Sports and Recreation
Charlotte area sports leagues and facilities connects to a wide variety of local sports and recreation web sites.
Wesley Chapel - Weddington Athletic Association
Matthews Area Recreation Association
SOAR Sports - A League of Encouragement
CHAMP Sports - Character, Heart, Ability, Maturity, and Purpose.
Baseball
Frozen Ropes is a state-of-the-art training and instructional facility located in Fort Mill, SC.
If you are interested in a competitive team that will play in local tournaments for the upcoming school year, please call David at 704-293-5495 or Stephanie at 704-243-3762. They are a Christ-centered team, whose main focus will be on developing character, as well as teaching fundamental baseball skills, in a fun, but challenging environment.
Basketball
Upward Basketball (and Cheerleading) at Weddington UMC for K-6. For more info email here or call 704.846.1032.
Carolina Courts offers basketball (and volleyball) and their state-of-the- art facility includes 5 high school regulation basketball courts, up to 10 full-size volleyball courts, bleacher style seating for spectators, a full concession stand, locker rooms, a parent/adult only lounge area with free wi-fi connection and a flat panel TV, a pro shop, and an arcade.
Bowling
Join the HOPE Group for bowling on the first Tuesday of each month, 12:30-2:30 pm, at Skyway Lanes in Monroe. Click here for map. The cost will be $5.50 for two games which includes shoe rental (One game and shoes is $3.00). Be there at 12:15 for lane assignments and shoes. The owner says we are welcome to bring our own snacks, but he would appreciate it if we would purchase drinks there. Click here to email for more information.
On the last Friday of each month, from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., homeschool families can come to AMF Carolina Lanes in Matthews and bowl 2 games, including shoe rental, for $6 each person. The bowling lanes have (optional) bumpers on the gutters to help young bowlers. They even have a ball launcher to help aim the ball. You (almost) can't miss! They also have a large gathering room with four pool tables and a full snack bar, including pizza. Families are welcome to arrive early (12:30 p.m.) and gather in the pool room (just inside the entrance). Folks who are interested in creating "teams" to bowl together can form then, before paying for bowling. Designated "Teen Lanes" are available for socializing. Family bowling is also welcome.
Chess Club
The southwest Charlotte homeschool chess club meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at the Chick-Fil-A at South Tryon and Hwy 160. Please contact Jenn Feagans for more information.
Fencing
Touché Fencing Club offers classes for youngsters and adults for almost 10 years in Charlotte. Touché was founded by Hungarian native Peter Zay in 1998, who is an accomplished fencer and instructor. We currently have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the evening and a "kids' class" (age 6 - 9) on Saturdays. If there is a group of 10 or more, we can even start a separate class at various times of the day. We can work with your schedule! Interested? - you can visit our website or contact Peter at 704-676-4728 or by email.
Football and Cheerleading
Pioneer Football League was established in July of 2000 to give home-schooled and private-schooled boys, ages 12 - 18 the opportunity to play regulation football. These student athletes would normally not have the chance to play football through the public school system or their private school does not offer football as a choice of athletics.
Carolinas Christian Athletic Association fields both Varsity and Junior Varsity teams -- the Carolina Pride football program is the core of the CCAA. This program is dedicated to reaching Middle School and High School Youth through the competitive sport of football. The teams were formed primarily for home school and private school students that would otherwise not have the opportunity to play competitive football.
Piedmont Youth Football League founded in 2002, is a privately owned and self-supporting competitive regional youth football league. Recognized as the first youth football league providing competition between young athletes ages 9-12 in both North and South Carolina, the PYFL provides young athletes in North Carolina and South Carolina Counties including and surrounding Charlotte, NC, an opportunity to enjoy the physical, mental, and social growth offered by organized football. The PYFL and its organizations throughout the region endeavor to promote wholesome development of strong character, responsibility, fair play, academic success, leadership skills, solid football fundamentals, devout work ethics, good sportsmanship, and teamwork, while functioning as a feeder system to regional high schools. No child will be excluded from the activities of the PYFL because of race, sex, creed, color, or national origin.
Pop Warner is a community-based football program for ages 5-16. The local league is the Little Panthers. Since 1929, the Pop Warner Programs Philosophy has been that athletics and scholastics go hand in hand. At every level, Pop Warner programs seek to develop well-rounded young men and women who learn not only the fundamentals of football, cheerleading, and dance but also the importance of education in an atmosphere conducive to developing sound character while having a good time.
Gymnastics
Southeastern Gymnastics, Providence Road, Weddington
Zenith (formerly Weyandt's) Monroe Road, Charlotte, offers homeschool classes on a registration fee plus pay-per-class basis. If you have any questions, please contact them at 704.568.1277 or by email.
International Sports Center, Monroe Road, Matthews, offers homeschool classes (all ages) which meet from 11:30-12:30 on Tuesdays. The cost is $59/month with an additional annual registration fee. The teacher/student ratio is never more than 10:1. For more information or to schedule a free trial class call Meg at 841-8407 ext. 200. Click here for map.
Charlotte Gymnastics Academy is located in the Arrowood Rd./South Blvd/Westinghouse Blvd. area at 710 Peninsula Lane, Suite A, Charlotte NC 28273. They are offering a Beginners Tumbling/Gymnastics for homeschoolers ages 7+, September 4, 2008 – May 28, 2009, Thursdays 12pm – 1pm. The cost is $60 per month. Registration fee is $35. The class minimum is 5 students. Contact Nick Baker (704-714-FLIP) or visit the website for more information about this and other classes.
Horseback Riding
Bridleheart Crossing offers English lessons, camps, and working student program; specializes in Eventing. Located south of Waxhaw.
Horseback riding lessons are now being offered by Tricia Davis at
Enchanted Meadows Horse Farm in Monroe. The rate is only $30 for one
full hour which includes a total package of horse care on every level
including riding, horse care, horse behavior, grooming, and tack on a
beautiful 24-acre farm. Safety helmets are provided by the farm. Call
Tricia for lesson times and more infor at 704.764.8581 or cell 980.328.
3448.Shea Rose Farm, Waxhaw-Marvin Road, Waxhaw (Carol Land 704.843.4306) offers English lessons and vaulting (gymnastics on horseback).
Ice skating
Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail, 4705 Indian Trail- Fairview Rd.
Homeschool Day first Thursday of every month, 2:00-5:30 pm. $4.50 includes skate rental, (Please mention you are with the homeschool group for this discount price.)
Extreme Ice center has a large skating rink that will accommodate a large number of skaters. Additionally, they have a small rink called "The Puddle" that may be used by little ones age 3-8 at a cost of only $2.00 if you have skates- otherwise it would be $2.50 more for rental skates. The Puddle can be used from 2:00-3:30 pm.
Remember to dress warmly, with gloves or mittens. The rink is cold. There are warm areas outside the ice rink for viewing and benches with tables for sitting with babies.Pineville Ice House near Carolina Place Mall
Martial Arts
WOW Taekwondo (Waxhaw) Master Jonathan Fleming blends discipline and fun, teaching character and the pursuit of excellence by means of taekwondo -- personally recommended by the webmaster.
Sang Rock Tae Kwon Do (Wesley Chapel, Matthews, and South Charlotte)
Jason Tacker (704.807.2565) offers classes in Kuk Sool Won, a comprehensive Korean system of martial arts and comes recommended by a fellow homeschooler
Rock Climbing
Inner Peaks on Monroe Road in Charlotte offers indoor climbing and instruction; birthday parties, too.
Chimney Rock Park offers climbing and rappelling instruction on the real stuff, daily in the summer. Reservations required.
Roller skating
Every 2nd Thursday, 11:30-2:00 pm, through both the school year and the summer, we have a private slot at Kate's Skating Rink. For a map, click here. Our discounted rate is $3.50 which includes roller skates (inline skates are $3 extra), a snack and a drink. They play games, have races with prizes and, per our request, play only Christian music. There is also a Christian skate night every Monday, 7-9 p.m.
Kate's in Rock Hill, SC, has homeschool skating on the first and third Wednesdays from 1:00-4:00. If you live in south/southeast Charlotte this is straight down I-77 to exit 82C, turn right and it's on the right about 1/2 mile down the road.
Rugby
Join Matthews Rugby Club for a summer season of two-hand touch, co-ed rugby for boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 14. Our mission is to teach local boys and girls about the fundamentals of rugby, teamwork, fitness and sportsmanship in a fun and relaxed environment. The season runs June - August. If you are interested in sponsorship or coaching please contact Adam Angulo at 704-321-5135.
Scouting
BSA Central North Carolina Council (Waxhaw, Weddington, Indian Trail, Wesley Chapel, Monroe, etc.)
BSA Mecklenburg County Council (Apache District troops are listed; Etowah District site is still uunder construction -- for a list of Etowah troops click here.)
Girl Scouts Hornets Nest Council
Skiing
Contact French-Swiss Ski College, at 828.295.9311, for information on Homeschool Days at Appalachian Mountain in Blowing Rock, N. C. is offering students the opportunity to participate in a winter sport that will motivate them physically, socially and psychologically. The dates for the 2008-09 season are: December 8 and 17, January 7, 21, and 28, February: 11, 18, and 23, March: 4, 9, 11, 16, and 25.
Riders Choice weblog offers information on homeschooling groups at several western NC ski locations.
Soccer
The Charlotte Eagles Soccer Club, a division of Missionary Athletes International, offers clinics for homeschooled children (5-12) and teens (13-18) in the spring and fall.
Waxhaw Soccer practices at the Western union fields and competes with the other recreational leagues nearby in Union County.
Summer Camp
Christian Camp and Conference Association
Camp Flintlock conducts daytime and overnight Colonial-American programs for participants of all ages. At Camp Flintlock, you get to live history firsthand.
Swimming
Marion Diehl Center offers swim lessons for all ages and abilities, as well as open swim times.
Stingray Aquatics Homeschool team practice times: 2:00-3:00 pm, Monday through Thursday. Any age developmental program/ physical fitness for children that are homeschooled. Swimmers will develop all four strokes.
Homeschool Swim Association acts as a clearinghouse for individual swimmers, homeschool swim teams, training, records, rankings, contacts, etc. Thee will also host two "National Homeschool Championship Swim Meets" each year - the winter meet in January and the summer meet in late August. The meets will actively encourage partcipation from all ability levels.
SwimMAC at Charlotte Latin [map] has three programs designed for the homeschool community: Homeschool Safety (HSS), Ages 5-12, Homeschool Introduction to Competitive Technique (HSI), Ages 6-12, and Homeschool Advanced (HSA), Ages 12-18. For more information contact Amy Monroe at 704.846.5335, ext. 113.
Tennis
Sardis Swim and Racquet Club presents tennis classes for homeschoolers. Email John Trimp for registration form and details or call 704.367.4980.
Scott Jeffers offers tennis lessons at Valhalla Swim Club near Providence and Gray Bynum roads [map] for all ages and all levels. Personally recommended by the webmaster.
Volleyball
Carolina Courts offers basketball (and volleyball) and their state-of-the- art facility includes 5 high school regulation basketball courts, up to 10 full-size volleyball courts, bleacher style seating for spectators, a full concession stand, locker rooms, a parent/adult only lounge area with free wi-fi connection and a flat panel TV, a pro shop, and an arcade.
Whitewater Sports
US National Whitewater Center is an outdoor adventure center providing the Charlotte region with the world's most unique outdoor recreation and environmental learning experience. The Center will provide the opportunity to experience over 300 acres of woodlands along the Catawba River, only 10 minutes from center-city Charlotte. Olympic-caliber athletes, weekend warriors and casual observers will be able to share this world-class sports and training center
Nantahala Outdoor Center offers guided raft trips as well as canoeing and kayaking courses.
Headwaters Outfitters, in Rosman, NC, has been introducing people from all over the USA and the world to the beauty that is the upper reaches of the French Broad River via tubes, kayaks, and canoes. Fly-fishing, too.