Welcome to
Cary Homeschoolers
We're excited to meet you!
Welcome to Cary Homeschoolers, a vibrant and inclusive community of learners and educators dedicated to providing a secular and supportive homeschooling experience. Our mission is to create a space where families can come together to explore, grow, and thrive—regardless of religious beliefs, backgrounds, or cultural identities.
About
We recognize that one of the most important aspects of homeschooling is ensuring children have opportunities to socialize, make friends, and develop vital interpersonal skills. At CHS, we prioritize creating an inclusive and engaging social network where kids and parents can form lasting connections.
Benefits
At CHS, we offer a wide range of activities to enrich the homeschooling experience for our members. View our benefits page to learn about some of the exciting opportunities available to our members.
FAQs
Read our Frequently Asked Questions to learn if CHS is right for you and your family.
Join
We are thrilled to welcome you to CHS! Discover exciting events and opportunities by becoming a member.
About
Welcome to Cary Homeschoolers, Inc. (CHS)! We're a friendly and inclusive homeschool socialization and support group founded in 2001. Our aim is to meet the needs of our local community by providing a welcoming environment for homeschooling families in and around Cary, NC.
With our rapid growth over the years, we now have around 200 member families, comprising approximately 375 students of all ages. We believe in inclusivity, and membership is open to all homeschooling families regardless of their beliefs, educational methods, or philosophies.
At CHS, our primary goal is to help our children develop and maintain social connections with their peers. We also provide parents with an opportunity to share ideas, seek support, and find a social outlet. We organize a variety of activities such as park days, game days, playdates, and field trips to foster lasting relationships and encourage personal growth.
CHS is not a school, but a collaborative group where parents and children learn and grow together! Our events are not drop-off--we ask that parents attend and participate in activities with their children.
Check out our benefits page to find out more about our vibrant homeschooling community!
Benefits
Below are just a few of the many benefits our families enjoy as members of Cary Homeschoolers.
Social Groups
We have multiple subgroups based on age that meet every week. The groups are divided into ages 0-5, 4-8, 7-11, tweens, and teens. Each group is designed to foster connections and create a close-knit, supportive community for students of all ages!
Clubs
CHS is home to many clubs and groups, including:
Chess Club
Book Clubs for different ages
Photography Club
Garden Club
Gavel Club
Minecraft Club
Soccer Meetup
Gamers Group
Science Olympiad
Lego League
Annual Events
The CHS Board of Directors hosts multiple events for all ages annually:
Science Fair
Geography Fair
Art Show
Talent Show
Bingo
Kids' Bazaar
Ice cream social
Fall kick-off
Classes and Special Events
Our families organize dozens of classes and special activities every year, including:
Classes at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Archery lessons
Local tours
Classes led by park rangers at county parks
Enrichment classes with Bob Alderink of NCMNS
Fieldtrips
Adventure, exploration, and hands-on learning! Our group frequently schedules fun and educational field trips. A few favorites include:
Morehead Planetarium
Millstone Creek Farms
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
NC Museum of Art
Prairie Ridge Ecostation
Bennet Place Historic Landmark
Education Concert with the NC Symphony
Sea Turtle Rescue
Volunteer Opportunities
CHS families are committed to giving back to our community, and frequently participate in volunteer activities.
Generations Unite (volunteering at a retirement community)
President's Volunteer Service Award
Park clean ups
Adopt-a-spot
Parent Support
We believe in fostering a supportive community for parents too! Connect with other homeschooling parents and build lasting friendships. Our experienced parents are always happy to discuss curriculum choices, testing options, learning styles, homeschooling special needs children, transcript preparation, college applications, and much more!
Join CHS and Experience a Vibrant Community!
We are thrilled to welcome you to CHS! Discover exciting events and opportunities by becoming a member. To get started, simply click the button below to request to join our Heylo group.
Enjoy a one week free trial, then $25/family annually.
Membership Requirements:
Each CHS member family must be actively homeschooling or considering homeschooling at least one child.
CHS member families must live locally, including Cary, NC, and the Triangle area. If you are moving to the area soon, you may join ahead of your move.
Annual Membership Fee: Our group has a nominal $25 annual fee per family. After a one week free-trial, members will be prompted to pay the $25 fee through Heylo. After that, you'll pay the $25 fee annually on the anniversary of the date you joined.
Activity Participation: The strength of our group lies in the active participation of our members and the sharing of ideas and talents. We encourage each family organize or host two activities each year. This can be as simple as setting up a park play date, or setting up a field trip to a museum.
What is Heylo?
Heylo is a community management platform. Cary Homeschoolers uses it to organize our growing group. You can download the Heylo app on any mobile device, or log into your account in a brower.
To join, sign up on Heylo and be sure to fill out our membership questionnaire. These answers are only visible to our admin team, and we use them to ensure you are a real-life homeschooler!
Once you apply and are accepted to our private Heylo group, you will find:
Chat groups: Join the chats that you care about based on your child's age and interests.
Events: All of CHS's events are listed under the events tab. Find out event details, RSVP, and ask questions in the event chat.
Members: Did you meet an awesome family at an event and want to connect? You can find them in our member list and request to send a message.
Benefits: Learn more about our clubs, co-ops, and groups.
FAQs
Read our Frequently Asked Questions below to see if CHS is the right fit for your family.
1. What does "secular" mean for CHS?
Our group is secular, meaning we focus on educational and social activities that are NOT influenced by religious beliefs. We create an inclusive environment where all families, regardless of their religious or non-religious backgrounds, feel welcome and respected.
2. Who can join the group?
Our group is open to all homeschooling families! Whether you’re new to homeschooling or have been on this journey for a while, you’re welcome to join.
3. How big is the group?
We have roughly 200 active families with students ranging from preschool to high school.
4. When did the group start?
The group formed in 2001, and has grown rapidly over the years.
5. What ages do you support?
We welcome families with children of all ages! We have events and activities for all ages. And we also offer subgroups based on age, including:
Ages 0-5
Ages 4-8
Ages 7-11
Tweens
Teens
Age groups are flexible and younger and older siblings are welcome to attend.
6. What kind of activities does the group offer?
We offer a wide range of activities, including:
weekly meetups
field trips
social events
interest-based clubs
annual celebrations (like talent shows and science fairs)
7. Where do you meet?
Most events and activities are held in the Triangle area. We also venture farther out for field trips.
8. How often do you meet?
There is a CHS event almost every day of the week. We have weekly meetups for different age groups and clubs, plus monthly field trips and special events.
9. Are you a school?
No–we offer many educational activities, but we do not provide a complete education.
10. Can I drop my kids off at events?
No–most events are NOT drop off events, and parents are expected to stay with their child.
11. How much does it cost?
Each family pays an annual $25 fee per year. We strive to keep most activities and events free or low-cost.
12. How is the membership fee used?
We use member fees to pay for the annual board-hosted events like the Talent Show and Science Fair. The fee also covers the cost of maintaining our website, Heylo, and other management costs. No one at CHS earns money–our dedicated leaders all volunteer their time.
13. Who runs the group?
CHS is led by an elected board of directors. These are parents who volunteer their time to make sure the group runs smoothly and provides excellent value to our families.
14. What are my responsibilities?
We encourage each family to host at least 2 events per year. This could be as simple as a park playdate or organizing a field trip to a museum.
15. Can we join just for the field trips or special events?
Yes–you are welcome to attend as many or as few events as you’d like.
16. Can I join if I’m homeschooling part-time or in a non-traditional way?
Absolutely! Our group is all about creating a flexible, supportive space for different educational styles.
17. What if we’re new to homeschooling or the area?
We’re here to help! Whether you're new to homeschooling or just new to the area, you’ll find a welcoming community ready to support you.
18. Can we join if we are moving to the area soon?
We understand how hard moving can be, and the stress associated with finding a new homeschool group. Please feel free to join ahead of your move to learn about the area and our group.
19. How do you ensure inclusivity and respect for all families?
We have a strong commitment to creating a respectful, inclusive environment where every family feels welcome, regardless of their background or beliefs. If there are ever any issues, please reach out to the board of directors.
20. How do I get started with homeschooling in NC?
To begin your homeschooling journey in North Carolina, it's important to familiarize yourself with the official homeschool information provided by trusted sources. You can visit the following websites for valuable resources:
21. How do I join CHS?
Head to the How to Join page to learn how to sign up on Heylo.
22. What is Heylo?
Heylo is a community management platform. We use Heylo to organize our group.
23. How do I use Heylo?
We recommend downloading the Heylo app if you have a mobile device. You may also access through a browser. Once you’re accepted into the group, you’ll find chats, events, and benefit information.
24. What if I’m not sure if CHS is right for our family?
We recommend joining our Heylo group for a 1-week free trial. Ask questions in the chats, attend events, and read more about our benefits to see if CHS is the right fit for you!
We hope to meet you soon!