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Homeschool benefits and savings in Boyds

Montgomery Parks' Black Hill Discovery Center runs curriculum-based environmental education programs free for Montgomery County home schools, grades K-12, instead of the $7 per participant other groups pay. Book a one- to two-hour program such as stream ecology or habitats by phone or email. Other options include college classes and scholarships, library educator cards and resources, and transit fare savings.

By , founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed .

Benefits in Boyds

  1. Montgomery Parks Black Hill Discovery Center homeschool programs
  2. Montgomery College homeschool dual-enrollment grant
  3. Montgomery County Recreation Rec Assist
  4. Montgomery County Public Library educator account
  5. Montgomery County Kids Ride Free

Montgomery Parks Black Hill Discovery Center homeschool programs

Who qualifies

  1. Is a county home school

    Free programs are offered to all Montgomery County schools, and the center lists home schools, grades K through 12, among them.

  2. Books a curriculum program

    The free rate covers curriculum-based environmental education programs. The pontoon, kayak, and outreach programs have their own fees.

  3. Reserves ahead

    Call or email Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Reservations are accepted year-round.

What programs cost

Black Hill Discovery Center's group programs page lists program fees for schools and other groups.

Curriculum-based program, county home school
Free
Programs for other groups
$7 per participant
Science on the Pontoon, up to 20 passengers
$150
Outreach at your site
$50 plus $50 travel per day
Kayak tours and instruction
Ask for pricing

Programs run in fair weather, light rain, and warm or cold weather, and the naturalist calls if a program is canceled.

How to book a program

  1. Before you call

    Pick a program

    Choose from Insects and Butterflies (K-2, mid-April to October), Habitats (K-3, year-round), Stream Ecology (K-12, mid-April to September), or a naturalist guided hike.

  2. Weekdays

    Reserve

    Call 301-528-3489 or email the center with your homeschool group's name, group size, and the best time to reach your contact person.

  3. Program day

    Arrive early

    Programs are scheduled Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Arrive 10 minutes before your start time.

What it includes

Free

Separate fees

Who to contact about group programs

Discovery Center naturalists take group program reservations and answer questions about topics and scheduling.

blackhillnature@montgomeryparks.org 301-528-3489 Group programs page

Montgomery College homeschool dual-enrollment grant

Who qualifies

  1. Registered county homeschooler

    Your student must be a registered Montgomery County home-schooled student currently in high school, and the student and parents must be permanent Maryland residents.

  2. Citizen or permanent resident

    The student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

  3. Admitted and registered first

    Your student must be admitted to Montgomery College, approved for dual enrollment, and registered in a course before you submit the grant application.

  4. Meets the income limit

    The most recent cycle required household federal adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less, shown on the first two pages of IRS Form 1040 listing your student as a dependent and signed by the parent.

What it is worth

Montgomery College's 2026-27 total tuition and fees for Montgomery County residents; the grant can also pay for required books.

One credit
$207.00
One 3-credit class
$553.80
Two 3-credit classes (6 credits)
$1,107.60
12 credits
$2,215.20

Homeschooled students pay regular tuition and fees unless the grant is approved, and a student who withdraws from a course must return the textbook or may be charged for it.

From applying to keeping it

  1. Before you apply

    Get admitted and register

    Apply to Montgomery College, get dual enrollment approval, and register your student in a course.

  2. By November 15, 2026

    Watch for the spring application

    The winter and spring 2027 grant application becomes available by November 15. Each term needs its own application.

  3. 10 days before class

    Submit documents

    Send the application and the signed first two pages of your federal Form 1040; state returns and W-2s are not accepted.

  4. Each term

    Apply again

    Reapply every term your student takes classes, since approval does not carry over.

What it pays for

Covered

Not covered

Awards for non-MCPS students, including homeschoolers, depend on financial need and available funds.

Who to contact about the grant

The scholarships office answers questions about the Dual Enrollment Grant, income documents, and non-tax-filer cases, and the dual enrollment office handles admission, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

scholarships@montgomerycollege.edu 240-567-4140 Dual enrollment tuition and financial assistance

Montgomery County Recreation Rec Assist

Who qualifies

  1. Lives in Montgomery County

    Rec Assist is open to Montgomery County, Maryland residents, and only the family members listed on the application can use the funds.

  2. Receives a listed benefit

    Show current approval for one program: FARMS (free and reduced-price meals), Temporary Cash Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, housing assistance from a shelter, SNAP, Maryland Medicaid, Care for Kids, Maryland Energy Assistance, WIC, or Heat and Eat. You may use only one type of assistance to qualify.

  3. Has recent approval papers

    Your approval documentation must be dated within the past 12 months. Insurance, SNAP, WIC, and other member cards are not accepted as proof.

  4. Homeschoolers use the benefit route

    The second route, enrollment at a Montgomery County Public School in the Community Eligibility Provision, needs proof of public-school enrollment. A homeschooled child qualifies through a family benefit from the list instead.

What it pays toward an activity

Each eligible family member gets $400, and Rec Assist covers at most 80% of each activity of $25 or more, so you pay at least 20% at registration.

Activity under $25
$0 / full fee
$50 activity
$40 / $10
$150 activity
$120 / $30
$300 activity
$240 / $60
Yearly cap per eligible person
$400
Family of four, all eligible
$1,600

The county fund is first come, first served: once it runs out, you pay full price even if your account still shows a Rec Assist balance.

From applying to using the funds

  1. By Nov. 30, 2026

    Apply with your documents

    Apply online at mocorec.com/recassist, or mail or drop off the paper application with copies of your benefit approval at 2425 Reedie Drive, 10th Floor, Wheaton, MD 20902.

  2. Within 10 business days

    Get your decision

    You receive an email with your status, and approved funds are added to your recreation account.

  3. At registration

    Register in ActiveMONTGOMERY

    Sign up for classes, camps, or pool passes and pay your co-payment of at least 20% per activity.

  4. By Dec. 31, 2026

    Use the balance

    Unused funds are removed at the end of the year or when the county fund is used up. You can get the award only once per year, so apply again for 2027.

What it pays for

Covered

Not covered

Rec Assist pays only for Montgomery County Recreation activities, and your share is higher whenever your remaining balance cannot cover 80% of the fee.

Rec Assist draws on a single county fund for 2026, given out first come, first served until it is depleted.

Who to contact

Montgomery County Recreation runs Rec Assist and asks you to call with questions before you submit your application and documents.

240-777-6840 Rec Assist page and online application

Montgomery County Public Library educator account

Who qualifies

  1. Teaches at home

    Educator accounts are for daycare providers, home school teachers, and preschool and elementary school teachers, for classroom use only.

  2. Shows homeschool approval

    Bring the State's letter of approval of your home schooling as your educator document.

  3. Lives in the service area

    Cards are free if you live, work, or go to school in Montgomery County, or live in Maryland, the District of Columbia, or listed Northern Virginia counties.

  4. Brings ID and address proof

    A current driver's license or state ID covers both. Otherwise add a utility bill, lease, or voter registration card.

What the card gives you

Montgomery County Public Libraries' card page describes the educator account and the limits shared by all cards.

Loan period on the educator account
9 weeks
Renewals
None
Items checked out at once
100
Card cost in the service area
Free
Nonlocal account fee
$50 a year
Account renewal
Every year

Educator loans cannot be renewed, so plan to return everything within the nine weeks.

How to get the card

  1. Before you go

    Gather documents

    Bring a photo ID, proof of address, and the state's letter approving your home schooling.

  2. At a branch

    Open the educator account

    You can hold an educator card and a regular card at the same time.

  3. Each checkout

    Return within 9 weeks

    Educator loans run nine weeks and do not renew.

  4. Each year

    Renew with documents

    Bring your homeschool documentation, photo ID, proof of address, and card. The library notifies you 30 days before expiration if it has your email or phone.

What it includes

Included

Not included

Who to contact about the card

Ask a Librarian answers questions about educator accounts, documents, and borrowing.

Ask a Librarian

Montgomery County Kids Ride Free

Who qualifies

  1. Rides a county bus

    Since June 29, 2025, everyone rides free on Ride On, Ride On extRa, Ride On Flex, and Flash buses, so no card or ID is needed there.

  2. Lives in Montgomery County

    The Youth Cruiser card is for county residents ages 5 to 18, or older if still in high school. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen.

  3. Shows proof of age

    Bring a birth certificate, state ID, learner's permit or driver's license, or passport.

  4. Shows proof of residency

    A child's state ID, learner's permit or license, school transcript, or mail with your child's name and address works. A homeschool transcript can serve as the school transcript.

What free fares give you

Montgomery County Department of Transportation's Kids Ride Free and Youth Cruiser SmarTrip card pages describe the fares and card terms.

Ride On, extRa, Flex, and Flash fare
Free for everyone
Covered Metrobus routes
Free, 13 routes
First Youth Cruiser card
Free
Replacement card
Free
Card valid until
High school graduation

On routes P30 and P31 the free ride applies only when boarding in Montgomery County, and new cards carry no stored value for Metrorail or other trips.

How to get free rides

  1. Before you go

    Fill out the application

    Download the English or Spanish Youth Cruiser application. A parent or guardian must sign for an elementary-age child.

  2. At a county location

    Get the card on the spot

    You or your child bring the application with proof of age and residency to any county library, the Silver Spring TRiPS store, the Mobile Commuter Store, or the Division of Treasury in Rockville.

  3. On every Metrobus ride

    Tap the card

    Since February 1, 2026, your child must tap the farebox with a Youth Cruiser or other SmarTrip card on Metrobus. Student IDs and flashing a card are not accepted.

  4. If the card is lost

    Report and replace it

    Call SmarTrip Customer Service at 1-888-762-7874, then get a free replacement at a county location.

What it includes

Included

Not included

Who to contact about Kids Ride Free

MC311 answers questions about Ride On service and Kids Ride Free; dial 311 in the county or 240-777-0311 from outside it.

240-777-0311 Youth Cruiser SmarTrip card page

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Maryland

You must submit the prescribed consent form to the local superintendent at least 15 days before starting. District-supervised families verify continuation before each school year and report status changes. A qualifying nonpublic supervisor reports continuing enrollment and status changes to the district.

Maryland sets these rules:

Read the Maryland homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Maryland

Questions parents ask

Is the Black Hill pontoon boat free for home schools too?
No. Science on the Pontoon costs $150 per tour, holds up to 20 passengers, and runs from April to early November for grades 2-12.
Can a homeschooled student get the Dual Enrollment Grant?
Yes. Montgomery College names registered Montgomery County home-schooled students as eligible, subject to financial need and available funds.
Can a homeschooled child use Rec Assist?
Yes, if your family lives in Montgomery County and currently receives a listed benefit such as SNAP, Medicaid, or WIC. The school-based route does not apply to homeschoolers.
Can a homeschool parent get a Montgomery County educator account?
Yes. Home school teachers qualify, and the state's letter approving your home schooling is the accepted proof.
How does a homeschooled child get a Youth Cruiser card without a school office?
Go to any Montgomery County library, the Silver Spring TRiPS store, the Mobile Commuter Store, or the Division of Treasury in Rockville with the application, proof of age, and proof of county residency.

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