A $5 paid membership is required for teens to participate in HSHS activities and events. Thanks to donations and volunteer efforts from area homeschool families (not just HSHS families!) we are able offer all parent events free of charge. Most HSHS events are free with membership, however some special events have an admission cost (such as dances or special location events), or entry fee (such as Fun Plex, Worlds of Fun etc.). We do our best to ensure events are affordable, we know how quickly costs add up! Teens are asked to bring inexpensive snacks (chips or cookies, or pop) to some events. This policy also keeps Host Families from being responsible for feeding so many teenagers in one evening, and we find parents are much happier to host events with this policy in place!

Easy! Just email HSHS (remove NOSPAM from the email address) with the parent's name, email and phone along with the teen's name, grade, and email. You'll start getting emails right away!

The $5 membership fee helps pay for the website, materials, location fees for events etc,. It does not pay anything to any leaders or coordinators. All coordinator and leadership positions are volunteer only, and they literally put hundreds of hours a year into making HSHS function properly.

Your email and personal contact information will never be distributed or sold under any circumstances. The only way your information is given out is in the event someone feels your teen is dressed or behaving inappropriately AND they bring that complaint to HSHS coordinators. We will give your phone number to the concerned parent & allow everyone to handle it privately. By attending an event, you are consenting to this situation, however it very rarely has been an issue. Also if a teen from your area of town needs a ride to an event, we may offer your phone number so the teen can try and carpool.

All teens and their parents are encouraged to consider the feelings and perspectives of others when dressing for an HSHS event. Some of our families do feel strongly about the importance of a much more conservative appearance and we do not wish to make anyone uncomfortable under any circumstances. That being said, our official dress code policy is that all teens need to have the approval (and awareness) of their own parents when making their clothing choices for an event. If another parent feels a student’s outfit is questionable, it is probably better to choose something more appropriate, however the teen’s PARENT has the final decision. In the event that another parent or teen finds fault with the clothing or behavior choices of another teen, HSHS will forward the parent's phone number of the teen in question, and the parents may address concerns to one another directly. Participation in any HSHS event inidicates your acceptance of this policy. Again, please remember the basic reason we all homeschool is so that we, as parents, have the right to decide how our children are raised according to the values, beliefs, and standards of our own family. Please respect the right of other parents to raise their children how they see fit, just as you enjoy the same privilege, and recognize that we can’t all agree on everything all of the time!

HSHS is extremely grateful for the support and encouragement we receive from the majority of the Eastern NE & Western IA area homeschool support groups and organizations. However, HSHS is not (and has never been) affiliated with any other group. Most area groups graciously promote our events and activities through their newsletters and email networks, and HSHS would not be the successful support network it is today, were it not for their encouragement and support. Recently, HSHS has partnered with Metro Community College to continue meeting the needs of area homeschool teens and their families.

Absolutely! HSHS welcomes all homeschooled teens and their families living in the Eastern NE/Western IA area, regardless of what other groups they are associated with. Many of our families benefit from support groups specific to younger ages, religious beliefs, or specific communities. There is rarely such a thing as ’too much support’!

HSHS is not directly affiliated with any specific religious or political group and we welcome all homeschoolers to participate in our activities. There are so many faith based groups in the area and it is redundant for HSHS to duplicate their efforts. HSHS believes it is the PARENT'S right, and fundamental responsibility, to train up their child how they see fit. Specific religious & political affiliations are the private and personal decisions of each family. Out of respect for the wide differences in beliefs, even within the Christian faith, HSHS does not allow political 'stumping', evangelizing or proselytizing during HSHS functions (it's never been an issue). HSHS encourages anyone interested in this type of community service to start an HSHS class for these discussions, or they may contact their pastor or political representative for more information on outreach and mission activities with that focus.

Parents are always welcome to stay if they (or their child) are more comfortable doing so. There are some events that have planned chaperones (dances, lock-in's, etc.) and due to fire code restrictions extra adults aren't allowed to stay in the building. Parents can always inquire about the ratio of chaperones to students at an event if they are concerned, and HSHS takes the role of supervising students extremely seriously.

Does HSHS 'mentor' or 'counsel' teens?
The role of HSHS leaders and coordinators is to plan, coordinate, set up, and supervise events and the overall function and goals of HSHS. HSHS leaders and coordinators do not function in the capacity of mentors, counselors, guidance professionals, etc.

Some events do require an RSVP that is firmly set and advertised heavily well ahead of time. RSVP deadline dates are critical to event planning in order to ensure adequate numbers of chaperones, supplies, food, and other details critical to a successful event taking place. Unfortunately, out of fairness to those who did RSVP in a timely fashion, those without tickets to an RSVP specific event will not be allowed admittance. You are welcome to contact the event coordinator directly to see if an exception can be made.Your understanding is greatly appreciated in this area!