Why You Might Want to Get Involved with Your Community Outside of School
We estimate that roughly 30% of school aged children did not attend public school in 2019 (estimations were made using data from KidsCount.org and the NCES). Despite having good reasons for either choosing not to (in favor of homeschooling, online school, or other options), or being unable to attend public school (due to medical reasons, geographic remoteness, or other complex factors), many of these children who do not have an academic institution to provide opportunities will face significant challenges. Children who don’t attend large academic institution often don’t have access to the opportunities that their peers have easy access to such as the ability to show achievement through school sports, clubs, student organizations, or the ability to create their own clubs. Many of these can be viewed as mere inconveniences that cause children to lose out on experiences. However, the pernicious effects of not having access to these opportunities are much more apparent in the light of college admissions which places heavy emphasizes on extracurricular activity and club involvement. This puts those who didn’t have the opportunity to get involved at a disadvantage to those who attended a larger academic institution and had greater opportunity to participate in such activities. Unfortunately, the disadvantage of not being able to participate in many activities does not just extend to college admission, but also indirectly affects later work opportunities through the effects on college admissions.
If you or your child are not currently enrolled in a large academic institution and instead are choosing home school, online school, or some other non traditional schooling option then this article is for you.
With all this in mind, it is easy to see how those who are outside the traditional system of large academic institution can feel as though they just have too few opportunities to be able to succeed. However, at Epic Youths we believe that everyone should have access to their community and opportunities, that’s why we have created this list with resources to help you achieve and get involved in your community!
About Our List
Please be aware that these approaches are not a one-size-fits-all approach. You should pick and choose which of these opportunities works best for you. If we have missed something or left something out please reach out to us! We will be continually updating this list.
Sports
Local School Sports Team Participation
In some states in the US, high schools allow local high school aged youth to participate on school sports teams. According to The Coalition for Responsible Home Education students who do not go to their local public school can participate in activities in Alabama, Arizona, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming. There are also opportunities for those living in Iowa, Massachusetts, North Dakota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and South Dakota, Although in these states youth and parents will need to obtain permission from the local school district and additional hurdles to participating in school sports.
Other Local Sports Participation
For those that are not concerned with being on their local schools sport’s team their are many accessible alternatives. In many areas there are different organizations that offer opportunities to play sports at a variety of different levels. There are so many organizations that it would be difficult to cover the vast array of opportunities present on this page, please visit our Map for more information about sports opportunities in your area.
Volunteering
Volunteering can be one of the best ways to get involved in your local community. For volunteering options near you visit our Community Involvement Map.
Local City Government
Volunteering in local city government can be a great way to do good for the community and also make connections. There are a few ways you can get involved:
1. Attend City Council Meetings
Going to city council meetings is a great way to get involved in the decisions that govern your community. City council meetings are typically held once a month. Searching on the internet or social media are a great way to find out whats being voted on and when. To find when and where your next city council meeting will be held search your cities website or the internet. Anyone can attend a city council meeting and it is encouraged that you vote on issues within your city, if old enough.
2. Volunteer for a Campaign
You can find local government representatives by entering your zip code into this government regional representative finder.
Additionally, it is often easy to find more about community appointed leaders in your area online through places like your city (or area’s) government website, or even social media.
3. Connect with others who are involved in the community
Try to connect with other people you meet who are involved in the community. Often people who have lots of connections got that way by being open to connecting with new people, this is important to remember this as it can sometimes feel scary to approach people.
Clubs
In many areas of the country there are numerous clubs, with new clubs being created everyday. We try to list as many of these clubs as we can on our Community Involvement Map, however because of the huge number we cannot list all of them (although we certainly try to list every club. Please let us know if there is a club we should add to our map that we have missed!) Unfortunately many rural areas do not have clubs, however if you have the resources and time you can start your own club which can be an even better way to get involved in your community than merely joining a club. For more information on how to start a club outside school, see our post here.
Connecting with Religious Groups
If you are religious connecting with local groups can often be a great way to meet new people. Meeting these people can also be a great way to get more involved in other areas of your community through networking with the people you meet. We do not directly list religious organizations on our Map, However we do list organizations with opportunities that have religious affiliation.
Community College Classes
If you’re in the equivalent of high school, community colleges often have opportunities for dual-enrollment (this allows you to take classes at that community college in addition to your regular classes/learning). This can be a great way to educate yourself and meet new people. Use our Map to find a community college near you!
Jobs
Whether during the school year or during summer, working can be a great way to gain confidence, interact with your community, and meet new people. It can be tricky to find the right job, and it is very important that you choose a job that fits your needs and preferences.