EAST BRANDYWINE – A record number of students entered projects this year in the Chester County Homeschool Association's annual Project Fair, according to association president Don Joye. Joye, who has served as CCH president for 14 of the committee's 16 years, estimated that more than 90 students, from 5 to 16 years old and hailing from various parts of Chester County, participated in this year's exhibition. East Brandywine Baptist Church was the host of the fair on Friday.
"This really gives the kids a chance to show what they've done," he said. "It's a lot of fun."
Joye's wife, Claudia, who has served a similar term as CCH secretary and editor of the monthly newsletter, estimates the turnout in previous years has been between 60 and 70 students.
"We used to do a science fair and a social studies fair so we just decided to combine them both. Now, any subject can be displayed," she said.
The noncompetitive show is designed to allow the children to showcase their talents and meet in a group setting.
Kate Varley, a CCH member and mother of two who volunteered to help run the fair, said, "My kids participated in the show a couple of years ago and it was just such a nice event. It was a real fun and interesting learning experience."
One of the most popular booths was "Candy Making," created by Varley's 14-year-old daughter Maurine.
"I just like cooking," Maurine said. "It took me a couple of days to do all the work. The Amish mints were the hardest to do because there were lots of molds and lots of little things to press into the molds."
Also on display was a "Magic: The Gathering" booth, based on the collectible card game of the same name and manned by 13-year-old Zeke Umile of Downingtown.
"It's definitely an involved game," Umile said. "It's hard to learn. It's kind of a logic game."
Several stations featured live animals, including 6-year-old Elizabeth Broome's project on hamsters. When asked why she chose hamsters, Broome replied, "My friend borrowed one from her school and she brought it home to play. I had a lot of fun with it so I went to the pet store and bought one."
Broome's hamster unexpectedly gave birth to three babies, which all made the trip for the fair.
Most of the attending parents seemed to be just as excited about the event as their children. Leo Adams, whose 5-year-old son Ryan offered a Lego-based display about light, said, "This is a terrific experience. It helps incite the kids' desire to learn more about the world. It helps to give them confidence to display their work to other kids as well as adults."
Claudia Joye said upcoming events include a prom, which will be held at the National Christian Conference Center in Valley Forge and is open to all high-school age homeschoolers in Chester County and alumni, and a June 2 graduation ceremony at the Best Western Inn in Exton.