Homeschooling Resource Guide                                                         Download the pdf

Written by Local Homeschoolers: Aaron, Alex, Angelina, Charlotte, Colleen, Emily, Ethan, Jennifer, Jordan, Josiah, Lauren, Luanna, Lucas, Mary Pat, Molly, Paige, Quinn, Reggie, Ryan, Sarah, Shaun, Stephanie, and Vicky. Compiled by the Youth Services Department of the Voorhees Branch of the Camden County Library System. Created April 2015, Updated August 2021

We hope that this guide will help you and your family on your home school journey. We’ve included information about local groups and co-ops, great educational resources, nearby attractions, and more. If you would like to suggest an addition or update to this guide, please contact the Youth Services Desk at 856-772-1636 x7360 or ChildrenVT@camdencountylibrary.org . 

Library Offerings | Local Groups and Resources | Local Co-ops | Great Online Groups | Useful & Free Online Resources | Tips & Thoughts | Places to Go

Library Offerings

Homeschool Collection
The Voorhees & South County Branches have special Home School Sections of their collections. The collections include supplemental materials, workbooks, and homeschool guides.

Online Resources
Check out the library’s home schooling subject guide: https://www.camdencountylibrary.org/parents#homeschoolers as well as the countless online resources and databases available with your library card at http://www.camdencountylibrary.org/subscription-databases. Services include live chat-based tutoring with Tutor.com, learning centers and practice tests through Learning Express Library, language learning with Rosetta Stone, and teacher handouts through Facts on File’s Curriculum Resource Center.

Programs and Events
Visit http://events.camdencountylibrary.org and check frequently for educational & recreational events that are open to all at no charge. From story times to crafts, guest speakers to live bands, the Camden County Library System offers diverse programming for babies through senior citizens.

Museum Passes
The library offers a pass program for nearby museums and nature centers at all eight branches. Any adult with a card in good standing can check out a pass to attend with no admission charge. Get all the info at https://www.camdencountylibrary.org/pass. Some museum passes are only available at one branch while others are available at multiple branches.

Passes to the following institutions can be checked out from the Camden County Library System :
•    Academy of Natural Sciences – Admission for up to two adults and five children; 10% discount at the Academy Shop and Academy Cafe.
•    African American Museum - Admission for up to six people, 10% discount at the Museum Shop; discount admission to the Art Sanctuary.
•    Battleship New Jersey - Admission for up to two adults and three children.
•    Bucks County Children's Museum - Admission for up to six people.
•    Eastern State Penitentiary - Admission for up to six people, not recommended for children under 7.
•    Elmwood Park Zoo -- Admission for two adults and up to 6 children; 10% discount on items purchased from Nature Shop, cafe and throughout the zoo.
•    Guggenheim - Pass provides free admission for 4 adults. Also includes admission to over 30 other museums and Frank Lloyd Wright sites.
•    Independence Seaport Museum - Admission for up to two adults and four children.
•    Museum of the American Revolution - Admission for up to two adults and four children.
•    Mütter Museum - Admission for up to four people.
•    National Constitution Center - Admission for up to two adults and four children.
•    National Liberty Museum - Admission for up to six people.
•    Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts – Admission for up to two adults and four children.
•    Penn Museum of Archaeology – Admission for up to two people.
•    Philadelphia Insectarium & Butterfly Pavilion - Admission for up to two adults and four children.
•    Philadelphia's Magic Gardens - Admission for up to two adults and three children.
•    Roebling – Admission for up to two adults and any children under 18.
•    Simeon Foundation Auto Museum - Admission for up to four people
•    State of NJ Park Passes - Free parking at any of the state parks in New Jersey. Location of all state parks
•    Wheaton Arts – Admission for up to two adults and any children under 18.
•    Woodford Wildlife Refuge - Admission for up to two adults and three children.

Local Groups and Resources

Burlington County Tennis Association Homeschool Tennis (Facebook Group)
https://www.facebook.com/Burlington-County-Tennis-Association-331632686905078/
Meets at Moorestown Tennis Club

Camden County Homeschoolers (Facebook Group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/494965360949154/

Classical Conversations
https://www.homeschool-life.com/nj/ccsewell/ 
Christian-based group offering programs and academic services. Multiple locations including Marlton and Sewell.

Drama Kids International
https://dramakids.com/medford-voorhees-williamstown-marlton-nj/homeschoolers/
Drama Classes for Homeschoolers weekday mornings

Gloucester County Christian Home Schoolers Association
http://homeschool-life.com/nj/gcchsa/
Non-profit Christian-based home school support group Holds annual spelling bee

Homeschool Events in NJ, NY, PA, CT, MD, and DE
https://www.facebook.com/groups/287993004963807
Resource for local classes, events, and field trips.

Homeschool Playgroup of NJ
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1596403117294343
Plan and join meetups and field trips with other homeschool families

Homeschool Sell, Grab & Go (Facebook Group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/741888945969289/
Local homeschool buy and sell group.

Homeschool World’s Exhaustive list
http://www.home-school.com/groups/NJ.html
Check here an often-updated list of homeschool groups in New Jersey

Mid Atlantic Music Academy
https://www.midatlanticmusic.org/
Band performance group based in Haddon Heights, NJ

New Jersey Homeschool Association
https://newjerseyhomeschool.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NJhomeschool/
Provides information about homeschooling in New Jersey

NJ Homeschool Fair
https://www.facebook.com/Homeschoolfair2022/
Hosts semi-annual fair, shares useful information in between events

Secular, Progressive Homeschoolers of South Jersey
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1061664300694780
Welcoming space for all homeschooling families

South Jersey Homeschool Choir
https://www.castnj.com/homeschool-choir-home
Choral performance group based in Marlton, NJ

South Jersey Homeschool Forum (Facebook Group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/291511407664562/
Connecting homeschooling families in the South Jersey area

South Jersey Homeschool Key Club
https://sjhskeyclubweb.wixsite.com/sjhskeyclub
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Homeschoolkeyclubsj/
Service program for high school students

South Jersey Homeschool Families
https://www.facebook.com/sjhomeschool
Christian-based group that shares curriculum, events, and support

South Jersey Homeschoolers (Facebook Group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/697151746973267/
Focusing on Gloucester, Cumberland, Camden, Salem, Atlantic and Burlington counties

West Jersey Homeschoolers (Facebook Group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WestJerseyHomeschoolers/
Homeschool discussion
 
Wild + Free South Jersey (Facebook Group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872661466387891/
Plan field trips, nature outings, and more

Will-Moore Gymanstics
http://www.willmoorgymnastics.net/class-schedule-homeschool/
Homeschool classes for first grade and up, Mondays at 2:30 p.m. in Mount Laurel.

Local Co-Ops

HIS Homeschool Co-op
https://www.hishomeschoolcoop.org/
Christian-based educational and social network for home-school families
Meets at Fellowship Community Church & Mt Laurel Evangelical Free Church in Mt Laurel.

Living Water Home Educators (LWHE)
http://www.lwhe.org
https://www.facebook.com/LivingWaterHomeEducators
Christian-based group that has classes September- May Holds an annual Science Fair, Spelling Bee
Burlington County, NJ

South Jersey Muslim Homeschoolers (SJMH)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1634667343415660/
Encouraging and assisting Muslim families to home educate in south New Jersey with a Muslim worldview

Great Online Groups

Affording the Homeschool Life – Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/594052600614228/

Crossing Over to Homeschooling – Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CrossingOverToHomeschooling/
https://www.crossingovertohomeschooling.com/
Great for newbies

Curious Minds Unite
https://curiousmindsunite.com/
Online community for virtual classes and events

Secular Homeschool Families – Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SHF.CLOSED/

Useful & Free Online Resources

DIY.org
http://www.diy.org
Learn new skills and connect with others

Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
http://allinonehomeschool.com/
Collection of curriculum and lesson plans

Enchanted Learning
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html
Curriculum & other materials
 
Free Rice
http://freerice.com/
Answer questions from a variety of subject areas. For each correct answer, 10 grains of rice is donated through the World Food Programme.

Hooda Math
http://www.hoodamath.com/
Math games. Search by grade level, game type, and math subject

NeoK12
http://www.neok12.com/
Educational videos, lessons, and games for K-12 kids

Pinterest
http://www.pinterest.com
Visual bookmarking site – great place to search for lesson plans, craft ideas, recipes, and more

Sheppard Software
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/
Educational games and activities in a wide variety of subject areas.

Spelling City
http://www.spellingcity.com/
Game based spelling learning tool.

Tutor.com
https://www.camdencountylibrary.org/tutor
Provided by the Camden County Library System, Tutor.com offers one-on-one live tutoring for students, job seekers, and adult learners from 2pm-12am each day. Test prep resources available 24/7.

Tips & Thoughts

Classroom
Designate a room in your house your ‘classroom’. Have a desk or table, your library, and school supplies.

Customize!
Use family interests and experiences in your curriculum. Planning a trip to Disney? Give the assignment to create an updated ‘World of Tomorrow’ exhibit for Epcot Center.

Family Tree Project
This was a favorite assignment from one of our writers. Learn about the history of your own family while learning to use genealogy resources.

Find a Co-Op
Homeschool co-cops offer community, educational opportunities, and support.

Find an Extra-curricular
Explore a passion and meet others with the same interest.

Get a homeschool ID!
Some co-ops offer them. You can also use the letter the school sent when acknowledging your letter of intent. The Home School Legal Defense Alliance also offers IDs. Some businesses offer discounts to HS Families.

Work in your PJs!
Take advantage of the logistical perks of homeschooling. Set your own schedule. Avoid afterschool and weekend crowds. Do your math lesson in your pajamas!

Places to Go

Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
http://www.ansp.org/
Philadelphia, PA
Self-Guided visits include Teacher’s guides. The museum presents on various topics daily, Sept- June.

Adventure Aquarium
https://www.adventureaquarium.com/Groups/Specialty-Days/Homeschool-Week?fbclid=IwAR3CE- rFIViaabzArGyykMxqJBS7sJsv2VBWBxp6ri-1kLrhPlumSGM--ns
Camden, NJ
Homeschool weeks: during special weekdays, homeschool families received special pricing

Barnes & Noble Deptford
https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2891
Deptford, NJ
Large homeschool material section, some events offered

Brandywine Zoo
http://www.brandywinezoo.org/
Wilmington, Delaware
Family programs and workshops offered

Camden County College
http://www.camdencc.edu/
Blackwood & Cherry Hill, NJ
Register for class starting at age 11
Eligible for a library card with a valid Camden County Public Library card

Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
http://www.cedarrun.org/
Medford, NJ
Offers Homeschool classes the 2nd Tuesday and Wednesday of the month, Sept-June (excluding Dec). 10am or 1pm.
Knee-High Naturalist (Ages 3-4), Nature Nuts (Ages 5-7), and Eco Explorers (Ages 8+)

Delaware Valley Earth Science Society
http://dvess.org/
Berlin, NJ
Promoting interest & knowledge in the earth sciences.

Edelman Planetarium at Rowan University
http://www.rowan.edu/planetarium/
Offer free nights open to public. Will schedule free planetarium field trips for a group.
 
Every Kid Outdoors
https://everykidoutdoors.gov/
Free pass for fourth graders to visit national parks

Fernbrook Farms
https://www.fernbrookfarms.com/center/homeschool-classes/
Bordentown, NJ
Hands-on outdoor science and nature classes

Fort Mott State Park
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/fortmott.html
Pennsville , NJ
Self-guided tour & programs throughout the year

Franklin Institute
https://www.fi.edu/
Philadelphia, PA
Offers Homeschool Workshops for students Ages 7-14, 10:30-2:30 p.m.

Grounds for Sculpture
http://www.groundsforsculpture.org/
Hamilton, NJ

Historical Society of Moorestown
http://moorestownhistory.org/
Moorestown, NJ
Historical place, Offers NJ History Speaks programming

Hollydell Ice Arena
https://www.hollydellicearena.com/
Sewell, NJ
Homeschool skate 2nd Tuesday of each month

Howell Living History Farm
http://www.howellfarm.org/
Lambertville, NJ
Offers public and kids programs. Facility of the Mercer County Park Commission

Kids Bowl Free / Kids Skate Free
http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/
http://kidsskatefree.com/
Get free passes to bowl and skate at participating locations
 
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
https://www.kimmelcenter.org/
Philadelphia, PA
Regularly offers free concerts and kids’ events

Longwood Gardens
http://longwoodgardens.org/
Kennette Square, PA
Hosts home School Days

The Makers Workshop
https://www.themakersworkshop.net/
Laurel Springs, NJ
Offers homeschool arts and crafts classes

Mann Center for the Performing Arts
http://www.manncenter.org/
Philadelphia, PA
Workshops/demos/lectures through Judith Gitlin Arts Teach, annual free Young People’s Concert Series

Marine Mammal Stranding Center
http://mmsc.org/
Brigantine, NJ
Offers summer programs

National Constitution Center
http://constitutioncenter.org/
Philadelphia, PA
Website includes free educational resources

National Parks
http://www.nps.gov/
Offers lesson plans, Junior Ranger program

NJEA Convention
http://njeaconvention.org/
NJ Education Association’s Annual Convention is open to the public

Opera Philadelphia
https://www.operaphila.org/
Philadelphia, PA
Sounds of Learning Signature Program uses opera to teach lessons across the curriculum. Registration required; no cost.
 
Penn Museum
http://www.penn.museum/
Philadelphia, PA
Offers workshops and other activities to the public

Philadelphia Museum of Art
http://www.philamuseum.org/
Philadelphia, PA
Homeschool Museum Classes – 2 hours long, first Wednesday of the month October-June. Children’s Arts Classes offered. Website has free lesson plans and teacher materials.

Pinncale Parkour Academy
http://www.pinnacleparkour.com/homeschool-programs/
Cherry Hill, NJ
Specialized parkour programming designed to meet the schedules and needs of homeschooled students.

Princeton University Museum of Art
http://artmuseum.princeton.edu/
Self-guided tour materials available for download, online activities. Free admission.

Rowan College Burlington County
http://rcbc.edu/
Take college classes for high school credit. Offers homeschool counselor.

Rowan College Gloucester County
https://www.rcgc.edu/Pages/Home.aspx
Take college classes for high school credit at a 65% discount for homeschool students. Offers homeschool counselor.

Wetlands Institute
http://wetlandsinstitute.org/
Stone Harbor, NJ
Offers monthly Homeschool Program (Ages 5-13) on the first Friday of every month / third Thursday of every month, September – May.

Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center
http://www.wheatonarts.org/
Milville, NJ
Home School Classes available for booking.