Formal Co-ops Not Your Thing? Try This Instead

Formal Co-ops Not Your Thing? Try This Instead

From Homeschool Better Together by Emily Brown

February 10, 2026 · 34 min · Episode 53

About this episode

The episode discusses alternative approaches to formal co-ops in homeschooling, focusing on community-based learning.

Welcome to a brand new season of Homeschool Better Together—and a new voice behind the mic! I’m your new host, Laney Homan, and today I’m joined by our HBT community manager (and Charlotte Mason wisdom guru), Dawn Garrett, for a conversation that's near and dear to both our hearts: Community-Based Learning. Truth be told, I’ve never been much for formal, lockstep co-ops (raise your hand if you’re allergic to group projects with rigid requirements and committee meetings that last for-e-ver 🖐). Turns out, Dawn couldn’t see herself fitting in those boxes either—so we’re talking about all the ways homeschoolers can build meaningful, creative, low-pressure community learning that’s flexible, affordable, and fits real life. In this episode, we share stories from our own homeschools, compare notes on creative learning groups (spoiler: sometimes all you need are two families, a stack of art supplies, and a desperate desire to keep the paint off the carpet), and break down the biggest benefits of adding some organic connection alongside your at-home days. Dawn spills the beans on what worked for her family—from impromptu art clubs in the living room, to literature-lovin’ library meetups…

People in this episode

Host: Laney Homan

Guest: Dawn Garrett

Topics covered

  • Community-Based Learning
  • Homeschooling
  • Creative Learning
  • Flexible Education
  • Support Networks

Keywords

  • homeschool
  • community learning
  • Charlotte Mason
  • creative groups
  • flexible education

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