Chimney Rock VFW Post 9660 has been host to many groups and events throughout the years. The local Boy Scout troops have been there and have done a lot of work improving the grounds.
A group who is now there on a regular basis is the homeschool group known as R.O.C.K.S. Homeschool Community.
Run by Charlotte Jeans and Jessica Phillips, the group consists of 16 children, ages 5 to 14. Jessica moved here from Northern Virginia and was eager to find a group similar to what her kids belonged to there.
The acronym, R.O.C.K.S. stands for Relationships. Opportunities. Community. Knowledge. Support. What better place for them to meet than under Chimney ROCK?
R.O.C.K.S.’ Facebook page states their program works on “developing a creative, hands-on learning experience, focused on life skills and giving back.”
The group includes children from Mathias, WV, Harrisonburg, Bergton, Fulks Run, Broadway, and Timberville.
These members are all educated at home, Jessica said “There are co-ops that implement other things and give them the opportunity for socialization. We started this last semester, but it does involve parent cooperation. Sometimes parents take a whole semester to teach, sometimes they just do a class. We did a Life Skills class, a children’s vendor market, a construction class. Each of the parents did a different life skill each week. Next semester will be different, we will be covering Core Values, Geography, Drama. Community outreach happens once a month. We meet here every Tuesday, while we are in session, and we hold the CommuniTEA gathering on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Sometimes we have 15 people attend the CommuniTEA, sometimes we just have a couple.” Each month they do something different, with a different theme and questions to interact with the guests.
Inclusion is very important to the homeschool group. The CommuniTEA allows seniors and veterans alike, to come together, have coffee or tea and snacks, served by the children. The kids develop relationships with the regulars, and it enables them to sit and chat with each attendee, learning to interact with adults, and find out about their lives. Elders offer a great history lesson to the youngsters, more valuable than just reading about it in a book. The children are responsible for setting everything up and cleaning up after the event and each meeting. Not surprisingly, they do so very cheerfully!
One recent Tuesday, several little girls were feverishly sweeping the entry and the meeting hall in preparation for their guests. In between, kids of all ages ran in and out, helping or watching the adult manning the campfire outside.
Last November, the students participated, organized, and advertised a Kids Vendor Fair held at Beards & Broads Pizzeria in Broadway. Katie Payne hosted Karaoke, and each kid had a booth set up to sell their wares. They had candles, dog treats, soaps, and more – all things they created themselves.
Another project the kids worked together on was building 2 large dog houses. Made of quality wood and insulated, these were auctioned off through silent auction. 10% of the proceeds from the houses were donated to the VFW Post. In the past, the group has built bluebird houses, given flowers to Timberville Crossing, and is always looking for community service opportunities, whether it be helping someone who is homebound, or mowing a lawn.
Jessica said they are always looking for volunteers to come in and teach a class or a skill.
The group will not meet in January, but the semester will resume in February. Remember, the CommuniTEA is the second Tuesday of the month at 1:30pm at the Chimney Rock VFW. Upcoming events can be found on their Facebook page, Rocks Homeschool Community, and the VFW Post 9660, Chimney Rock Facebook page.
If you would like to join the group, volunteer to teach, or just want more information, please contact 540-533-3396.
