Participation builds friendship!
Friendship builds community!
Community builds joyful confidence
GET STARTED BY PARTICIPATING IN ONE OF OUR GROWING LIST OF EVENTS BELOW
Homeschool Community Events: Picnics, Retreats & Connections
Homeschooling should be both engaged and engaging, and, at times, complicated and exhausting. Each of us has signed up to be fully present with our children 24/7 with similar goals of raising up individuals of high moral and educational character. Our tools are first our personal knowledge, second books/resources, and third, so often missed, friends along the same journey. But how do you locate these friends when you school at home? Faithful Scholars is creating more in person events than ever as we have heard your request for face to face homeschool communty.
To create an amazing and un-burdened day by day experience of expanding imaginations and growing critical thinking skill requires dedicated focus! Alone, our dedication can become a bit myopic and repetitious leading to burnout and children who simply want to jump ship. Come find friends with whom to share ideas, inspriation, defeat, and joy as you grow self-governed life-long learners who can lead our future in a positive direction.
Faithful Scholars Option 3 association and Umbrella Skye online parent community walk alongside you daily seeking to shift your current expenditure of energy into a simpler approach and a beautiful lifestyle, but connected friendships are the secret sauce to brightening any parent’s day and set fire toward the completion of lolligagging lessons or moments when the joy simply needs to be shared.
Join us at a picnic, tea and talk (children welcomeed), mom’s retreat or graduation to find your core homeschool friends.
Build a foundation of lifelong connection and learning for your whole family the Faithful Scholars way!
One dear friend at a time.
FALL ICE CREAM SOCIAL TBD, 2026
Fall Picnic Details
WHAT: Fall Picnic
WHEN: TBD, 2026
TIME: 5pm to 7pm
WHERE: Harris Street Park, Fort Mill, SC 29715
HIGHLIGHTS: Another lovely in-person social event where we can connect with like-minded families.
WHO: Current Faithful Scholars Option 3 association families and those considering becoming an FS member (login to ensure your membership is up to date!!). Extended family is welcome. One family can register for self and extended family, or you can register separately.
COST: $15/family (provides committment, location, ice cream bar). To avoid waste if not everyone signed up is unable to attend, we are changing our approach and having each family bring their own picnic, drinks, picnic blanket, and/or camp chairs, and Faithful Scholars will provide an ice cream bar as well as popsicles.
***FOR OUR 2026 FALL PICNIC, BOWLS, SPOONS, & NAPKINS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED BY A GENEROUS GIFT FROM FMAH, A PREVIOUS HOMESCHOOL SUPPORT GROUP.
BRING: ***Through a generous gift from FMAH (Fort Mill Area Homeschoolers), we hope to cover all main and side dishes for our Fall and Spring picnics. We will keep the (current and required) payment per family going toward the next and the next and the next to make our picnics as simple & delightful for as long as possible.
- full picnic for your family
- chairs or picnic blanket
- drinks of choice (most places will be alcohol-free)
- plate, bowl, utensils, plastic bag to bring home dirty dishes (going green where it makes a difference)
- balls, nets, games of choice (label everything, please)
NOTE: This picnic is not a formal/official Faithful Scholars gathering. All homeschoolers are welcome!
REGISTER HERE!
SPRING PICNIC May 23, 2026
Spring Picnic Details
WHAT: Spring Picnic (between preK-7 moving up ceremony and 8th & 12th graduation)
WHEN: May 23, 2026
TIME: 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
- 11:00am: K celebration
- 3:00pm: 8th and senior graduation ceremony
WHERE: Pickens, SC; Hagood Mill Pavillion
HIGHLIGHTS: covered pavilion, bathrooms, large field for tag, disc golf course, safe creek for water play, and option to take a tour through the Hagood Mill site and merch store.
WHO: Current Faithful Scholars Option 3 association families and those considering becoming an FS member (login to make sure your membership is up to date!!). Extended family are welcome. One family can register for self and extended family, or you can register separately.
COST: $15/family (provides location, coleslaw/side, chips, dessert). To keep our costs low, we are changing our approach and having each family bring their own (family’s) main meal, drinks, picnic blanket, and/or camp chairs.
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BRING FOR GRADUATION CEREMONY: There will be around 100 chairs, but some years they fill up quickly, so bring back up personal chairs just in case.
BRING FOR PICNIC:
- heavy finger food to share
- drinks for your family
- chairs or picnic blanket
- drinks of choice (most places will be alcohol-free)
- plate, bowl, utensils, plastic bag to bring home dirty dishes (going green where it makes a difference)
- balls, nets, games of choice (label everything, please)
- Faithful Scholars will provide a protein and coleslaw, chips and dessert)
REGISTER HERE!
K, 8th, & SENIOR GRADUATION
May 23, 2026
Kindergarten Graduation Celebration Details
KINDERGARTEN CELEBRATION
WHAT: Graduation Celebration for Kindergarten
WHEN: May 23, 2026
TIME: 11:00 am Kindergarten Celebration
- 10:00am set up display tables
- 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Picnic
WHERE: Pickens, SC; Hagood Mill Pavilion The pavilion is situation in the field across from the main Hagood Mill office/site.
HIGHLIGHTS: Purchase cap/gown in the color of your child’s choice or wear church casual; caps can be decorated (even baseball caps); and brag tables can be set up to highlight your student’s journey.
Kindergarten certificates are presented by the parents who are invited to say a few words of encouragement to their student and other families.
WHO: Current Faithful Scholars Option 3 association families(login to make sure your membership is up to date!!), any homeschooler who wishes to participate, and extended family.
COST: (picnic add additional per family fees and can be added to your registration form)
- $55 kindergartener
GRADUATION CEREMONY REGISTER HERE!
BRING FOR GRADUATION CEREMONY: There will be around 100 chairs, but some years they fill up quickly, so bring back up personal chairs just in case.
BRING FOR PICNIC:
- heavy finger food to share
- drinks for your family
- chairs or picnic blanket
- drinks of choice (most places will be alcohol-free)
- plate, bowl, utensils, plastic bag to bring home dirty dishes (going green where it makes a difference)
- balls, nets, games of choice (label everything, please)
- Faithful Scholars will provide a protein and coleslaw, chips and dessert)
Senior Graduation Ceremony & 8th Grade Moving Up Details
SENIOR CEREMONY (and 8th)
WHAT: Senior Graduation Ceremony and moving up for grade 8
WHEN: May 23, 2026
TIMES: 4:00 PM 8th and senior graduation ceremony
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- 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Picnic
- 2:00pm set up display tables
- 3:00pm student meeting to go over ceremony order and details
WHERE: Pickens, SC; Hagood Mill Pavilion The pavilion is situation in the field across from the main Hagood Mill building.
HIGHLIGHTS: Have fun purchasing caps/gowns/(earned) cords in colors of your child’s choosing or wear church casual
- caps can be decorated (even baseball caps)
- brag tables can be set up to highlight your student’s journey (bring your own card table, 4×4)
- swag bag
- commencement speaker with prayer
- personal walk-up song
- iploma
- s’more’s bar and visiting
WHO: Current Faithful Scholars Option 3 association families (login to make sure your membership is up to date!!), any homeschooler who wishes to participate, as well as extended family. At the moment, seating is unlimited, but if you are bringing 20 or more, be absolutly certain to bring your own chairs.
COST: (add on picnic for additional $15 per family, and can be added on when you complete your your graduation registration form)
- $80 eighth grade
- $105 seniors
GRADUATION CEREMONY REGISTER HERE!
BRING FOR GRADUATION CEREMONY: There will be around 100 chairs, but some years they fill up quickly, so bring back up personal chairs just in case.
BRING FOR PICNIC:
- heavy finger food to share
- drinks for your family
- chairs or picnic blanket
- drinks of choice (most places will be alcohol-free)
- plate, bowl, utensils, plastic bag to bring home dirty dishes (going green where it makes a difference)
- balls, nets, games of choice (label everything, please)
- Faithful Scholars will provide a protein and coleslaw, chips and dessert)
TEA and TALK in FORT MILL
Monthly Sept – April
September Tea/Talk
September 2nd, 2025
1761 Ballard Lane, Fort Mill, SC 29715
10am to 11:30pm
Do not park on ANY grass.
To park, if the gravel spaces are filled and the driveway filled, please pull around the cul de sac facing back up the street and park on the pavement near the edge (but not on any grass nor blocking any mailboxes).
Provided: tea, coffee, half n half, sugar
Children welcome! If they are in need of supervision, please take the time to ensure their safety as we have a wooded yard and a high retaining wall.
I look forward to spending time with everyone. The focus is simply to enjoy mom time in a relaxed setting where we can get to know one another better, make friends, and hopefully spread small social support groups througout SC. If you are coming from a distance, please let us know far enough in advance to put a blip in our newsletter to invite others from your area.
If you would like to host a Tea and Talk or a regular Park Day in your area, please let us know, and we will post it here for others to find. In-person friendships are what takes a nice homeschoo journey into an amazing homeschool adventure!
October Tea/Talk
October 8th, 2025
1761 Ballard Lane, Fort Mill, SC 29715
10am to 11:30pm
Do not park on ANY grass.
To park, if the gravel spaces are filled and the driveway filled, please pull around the cul de sac facing back up the street and park on the pavement near the edge (but not on any grass nor blocking any mailboxes).
Provided: tea, coffee, half n half, sugar
Children welcome! If they are in need of supervision, please take the time to ensure their safety as we have a wooded yard and a high retaining wall.
I look forward to spending time with everyone. The focus is simply to enjoy mom time in a relaxed setting where we can get to know one another better, make friends, and hopefully spread small social support groups througout SC. If you are coming from a distance, please let us know far enough in advance to put a blip in our newsletter to invite others from your area.
If you would like to host a Tea and Talk or a regular Park Day in your area, please let us know, and we will post it here for others to find. In-person friendships are what takes a nice homeschoo journey into an amazing homeschool adventure!
November Tea/Talk
November 2nd, 2025
1761 Ballard Lane, Fort Mill, SC 29715
10am to 11:30pm
Do not park on ANY grass.
To park, if the gravel spaces are filled and the driveway filled, please pull around the cul de sac facing back up the street and park on the pavement near the edge (but not on any grass nor blocking any mailboxes).
Provided: tea, coffee, half n half, sugar
Children welcome! If they are in need of supervision, please take the time to ensure their safety as we have a wooded yard and a high retaining wall.
I look forward to spending time with everyone. The focus is simply to enjoy mom time in a relaxed setting where we can get to know one another better, make friends, and hopefully spread small social support groups througout SC. If you are coming from a distance, please let us know far enough in advance to put a blip in our newsletter to invite others from your area.
If you would like to host a Tea and Talk or a regular Park Day in your area, please let us know, and we will post it here for others to find. In-person friendships are what takes a nice homeschoo journey into an amazing homeschool adventure!
December 3rd Hosted by Charlene Pollinger, Fort Mill, 29707
Children welcome! If they are in need of supervision, please take the time to ensure their safety as we have a wooded yard and a high retaining wall.
I look forward to spending time with everyone. The focus is simply to enjoy mom time in a relaxed setting where we can get to know one another better, make friends, and hopefully spread small social support groups througout SC. If you are coming from a distance, please let us know far enough in advance to put a blip in our newsletter to invite others from your area.
If you would like to host a Tea and Talk or a regular Park Day in your area, please let us know, and we will post it here for others to find. In-person friendships are what takes a nice homeschoo journey into an amazing homeschool adventure!
January 6th Hosted by Diane Lee Fort Mill 29715
Hosted by Diane Lee
1761 Ballard Lane, Fort Mill, SC 29715
10am to 11:30pm
Do not park on ANY grass.
To park, if the gravel spaces are filled and the driveway filled, please pull around the cul de sac facing back up the street and park on the pavement near the edge (but not on any grass nor blocking any mailboxes).
Provided: tea, coffee, half n half, sugar
Children welcome! If they are in need of supervision, please take the time to ensure their safety as we have a wooded yard and a high retaining wall.
I look forward to spending time with everyone. The focus is simply to enjoy mom time in a relaxed setting where we can get to know one another better, make friends, and hopefully spread small social support groups througout SC. If you are coming from a distance, please let us know far enough in advance to put a blip in our newsletter to invite others from your area.
If you would like to host a Tea and Talk or a regular Park Day in your area, please let us know, and we will post it here for others to find. In-person friendships are what takes a nice homeschoo journey into an amazing homeschool adventure!
February 3rd Hosted by Katie
February 3rd, 2026
10am to 11:30pm
Children welcome! If they are in need of supervision, please take the time to ensure their safety as we have a wooded yard and a high retaining wall.
I look forward to spending time with everyone. The focus is simply to enjoy mom time in a relaxed setting where we can get to know one another better, make friends, and hopefully spread small social support groups througout SC. If you are coming from a distance, please let us know far enough in advance to put a blip in our newsletter to invite others from your area.
If you would like to host a Tea and Talk or a regular Park Day in your area, please let us know, and we will post it here for others to find. In-person friendships are what takes a nice homeschoo journey into an amazing homeschool adventure!
March 6, 2026 PARK DAY, FORT MILL
March 6, 2026 (Friday)
Rain date: March 13, 2026 (following Friday)
Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White St, Fort Mill, SC 29715
10am to 11:30pm
Wear something red to be recognized by others as a homeschooler.
BYOC (coffee)
I look forward to spending time with everyone. The focus is simply to enjoy mom time in a relaxed setting where we can get to know one another better, make friends, and hopefully spread small social support groups througout SC. If you are coming from a distance, please let us know far enough in advance to put a blip in our newsletter to invite others from your area.
If you would like to host a Tea and Talk or a regular Park Day in your area, please let us know, and we will post it here for others to find. In-person friendships are what takes a nice homeschoo journey into an amazing homeschool adventure with life-long friends!
April 3, 2026 PARK DAY, CHESTER
April 3, 2026 (Friday)
Rain Date: April 10, 2026
788 State Park Dr, Chester, SC 29706
10am to 11:30pm
Wear something red to be recognized as a fellow homeschooler!
BYOC (coffee)
I look forward to spending time with everyone. The focus is simply to enjoy mom time in a relaxed setting where we can get to know one another better, make friends, and hopefully spread small social support groups througout SC. If you are coming from a distance, please let us know far enough in advance to put a blip in our newsletter to invite others from your area.
If you would like to host a Tea and Talk or a regular Park Day in your area, please let us know, and we will post it here for others to find. In-person friendships are what takes a nice homeschoo journey into an amazing homeschool adventure!
May TBD
Hosted by
1761 Ballard Lane, Fort Mill, SC 29715
10am to 11:30pm
Do not park on ANY grass.
To park, if the gravel spaces are filled and the driveway filled, please pull around the cul de sac facing back up the street and park on the pavement near the edge (but not on any grass nor blocking any mailboxes).
Provided: tea, coffee, half n half, sugar
Children welcome! If they are in need of supervision, please take the time to ensure their safety as we have a wooded yard and a high retaining wall.
I look forward to spending time with everyone. The focus is simply to enjoy mom time in a relaxed setting where we can get to know one another better, make friends, and hopefully spread small social support groups througout SC. If you are coming from a distance, please let us know far enough in advance to put a blip in our newsletter to invite others from your area.
If you would like to host a Tea and Talk or a regular Park Day in your area, please let us know, and we will post it here for others to find. In-person friendships are what takes a nice homeschoo journey into an amazing homeschool adventure!
June TBD PARK DAY
June TBD
10am to 11:30pm
Children welcome! If they are in need of supervision, please take the time to ensure their safety as we have a wooded yard and a high retaining wall.
I look forward to spending time with everyone. The focus is simply to enjoy mom time in a relaxed setting where we can get to know one another better, make friends, and hopefully spread small social support groups througout SC. If you are coming from a distance, please let us know far enough in advance to put a blip in our newsletter to invite others from your area.
If you would like to host a Tea and Talk or a regular Park Day in your area, please let us know, and we will post it here for others to find. In-person friendships are what takes a nice homeschoo journey into an amazing homeschool adventure!
July TBD WATER PARK??
July TBD
10am to 11:30pm
Wear something red to be recognized by others as a homeschooler.
BYOC (coffee)
I look forward to spending time with everyone. The focus is simply to enjoy mom time in a relaxed setting where we can get to know one another better, make friends, and hopefully spread small social support groups througout SC. If you are coming from a distance, please let us know far enough in advance to put a blip in our newsletter to invite others from your area.
If you would like to host a Tea and Talk or a regular Park Day in your area, please let us know, and we will post it here for others to find. In-person friendships are what takes a nice homeschoo journey into an amazing homeschool adventure with life-long friends!
August TBD, LIBRARY DAY???
August TBD
10am to 11:30pm
Wear something red to be recognized as a fellow homeschooler!
BYOC (coffee)
I look forward to spending time with everyone. The focus is simply to enjoy mom time in a relaxed setting where we can get to know one another better, make friends, and hopefully spread small social support groups througout SC. If you are coming from a distance, please let us know far enough in advance to put a blip in our newsletter to invite others from your area.
If you would like to host a Tea and Talk or a regular Park Day in your area, please let us know, and we will post it here for others to find. In-person friendships are what takes a nice homeschoo journey into an amazing homeschool adventure!
Camp Out at Hagood Mill, Pickens, SC
June 6-14
– primitive camping alongside the babbling brook at Hagood Mill with an incredible bathhouse/water spigots, world class disc golf, nearby hiking –
We are purposely planning this to coincide with Camp Hagood which is a unique hands-on immersive experience into SC history, nature, and culture.
Camp Hagood dates are June 9-11, 2026
Cost $175 (financial aide options sometimes available for those in need)
Ages rising 3rd grade – 9th grade
Register for camping and Camp Hagood directly with Hagood Mill
****This is not an official Faithful Scholars’ event. All homeschoolers and campers are welcome!
****Our family may not be able to stay for the whole time, but we will do our best according to what those days hold
Stay tuned for our next event!
What They’re Saying
General Thank you so much for your time! I haven’t filled out the membership yet—I’ve just been reaching out to associations, gathering information, and reading about SC homeschooling requirements and recommendations online : ) South Carolina is set up differently for homeschooling than the previous states we’ve lived in. I feel like your association provides great support for homeschoolers, especially for high school- and, you answered in person and followed up with a knowledge and wisdom-filled workshop! Thank you!
Thank you in advance for the high school workshop and the help you provided! Navigating these high school years, no navigating transcripts, is so difficult but you made it simple!
All presenters worked hard to make Mamas feel like what they were doing was what was best. I really appreciated that. I also really appreciated that there was an allowed day option. The food was great and the one-on-one sessions were greatly appreciated as well. It was nice to feel like what each family was doing was good as long as it was best for their family.
Thank you Katie! I’m glad I was there, I learned so much. I went home and apologized to my child. We can do better.
It was so fun to meet you this weekend. Your spirit of enjoyment of life exudes, and your eagerness to create a better future path for home school families is beautiful. It was amazing to share time with you this past weekend. We have made changes and are already seeing positive rewards.
The FS retreat encouraged me as a homeschooling momma, but on a deeper level developed lasting lifelong friendships that I treasure to this day. Homeschooling can be hard and daunting, but having friends in your corner who know you and love, and your children, gives you strength to press on. Attending the retreat will help you find your people and nourish your soul.