About CHEFS
CHEFS began in 2005 in Cheraw, SC with the aim of reaching homeschoolers in the Chesterfield county area. However, it became quite obvious that first year, that homeschoolers from bordering areas were also under-served. Through the years, we have attracted members from Anson & Richmond counties in NC and Chesterfield & Marlboro counties in SC. Today, our membership includes homeschoolers from the many small towns that make up this rural area.
Statement of Faith
We are an inclusive-Christian group. This means, we have a statement of faith preserving our right to pray and speak about Jesus Christ openly at our functions, but we are not in the business of proselytizing. We are a homeschool support group. Non-committed families and non-Christian families may certainly join our group and participate in our activities. They neither have to agree with nor sign our statement of faith. They simply must be aware that we are a Christian group and be willing to follow the most basic guidelines of human decency and respect.
Although we do not require the general membership of CHEFS to accept our Statement of Faith or to participate in any Christian activities, our Board Members are Christians. The decisions made for the group as a whole are based on our Statement of Faith and are governed by Christian principles as defined by Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His infallible word, the Holy Bible.
Membership
CHEFS welcomes new and returning members from Chesterfield and Marlboro counties of SC, Anson and Richmond counties of NC and surrounding areas.
Joining CHEFS group allows you to take part in our various activities throughout the year. We try to keep all members informed of upcoming events and activities through our website at www.chefsgroup.org with timely e-mails and/or personal contact.
Our website is constantly evolving. It has a public side and a private members' area. We have member forums, a collaboration feature called a 'wiki' which we use to plan our activities. We also have a photo gallery, Prayer Corner, and Brag Box. There is a Coupon Corner which savvy shoppers can give members the heads up on sales. New this year is a secure area set up for our students to chat online - with their parents' permission, of course!
The public side of our site includes community events and general news about homeschooling in our area. It will soon be expanded to include more information about homeschooling for those considering the option.
Online Guest Membership
For those interested, we offer Guest Member access to the private Members Area of our website www.chefsgroup.org . To obtain a guest membership you must call either the NC Contact - Anne Fyans (910) 997-6055 or the SC Contact - Chrisynda Samuel (843) 537-9463. Guest Memberships are for 30 days during which time you will be able to access the most member side features including the full calendar and forums.
Parent Meetings
Our Parent Meetings are usually held during the first week of each month. Every year, we visit the issue with current members to best accommodate their schedules. Our next meeting will actually be our Annual Kick-Off. This event will be located at Arrowhead Park in Cheraw, SC on Friday, August 7, 2009 @ 7:00pm. We will meet under the shelter for refreshments, introductions and an overall jolly good time. The children like to play on the playground adjacent to the picnic shelter. For directions, please contact us.
Park Days & Field Trips
During warm weather, we meet every Friday for Park Day. With cold weather upon us, we schedule indoor activities as least twice a month and enjoy time at the Cheraw Community Center.
Field trips are scheduled every 6 weeks or so; most are educational, some are just plain fun! Anyone in our group may schedule a field trip or event. Since most homeschooling families are single income families and tend to be large with babies and toddlers in tow, we like to find opportunities that are local, low-cost and child-friendly.
Other CHEFS Events
We have other events scheduled for the year provided everyone helps out:
In addition to the above, we also schedule other activities, such as Orienteering (Sept.), Veteran's Day Parade/Ceremony (Nov.), Pitter-Patter Splatter Painting (Jan), Scavenger Hunt (April). We also arrange visits with our community helpers, firefighters, police officers, rescue personnel, etc.
This year, our group has been invited to participate in the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest at the Cheraw Jazz Festival in October. We have also secured positions for our 13+ year olds to volunteer at the Samaritan's Purse Processing Center in Charlotte, NC this December (2009).
Testing
Testing opportunities are made available to our members through the administration of the Stanford. We also arrange price discounts for parents who choose to administer the CAT test themselves.
CHEFS began in 2005 in Cheraw, SC with the aim of reaching homeschoolers in the Chesterfield county area. However, it became quite obvious that first year, that homeschoolers from bordering areas were also under-served. Through the years, we have attracted members from Anson & Richmond counties in NC and Chesterfield & Marlboro counties in SC. Today, our membership includes homeschoolers from the many small towns that make up this rural area.
Statement of Faith
We believe in Our Lord, Jesus Christ, The Son of God and Savior of the world, and in His infallible word, the Holy Bible.
We are an inclusive-Christian group. This means, we have a statement of faith preserving our right to pray and speak about Jesus Christ openly at our functions, but we are not in the business of proselytizing. We are a homeschool support group. Non-committed families and non-Christian families may certainly join our group and participate in our activities. They neither have to agree with nor sign our statement of faith. They simply must be aware that we are a Christian group and be willing to follow the most basic guidelines of human decency and respect.
Although we do not require the general membership of CHEFS to accept our Statement of Faith or to participate in any Christian activities, our Board Members are Christians. The decisions made for the group as a whole are based on our Statement of Faith and are governed by Christian principles as defined by Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His infallible word, the Holy Bible.
Membership
CHEFS welcomes new and returning members from Chesterfield and Marlboro counties of SC, Anson and Richmond counties of NC and surrounding areas.
Joining CHEFS group allows you to take part in our various activities throughout the year. We try to keep all members informed of upcoming events and activities through our website at www.chefsgroup.org with timely e-mails and/or personal contact.
- Parents or guardians of at least one child whom they are presently home schooling are eligible to join.
- Please read our Statement of Faith and recognize that we uphold these beliefs. They are also often discussed among members and acted upon in all areas of our group.
- Registration for returning members is held in June - September of each year. New families may still join throughout the year.
- Membership dues are $15 for the 2009-2010 fiscal year (June 1st-May 31st), which is used for website upkeep, advertising and other group expenses.
- Members renewing their membership & new members registering by Aug 31, 2009 will receive a $5 discount.
Our website is constantly evolving. It has a public side and a private members' area. We have member forums, a collaboration feature called a 'wiki' which we use to plan our activities. We also have a photo gallery, Prayer Corner, and Brag Box. There is a Coupon Corner which savvy shoppers can give members the heads up on sales. New this year is a secure area set up for our students to chat online - with their parents' permission, of course!
The public side of our site includes community events and general news about homeschooling in our area. It will soon be expanded to include more information about homeschooling for those considering the option.
Online Guest Membership
For those interested, we offer Guest Member access to the private Members Area of our website www.chefsgroup.org . To obtain a guest membership you must call either the NC Contact - Anne Fyans (910) 997-6055 or the SC Contact - Chrisynda Samuel (843) 537-9463. Guest Memberships are for 30 days during which time you will be able to access the most member side features including the full calendar and forums.
Parent Meetings
Our Parent Meetings are usually held during the first week of each month. Every year, we visit the issue with current members to best accommodate their schedules. Our next meeting will actually be our Annual Kick-Off. This event will be located at Arrowhead Park in Cheraw, SC on Friday, August 7, 2009 @ 7:00pm. We will meet under the shelter for refreshments, introductions and an overall jolly good time. The children like to play on the playground adjacent to the picnic shelter. For directions, please contact us.
Park Days & Field Trips
During warm weather, we meet every Friday for Park Day. With cold weather upon us, we schedule indoor activities as least twice a month and enjoy time at the Cheraw Community Center.
Field trips are scheduled every 6 weeks or so; most are educational, some are just plain fun! Anyone in our group may schedule a field trip or event. Since most homeschooling families are single income families and tend to be large with babies and toddlers in tow, we like to find opportunities that are local, low-cost and child-friendly.
Other CHEFS Events
We have other events scheduled for the year provided everyone helps out:
- Thanksgiving Luncheon
- Christmas Social (often combined with a Community Project)
- Parents Night Out - Spaghetti Supper (kids cook!)
- Educational Fair
- Easter Party
- Family Fun Night - CHEFS end-of-year social
In addition to the above, we also schedule other activities, such as Orienteering (Sept.), Veteran's Day Parade/Ceremony (Nov.), Pitter-Patter Splatter Painting (Jan), Scavenger Hunt (April). We also arrange visits with our community helpers, firefighters, police officers, rescue personnel, etc.
This year, our group has been invited to participate in the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest at the Cheraw Jazz Festival in October. We have also secured positions for our 13+ year olds to volunteer at the Samaritan's Purse Processing Center in Charlotte, NC this December (2009).
Testing
Testing opportunities are made available to our members through the administration of the Stanford. We also arrange price discounts for parents who choose to administer the CAT test themselves.
Last modified: Sunday, 9 August 2009, 06:12 PM
