Open Group
Learning, Playing, and Exploring Together
Open Connections empowers young people and adults to create the life they want, full of purpose and fulfillment.
The Open Group Program is a two-day, hybrid program whose name reflects the structure of the program which offers a mix of self-directed learning, similar to the Open Program, and structured facilitator-initiated activities, similar to the Group Programs. The self-directed portion of the Open Group day offers youth the FREEDOM, INDEPENDENCE, and opportunity to develop SOCIAL SKILLS. The resource-rich environment, both indoors and outdoors, provides a strong foundation for the Open portion of each day. The Group portion of the day offers youth the experience of being part of a smaller close knit group that does activities together as a whole group as well as in pairs and smaller groups. The group activities explore a variety of YOUTH AND FACILITATOR INITIATED content and provide opportunities to engage in both INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PROJECTS. Projects and activities vary from year to year based on the group’s interests with the exception of the Partnership Project which occurs every year. The Partnership Project is a self-directed research project in which youth select, research, develop, and share their learning with their peers about a topic of their choosing.
Days are planned with a focus on HANDS-ON, PROJECT-BASED WORK. Some projects will be one-time events while others will continue for multiple weeks. Facilitator-initiated activities, during the Group portion of the day, are planned with an emphasis on helping youth develop intrapersonal, interpersonal, and impersonal skills including: self-regulation skills, collaboration skills, creative expression, communication, problem solving, and critical thinking. Youth are given EXPOSURE to a variety of topics, tools, and activities, because sometimes “we don’t know what we don’t know” and it can be helpful to be introduced to new things.
Ultimately, our goal is to provide a rich and nurturing environment that will support each youth in becoming thoughtful, dynamic, and engaged participants in society, leading them to live lives full of purpose and fulfillment.
We are strong believers in the value of multi-age/developmental learning opportunities. Different levels of Group programs will occasionally work with each other.
Examples of program activities and projects include:
- Collaborative STEM challenges
- Exploration of the natural environment
- Outdoor play
- Music & Rhythm Activities
- Daily Group activities, discussions, reflection, and appreciations
- Conceptual Development (CD) activities
- Language Arts activities (reading, writing, speaking, listening)
- Baking/cooking
- Art experiences (clay, origami, paint, collage, etc.)
- Hand sewing
- Wood shop projects
- Service learning projects
- Games – pair, small group and whole group
- Partnership Project
Basic guidelines for Open Group, by September, participants should:
Have a sense of independence and ability to self-direct.
Be able to sit, focus, and actively participate in group discussions that range from 15-30 minutes, and actively participate in hands-on/active activities that can last from 45-60 minutes.
Have emergent/developing reading, writing, and math skills and a desire to continue developing these skills.
Be able to work and play constructively with peers.
For parents: they must be able to arrive on time to pick up their youth as they are released from the program regardless of whether the parent is here.
To truly *THRIVE* in Open Group, participants should:
Have proficient reading, writing, and math skills and can apply these skills.
Are eager to try a wide variety of projects and activities.
Can smoothly transition from one activity to another.
Open Program
(ages 4 – 10)
Group Programs
(ages 7 – 18)
Explorations Programs
(ages 9 – 18)
Program OVERVIEW for 2026-27
Program | Ages | Days | Time | Tuition |
4 – 10 | M, T, W and/or Th (attend 1-4 days) | 9:00am – 2:30pm | $4,860/day, annually (range is $1,000-$4,860*) | |
Open Group (two day program) | 7 – 9 | T and Th | 9:00am – 2:30pm | $9,720/annually (range is $2,000 – $9,720*) |
Group 1 (two day program) | 9 – 11 | T and Th | 9:00am – 2:30pm | $9,720/annually (range is $2,000 – $9,720*) |
10 – 14 | M | 9:00am – 2:30pm | $4,860 annually (range is $1,000-$4,860*) | |
Group 2 (two day program) | 11 – 13 | T and Th | 9:00am – 2:30pm | $9,720/annually (range is $2,000 – $9,720*) |
Group 3 (two day program) | 13 – 15 | T and Th | 9:00am – 2:30pm | $9,720/annually (range is $2,000 – $9,720*) |
15 – 18 | T and Th | 9:00am – 3:30pm | $10,300/annually (range is $2,000 – $10,300*) | |
9 – 12 | W | 9:00am – 2:30 pm | $4,860annually (range is $1,000-$4,860*) | |
12 – 18 | W | 9:00am – 2:30 pm | $4,860 annually (range is $1,000-$4,860*) |
* Typical tuition range based on demonstrated financial need and available funding.
Copy of Program by Open Connections
WHAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS TO SAY:
“I am grateful beyond measure, and without words to adequately express how deeply I have appreciated all that each and every one of you have brought to our lives, in your countless and unique ways.”
– Kelly, OC Alum Parent and OC Facilitator
“I feel like I learn things faster because of how I am naturally curious. OC’s encouragement to pursue your natural curiosity is a big part of learning.”
– Garrett, OC Alum
“I find that the skills I have learned throughout my time at Open Connections and as a homeschooler are valuable and I will continue to use them for years to come. I appreciate that I have the freedom to choose what I want to focus on learning, and I feel like I have a lot of control over how I want my life to go because of that level of freedom.”
– Eva, OC Alum
“The model of Partnership Education suits our family’s needs beautifully. We appreciate the people, resources, and meaningful experiences that are available to our young people. OC continues to make our vision for a purposeful education a reality, and that’s a dream come true us. We can’t imagine anything better.”
– Lizzie, OC Parent
“Open Connections has introduced us to such a wide variety of ideas, experiences and people that we would have missed out on otherwise. We feel grateful for each opportunity OC has provided for our family!”
– Heather, OC Parent
“I love OC, and I like Choice the most! I love drawing and reading and making graphic novels. Homeschooling is fun.”
– Søren, OC Youth
“What do I love most? Being free! I love being outside so much. And I get to learn about snakes! Homeschooling is covering everything and it is making it fun, and we are learning more this way. I love OC, especially Thursdays and Tuesdays.”
– Silas, OC Youth
“We are constantly exploring new things. I like that there is structure to our learning but that can change depending on what the young people want.”
– Ollie, OC Youth
“OC is such a special place and differs from other learning environments in so many ways! One aspect of OC that I have always appreciated is how much OC values mutual respect. Facilitators do not look down on the young people, no matter what age they are, but instead treat them as equals.”
– Hannah, OC Alum
“Because it is such a small community, we become so connected to each other. There is always someone to interact with; another kid to play with or an adult to have a conversation. OC is small and that makes it a tight knit community. Learning together in a Group…, we become friends quickly, we connect and everyone is accepted. We are all in this together.”
– Lily, OC Youth
“OC provided a built-in support system as we started our homeschooling journey.”
– Ros, OC Parent
“Being able to explore what I was truly interested in at OC was important as I discovered both myself and—down the road—what I wanted to do as a career.”
– Teaghan, Alumna