About Sugar Creek Academy
“We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.”
~Dr. Maria Montessori, To Educate the Human Potential
Hi! I’m Gina Donnell, the founder of Sugar Creek Academy.
Before the pandemic began, my daughter was enrolled in a Montessori-style school for her pre-school year. She enjoyed a lovely education there that was filled with lots of time outside, practical skills learning, emotional intelligence, and most of all, a tight community.
We decided to homeschool instead for her Kindergarten year mostly due to the pandemic. While I was able to provide many of those Montessori elements for my daughter myself right at home, there was one critical element that was missing – community.
I searched for homeschool co-ops in line with these values, but they simply didn’t exist in our area. Then, by a serendipitous chain of events, my husband and I landed on a 25-acre property, and that’s when Sugar Creek Academy was born.
The very minute I began offering this opportunity to other families was the minute I knew it was the right choice. The response we received was incredible. There was such a clear need for this!
While Sugar Creek Academy was born out of a desire to join a homeschool co-op, what it’s really become is a community. It’s a social group for families with children that involves sprinkles of nature-based, child-led learning.
Like a village in the traditional sense, parents pitch in with their strengths and gifts, offering what they can when they can.
If you’re a baker, bring some bread and even supplies to teach us all how to bake. If you’re an artist, lead us in a painting or drawing exercise. If you’re an athlete, organize an outdoor game! And when there is no organized activity planned, we’ll let the kids lead us while they explore their surroundings in a beautiful wooded setting.
In all honesty, I’ve never been to a homeschool co-op myself. My vision might not fit in the “co-op” box, and I’m happy with that. I dream of a yard full of kids laughing and exploring, and parents coming to a welcoming place for community and conversation. Over the last few years, that’s precisely what Sugar Creek Academy has become.
Sugar Creek Academy is welcoming to any and all families with children of all ages who want to play in groups, do arts & crafts, and spend time in nature. Parent involvement is critical to the function of this community. Our group thrives on volunteerism and participation. The more we all pitch in, the greater the experience will be!
If these values and goals align with yours, great and welcome! Come explore and play with us!
With love and gratitude,
Gina Donnell
Frequently Asked Questions about Sugar Creek Academy Co-op
What is a Co-op?
This is a come and go type place. Very loosely situated around focused education (more a theme, really) – mostly focused on community, nature, creativity. It’s a social group really, with sprinkles of learning.
In all honesty, I have never been to a co-op myself. My vision might not even fit in the “co-op” box. I don’t want to even fit in any box. I dream of a yard full of kids laughing and exploring and parents finding a place for community and conversation. In my mind this looks like parents volunteering to bring a craft, read a book, lead in a circle or lesson or nature walk, etc.
This looks like a place that is safe and welcoming of any and all families. If this aligns with you, great and welcome!
What age kids can join?
Sugar Creek Academy is a child-led learning experience. We welcome children of all ages! The goal is to give children a place to be curious, a place to explore, find confidence, make friends, and memories.
SCA is so much more than a co-op for the kids. This is a community. The community is inclusive and peaceful, kind and compassionate. SCA parents are children at heart! We love to explore and sing along with the kids, and enjoy playing in the creek just as much, if not more, than the kids.
When do you meet?
We are mostly an all weather group and gather in every season. We run the same as the traditional school year with events around holidays as well as summer camp.
We meet on Thursdays weekly 10am-1pm. Our locations varies, but we are based out of Woodville, Ohio.
Is this a drop-off program?
We are not a drop-off program. The SCA parents are very important to the function of the community! Our group thrives on parent volunteerism and participation.
This might look like bringing craft supplies you have laying around, books to read that go along with our series topic, or even offering your professional knowledge. For instance, a member of the group might be well versed in fungi or leaf identification and can assist in answering questions while we are out in the woods.
It is always a group effort when we are together!
Is this a secular group?
SCA is a secular group. We respect and value the unique and individual ways other people live and practice (or don’t) religion, so we keep the group free from belief systems and really keep the focus on community when we are together.
Kindness, empathy, respect for all living things, love, inclusivity, and mindfulness are at the top of the core values that SCA operates with.
Is Sugar Creek Academy only for Homeschool families?
SCA welcomes everyone, not just homeschoolers! If you have children who love to play in groups, spend time in nature, do arts and crafts, this group is for you! Our hours and meet-ups tend to be more available to those who do not attend traditional school, as we meet on Thursdays weekly 10am-1pm. However, if these hours are available to your family, you certainly do not have to homeschool to attend. We’d love to see you, sign up to come one to one of our events!
Want to Come & Explore & Play with Us?
Click the button below to see our upcoming events and meetings!