What is ECHO Learning Cooperative?

ECHO stands for "Enriching Children with Homeschool Opportunities" and we hope the model of learning we cultivate here, centered on community, enriched experiences, and a family first philosophy, echoes out and inspires others to rethink schooling altogether. We empower homeschooling families through a variety of meaningful social and educational opportunities. Our community fosters a supportive networks of friendships for parents and children alike and is designed to enrich each family's unique homeschool path. 

How did ECHO begin?

ECHO Learning Cooperative started in October 2024 when a Lehigh Valley mom wanted to find a homeschool community for her preschool-aged children. While there seemed to be many options for homeschooled children in K-12th grade, there did not seem to be as many options for homeschooled preschoolers in the Lehigh Valley area. That is when a group of homeschooling preschool families decided to meetup regularly for park play, nature walk, and field trip experiences - and ECHO Learning Cooperative began! Our co-op has now grown to serve children up to 7 years of age. While ECHO intends to grow and serve the needs of our children as they age through the school years, we will always be a co-op that welcomes homeschooling families of preschoolers. For many homeschooling families, the decision to homeschool begins well before the Kindergarten year, and we are proud to be part of the early beginnings of your family's homeschooling journey.

What are ECHO's core values?

The three core values at ECHO are family-led learning, community connection, and enriched experiences. 

Family-led Learning: We believe a child's education begins at home-with the care, guidance, and presence of their family. One of the greatest gifts we can offer our children is our time and attention. ECHO exists to support and enrich each family's unique homeschool journey - not replace it. 

Community Connection: We foster community for parents and children alike by offering a variety of opportunities for families to find connections with one another. 

Enriched Experiences: We prioritize serving the greater community and creating learning experiences that ignite a deeper appreciation for our world. We seek out opportunities for nature immersion, hands-on learning, and first-hand experiences in our community that educate the whole child. Please see the FAQ, "What kinds of classes and activities does ECHO offer?" for more information about our programming.

Who can join ECHO?

ECHO is open to all homeschooling families who align with our family-centered values and community-minded approach. We welcome a diverse range of backgrounds and homeschool styles, and we intentionally remain neutral regarding religion, politics, and family structure. We currently serve homeschooling families with children ages 2 - 7 years of age. 

If you are interested in joining ECHO but would like to schedule a trial visit with our community first, you may contact us at [email protected] to set up a day!

When does ECHO meet?

ECHO Learning Cooperative operates year-round within three trimesters: fall, spring, and summer. During the fall and spring trimesters, we offer events scheduled twice per week. During the summer trimester, we meet once per week. Special Events are scheduled year-round and occur on days outside of our usual meetup schedule. Here is a breakdown of when we meet:

Fall (September - December) and Spring (February - May) 13 weeks

• Mondays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Park Play day)
• Wednesdays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Adventure Class participants only)
• Special Events, as scheduled

Summer (June - August) 12 weeks

• Mondays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Park Play day)
• Special Events, as scheduled

Where does ECHO meet?

Our meetups take place at a variety of locations in the greater Lehigh Valley area. The Park Play location rotates through a handful of local parks. The Adventure Class location varies depending on the activity. While we often meet outside, we also have access to indoor locations for our meetups. The Special Events location varies depending on the activity and occurs on days outside of our usual meetup schedule.

What kinds of classes or activities does ECHO offer?

ECHO offers the following regularly scheduled events:

Park Play: Mondays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. We rotate meeting at a handful of local parks year-round! All ECHO Members have access to the Park Play schedule.

Adventure Class: Wednesdays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. The Adventure Class involves more structured learning activities, such as nature walks, circle time, field trips, and community service projects (just to name a few). Additional registration is required and takes place during our fall and spring trimesters. Please go to "CLASS INFO" on our website's toolbar for more information about the Adventure Class.

Special Events: Special Events occur as scheduled year-round and are intended to foster community between ECHO families. All ECHO Members have access to the Special Events schedule. 

Is this a drop-off program?

This is not a drop-off co-op. Parents stay with, and are responsible for, their own children. While we plan hands-on, age-appropriate activities for the class, it is the responsibility of each parent to encourage participation, step in when needed, and modify the experience for their child if necessary.

Is there a cost to participate?

ECHO Membership is $56/year per family. Please see the FAQs "What does it mean to be an ECHO Member?" and "What can I do as an ECHO Member?" for more information about ECHO Membership.

Adventure Class registration is $52.50/trimester per child (ages 2-7) in the fall and spring trimesters. Please go to "CLASS INFO" on our website's toolbar for more information about the Adventure Class.

We keep costs as low as possible while covering essentials like insurance, space rentals, and administrative tools. Some activities may have a small fee or supply contribution. Registration and class fees vary by session.

What does it mean to be an ECHO Member?

We are a network of families learning and growing together. Your annual membership helps sustain everything that makes ECHO possible. In order to provide enriching experiences for children and parents alike, there are a number of costs and your membership helps make this all possible.

Membership isn’t about paying for a single class or event. It’s about belonging to a community that values connection, curiosity, and shared responsibility. When families join ECHO, they’re helping to build a space where children can play, learn, and form real friendships, and where parents find encouragement, inspiration, and support.

As ECHO continues to grow, we are also becoming a true cooperative, one where each family contributes in their own way, whether through helping behind the scenes, teaching, organizing, or supporting events. We make this community thrive together!

Membership is renewed annually every July.

What can I do as an ECHO Member?

ECHO Membership is renewed annually. Here are some of the ways you can participate in our community as an ECHO Member:

• Log into our website, echolearning.org
• View helpful resources created by and shared with all ECHO Members on our website
• Receive the monthly newsletter, “Resonance Report”
• Receive the "Monthly Invitation", a resource that shares how each month centers around a greater theme
• Register for classes
• Attend our biannual ECHO Exchange
• Access our year-round, weekly Park Play meetups and Special Events on the ECHO calendar
• Serve in a Leadership Team position
• Join our ECHO Members community chat

Does ECHO include religious or political instruction in its programming?

ECHO does not promote or teach any religious or political beliefs. We intentionally remain neutral in these areas and do not include them in our curriculum, activities, or group discussions. We believe parents are the most appropriate guides for their children in matters of faith, worldview, and politics. Our goal is to provide a supportive, enriching environment that complements the home, not to shape beliefs or values that are best formed within families. By focusing on nature, hands-on learning, community service, and practical skills, ECHO creates a space where families of various backgrounds can feel welcomed without needing to navigate debates or perspectives that may not reflect their own.

What is ECHO's policy on social media and privacy?

The ECHO Learning Cooperative Facebook page is a private page. It will not be used for sharing pictures or any other confidential information regarding co-op details. Additionally, parents may not post pictures of other participating children on any social media platforms without prior consent from the child’s parent. We do encourage families to upload photos on the members only private website for our ECHO yearbook and newsletter!