(Current as of 2005. For additions or corrections ONLY, please email us.)

Looking for additonal homeschool support groups and resources? Be sure to visit the Online MA Egroups page for online discussion groups, and the Regional and Special Interest Resources page for more information about special topics and New England homeschool groups.

MHLA encourages homeschoolers to be part of a local homeschool support group in order to meet other homeschoolers who live nearby and share experiences of interacting with local school districts. As a service to the homeschooling community, MHLA maintains the following list containing contact information for homeschool support groups. Any homeschool support group may be listed here by emailing a brief group description with contact information (as you wish it to appear here) to the MHLA.

We know from experience that each support group has its own unique character; you may need to search out several groups before you find one that is a good match for your family's needs. For further support, you can talk to other homeschoolers in your area and across the state by joining the MHLA email discussion list at Yahoo!Groups http://groups.yahoo.com/group/masshomelearningassoc/.

The listing of a support group below does not imply MHLA endorsement of that group. MHLA is not associated with any of these independent homeschooling support groups.

The Homeschool Social Register is a new service, developed by a Massachusetts homeschooler. Organized by towns, cities, and counties within each state and province, it provides a mechanism for you to get in touch with other homeschoolers in your area. http://www.homeschoolmedia.com/register

Acton Area

Voyagers, a homeschool resource center and cooperative, is based in Acton, MA and serves over 80 families from Massachusetts & New Hampshire. Voyagers offers study groups, workshops, and support by and for homeschooling families. Educational programs include nature activities, science, art, music, theatre (including a yearly Shakespeare production), a high school-level Mock Trial team, and much more. Programs are based upon ability and interest, rather than age. Voyagers currently runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. For more information please visit http://www.voyagersinc.org or e-mail info@voyagersinc.org.

Arlington Area

Homeschooling Together: Web page at http://www.homeschoolingtogether.org/. To request more information email bermudes@verizon.net.

Athol-Orange

Athol-Orange Homeschooling Group: We are an inclusive group and welcome all homeschoolers, local or otherwise, with all styles. Other towns represented in our group are: Royalston, Warwick, New Salem, Phillipston, Templeton, Wendell, Gill, Erving, Gardner, Barre. Petersham . Support list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AtholOrangeHomeschooling/

Athol Area

Athol Area "Families Working Together": Kathy Smith (508) 249-9056

Attleboro

Attleboro Area Homeschooling Group: Monthly parent meetings at 7:00 pm on the second Tuesday of the month, September through May, in Norton at the Trinitarian Congregational Church (East Main and Pine Streets). Park days, fieldtrips, classes, book groups, Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts. Join the discussion list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AttleboroAreaHomeschoolers/.

Belchertown

Belchertown Homeschool Network: Contacts Denine Guardino at (413) 289-0053. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BHSN/

Berkley

Berkley Area Homeschoolers is an informally organized inclusive group serving Berkley and surrounding areas (Taunton, Berkley, Middleboro, Somerset, etc). Classes, field trips, play dates, and informal get-togethers are all organized through our yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BerkleyAreaHSers/ Contact: Tina Shorey (508) 821-9669 tina.shorey@verizon.net

Berkshire Area

Berkshire County Homeschool Community (BCHC) is a group of families that organizes activities, shares resources, helps new homeschoolers, and creates community together. The group is non-exclusive, not affiliated with any religious or political organizations and welcoming to all. There is no membership fee; we operate as a cooperative, with members participating as little or as much as they choose. We meet weekly for a Gym and Swim at the Berkshire South Community Center in Great Barrington. We welcome and value the participation of anyone interested in homeschooling in Berkshire County. For more information, contact us through the site at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/berkshirecountyhomeschoolcommunity/.

Berkshire Homeschoolers is open to all homeschoolers, and is not affiliated with any religious or political organizations. We are a cooperative, participating as little or as much as possible for our children's benefit in the areas of field trips and activities set up by the members. All homeschoolers in and near the Berkshire area, and those traveling by, are welcome to participate. Contact: Alison Drozd at justacrazymom@nycap.rr.com. A website for all area group meetings and their events (in and around Berkshire County) has been created and can be seen at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BerkshireHomeschoolers/. All area groups are welcome to participate.

Boston Area

Hub Homeschoolers is a Boston-area group for homeschooling families living within the Boston neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain, Mission Hill/Roxbury, South End, Dorchester, Roslindale, Hyde Park, and West Roxbury. Activities are centered in Jamaica Plain. The median birthyear for children in the group is 1998. For further information please see: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hubhomeschoolers/

Boston Area

Boston West Home Learners (BWHL) is a group of families in the region termed "West Zone" by Boston Public Schools. This area includes Roslindale, W. Roxbury, Hyde Park and part of Jamaica Plain. Our kids range in age from 7 - 13, with the mean age of 11. We are trying to get more middle school age student involved to participate in group classes and fieldtrips. We run a book group, a games group (chess, math games, language games, geography games, strategy games). Things that require at least a small group of kids. Many, but not all families are Christian. We have some racial & religious diversity and are always seeking more diversity! A Yahoo group has been set up for communication: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BWHL/

Boston - Greater Boston Area

About Our Kids Home Learners (A-OK) A-OK's goal is friendship: forming new ones and strengthening old ones, both for kids and parents. Real friendship isn't quick. It develops over time, through repeated face-to-face contact and shared experiences. A-OK members create these opportunities by organizing free and low-cost activities and events for each other. Families for whom this is not feasible can contribute in other ways. Any local homeschooling family is welcome. Attend an activity or two to see if we are a good fit for yours! Gatherings throughout Greater Boston, especially metro area and western suburbs. For more info, check out: http://aokboston.net

Boxborough

Nashoba Valley Homeschoolers: Andy Migner, andy@marllaw.com, 978-635-9847; primarily serves area surrounding Acton and Boxborough. We have monthly support group meetings and a strong interest in building community for teens.

Bridgewater Area

Freelance Learners: Freelance Learners is a homeschool support group serving Bridgewater and the surrounding towns. This is a forum for any homeschool family to post ideas, events, trips, classes, obtain and sell curricula, collaborate on projects, etc. and to ask questions and share thoughts. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FREELANCELEARNERS/

Brimfield Area

Friday Morning Group: 10:00am-12:00pm at the Hitchcock Academy in Brimfield, Mass. The group will be informal and grow with the direction and interests of the children who attend. This group will serve a dual purpose: *Providing children with a group of their "own" *Providing parents with the opportunity to meet and support other home schooling families. Space is limited; please call for registration information! Janalee @ 413-245-3092

Cape Cod

Cape Cod Homeschoolers: http://www.capecodhomeschool.com Cape Cod Homeschoolers is open to all homeschoolers, and is not affiliated with any religious or political organizations. We support homeschoolers in the Cape Cod, Wareham and Plymouth areas. We offer a variety of field trips, classes and clubs. There is no membership fee; we operate as a cooperative, with members participating as little or as much as they choose. We are affiliated with the Massachusetts Home Learning Association. Our website is updated regularly.

Cape Cod and South Shore

Coastal Free Learners. We are a Home Schooling support network along the coast of Massachusetts. We welcome all types of home-learners to share ideas for activities, field trips,and playgroups etc. We are a group of like-minds with the intention of making homeschooling a positive experience for all! Website: http://geocities.com/coastalfreelearners/capecod.html

Cambridge/Boston Area

The Home Club: Phoebe Wells, 19 Florence St. Cambridge 02139 (617) 876-7273. Monday night contra dances during school year; meetings on Cambridge Common in good weather; phone chain; directory; newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter send $12 to Cynthia Peters, 10 Cerina Road, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.

Central MA

ALOHA: A Loosely Organized Homeschooling Association . ALOHA is an independent homeschooling support group serving the Worcester County area. Families meet weekly for a variety of indoor and outdoor activities throughout the year. Additionally, we offer monthly parent meetings and a private online group. Please visit our web site at http://www.alohahomeschool.org/ or email alohahomeschool@yahoo.com or 978-827-5675 for more information.

Central MA

Central Mass Homeschoolers: We are a Christian group of families that meet together for a co-op as well as field trips, chess tournaments, international fair, etc. We meet in Hudson, MA and have families from Worcester, Shrewsbury, Hudson, Sterling and surrounding towns. Please contact Bonnie Johnson at bljnbm@charter.net.

Central MA, North

Homeschool Connect - North Central Mass: This group was started for the growing demand for a support group and age appropriate activities for older children in the north central Mass. area. It is all inclusive. Contact: Christine Pierce at HomeschoolConnect@yahoo.com. Join Yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homeschoolconnect.

Eastern MA

Catholic Homeschoolers in Massachusetts East (CHIME): Please visit out website http://chime.lifewerks.com/wiki/bin/view/Public/WebHome.

Essex County

Essex County Homelearners Organization: If you live in the Essex County area, please contact us and join our current list of local homelearners. Meet someone new! We look forward to hearing from you. Leslie Lopez leslielopezk@hotmail.com

Fall River

Leaders of Tomorrow: Meets the third Friday of the month at 7p.m. Topic varies per meeting. We meet from September - May. Contact: Laura Bradley at email mommydear5@gmail.com.

Gardner Area

Gardner Area Co-op Homeschool Support Group: We are a homeschool support group located in the Gardner Area. Our members attend monthly meetings; have access to a lending library; plan and attend field trips, exhibit days, skit days, playground days, and many other activities. We are a family-oriented support group, and many of our activities take place on evenings or weekends in order to include the fathers. Website: http://members.tripod.com/coop_hsg/

Greenfield Area

North West Corner, Christian Homeschool Coop Group: Greenfield area, including bordering New York and Vermont areas. Contact Denise Sheperd 413-772-2380 or Marietjie Chase 413-648-0039 or Dawn Pema 802-368-7561.

Hampden County

Hampden County Homeschoolers is a secular cooperative of homeschooling families building community and creating opportunities for children and adults. It is also our hope to send a positive message about independent learning and home based education to the broader community.Contact: Kerrie Bodendorf 568-0603 or Jolene Cook jolenecook@comcast.net Website: www.hchomeschoolers.com

Haverhill

Haverhill Area Homeschool Group is associated with MassHope as a Christian homeschool organization. We have monthly "parent" support group meetings, a newsletter, and various group activities/field trips and a website at www.homeschool-life.com/ma/hah . Yearly dues of $18 are all that are required to receive the benefits of being a part of our local group. For more information, contact Lis Penney penneys5@gmail.com or if you prefer telephone contact, Cathy Huppe 978-352-4122.

Medway

The Natural Learners maintains a list of members to help area homeschoolers find similarly aged peers; we are part of various email chains to help spread homeschooling information. Contact Wendy Rowe at 508-533-4628 or email wer@alum.mit.edu

Merrimack Valley

Merrimack Valley Home Learners: Field trips, monthly board-game social, activities run by members, occasional parent meetings, social events for kids and adults, and anything else our members choose to organize. This open, eclectic group has members from Billerica, Lowell, Chelmsford, Burlington, Bedford, and manyneighboring towns. Contact: Jacki Dibble, 978-692-9009 or email jackidibble@verizon.net

Milford Area

Living and Learning website: http://learninks.org/livinglearning/ is an online resource for exchanging information on homeschooling, local events, educational materials and providers, and places of interest for homeschooling families in the greater Milford area. For additional homeschool connections in the Milford area, please see information about the LEAF Home Learners Network listed under 'South-Central Mass.' support groups.

Natick Area

Metrowest Homeschoolers: Inclusive group in the metrowest area for all ages. Field trips, monthly activities, and classes. To get on the e-mail loop visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mwhsers/ for more information.

New Bedford Area

South Coast Homeschoolers: We are a member-led inclusive support group that operates on a pay-as-you-go basis for field trips, classes, and other activities that require fees. All activities are arranged through our online Yahoo Group. Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/schomeschoolers/ to join.

North Shore Area

Homeschooling families meeting on Thursdays 10am-2pm at Endicott Park in Danvers, MA. This beautiful park site offers a handicap accessible visitor center, great indoor meetings space, clean indoor bathroom facilities, fenced modern playscape area, a barnyard with animals, ponds for fishing, trails for hiking, fields for outdoor games, picnic areas, gardens and acres and acres of open space for walking, thinking, laughing, jogging, relaxing and more. For details call 978-741-7449.

North Shore Area

North Shore Explorers: The North Shore Explorers will meet the first and third Thursday of each month at the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury. This year's topic is Global Village, and children will explore a different country each month, in addition to enjoying this beautiful farm. For information visit http://www.north-shore-explorers.com/, e-mail northshoreexplorers@gmail.com or call Courtney Nguyen at (978) 257-5326.

North Shore Area

North Shore Unschoolers: An online network of unschooling families. It is not the purpose of this group to define unschooling for your family. If you consider yourself an unschooler or you are looking to connect with other unschooling families in the area then please visit our yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UnschoolersCoffeeTalk/

North Shore Area

North Suburban Homelearners: NSHL is an inclusive group whose primary focus is providing educational and social opportunities for our children and support for ourselves as homeschooling parents. We welcome the participation of all members of our group. Everyone is encouraged to become involved in group organization, as well as planning of field trips and other activities. We are open to anyone who is either currently homeschooling or interested in learning about homeschooling. For more information, visit our website at www.NSHLonline.org.

North Suburban Boston

The Homeschool Fellowship: The Homeschool Fellowship, www.myhomeschoolgroup.org, is a support group based in the north suburban, Boston area, including Woburn, Malden, Wakefield, etc., with meetings in Woburn. We are a Christian-based support group. If anyone needs information, please email Adrienne Lehmann at adriennerob@yahoo.com.

Pioneer Valley

Pioneer Valley Homeschoolers: We are an inclusive, eclectic support group for homeschooling families in western Massachusetts. Meetings and/or field trips are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All are welcome! Website: http://pvhg.net Contacts: Easthampton: Kelly Jarvis, 413- 527-1293; Montague: Anne, 413 367-7506, hschooler01@hotmail.com.

Princeton Area

CHEC: CHEC is a Christ-centered homeschool support group that encourages and equips families to integrate faith and learning to achieve academic excellence for our children. For more information, visit http://www.digitalwalk.net/chec/

South-Central MA

LEAF Home Learners Network: LEAF or "Learning Enrichment Active Partnership" is an inclusive, participant-directed network that welcomes all homeschool families in many communities in south-central Massachusetts, northern Rhode Island and northeastern Connecticut. The main purpose of LEAF is to give families the opportunity to share resources and talents, field trips and events, learning enrichment opportunities, and overall fellowship with others, in a variety of group settings. A Yahoo group and online calendar of events connects network families. Visit the LEAF website for more information: http://learninks.org/leaf.

South Shore Area

Our Lady Queen of Saints Homeschoolers: We are a Roman Catholic Homeschool group, faithful to the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. We are family oriented, relying on the contribution of all the members of our group, and offering support to our homeschool parents and their families. We are committed to fostering the virtues in our children and in ourselves through a variety of scheduled activities, including field trips, classes, and playtime. http://www.ourladyqueenofsaints.org/

South Shore Area

South Shore based but open to all homeschoolers in MA: INHARMONYHomeschoolNetwork: "A network for homeschoolers in MA who are inspired by nature and who want to strive to live in Harmony...with each other and with the Earth" To join the yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/INHARMONYHomeschoolNetwork Contact: Marcia, marsi77@aol.com

South Shore Area

South Shore Home Learners: South Shore Home Learners was founded in 2003 by a small group of families who believe in home-based learning and attachment parenting. Our mission is to provide families with opportunities to be part of a harmonious homeschooling community where all who gather feel welcome and supported. Provides support meetings, classes, workshops and activities For more information, visit the Yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SSHLmembers/ on the Web or email us at southshorehomelearners@yahoo.com.

Springfield Area

The Crayola Homeschool Support group was formed to provide support for Springfield homeschooling families through meetings, activities and field trips. We also provide an online discussion group for those who wish to reach and converse via the internet. Our online discussion group is located here where you can also join: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheCrayolaHomeschoolSupport/ Contact Jessica Lozada from 8:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday, and weekends from 10:00am to 3:00pm, at 413-788-4826, or by cell phone, 413-301-4732; email ljessica911@hotmail.com or DaisiesJewells@aol.com.

Springfield Area

Western Mass. Homeschoolers is a Christian group but all are welcome. Moms (and a few dads) come from a 30-mile radius for our monthly support group meetings which run August - May (excluding December). Held Thursday evenings, they include warm fellowship, access to our lending library, a devotion, and a speaker or panel discussion. We also host New Homeschooler Orientations, Used Curriculum Sales, and an Annual Picnic, meet for activities such as bowling, and enjoy educational fairs such as a History Fair (affiliated with National History Day) and a Science Fair - 10th annual this year! WMH publishes the Homeschool Herald newsletter and hosts an email list to network for buying/selling, co-ops, classes, fieldtrips and activities, and more. Visit www.wmhomeschoolers.org for more information or email info@homeschoolers.org for a complimentary copy of our newsletter.

Ware Area

"HomeWorks": We are a support group with monthly meetings as well as a co-operative class group (we currently co-op music, art, drama, history and science). We have monthly fields trips and Mom's Night Outs. We hold annual science fairs and summer reading programs. We hire professional gym and Karate teachers and we are always excited to see new homeschool famlies. Email Kathie at kd.gottwins@verizon.net

Western MA

Hilltown Families : Hilltown Families is a grassroots communications network of homeschool and after-school families with children from K-6th living in the rural hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. HF affords families the opportunity to share and organize events, and activities that supplement their children's education, while offering support and opportunities to socialize. HF moderates a private email listserv for the use of hilltown families to communicate and facilitate discussions, and offers a free newsfeed service providing news and updates posted to Hilltown Families website. http://www.hilltownfamilies.org/ Contact email: hilltownfamilies@gmail.com

Western Mass Catholic Homeschoolers: Members gather from across the Pioneer Valley to support each other as faithful Roman Catholics and to bring the Cathlic way of life to greater fruition and brilliance in our homes. Our foundation is faithfulness to the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. Our group features the Catholic Cantor Newsletter, First Friday Devotions, Monthly Parents Meetings, High School Classes and Coops, and Field Trips. Contact Jane at Seaverclan@yahoo.com Members only website at http://wmch.stblogs.com.

Homeschool Community Sharing Center: HCSC offers homeschoolers the opportunity to come together on a weekly basis to socialize and learn through activity tables and classes organized by volunteers. HCSC also sponsors Parent Rap Sessions where parents can get together to discuss issues which are important to them. In the future, educators from the community may be utilized to teach classes which are more in depth and possibly more desirable to parents with older kids. We get together on Wednesdays at the North Star building in Hadley. Contact Heather Hutchinson at heather01054@hotmail.com or 413-367-2828 for more information.

Westford Area

Christian Homeschool Club: Homeschoolers will engage in a multitude of activities, so that we can connect our families with our faithful values. Activities will include play groups, field trips and possibly classes. If anyone is interested, please visit our club website at http://www.meetup.com/Christian-Homeschool-Club-of-MA for more information.

Worcester

Worcester Home Educators' Network (WHEN) is a group of Worcester area home educators who meet for support, activities and discussion monthly. For more information check our our website http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WorcesterHEN/