As many stories do, our story begins with a struggle.
Having a challenging public school experience herself (a struggle for a different story), Kristin knew even before her first child was born that she wanted to homeschool. Homeschooling was the type of education she believed in. It could offer what she wanted for her chiuldren: the best education possible, the best school experience, and the best preparation for success in the future.
Kristin's oldest child was about to start kindergarten right in the midst of the pandemic. Not only were schools closed but so were libraries and co-ops that could help a mom starting her homeschooling journey. Undeterred, she knew she had no choice but to march on and figure this endeavor out on her own.
Relying on her memories and recollection of "how school was done," she started out with attempts to replicate public school at home. She went through various curriculums, printed out papers and worksheets, and took the "first day of school" picture. She was ready.
Let's just say replicating a public school experience didn't work out as expected.
Through much more research using online libraries and more Google searches than one person should ever run, Kristin found the wonder of a schooling method that aligned with her values: a Christian-based method that believed children were their own people and had been historically used by the most educated individuals, wealthiest people, and royal families. This method avoided the problems she was facing in her replica-school including boring repetition and the tediousness and incompleteness of worksheets in capturing the essense of a subject.
What was this wonderous method that finally sparked that light of learning in her oldest child?
None other than the educational philosophies of one Charlotte Mason.
The short lessons helped capture and maintain the interest of her Year 0 child. The living books from true experts in their field, explaning their topics in interesting ways rather than rote lists of facts, created conversations, curiosities, and care in a child who previously thought school work was a burden.
The art, music, nature study, and more became a beautiful joy. As Charlotte Mason wrote in her almost homeschool tutorial type works, it was a "feast of subjects." These words have strong meaning when read, but that meaning is indescribably stronger when seen vicariously through the eyes of your own child.
After finishing roughly a year of this wonder, Krisitn knew she wanted to walk along in this homeschool journey with other likeminded individuals. She decided that she wanted to find community and seek out a co-op. There were a couple of Charlotte Mason co-ops local to the Greenville, SC area. At first, she simply planned to join an existing co-op, but as all of them were full with multi-year waitlists, she recoiled into the belief she'd simply have to continue alone.
Yet God continued to tug on her heartstrings that "alone" was not the answer.
After much prayer, tugging, consideration, and "help me be sure, God" debate, Kristin decided the path God wanted for her included starting a new faith-based Charlotte Mason co-op.
So the journey began with one, but a co-op needs other families to exist. After much searching, social posting, and more prayers, Crystal bravely agreed to join this new, hope-filled adventure called Willow Creek Gathers.
Together, they reached out, met with, and recruited several other families to join this emerging community, one with a vision to be more than just a co-op; a vision to also enjoy each other’s company and "do life” together.
Willow Creek Gathers has since grown and added more families. Along the way, with the growth, it was decided that a third director was needed. Jennifer, already a member of the co-op, then came into the role.
Together, everyone in the co-op, directors and members alike, contribute to the welcoming sense of community, friendship-building, and most importantly, educatinal features of this wonderful group.
We hope you will consider being a part of this journey and story as it continues to unfold over the coming school years. Reach out to us today. We'd love to talk to you and answer any questions you might have.