14-17 from 9 am to 2 pm
Ages 5-12 — $150/student
Note: This activity is hosted by HERO co-op. More information and registration here: Click HERE
All camp activities will be themed according to the culture and customs of that week’s continent. Students will rotate through stations where they will take part in music, art, games, and physical activities. Snacks will be provided. (Please inform us if your student has any allergies or special needs). Students will need to bring a sack lunch each day.
Please contact us for info on single-day registration options!
Chelsea Kibert, heroofirmo@gmail.com, 865-924-7088

Starry Night Homeschool Dance
2022-06-06 18:00 - 20:00
Starry Night Homeschool Teen Dance
by LIT Homeschooler
Monday, June 6 @6-8 pm
Teens — $25
*Not hosted by Cola City:
Contact LIT Homeschoolers for more information
2022 Midlands Teen Dance for homeschoolers ages 13-17 years old being hosted by L.I.T. group. * Note: You don’t have to be part of the Facebook group L.I.T. to join the dance, all are welcome to attend.
Let’s celebrate the end of the school year with food, music, games and laughs.
Dance Date/Time: June 6, 2022 from 6-8pm
RSVP & Pay by May 22, 2022
Dress is Semi-Formal
Cost: $25 per teen.
Payment can be made via PayPal (B.Varnes16@yahoo.com).
or Venmo (@Brandi-Varnes)
*Please include your child’s name when making a payment so they can be added to the check-in list. Also if you are willing to stay to volunteer/chaperone please mention that as well.
Help is always appreciated!
Backyard Café in West Columbia, SC is the venue and will also be catering the food for the evening.

Minimum attendance: 40.
Max attendance:100
Get your tickets while they last.

Cola City Planning Meeting
2022-06-02 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Cola City Planning Meeting
by Cola City Homeschoolers
Thursday, June 2 at 2 pm
Adults — FREE
Got ideas for summer activities? Let’s collaborate and coordinate the opportunities you already have going on. We can help cr0ss-promote the opportunities and help recruit volunteers to facilitate new ideas.
Or maybe you’ve got big plans but have a hard time getting it to really happen. Cola City Mom Squad can help you get those ideas off the ground! Click here to join our team.
Please join us for the next Planning Meeting on Thursday, June 2 at 2 pm on Zoom:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82049348576?pwd=[REDACTED]
If you have trouble with the automatic link, go to: https://zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 820 4934 8576
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Contact: Kim with any questions 803-307-4880
colacityinfo@gmail.com

Hypixel Tournament
2022-05-31 15:30 - 16:30, 2022-05-17 15:30 - 16:30, 2022-05-03 15:30 - 16:30 | Virtual Event
Hypixel Tournament: Extended Edition!
by Cola City Gamers Club
Online — All Ages
Free with Club Dues

Join us for 6 events over the course of Spring Session of Cola City Gamers Club. Click HERE to register for Gamers Club
Dates:

3/22/22
4/5/22
4/19/22
5/3/22
5/17/22
5/31/22

Each match will be held at 3:30pm. Points and game specifics TBD based on an ongoing poll in the #minigames channel but the points will be cumulative and you will receive participation points!
REAL MONEY PRIZES: 1st place: $30 value, 2nd place: $15 value, 3rd place: $7 value. These prizes can be used for Hypixel ranks, gold, gems, etc..

Register for Gamer’s Club HERE
Hosted by Kira, vanderhoff.kira@gmail.com

Girls Who Code Club
2022-05-30 16:30 - 17:30, 2022-05-23 16:30 - 17:30, 2022-05-16 16:30 - 17:30, 2022-05-09 16:30 - 17:30 | Virtual Event
Girls Who Code Club
By It-Ology
Mondays at 4:30 pm
FREE — Girls 6th-12th grade
Click HERE to register
IT-OLOGY’S GIRLS WHO CODE CLUB FOR GIRLS IN GRADES 6-12
IT-oLogy’s Girls Who Code Club is back this fall to teach South Carolina girls in grades 6-12 how to code. The club is free to join, and participants will meet virtually on Monday afternoons from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. beginning on September 13, 2021. The club will run throughout the 2021-2022 school year with the last meeting scheduled for May 30, 2022.

Girls Who Code Club is meant for girls to join the sisterhood of supportive peers and role models and use Computer Science to change the world. The middle and high-school Clubs encourage students to impact their communities in a positive way through code. Club members will learn how to code from fun, online tutorials and activities that will help them build animations, games, apps.

Students of any coding-ability levels are encouraged to join IT-oLogy’s Girls Who Code Club. This free opportunity is open to all South Carolina girls in grades 6-12.

Columbia International Festival 2022
2022-05-21 10:00 - 2022-05-22 19:00 | Firefly Games, 736-C, St Andrews Shopping Center, 736 St Andrews R, Columbia, SC, 29210, United States
Columbia International Festival 2022
By CIF
Sat-Sun, May 21-22
All Ages — $5-$7 adults/Kids FREE

Note: Not hosted by Cola City Homeschoolers Click HERE for more information and to get the discount admission coupon.
Located at the State Fairgrounds. Saturday-Sunday, May 21-22. No Global Education Day on Friday this year.
The Columbia International Festival showcases the music, culture, food and performing arts of the various cultures, nationalities, races and language groups represented in South Carolina. Since 1996, the event has been bringing together all of the area’s international communities to build better community/race relations between various ethnic/cultural/language groups and with the South Carolina community at large.
​International Food Court (Saturday & Sunday) Sample the exotic flavors of foreign cuisines from around the world. You’ll come back for more!
Cultural Entertainment Throughout each festival day, groups representing many countries will delight you with staged performances of their national dances.
​International Fashion Show Enjoy this show of the traditional costumes which uniquely garb people from around the world. Saturday – 4 pm: Adult fashion show, Sunday – 4 pm: Children’s show.
​International Bazaar Shop the many booths for authentic clothing, crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs imported from around the world.
Cultural Demonstrations Learn how to do something new, like origami, use chopsticks, write in another script, play other cultural games, say Hello, Thank You, Good-bye, or count in another language.
​Parade of Nations Traditionally dressed representatives from nearly 100 countries proudly present their home country’s flag at the 2 p.m. Saturday parade.

Homeschool Friday: Relic Room
2022-05-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Firefly Games, 736-C, St Andrews Shopping Center, 736 St Andrews R, Columbia, SC, 29210, United States
Homeschool Fridays Workshop
by SC Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum
Monthly: 3rd Friday 10 am or 11 am
Free — All ages
Contact Joe Long for more info: wjlong@crr.sc.gov
More information Click HERE
The SC Confederate Relic room and Military Museum’s Homeschool Fridays are a FREE program, offered one or two Fridays each month during the academic year. Sessions are at 10 am and 11 am (the same lesson is taught both hours). Programs are geared toward students of all ages. Get an “acheivement award” by attending 10 session and completing a project.
2021-2022 Workshops Schedule:

Aug 13: How to Study a Battle
Aug 20: Siege at Malta
Sept 10: Vienna: When the Winged Hussars Arrived
Sept 17: The Seige of Savannah
Oct 8: Thaddeus Kosciuszko and the Siege of Ninety-Six
Oct 22: The Sige of the Alamo
Nov 12: Forts and Artillery
Dec 10: The Great Beefsteak Raid: Wade Hampton’s Cavalry Coup
Dec 17: 11 am only Dueling & Dancing
Jan 21: The Leadership Legacy of Lee
Feb 11: Corporal Sowers at Hill 188 & SC Heroes at St. Quentin
Mar 25: Paratroops Under Seige: Operation Market-Garden
Apr 8: Seige of Firbase Ripcord
May 13: Memorials & Memory

Geocache for Teens
2022-05-06 12:00 - 14:30 | Firefly Games, 736-C, St Andrews Shopping Center, 736 St Andrews R, Columbia, SC, 29210, United States
Geocache Teen Meet-up
By HERO Co-op
Friday, May 6 at noon
Teens — $5/teen
Announcing HERO’s new Geocaching Club! Meeting the 1st Friday at one of the State Parks. Scavenger hunt, high-tech style! You do not need to be a member of the HERO Co-op to attend this activity.
This meet-up is at Paris Mountain State Park: 2401 State Park Road, Greenville, SC
This club is designed to offer social outdoor time for teens, learning some orienteering skills while also learning about South Carolina culture/history/geography.
More details: all state parks will be within a two-hour drive from the Irmo area.
Students will take the lead on locating geocaches.
One smartphone needed per family.
Orienteering videos are recommended to help with skills.
Club open for middle and high school students only. (Families with younger siblings will be grouped together apart from the teen group).
Easy to moderate hiking required.
Reward for completing all five club meetings.
Meet at the state park (carpooling can be considered) at noon.
Cost: $5 per event for participating students, plus admission to state parks.
Contact Amanda Phifer with questions, 803-467-8501, amandaphifer@yahoo.com
Register for Friday’s event Click HERE to register.

Boys Who Code Club
2022-05-04 16:30 - 17:30 | Virtual Event
Boys Who Code Club
by IT-ology
Wedesdays @4:30 pm
FREE — 6th-12th grade
Click here to register; NOTE: this is not a Cola City activity, please contact IT-ology for more information and registration.

IT-oLogy’s Boys Who Code club is free to join virtual afterschool coding club for SC boys 6th-12th grades.

IT-oLogy’s all new Boys Who Code Club will begin meeting in December to kick off Computer Science Education Week. Please join us for live, instructor-led virtual workshops to teach South Carolina boys in grades 6-12 the fundamentals of coding, its history, technology evolution, cyber safety and cyber careers.

Students will learn to code, program interactive stories, create apps, animations and games with engaging activities with Hour of Code™. Students will also be introduced to artificial intelligence and the basics of machine learning. Hour of Code™ on-demand resources will also help nurture problem-solving skills, logic, creativity, and starts a foundation for success in any 21st-century career path. During IT-oLogy’s workshops, students will explore HTML, JavaScript, Python and Scratch programming languages and most importantly, have FUN coding!
IT-oLogy’s Boys Who Code club is free to join and hosted virtually bi-weekly on Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m beginning December 8, 2021 and will run through May 2022. Students of any coding-ability levels are encouraged to join. This free opportunity is open to all South Carolina boys in grades 6-12.
