HCECF - Homeschool Cooperative

Homeschool Cooperative Educating in Central Florida, HCECF, is an inclusive and eclectic group of home-educating families in the greater Orlando area (basically Orange county, Seminole county and  Lake County) working together since 2001 for weekly co-ops, science and history classes, book clubs, fun educational fieldtrips, homeschool faires, BRICKschoolers LEGO® and robotics programs, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) - IT (internet technology) related programs, SECME teams, Science Olympiad team, Odyssey of the Mind team, PE and sports days including Presidential Fitness Testing, annual drum building campouts and H.E.A.R.T.S. homeschool community service volunteers program including administration of  Volunteer Service Awards and many more educational and social opportunities!

HCECF offers discounted FPEA and SHEAF memberships, yearbooks, membership cards, faires, campouts, a FULL calendar of homeschool activities and numerous other homeschooling and parenting resources which are available in our members-only Yahoo! group discussion forum for a diverse age group, while maintaining and supporting the individual valuable educational choices each family has made.

Homeschoolers of ALL ages are welcome at HCECF. We have neither an upper nor lower age limit. HCECF has a growing middle school and high school program. Plus, many of our families have children of elementary age and younger. As our children age, so will the focus ages and activities offered through this homeschool support group, enabling the children and parents to continue the bonds of friendship and support that have formed. Younger children tend to be under-represented in the homeschooling support groups since many have a minimum age requirement, unless there is an older sibling in the group. Hopefully that need will be filled here at HCECF. Homeschooling can begin at birth and that is one of the ideas behind starting this group - no child is too young for quality educational experiences.

HCECF is truly inclusive and eclectic and, as such, welcomes and values participation from people of different faiths, religions, lack of same, races, ethnicities, family composition, sexual orientation, diets, vaccination status, abilities or disabilities, curriculum choices, learning styles and home education styles. HCECF firmly believes everyone picks the right path for themselves and their family. Member of the International Inclusive Homeschool Directory.  

A home education journey often has many different paths with different families choosing different ones to meet their unique needs. Recognizing that neither HCECF nor any other support group can truly meet the needs of all its homeschooling families at all times, we cultivate and maintain positive networking relationships among other local groups in order to help the entire local homeschooling community thrive. By working together with a network of other support groups and business partners in education, the range of resources and activities available to our members and the entire homeschooling network is greatly increased.

HCECF members are also active on a statewide level through their participation, support and involvement with FL Homeschoolers,  Learning is for Everyone, Inc., FloridaLIFE,  and other educational organizations.

Life of Florida's annual LIFE Fest is a great resource!