Plan and Purpose

Training for Life…

The Training Ground is an educational club for home schooled students in grades 6-12, offering educational enrichment classes, resources, guest speakers, and meeting rooms to its members. Either parents or community professionals may arrange to teach classes which supplement a homeschooled student’s core curriculum in areas such as: the arts (drawing, painting, music theory, photography); public speaking, drama, and debate; academics (history and science unit studies); life skills (business and computer applications); science labs (biology); international studies; and other similar areas of instruction. Instructors set their own fees. The club staff schedules courses and events and publicizes the same to members.

Member students are encouraged to participate in community service and team-building projects, display their writing and art, and organize hobby clubs to pursue interests such as stamp trading, chess, or photography. One of the upstairs rooms is a library of college and career information as well as a club meeting room. The club staff will schedule a variety of guest speakers to prepare and inspire the students in determining their future goals.

…Grounded in a Christian Worldview.

The Training Ground has been dedicated to God and to service in His Kingdom. We seek to train students in a Christian worldview that recognizes Christ’s pre-eminence in all things. The goal of the staff is to provide wholesome and challenging activities that help to prepare teenagers with skills for responsible adulthood while encouraging lifelong discipleship. We, the directors, recognize the Bible to be the supreme authority in our leadership at the center.

The Training Ground will serve as a meeting place and training ground for a community of home-schooled teens who seek to be career-minded, Christ-minded, and mindful of others. We are looking for serious scholars who are eager to work impartially and creatively with other home-educated students and who will demonstrate discipline, respect for authority, and excellent conduct.

The Training Ground Objectives for Students

The following are attributes that The Training Ground (“TG”), with the help of its members’ parents, seeks to encourage in students:

  1. Personal Discipline – The TG has a code of conduct, a dress code, and student evaluations for accountability.
  2. Academic Excellence and Aspirations – The TG offers teens a facility conducive to learning, without some of the distractions of home (such as younger siblings). The center sponsors inspiring speakers, motivational contests, small group academic enrichment classes, instructors with specialized training, and a college and career library.
  3. A Christian Worldview – Christian professionals and parents are among those enlisted to instruct classes or give guest lectures. Rooms are available for Bible studies, Christian college materials will be available in the Varsity Room, and Bible verses will be purposefully displayed.
  4. Creativity and Critical Thinking – The TG provides problem-solving challenges and group work, a fully stocked art/project room, and displays of student work to foster creativity.
  5. Cooperation and Teamwork – The TG offers teens a special group identity and privileges of membership, hobby club meeting rooms, and the opportunity to participate in small group projects and community outreach programs.
  6. College Preparation and Life Skills – The TG will seek to:
    1. use current technology (e.g., personal computers) when possible;
    2. help provide materials or instruction for SAT/ACT test preparation;
    3. encourage teen involvement in the operation of the center;
    4. offer life skills enrichment classes.

“…Train yourself to be godly. Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
I Timothy 4:7-8