In the Homeschool Community:
What are your favorite ways to meet other homeschoolers? What do you suggest homeschoolers new to the valley do to get out into the homeschool community? What kinds of networking is available to homeschoolers online and in person? Do you have any suggestions for improving what is available? What would you like to see that doesn't currently exist?
Outside the Homeschool Community:
What are your favorite ways to meet kids of all types of schooling in your neighborhood and local area? How do you answer questions and concerns about socialization to friends, family, and neighbors? What misunderstandings do people unfamiliar with homeschooling have about homeschoolers? What do you and your family do to help correct the myths and increase homeschool public relations?
We homeschooled our son for
We homeschooled our son for about three years via a co-op. It was wonderful. The experience took care of some of that socialization that you mention, too, because it pulled from many different demographics.
As for how to address preconceptions and promote diversity, we simply are equal-opportunity friendship seekers, and like to try new things. Keep an open mind, and don't make the fact that you homeschool the primary point of introduction. People will seek people with like values. And interests.
In my experience, having the homeschool vs public/other school with people is about the same as having the public vs private school conversation--it speaks to similar kinds of priorities. In fact, I found that I had lots of people considering joining the co-op when I was there, primarily because they couldn't believe "someone like me" would do something bad for my kid.
My daughter goes to public
My daughter goes to public school, but she met a new friend at a Y ballet class who happened to be homeschooled. They get along, so we parents let them set up a play date at the park. It was a great way for both girls to socialize - not just with each other, but with other kids their ages at the park. And we moms also got to know more about each other. We're planning another get together.
I don't know if there is a great divide between homeschooled and public education, like there is between SAHMs and career moms. I'm open minded, so I didn't think a play date with a homeschooled child would be terrible. I as a mom am looking for positive friendships for my daughter, and believe diversity among her friend (and I don't mean just race/color) is good so long as the friend is a positive influence.
I really think it's up to the parents (whether public or homeschooled) to seek out diverse friendships to help our children learn to socialize in all kids of situations. We aren't always surrounded by people like ourselves. So getting them to trying new things is a way to open up friendships. You can facilitate new experiences by taking a class or maybe it's regularly hitting the park.
I think the Y offers certain PE classes especially for homeschooled kids. Other gyms might, too.
There are some
There are some sports-oriented ways to get networked: "All City" sports teams are good as well, and usually advertised in the newspaper--sometimes even on utility bills newsletters about what's happening in the community.