Whatcom Homeschool Association began in 1984 in a family’s basement, where a few people gathered in response to an announcement on a local radio station. WHA quickly grew to include families from the prominent cities of Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, and Blaine, as well as from the communities of Acme, Birch Bay, Custer, Deming, Everson, Kendall, Lummi Island, Maple Falls, Nooksack, Point Roberts, Sumas, and the areas of Sudden Valley and Meridian.
Whatcom Homeschool Association membership is open to anyone. A majority of our members are Christian, and that is reflected in a morally conservative atmosphere of our activities. The leadership endeavors to maintain the focus of the group on education, and respects each family's right to flavor their own pursuits as to religious, political, environmental, or other perspectives of life.
The Whatcom Homeschool Association newsletter, WHA's Happening, is our primary means of communication. The newsletter is sent monthly to our members, and individually to anyone who requests it. Additionally, our monthly meetings, which are open to the public, are designed to equip and encourage, both in program content and by promoting one-to-one interactions. A membership directory is published for Whatcom Homeschool Association members in order to foster new friendships and spontaneous support.
Over the years Whatcom Homeschool Association has served homeschoolers with mini conventions, a lending library in a trailer that traveled to meetings, and field trips that range as far north as British Columbia, as far south as Seattle (via train!), as far east as Mount Baker, and as far west as the San Juan Islands.
Whatcom Homeschool Association members share learning experiences in coops, 4-H clubs, scouting, and other small group or special purpose activities. We share curriculum and materials at our Recycle Fair (like a garage sale for homeschool materials). We perform for our families and community in our Christmas Program, in our Spring Variety Show and Open House, and in our fall craft fair called Homemade Memories. We play together in basketball, softball, roller skating, ice skating, and outings to various parks, farms, and other sites.
Homeschoolers in Whatcom County are ideally situated to participate in homeschool conventions and curriculum exhibits in Vancouver, Canada, and in the Seattle/King County area, including the Washington Homeschool Organization Convention held in Puyallup each spring.
The activities and resources of Whatcom Homeschool Association are driven by the interests and energy of the members, varying season to season according to their desires and needs.
