There was a time when there was no basketball at co-op. As a matter of fact, there were no classes for students beyond the age of 11. Older siblings sometimes came to co-op, but they simply waited around until co-op was over — maybe assisting in a class, maybe taking an arts and crafts class, but mostly just hanging around until co-op was over. That was when co-op met at the First Baptist Church in Martindale. Then co-op moved to Hill Country Christian School in San Marcos, and they had a gym! That’s when it all started.

Co-op met in the gym. Opening was held in the gym, and classes were held in the gym. Not entirely ideal, but it was a place to meet. The following year we were allowed to use some of the classrooms, and the gym was available for PE classes. My son loved basketball, and basketball was quickly suggested for one of the PE classes. About that time he became too old for the community basketball program, and I remember the quiet desperation in his eyes along with silent tears as he told his dad he wanted to play basketball. A parent feels his child’s dreams. Can you find enough boys who want to play? And the dream took form.

Stephen made his list, and his excitement empowered his work as he called every homeschooled boy he could think of. And you know what? Every one of them wanted to play. A team was born. (1995)

The first year we played maybe three games. We had inexpensive t-shirts for jerseys. Boys began to bring their mothers to co-op instead of the other way around. Older children no longer stayed at home or waited around until co-op was over. We began an upper division for older students, and we had writing classes, biology, Spanish, speech, physics, and whatever else caring moms created for their kids. And the basketball class grew into a program!

Almost everyone wanted to take basketball. We developed basketball classes for younger students, and they filled up and waiting lists were created. By now we had moved to the First Baptist Church, and the gym was busy all three periods, sometimes with two basketball classes using only half court. It was getting crowded, and there was no room for other PE classes. Then San Marcos built the Activity Center, and a group of three moms looked into using that facility for basketball so we could free up the gym for other classes. The co-op board agreed to help with the cost since we were moving in order to allow room for the younger kids to have PE. The people at the Center were very cooperative and generous, and the price they gave us was affordable! 

So that’s how we got where we are today. Along the way we won trophies for State and National competition. We created a girls team so our daughters didn’t have to play on their brothers team. We made close friends and learned to work together, and that wasn’t just the kids, either. Parents were there all along the way. We worked together to build the program, we cheered the kids when they were successful and hurt with them when they lost. We learned how to schedule games and keep score and coach. Our kids grew and we grew with them. 

Today our kids share a bond that is wonderful to see. Two nights ago I watched them come together to play basketball with friends at Hill Country Christian School. There were current team members and alumni, and they worked together beautifully. It was great. They were probably the best games I’ve ever seen them play because of the beauty of that bond of friendship — and because I’ve grown to love each of them as I watched them grow up on and around a basketball court.

There are a number of reasons to have a co-op; there are a number of ways that coming together benefits both us and our children. One very obvious reason is for the social contact. People like being with other people; we like having friends. The kids are drawn to co-op, desiring to be with their friends. That’s fine with moms, but we like to add the benefit of classes to that arrangement. The classes are not just an excuse to get together; they really accomplish something, particularly as the student gets older. Moms get excited about classes for their kids; they want them to have all those learning opportunities. They understand all the needs and uses for education. Co-op is not the only way to accomplish this, but it is a big help. At co-op’s best, it produces classes that even become programs — like basketball. 

Co-op has grown up. It is not just a gathering of young children doing fun things and making friends. It is that and more. As our children grow with co-op, we see the future taking form. We see a basketball program that produces sound, lasting Christian friendships. One graduate plays basketball at a Christian college, another runs track at West Point. We see a science program that provided the basics for one student to attend Texas A&M as an elite medical student. The accomplishments of co-op alumni tell us we are doing something right. 

If your child has a dream, go to work on it with him. You never can tell what will come from it and what might be accomplished. Dreams can be realized. And the dream of one individual can bless the lives of many others.