BY AMBER J. CRAFT
Special to the Telegraph
The Bradford County Public Library’s new Homeschoolers Imaginarium program is continuing to bring local homeschooling families together, with its latest event on February 12.
Homeschoolers ages 4 to 17 gathered at the West Pratt Street facility to create Valentine’s Day cards using a variety of art supplies, including paints, markers, and crayons.
The Imaginarium program, led by Kathy Paddock and Amy Turney, is designed to give local homeschoolers a chance to form friendships and collaborate on creative projects. The program debuted in January, with approximately 22 attendees, and the Valentine’s Day event drew a similar crowd.
According to Paddock and Turney, the idea was to create a space where homeschoolers could come together and socialize.
One challenge with homeschooling is the lack of day-to-day interactions with other children that traditional schools provide. The Imaginarium program aims to bridge that gap.
The first event, held in January, was a success. Students participated in arts and crafts while meeting other homeschoolers in the community. This second event, centered around making Valentine’s Day cards, aimed to continue building connections among homeschool families and foster creativity and camaraderie.
Providing a space where kids feel like they’re part of something can also help them build relationships.
In addition to the Homeschoolers Imaginarium program, the library offers a range of programs for children of all ages. The library’s goal is to provide a welcoming environment where young people can engage in fun activities while meeting new friends. The event series is still in its early stages, but the library hopes to expand it further in the coming months as word spreads throughout the local homeschooling community.
Parents interested in getting involved or learning more about upcoming events can visit the library’s program calendar or stop by during library hours. The team encourages more homeschool families to join, as the program offers a unique way for children to engage in both education and social development outside of the home.
