Homeschool Roster has two upcoming events this week, which are part of its Hardeman County Field Trip Adventure series. Along with offering field trips and events for homeschoolers across West Tennessee, the series features educational experiences right here in Hardeman County. Homeschool Roster has been a go-to source for homeschoolers in West Tennessee for many years when seeking opportunities for field trips, prom, graduation, and general homeschool news and information.
Jennifer Smeltser, who recently graduated her last homechool child in May 2026, created Homeschool Roster in 2008 as a personal blog to chronicle her homeschool journey. When her family moved to Tennessee, Smeltser saw a lack of information channels for homeschoolers to learn what was happening in their community. Many field trip and education opportunities were not available due to minimum attendance requirements. Through Homeschool Roster, those experiences have been open to homeschoolers.
“We’ve always been the get up and go type of family. Although we loved being at home, we never missed an opportunity to ‘get out of the house’ and learn something new. I loved the freedom and flexibility of making our schedule and traveling whenever and wherever we had the chance. I knew there were other homeschool families out there who felt the same way,” said Smeltser, who is also a history lover. “One of the things I love so much about Hardeman County is its rich history. Granted, I could say that about any county in West Tennessee, but we just happen to live in Hardeman County, so this is where I choose to go back in time and explore with the Hardeman County Field Trip Adventure series.”
Homeschool Roster field trips take homeschoolers everywhere, not just in West Tennessee.
“Although the field trips are primarily in Tennessee, I have group members as far as Arkansas and Mississippi. We go everywhere! There are annual field trips like the Back-to-Homeschool Splash, ICE at the Gaylord, and The Nutcracker in both Jackson and Memphis. Other places we have gone are toured the FedEx Forum and walked on the basketball floor, Fire Museum of Memphis, The Carnegie Center of Jackson, Nissan Smyrna Assembly Plant, and so many others,” said Smeltser. “For those who love to stay closer to home, Hardeman County, we have planned field trips for the Bolivar Fire Station, Falcon Ridge Farm, the History Room at the Bolivar-Hardeman County Library, the courthouses, Lone Oaks Farm, Bird Dog Museum, and a few more. Learning does not only happen inside four walls.”
Homeschool Roster also offers Discovering Your Own Destiny, a field trip series for high school students, which introduces them to post high school opportunities. For seniors, a graduation ceremony is held every year in the county. For middle school and high school students, a sock hop and prom are offered each year.
“I love talking about homeschool, personally, and professionally,” said Smeltser, who is an academic and TSSAA counselor for an area umbrella school. “Although I am finished educating my own children, I am always happy to help others who are interested in doing the same. Ask me anything!”
Below are some upcoming area field trips. The list will be updated with local field trips as they are added.
Hardeman County Field Trip Adventures
10/9 – National Fire Prevention Week Fire Station Tour
10/9 – Fall Fun at Falcon Ridge Farm
11/7 – Veterinary Tour
Although there is no fee to join Homeschool Roster, you must have a confirmed registration to attend any field trip or event. You may visit the website to read local homeschool news and learn how to get started with homeschool. You may join the Homeschool Roster – Get Out of the House group to learn about more upcoming field trips and events for this school year.
