We spent a recent October weekend in Gainesville, FL at the GRM '08 Challenge. It's an event sponsored by Grassroots Motorsports magazine, which provides amateur mechanics a venue to show-off what they can do to make a racecar on a limited budget. This wasn't the first time we'd been there as a family. We'd accompanied my husband 4 years ago when the kids were quite younger. This time they all had an attention span longer than a minute, and were all potty-trained. They were also all "in school".

By "in school" I mean they were also at school. We're a homeschoolin' family; been one for years. I love to homeschool. I love the freedom and flexibility it offers; the possibilities it provides to turn everything we do into a learning opportunity; the educational spin it allows us to give all our experiences. Our kids don't look at school as a 9-3 chore, but as a fun lifestyle. But, I digress...

This go-round I was better able to approach our trip with this mindset, no longer having to concentrate on where to throw the stinky diaper and chase a curious toddler around a hot parking lot...So as a result of meeting some fabulous folks over the course of those few days, I thought I'd toss out this list of some ways homeschooling families could turn next year's challenge into a "field trip". Here are some ideas I've come up with

Please don't read this as a cut-and-dried list. One thing I've learned over the years is that topics are all inter-connected. One idea may segue way into a bunch of other stuff. Also, this list is by no means exhaustive ~ I'm sure that after next year's meet, I'll learn a bunch of stuff from other families.

• Prior to next year's event, we'll be contacting the Chamber of Commerce and "googling" Gainesville to find local activities to incorporate into our schedule when we're not at the track. And as usual we'll incorporate geography and map skills by locating our destination and tracing our path while on the road. Formulating and sticking to a budget is also great practice for math skills (let alone self-control!).

• Of course, for the inevitable downtimes, worksheets and other paper-and-pen activities are great for any age. This year, as a spin on journaling, my kids are taking digital photos with dad's camera that they will later incorporate as writing prompts. They'll have wonderful memories as well as an interesting writing project when completed.

• Everywhere you look, guys and gals are under their cars or under the hood, tweaking, fixing, adjusting, whatever. And being the friendly bunch that they are, they're all eager to talk about "their baby". As long as your kids are respectful and considerate, there's a lifetime of info to be gleaned about the mechanics and science of what makes a car go! (Or go better...) Which, of course, is something else for them to journal about...

• Career options, for the somewhat older set, are an interesting discussion topic. None of these folks do this for pay; meaning they all have other stuff they do to support this "habit"! So far, I've met a technical writer, karate instructor, junk-yard worker, carpenter and truck-driver ~ and I know I'm missing bunches more! An interested high schooler could ask some questions about college and career plans of the GA Tech team that was there. No, they don't get credit, but they do get to use some great tools courtesy of the School of Mechanical Engineering!

• Causes and social concerns were a fascinating discovery for me this year. I met a man whose wife has MS, which opens up a whole new area: studying MS and other illnesses and how they affect us physically (for the younger set) and socially and emotionally as well (for the older kids). One of the racers has a mission to spread an anti-smoking message in area elementary schools. Run with that one yourself! I spoke to a couple who recently became parents through adoption. That spawned conversations not only about adoption and orphans, but environmental issues (which sometimes cause kids to lose their parents...) I know there are other causes and concerns among this bunch ~ I just ran out of time to explore them all.

• What got us first started coming here, of course, was a homeschool project car that my husband, eldest son and a few other boys worked on years ago. They met on a semi-regular basis over the year and rebuilt a Subaru SVX together. Our son did enough work and study that he was able to count his time towards a high school elective. My husband is leaving this year's challenge with an idea for a cool future project churning in his head ~ so next year might be lots of fun ;-)!

Here's my "call to action"!! Class is in session, and we need students! So get the word out! Does this sound like something your family or co-op might be interested in? I know I met one or two homeschooling dads that weekend who were there solo and left the family behind. Bring ‘em on! How great would it be to have a few entries next year completed as homeschool projects? Or to have an evening "meet and greet" together? That's always bound to be interesting and encouraging! Homeschoolers already have time and location flexibility; now I've given you some ideas to further develop at "the challenge". And after reading this, I'm sure you coul brainstorm at least a few other ways your family can incorporate school into the experience. Armed with these tools...come join us!!

I'm looking forward to next year's meet, and in the meantime I know it'll be interesting watching what develops in the garage in our backyard. (I only hope the neighbors don't complain too loudly...)

Pat Fenner and her husband Paul have 5 children, aged 21-4. She has been homeschooling for 14 interesting years! Her passion is to encourage other homeschoolers to excel in their educational and business pursuits. You can follow her on twitter at www.twitter.com/patfenner or visit her blog at www.networkfromhome.squarespace.com, where she provides support for entrepreneurial homeschoolers. She is currently developing a website devoted to homeschool-support as well.