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• Well, B.E.E.C.H. stands for exactly what we are trying to do - Bringing Enrichment and Encouragement to Christian Homeschoolers.  
• And the name BEECH seemed very appropriate:
  • Did you know that the Beech tree is the Tree of Learning, Knowledge and Understanding?
  • Did you know that ancient writing tablets were often made from Beech trees?
  • Did you know that early books were often made by binding together thin slices of Beech wood?
  • Did you know that the word book comes from the word meaning Beech in many languages such as:  German, Old English, Dutch, Russian, etc.
  • The Beech tree reminds us of the importance of learning, writing and preserving knowledge for future generations, just like we, as homeschoolers, are educating our future generations.
• BEECH is easy to say and easy to remember.
• Plus we really liked this Phillips Brook quote - “It is not pride when the BEECH tree refuses to copy the Oak. The only chance of any healthy life for it is to be as full a BEECH tree as it can be." It's a good reminder that every child we homeschool is unique and we should appreciate, encourage and celebrate each child's special talents and not compare siblings to each other or to our friend's children.

BEECH just seemed like a great fit for a Homeschool Group!!

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We are different from other homeschool groups because:

1. We are trying to build a Christian community for your children and family.  We want your children to make friends that have similar values and beliefs, that they will grow up with and hopefully remain friends with at least through high school if not longer.  We want you to make friends and have support too!
2. We are trying to offer a community that is more than just showing up for an occasional event or field trip.  We hope that you see a lot of the same folks at BEECH events and get to know them.
3. In order to build a community, it takes work and commitment.  That's why we ask each member to volunteer to help out in at least one area per school year.
4. We ask members to attend two mandatory meetings per year - one in the fall semester and one in the spring.  This gives us the opportunity to put names to faces and answer any questions you have directly.  It also allows us to address questions or concerns of the group and update them on any new information or changes related to BEECH.  In order for the community to stay together, it's important for the community to get together at least twice a year!
5. We want to offer many of the things that your kids would get in public school - like field days, yearbooks, Daddy Daughter Dances, Mom/Son nights and graduations.  Plus educational field trips and fun social activities.  We offer family events also, to help promote the sense of community and also so members can get to know each other.
6. We provide a secure format and website for your family to use.  You can post pictures and attachments and know that the site is secured.  Forum posts are easy to answer from your email and either reply directly to the sender or to the whole group.  We use a secure texting app so you can have the convenience of messages going directly to your mobile phone.
7. You are also able to opt out of forums that are of no interest to you to help keep your email traffic down.  All your kids are between k-4th then opt out of the teen groups.  Have a teen - then opt out of the younger groups.  

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We have different age group categories because we feel it helps children to build friendships.  It's much easier to make friends with someone when you have things in common.  And when you can get kids together on a fairly regular basis, friendships will naturally bloom.  While we offer family events over the course of the year, we find that it is easier for children to make friends when they are with kids that are in similar growth and developmental stages. High school kids don't always want to hang at the park with 5 year olds.  And 7 year olds aren't necessarily ready to sit quietly through a 3 hour lecture on WWII and the Holocaust. Teens may want to go to a dance without their 8 year old sibling tagging along.

By dividing the group into different age groups, team leaders are able to plan fun events and activities better suited to that particular age group. Elementary kids might love a Valentine party at Monkey Joe's; however, the high school kids are probably looking for something a little more grown up.  Siblings are always welcome at events when appropriate.  So please don't feel that you need to leave the little ones (or the big ones) at home when you go on a field trip.  If your high schooler wants to go to Monkey Joe's with their 9 year old brother by all means bring them.  But also please use common sense when taking the whole family to an event and make sure it is appropriate for all your kids.  The only time we as a group limit who can come to an event is when the site itself has given us certain limitations or a head count restriction, or when it would be completely inappropriate (an elementary child attending prom).  We do expect all children, regardless of age, to behave appropriately and politely at events and activities.  

Again siblings are always welcome at events when appropriate.  Please note that a break down of the different age group categories can be found on the application for membership.  

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It's always difficult grouping children together and most folks have differing opinions on how to do it.  We tried to find a way that will work best for most folks.  The way which fits best with Georgia public schools is K-2, 3-5, middle and high school.  But we don't have public school kids - WE ARE HOMESCHOOLERS - and with homeschoolers grades can often be fluid.

We chose to group kids by age and developmentally but also left the moms with some flexibility - that's why you will notice that there are age overlaps within the groupings.  However, we do have minimum age/grade requirements for each age level.

We find that certain Ages are transition years -  ages 6/9/12 and 15 especially.  So we tried to leave moms room to maneuver.  First of all we want toddler and preschool kids to feel welcome and Prek kids have a lot in common with K.  Some folks start K at age 5 and some start it at age 6.  Kids in K that are just learning to write their ABCs are very different developmentally from 8 year olds.  Maybe your 9 year old is in 3rd grade or maybe he is in 4th grade.  Do you feel your 9 year old 4th grader is better staying with the young elementary kids (6-9) vs. moving up to the tweens group (9-12) to be with kids turning 11 and 12?  It's your choice.  Maybe you have a 12 year old 7th grader that is very mature - then you can move her up to the young teen group - or if you don't think she is ready to be hanging with kids 14 and 15 that are getting ready for high school then keep her in the tween group for another year.  9th grade is always a difficult year for kids to find where they fit in.  They aren't always ready to be hanging out with kids that are driving cars, working jobs and getting ready to go off to college.  That's why we keep 9th graders in the young teen group till that 15th birthday and then encourage them to participate in events with BOTH the younger and older teens.  But if your 15 year old freshman or even sophmore isn't ready to hang with the 17/18 year olds then by all means keep them in the young teens (13-15) group another year!  The choice is yours.  We have to have guidelines for the groups which is why we have age/grade minimums that you must meet, but as the parent you know your child best.  That's why we leave you a choice for those transition years as you know how mature or immature your child is and whether or not they are ready to move up to the next age level.    

Again, please note that the age group teams are described on the application for membership.  

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We only require that you belong to the chat forums that fit your kids' age group so you are up to date on activities they are doing.    Forums and age groups have been established to help build closer relationships with families in similar circumstances.  So we ask you to please keep within your forums and age groups for activities. 

However, you are able to follow and view any optional forum that you so choose.  If you see an activity or a field trip in another group that you think your kids would really get something out of  - by all means talk to the field trip/event coordinator and  get permission to sign up, especially if your child has friends in that older/younger age group and would be coming as their guest.  It shouldn't be a problem unless there is a head count or some other type restriction (for example: related to age or developmental readiness).  After all, we let younger and older siblings attend events all the time.   However, please make sure the event is suitable to your child's maturity and developmental level.  Should your child attend a field trip or event not in their age group - if your child doesn't behave properly - then please realize you probably won't be allowed to do that again.  And if you bring a younger/older BEECH friend as a guest to an event you are responsible for their conduct at all times.