Greetings from Forest Springs Family Winter Camp in Wisconsin where I'm speaking this week. Just got back from some world class tubing. I’m cold, sore, and tired . . . but feeling full. 

There’s just something satisfying when you know you’ve spent your day well . . . on stuff that really matters. That’s the beauty of family camp and why I’m a big advocate for family or homeschool camps. 

We’ve spoken at our share of them, and it has been such a memory making experience for all our kids. To be honest, I wasn’t a big fan of the idea when my wife told me all of her fond, childhood memories at family retreats. They always sounded like taking a vacation to church. My experience is that nothing could be further from the truth. 

What I observe is that families get to step away from normal, busy homeschooling and life and get to spend time doing what matters like playing, laughing, and tubing together. 

One of the dads told me today, "Today was the first time in a long time that we all did something fun together.”

So I don’t know what you’ve got planned for the summer, but you should spend a few minutes researching some of the local family camps near you. You might just start your new favorite family tradition.

Well, that wasn’t what I thought I was going to write . . . but there you go. 

Be real,

Todd

When I was in elementary school, I still remember learning how to use the Dewey Decimal System to get around the library for research purposes. Nearly 20 years later, I would use a computer for the first time; and just a few years after that, my own kids would start using a computer to play educational games. Thirty years ago, I never would have predicted that I would be helping my homeschooled high schoolers navigate personal online tutoring, AP online classes, and dual-enrollment courses. Now that my homeschooling years have come to an end, would I take this route all over again? Absolutely, but there are some things I would change.

Most homeschooling families are familiar with the benefits and risks of using the internet to facilitate their children’s education at home. Some of the benefits of online learning include the following:

In a perfect world, there would be only benefits to online learning. However, risks and concerns are real. The online learning environment:

So, what would I repeat from my experience and what would I do differently today? What I’d repeat in a heartbeat:

And what would I change?

Not rushing into online learning at too early an age will reinforce your children’s natural ability to learn and strengthen your relationship with them. When they are older, taking the time to train your kids to be responsible and self-disciplined and to proficiently use the tools needed for online learning is worth the investment. You know your kids better than anyone else and will know when and how much is best for them.

Tracy Klicka , the widow of former HSLDA attorney Christopher Klicka, is a homeschooling mom of seven, now adult children. As a seasoned homeschooler and gifted writer and speaker for over 20 years, Tracy has addressed thousands of parents at homeschooling conventions and women’s events, has contributed to  Christianity Today , regularly writes for national homeschool publications, and has contributed to her late husband’s books on homeschooling. She currently serves as Director of Development for the  Home School Foundation ,the charitable arm of HSLDA, which helps families homeschooling through hard times. She also blogs at www.TracyKlicka.com  and for HSLDA’s  Everyday Homeschooling   blog column.



She can be reached at  [email protected] .

Independent Study

Realistically, you can’t be all things to all people. This is where independent study can prove to be a benefit. However, independent study has proven to be far more beneficial to the student in leadership, life skills, and college preparation than just making life easier for mom! 

Independent study is basically your students taking responsibility for their learning. This approach has been a principal part of character building in my children. 

Independent study has different options. Online study is probably the most popular, but sometimes there are a handful of reasons why we can’t. We went through a season of insane internet issues. I know there are several technological solutions, but you need to understand the person writing here! However, there is another option that can help guide your student in independent learning if online isn’t for you.

Honestly, I don’t use independent study for all subjects. There are some subjects I really want to be a part of and want to be right in the middle with them learning. There are other subjects where they really don’t need me hovering over them. I do want to stress that I don’t have children use this approach in weak areas. I find they start bad learning habits that take longer to correct.

I usually start when my children have become adept readers. We would start with the easiest subject for them and gradually work our way to other subjects. For the first few weeks encourage them to look at the schedule and do it without you. Let them do the work by themselves, but be available for questions and help. This is a guided approach. If they have done well, allow them to grade their work (trustworthiness will be obvious when the tests come around). Keep increasing the responsibility level while keeping a close eye on the progress.

What if your child isn’t being honest (because it will come out)? GREAT! (seriously!) Keep in mind your job isn’t only teaching academics. This is a safe place to fail and learn consequences about life. Struggles, failure, and consequences are essential to learning. They will learn there are natural consequences to sin. It’s a chance to share  Proverbs 10:9.

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

And  Luke 16:10.

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Home is the perfect place to nurture your children to learn independently and become dependable adults.

Kerry Tittle is a mother of nine children and a 20-year homeschool veteran. She was the owner of ReformationKidz with her husband Rob until a tornado destroyed their home and business in 2014, taking the lives of Rob and two of their daughters, Tori and Rebekah. Kerry is the founder of Refined Family , which is created to encourage others to find hope in the gospel in the midst of trials.