I belong to several online homeschool community groups, mostly local but some national/international (like an LDS one, special needs, etc.) I get emails on daily digest so I’m not flooded but I try to at least skim the titles of the various emails each day and it’s worth the minute it takes. I find out about all sorts of fantastic programs that way, like the half price membership to the science museum or the huge, free package of posters from Picturing America. Today I got a package in the mail but I didn’t remember ordering anything and it was another freebie – History Channel’s 12 part television series, America: The Story of Us. I’m really excited to watch it and see what parts we can share with the kids!

So even if you don’t actively participate in the online discussions, online groups can be a really good resource. Many of the groups also have local meetings (like my Charlotte Mason one) or moms’ night out, field trips, etc. I just did a search on Yahoo groups for things like north Texas homeschoolers, LDS homeschoolers, etc.