Broken Arrow CHEF (BACHEF)

Our Purpose:
• To provide an environment of encouragement and support for homeschooling families
• To provide a place for information and help to homeschooling families
• To provide a Christian environment for our children to grow and develop with like-minded families.

We have a very active group, with activities not only for moms and children, but for the family unit as well. We strive to maintain the small-group feel where every family can know each other and therefore be a support to each other on our homeschooling journey.

Quick links: Support Group, Activities, Membership

SUPPORT FOR NEW HOMESCHOOLERS: New-to Homeschooling Class Each fall, we have a class for those new or fairly new to homeschooling OR those beginning a new phase in homeschooling such as high school or homeschooling with a newborn, etc… This is a place to get information and encouragement from those who have walked the path before you.

SUPPORT FOR PARENTS: Regular activities and group events

Ladies Meeting:
While we acknowledge the fact that the father is the head of the household and therefore, the head of our home schools, it most often is the mom who is implementing the day to day education in the home. Therefore, our monthly meetings are geared toward moms and offering support to them that they often need. This adult environment gives each mom the freedom to share, learn, encourage and be encouraged by others. Of course, nursing infants are always welcome.

We meet the second Tuesday of every month (August –May excluding December), at 7:00 pm. For information on location, contact the current BACHEF leader (see email address at bottom). Our meetings typically consist of a time for business and announcements, followed by a break for fellowship, then usually a special speaker or topic related to homeschooling. The purpose of every meeting is to meet the need for information, fellowship and encouragement/preparation for the journey ahead.

Monthly Newsletter:
The BACHEF newsletter is sent to all members monthly via e-mail. It provides information about group events as well as other pertinent information for the membership.

E-Group:
The e-group is a way for members to stay connected throughout the month apart from the regular Ladies meeting and Mom’s Night out. It is a forum to share encouragement, information about group and home school related activities and to develop and deepen relationships. It is a very important avenue of communication for many in our group.

Mom’s Night Out:
Once a month, the ladies gather at a local restaurant for food and fellowship. There is no agenda for this time; it’s purely fellowship and fun!

Couples Night Out:
On a regular basis, activities are planned for couples. These vary from game nights to sharing a meal at a local restaurant to any other activity coordinators wish to plan. These are “adult only” evenings with a major goal being that of giving the fathers a chance to build relationships as well. It is also an excellent “date night option” for our couples.
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ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN:
Park/Swim Day:
Each month, our young children (mostly elementary) meet at either a local park or an indoor swimming pool for play time together.

Jr. High Activities:
There are regularly scheduled activities for jr. high students as interest is shown. These can range from monthly to quarterly. The types of activities are dependent on who is planning them and what the students are interested in doing.

High School Activities:
Our high school students get together for regularly planned activities each month. These, too, depend on what the coordinator and students wish to do. Past activities have included game nights, groups attending CHEF and NOAH sports events and service projects.

Field Trips/Parties:
Field trips are planned for elementary students as well as secondary students as interest demands. Our elementary students have several holiday parties each year.

ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES:
Family Picnics:
At the beginning and ending of each year, we have a family picnic. This is an event that many of our families look forward to with great anticipation. It is also an excellent opportunity for dads to get to know each other and members to “connect” as family groups.

Service Projects:
We feel that learning to serve is a very important part of the education of our children. In keeping with that, we plan and schedule several service projects for various ages throughout the year. Some of the past projects have included creating blizzard bags for Meals on Wheels, visit to a pediatric wing at a local hospital, sorting food at the John 3:16 mission and making and sending care packages to troops overseas.

OTHER ACTIVITIES & OPPORTUNITIES:
Reading Incentive Programs:
We place orders with Scholastic books every month as well as get involved in Reading programs from various eating establishments in the area. The reading clubs are typically geared toward elementary students; Scholastic Book orders span all age groups.

Yearbook:
The group puts together a family yearbook each year with family pages, senior pages, and student photos as well as pages of field trip and activity photos from the year. Fundraisers keep the cost of this book very reasonable, but are totally optional. We offer this to make the yearbook affordable to everyone who would like to have one.
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MEMBERSHIP

Process for Membership in Broken Arrow CHEF:

• All members of BACHEF must first join the umbrella support group CHEF by attending an orientation meeting and concur with the CHEF of Oklahoma Constitution and Statement of Faith (see CHEF Membership section for details).
Generally - CHEF Orientation meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm at Martin East Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett, Tulsa. Dates and location are subject to change - check website for details www.chefok.org).
• Upon completion of CHEF Orientation and Membership, bring the BACHEF membership form to a Broken Arrow CHEF meeting. Our meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of each month August-May excluding December. Contact us for meeting location. Membership dues for BACHEF are $10/year.
• Before your membership is complete, you must sign up for a job within the group. Everyone in BACHEF is expected to participate. The purpose is not to “overwork” anyone but instead, to help everyone to get to know others on a more personal level and spread the load of planning activities among all the members. This job will be listed on the registration form.
• The membership form can be turned in along with the annual BACHEF dues at the monthly Ladies meeting and you are a member!!
Congratulations!!!

Our Governing Document
BACHEF is governed by a constitution that can only be modified by a vote of the membership. It addresses issues of membership responsibilities, leadership, and expectations of parents and children at any group activity.
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"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

BACHEF Membership Form