Membership

Park day participation and e-mails are always free through  Arlington Explorers.  However, families who wish to participate with the group on field trips, craft days, discounted testing, and all other AE events, must pay a $20 per year annual fee.  Membership lasts to September 1 of the upcoming year, regardless of when the family pays.  The fee is used for group maintainance expenses, advance field trip deposits, and advanced purchase of supplies for children's and family activities.  Additional fees for field trips, testing, craft days, etc. may apply.

Although Arlington Explorers is a Christian group, we do not require a signed statement of faith to join and all denominations are welcome.    Our members feel that a true statement of faith is exemplified by how we live our lives and interact with others.  Therefore, we require that member families observe our rules for park days and field trip/special events.   Please review the rules on the website to determine if our group is the right fit for your family.  

If you wish to become a member family or require additional information, please feel free to contact Meleah Noland-Dennis, group leader. 

Park Days

Every Friday we have a park day at Ed Austin Regional Park.  We meet from 1-3 p.m.  Park days provide an opportunity for moms and children to enjoy fellowship and encouragement.  New homeschoolers can glean from the wisdom of the veterans, who are willing to answer your questions. 


Please read our park day rules here. 

 Ed Austin Regional Park 
11751 McCormick Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32225-1834

 Field Trips

We are pleased to offer monthly field trips to a variety of venues. Some of our more memorable field trips in the past included tours of The Sally Corporation, Agrirama, Channel 4 News, a helicopter squadron at our local Naval base, and many more.  Please refer to our calendar for dates and details.  

Please read our field trip rules here.

Small Groups

Rather than form a formal co-op, the Arlington Explorers encourages the development of small, interest based groups within the group.  Two groups which have already formed for this year are GPS and American Girl Book Club.  As small groups are added, descriptions will be displayed on this page.
  


GPS (Getting Priorities Straight)   

GPS is a small group opportunity for youth grades 6 and up.  One of the goals of the Arlington Explorers is to equip and strengthen a fleet of Christ-following youth who are maturing and learning as they develop their personal skills of discernment through leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and fellowship.    If we can successfully teach our children to make wise choices on what they spend their time, energy, effort, and money, how to interact with others in leadership, as a team, and how to express why they make the choices they do in logical terms, they will leave the nest far more prepared than the majority of adults roaming this world.   Most importantly, youth need to have FUN while learning these valuable life lessons. 

American Girl Book Club

The American Girl Book Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday from 1-3 pm. for elementary age girls.  This will be a club, not a class.  Each month, we will participate in book discussions with fun trivia and other games, period crafts to create, and foods to try.    We begin with Kaya and proceed through an American Girl of Today.  It is not a requirement to own one of the dolls. It will be a requirement that they have read the book for each meeting, either independently or with their parent.  What is our goal?  We want to inspire a love of reading, American history, and grow meaningful friendships and pride in wholesome, American girlhood.


Community Service Projects

Arlington Explorers is proud to participate in at least one community service project per year. Some of the projects in past years include: collecting pop-tops to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House, making no-sew fleece pillows for Wolfson's Children's Hospital, participating in Operation Christmas Box and a City Rescue Mission Food Drive, collecting curriculum materials and other needed items for homeschooling families hit by hurricanes, and collecting items for the BEAKS Bird and Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and Sanctuary.  In May 2007 our 4-H group collected over $1,200 via a walk-a-thon to purchase 274 books and 77 puzzles and games for the Wolfson Children's Hospital's  library. 

Fundraisers

To raise funds for our group we collect box tops.  If needed for a specific purpose within the group, we will organize an additional fundraiser during the home school year.