General Information
Please refer to our Handbook for more information.
We are foremost a Christian program that seeks to grow Christ-like, servant-hearted, community-minded, equipped leaders as stated in 2 Timothy 3:17, “That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
We are here to support your home education. If you decide to join our community, we will collaborate together to make this a successful homeschool cooperative program.
Is Hidden Acres Running Camp Skholē?
This program will be directed by someone on staff at Hidden Acres. A committee composed of volunteers will help guide and direct the program. Teachers will be independent contractors that will be hand selected by the committee. New Teachers must go through an interview process with Rebeca Carpenter. We prefer teachers who are also parents invested in the success of our program because their children are a part, but will also consider teachers with prior experience teaching at homeschool co-ops.
Is this considered to be a school? Will it replace my student's public school experience?
Camp Skholē is not a school in the general sense. It is a program run under the non-profit umbrella of Hidden Acres and falls under their mission: To Experience Christ, Equip Leaders, and Expand Community. It will be a cooperative program with a Christian Worldview Perspective that will offer classes for grades K-12, as well as classes, workshops, and events for adults and families. Our purpose is to supplement your home education efforts as we work together in a co-op fashion of dividing up the cost of using a great location site and coordinating classes and events.
Can I drop my child off?
For most classes and events, parents or guardians will be asked to remain on campus. Students younger than 7th Grade must have a parent or guardian present on campus at all times. For some events, students in 7th grade and older may attend without a parent or guardian, as long as they adhere to the facility rules. The Committee reserves the right to ask a parent to remain on campus if student behavior has become an issue.
How do I join?
Please refer to our registration page for more info.
Is it hard to get in at this co-op?
Because our facilities cannot accommodate large classes and because we want to be very intentional in creating a sense of closeness in the community we are called to serve, we will select the number of new families each year based on space availability, and whether or not we are a good match for your family and you're a good match for this co-op. Complete the registration process, and we will prayerfully do the rest. We don’t generally promote the program but it is majorly spread through word of mouth.
Are families chosen on a first come/first served basis?
While it is helpful for new families to apply early in order to ensure everything is in by the deadline, families are not chosen based on how early they apply. Co-op makes these decisions based on factors that include: family references, student grade levels (in relation to class space available), and whether the co-op is the right fit for individual family needs. As long as all paperwork is submitted by the deadline, all new family applicants are considered equally.
How are committee members selected?
Committee members are hand selected by our Director. We select leaders who have a passion to serve and see this program succeed. We will add to our committee as needs arise for more roles or if someone in the committee cannot serve in their role.
What do I do if I have an issue with another parent, teacher, or committee member that I can't get resolved?
If you have spoken directly to and tried to resolve an issue with a parent or a teacher and have been unable to resolve it using Biblical Conflict Resolution (Following the principles set by Matthew 18:15-16, we believe that you should deal directly and lovingly with the offending party. Conflict is resolved best with a humble and loving spirit.) please contact our director at rcarpenter@hiddenacres.org
What is your illness/disease policy?
Participants are too ill to attend class if he or she has any of these signs:
Seems very tired and needs bed rest (this is common with flu symptoms)
Has vomiting or diarrhea
Becomes short of breath or is wheezing
Has a cough that disrupts normal activity
Has distracting pain from earache, headache, sore throat or recent injury
Has yellow or green drainage from eye(s)
Breaks out in a rash; not all rashes require that a child stay home from school so check with your child’s doctor
Fever
If body temperature is above 100.5 degrees F. He/she may return to school when he has been without fever for 24 hours.
A person should stay home from camp skhole if he/she has a contagious disease. A contagious disease is one that can be spread by close contact with a person or object. Examples are: chickenpox, flu, vomiting, diarrhea, colds, strep throat and "pinkeye." If your child has a contagious disease, ask your doctor when he may return to school.
Class Information
What grades do you offer classes for?
We aim to offer classes for K-12th Grade and workshops and events for teens, adults, and families but each school year will look different depending on classes submitted by teachers and selected by the committee. While we do allow some K4 students to join classes we do that case by case. Please be aware that we will generally not accept families starting off with just a K4 student.
What types of classes will you offer?
We will offer a few classes in the fall and spring as minimesters as well as workshops and events throughout the year. Our committee will plan the school year schedule and present it in late Spring. We will rotate the class schedule and hope to have a variety of classes covering the basic subjects of Language Arts, Math, History, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Languages, Art, Music, and other elective options.
Is my child obligated to stay in a class we signed up for?
Your child is not obligated to stay in a class but depending on the class time frame if you have committed to a workshop or class that has a supply fee you may still have to pay a percentage of the class.
What do I do if I need to drop out completely mid-semester?
If the class(es) is/are dropped at any point after the halfway mark you continue to pay full tuition for the class, even if your student is withdrawing from co-op completely This is according to the Family Agreement that each family signs before enrolling in classes. (There may be an exception due to unpredictable circumstances such as hospitalizations…..these will be examined on a case by case scenario)
How are classes selected each year?
Our committee will plan the school year schedule and present it in late Spring. We will hold a mom meeting in the Fall and get input as to classes of interest for the upcoming school year.
Tuition and Fees
How much is the Enrollment Fee?
Camp Skholē has an annual enrollment fee of $100 per family. This is to hold your spot in the mini-semesters and events & workshops. You will pay separately for programming, classes, & supply fees.
When is Tuition due?
Tuition due dates for mini-mesters will be announced before each semester. Tuition for OAKS is due the first day. Tuition for workshops will depend on teachers.
Tuition will be paid directly to each teacher.
How much is Tuition?
Tuition is based on the length of the class. Here's a general list of the tuition amounts for our classes per child:
6 Week Mini-mester
55-minute classes: $35 per semester + supply fee
120-minute classes: $60 per semester + supply fee
Two-Hour Workshop: $20 + supply fee
OAKS Leadership Program is $40 to Hidden Acres plus $10 per student to their individual teacher for the total 4 day session.
What happens if I miss Tuition Day?
If you know that you will be out of town when tuition is due, you can consider these options: leave your checks at the Welcome Center the week before, send it with a friend, or mail them to the teachers in advance. Late payments may be paid the next week with a $10 late fee per class payment. This late fee increases each week that you don't pay, so make sure and pay ASAP.
What are deposits?
Class deposits hold your student's place in the class and allows the teacher to purchase supplies that are needed to teach your child. Class deposits are set by the teacher, not the co-op. If you have questions about your deposit amounts, please contact the teacher.
How much are the deposits?
The deposit amount varies, based on what the teacher needs for supplies and other resources for the class. You can refer to the class descriptions to see the individual deposit amounts for each class. If you have questions about any deposit amounts, please contact the teacher.
When are deposit amounts paid?
Deposit amounts will be due three weeks before class or workshop is scheduled to begin. You will need to contact the teacher about their preferred way to receive the deposit. Please refer to our Handbook for more information. Link below
What are Volunteer Service Hours?
Parents are what make this co-op function, and we need everyone's help, so we ask parents to serve in one way or another. Parents will be given options of ways to serve throughout each year of programming.
How can I be a part of the Camp Skholē leadership?
Volunteers are the backbone of Hidden Acres and of this program and we welcome your participation. If you are interested in serving contact Rebeca Carpenter at rcarpenter@hiddenacres.org and 214-673-5071.