About Us
Our Mission
Where the Wild Kids Are is an alternative learning group who strives to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, and a love of nature for homeschool students and their families and teaches them to respect themselves, their community, and the world.
FAQs
Where The Wild Kids Are is an alternative learning group. We consider ourselves a ‘hybrid support group.’ During a traditional academic year, we meet weekly for organized activities. We also do field trips throughout the year as a group.
To register for WTWKA, click HERE.
Absolutely, you are welcome to register for any field trip you see registration for. Please know that field trips are subject to registration limits and field trips are typically available for WTWKA members before they are available for the general public.
As you arrive at nature group, you’ll begin working on a short individual activity. After everyone has gathered together, we will begin group activities. Group activities may start with announcements, reading a book, completing a nature journal or other short activity on paper, and then a group hands on activity. After these activities, you will venture off to the playscape to play and socialize.
Each semester, the cost is $60 per student. If you pay for the whole year in advance, there is a discounted rate of $100 per year per student. These fees cover the cost of the supplies needed for all of the activities and the required insurance for the group.
Yes! If your child has a disability, is neurodivergent, etc., we will do our best to accommodate their needs within our capabilities.
Weekly meetings during the academic year take place at Wesselman Woods in the Nature Preserve. Our gathering place is the stage just outside the playscape.
Since we meet back in the woods most weeks, it is advisable to bring a nature bag that includes things such as: water, bugspray, sunscreen, baby wipes, snacks and/or packed lunch.
For consistency sake, we try to stick to a schedule that aligns with other homeschool offerings and schedules in the area. We still meet during the summer and winter breaks for random events, but the weekly meetings only happen during the academic year.
It varies. Depending on the week and the activities, younger children can expect to participate in 30-45 minutes of guided activities, whereas the older kids should expect up to 1 hour of instruction.
More About WTWKA
To provide a safe and inclusive learning environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, and a love of nature for homeschool students and their families.
Cassandra Buck – President
Kasey Gathercole – Vice President
Kristine Carrier – Board Member
Courtney Sudduth – Board Member
Article 1 – Name, Purpose, Location
Section 1 – The name of this organization shall be Where the Wild Kids Are.
Section 2 – WTWKA is organized exclusively for social and educational purposes. The mission of WTWKA is to thrive to provide a safe and inclusive space that fosters creativity, curiosity, and a love of nature.
Section 3 – The principle office location of WTWKA shall be located in Vanderburgh County in the State of Indiana. The organization may have any number of offices at such places as the Executive Board may determine.
Article 2 – Statement of Organizational Beliefs
- DO NO HARM TO OTHERS. Do no harm to others includes, but is not limited to, refraining from: hitting, name-calling, teasing, bullying, lying, stealing, or other harmful things as deemed by the leaders of WTWKA.
- DO NO HARM TO YOURSELF. Do no harm to yourself includes, but is not limited to: disobeying safety guidelines, leaving the group area alone, or other harmful instances as deemed by the leaders of WTWKA.
- DO NO HARM TO THE WORLD. Do no harm to the world around you includes, but is not limited to: littering, destructive behavior which is damaging to property, or other harmful situations as deemed by the leaders of WTWKA.
Article 3 – Membership
The qualification for membership in this organization are:
Members must be homeschooling in the state of Indiana or Kentucky.
Members must be able to fulfill the parent/guardian responsibilities.
Members must pay a small fee every semester to help cover the cost of supplies.
Members must have a membership or pay the admission fee to Wesselman Woods.
Members must agree that while they are at WTWKA events, including on the WTWKA website, email list, or Facebook page, they will not make statements or engage in conduct opposing the WTWKA Handbook or the Mission Statement.
Article 4 – Meetings
Section 1 – The date of the regular annual meeting shall be determined by the Executive Board who will also set the time and place.
Section 2 – Regular meetings of the Executive Board may be held at such place and time as shall be designated by the standing resolution of the Board.
Article 5 – Executive Board
Section 1 – The business of the organization shall be managed by an Executive Board comprised of four members. The Board is responsible for maintaining the overall policy and direction of the organization. The Board shall delegate responsibility of day-to-day operations to the two main Coordinators, which shall include both the Executive Board and the coordinators. Board members shall receive no compensation (other than reasonable reimbursement expenses) for their service on the Board.
Section 2 – The Board shall meet at least once per quarter at an agreed upon time and location.
Section 3 – All Board members shall serve for a one year term and may serve indefinitely.
Section 4 – Any Executive Board member may be removed from office without assigning any cause by the vote of the Board at any meeting of the Board.
Section 5 – Any Executive Board member may resign at any time by giving notice to the organization.
Section 6 – In the event of a vacancy on the Board (including situations where the number of Board members has been deemed necessary to increase), the Executive Board shall fill the vacancy based on recommendations from the Coordinators.
Section 7 – A quorum must be attended by at least 60 percent of the Board members before business can be transacted or motions made or passed.
Section 8 – The officers of the organization shall be Coordinators (president and vice president) and supporting board members (including the treasurer and secretary). The Executive Board shall appoint each of these officers. The Board may also appoint other officers it deems necessary.
Section 9 – Executive Board Chair/Coordinator
The Chair shall convene regularly scheduled Board meetings and shall preside or arrange for other Directors to preside at each meeting in the following order: Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 10– Treasurer/Secretary
The Treasurer shall make a report at each Board meeting. The treasurer shall assist in the preparation of the budget, help develop fundraising plans, and make financial information available to board members. Finances will be controlled by the coordinators, and the treasurer will review the financial decisions made by the coordinators. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of Board actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all board meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each Board member, and assuring that corporate records are maintained.
Article 7 –
- Upon the dissolution of WTWKA, assets shall be distributed to Wesselman Woods.
- WTWKA is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and/or scientific purposes.. No part of the net earnings of WTWKA net earnings shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof.
- No substantial part of the activities of WTWKA shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Article 8 – Amendments
Section 1 – These By-laws may be amended when deemed necessary by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board. Article 2 and Article 7 are irrevocable and not subject to amendment.