Homeschool benefits and savings in Boise
Boise WaterShed, the city's water education center, runs free quarterly homeschool programs for children ages 5 to 12 and free field trips for groups of 15 or more students. Homeschool families register each program through the WaterShed's event calendar, and a homeschool co-op can book a free lesson at least two weeks ahead. Other options include recreation and camp discounts.
Boise WaterShed homeschool programs and field trips
Who qualifies
Pre-registers for each program
Every homeschool class requires pre-registration through the Eventbrite link in the event calendar listing.
Brings 15 students for a lesson
A booked lesson or tour needs at least 15 students, not counting adults or siblings, and the students should be within two grade levels of each other.
Brings enough chaperones
Field trip groups need at least one chaperone for every ten students.
Visits as a family without booking
Groups of fewer than 15 students can visit the exhibit hall or River Campus without a reservation.
What the programs give you
These terms come from Boise WaterShed's programs, homeschool, and field trip pages.
- Homeschool programs
- Free, quarterly
- Field trip or lesson
- Free
- Field trip group size
- 15 to 90 students
- Winter group size limit
- 70 students
- Typical visit length
- 2 to 4 hours
- Booking window
- 2 weeks to 6 months ahead
Water Renewal Facility tours for K-12 groups are suspended from September 2026 through August 2027 for construction, so book a lesson at the WaterShed itself instead.
How to sign up
- Each quarter
Check the event calendar
The WaterShed posts current homeschool offerings on its event calendar.
- Before the program
Pre-register on Eventbrite
Use the Eventbrite link in the calendar listing to reserve your child's place.
- Up to six months ahead
Request a group field trip
Choose up to three lessons that fit your group's grade level, then submit the Field Trip Request form or call 208-608-7300. Reservations open six months out, so May trips open December 1.
- At least two weeks ahead
Confirm your booking
Lessons and tours need at least two weeks' notice, and visits run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What it includes
Included
- Quarterly homeschool programs
- Guided lessons for groups of 15 or more
- Exhibit hall and River Campus visits
- Educator workshops for homeschool parents
Not included
- K-12 Water Renewal Facility tours through August 2027
- Booked lessons for groups under 15 students
Who to contact about programs and field trips
Boise WaterShed, at 6411 N. Ancell Ave, Boise, takes field trip requests and answers questions about homeschool programs.
208-608-7300 Homeschool programs
Boise Parks and Recreation scholarship
Who qualifies
Is under 18
The scholarship is for youth under age 18, and a parent or legal guardian submits the application.
Shows household income
Include last year's tax return, W-2s, or two recent pay statements, plus Social Security or Health and Welfare statements if you receive them.
Shows financial or other need
The form asks for your income bracket and why your family needs help, such as free or reduced lunch, homelessness, or another hardship. If your income is above the listed brackets, attach a letter explaining your circumstances.
Is approved before registering
Scholarships are not retroactive, so the city must approve your form before you sign your child up.
What it is worth
Boise Parks and Recreation's fiscal year 2026 application sets the award as a percentage based on income, capped per child and per household.
- One child, one fiscal year
- Up to $600
- Two children, one fiscal year
- Up to $1,200
- Whole household, one fiscal year
- Up to $1,800
- Scholarship year
- Oct. 1 to Sept. 30
- Non-resident part of a class fee
- You pay
The scholarship covers only the resident portion of a class fee, so families outside Boise city limits pay the non-resident surcharge plus any resident fee the award does not cover.
From applying to keeping it
- Before you apply
Gather income proof
Collect tax returns, W-2s, or two recent pay stubs, and list each child's name and date of birth on the form.
- Two weeks before registration
Submit the application
Email it to activities@cityofboise.org with the scholarship name in the subject line, fax it to 208-608-7699, or mail or drop it off at Fort Boise Community Center, 700 Robbins Rd.
- After approval
Register by phone or in person
Call 208-608-7680 or go to Fort Boise Community Center, and pay your share of the fee when you register. Scholarship registrations cannot be made online.
- During the program
Attend every class
Tell the Scholarship Administrator about any absence, and give at least a week's notice if your child cannot attend. Unapproved absences can cost you future awards.
- Each October
Apply again
Awards expire September 30, so send a new application and new documents for each fiscal year.
What it pays for
Covered
- Youth recreation program fees
- The resident portion of class fees
Not covered
- Non-resident surcharges
- Registrations made before approval
- Online registrations
Who to contact
Fort Boise Community Center processes scholarship applications and takes scholarship registrations for Boise Parks and Recreation.
activities@cityofboise.org 208-608-7680 Scholarship applications
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Idaho
You do not have to file a homeschool notice.
Idaho sets these rules:
- Subjects: Homeschool parents in Idaho must provide instruction in subjects commonly taught in public schools.
- Testing: Idaho does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: Idaho does not require homeschool records.
- Teachers: Idaho does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.
Read the Idaho homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Idaho
Questions parents ask
- Can siblings younger than 5 or older than 12 come to a WaterShed homeschool program?
- Yes. All ages are welcome, though the programs are designed for ages 5 to 12. Pre-register each child through the Eventbrite link in the event calendar listing.
- My family is smaller than 15 students. Can we still visit WaterShed?
- Yes. Smaller groups can drop in to the exhibit hall or River Campus without a reservation. Afternoons are usually quieter, and you can call ahead to check whether a school group is on site.
- Can a homeschooled child get the Kristin Armstrong scholarship?
- Yes. The only participant rule is age: youth under 18. The application asks about household income and need, not school enrollment.
- We live outside Boise. Can we still apply for the Boise scholarship?
- Yes, but the award applies only to the resident part of each class fee. You pay the non-resident fee yourself.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Put eligible education funds toward a curriculum that teaches the courses and grades the work. Check the program’s purchasing rules before paying.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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