Outside the mainstream of public and private schools in South Florida is another educational culture that seldom gets publicity, but thrives nonetheless.

Home-schooling allows parents to teach their children the subjects they choose at their own pace. But it tends to present an image of children isolated from the interaction found in more traditional schools, especially when it comes to recreational activities such as physical education.

“Not so,” said Michelle Shockley of Boca Raton. “One of the myths about home schooling is there’s not enough socialization. All home-school parents know there’s probably too much, if anything.”

One of the ways home-schooled children get to interact is through the Christian Homeschool Athletic Association of Florida, the brainchild of Rick Andreasen of Fort Lauderdale. Andreasen left a position as physical education teacher at New Covenant Christian School in Pompano Beach five years ago to found the CHAA.

Once he formulated a plan, he approached the Broward Homeschool Parents Support Group, which gave him the green light.

The CHAA was created to give home-schooled children the benefits of an athletic curriculum under the guidance of professional instructors. The program’s motto is, “Where every child is a winner.”

From its modest beginnings five years ago with only 18 kids at two parks and three coaches, today the CHAA has grown to 10 parks, 1,100 kids and 41 paid coaches in five counties. On April 18, many of those children and their families gathered at Tradewinds Park for the fifth track and field meet, a combination of music, sports and camaraderie among children and families based on their educational preferences.

The five-hour event combined long jump, 50-yard hurdles, 100-yard hurdles, 50-yard dash, 100-yard dash, standing broad jump, softball throw, shot put, discus, mile run and a special set of races for the younger children.

Each child was given a 3×5 index card and a pencil to mark their times or distances after each event. There were no winners or losers. Those too young to manage figures were helped by coaches at the finish line.

Between the track and the field events, there were races for preschoolers, with kids and families cheering on the youngest athletes.

As humorous as they were rewarding, 1- to 2-year-olds competed in the 20-yard Diaper Dash; 3-year-olds ran in the 30-yard Toddler Trot and 4-year-olds scrambled to the finish line in the 50-yard Pre-k Quick Kick Run.

At the end of the afternoon, every child went home with a commemorative medal or ribbon.

The program welcomes “all types of children, all types of races, all types of [religious] denominations,” said coach Loretta Furlan, of West Palm Beach, who has helped Andreasen with the program since the beginning.

“There is but one rule in our program,” Furlan said, “respect. Respect for God, respect for ourselves, respect for each other and respect for the environment that they are playing in.”

Kerri Marion, wife of Miami Dolphins safety Brock Marion, is an enthusiastic supporter of the CHAA.

While Marion cheered for Briana, 8, Olivia, 6, and Brock Jr., 5, she watched their other three children ages 2, 1 and a few weeks old, too young to compete. Brock Marion, meanwhile, missed most of his children’s accomplishments as he was signing autographs.

“They get three hours of PE every Monday in a good, positive environment,” Kerri Marion said. “The kids that they are with on Mondays also have other classes and parties and activities they do outside of the PE class, so they do get to interact with each other there, too.”

The CHAA offers members a chance to compete in flag football, baseball, basketball, archery, soccer, Frisbee, kite flying and the annual President’s Physical Fitness Challenge.

Home-schooled children’s rights are protected by laws enacted in the Florida Legislature three years ago. The laws permit home-schooled children to participate in middle school and high school sports, even if they don’t attend the school they would be assigned to by the county.

While it is seldom done, the law also was conceived to prevent home-schooled children from being recruited by coaches. Kids are only allowed to participate in the school they would normally attend, set by boundary, and are not eligible to request a reassignment.

Families such as the Marions said they see no need for comparisons. “I think kids are kids, no matter where they are, be it in a traditional school environment or at home,” Kerri Marion said.

For the athletes, participating in sports is worthwhile.

“I like it all,” said Kathleen Shockley, 10, of Boca Raton, who attends CHAA programs at South County Park in west Boca Raton.

But, her mother, Michelle, added: “One of the problems actually is signing up for too many things, because there’s so much out there for home-schooling in South Florida.” CHAA classes are offered in the following locations: Mondays — Markham Park in Sunrise and West Park Baptist Church in Delray Beach; Tuesdays — Carlin Park in Jupiter and South County Regional Park in Boca Raton; Wednesdays — Seminole Palms Park in West Palm Beach and Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale; Thursdays — Tradewinds Park in Pompano Beach and Hobart Park in Vero Beach; and Fridays — T.Y. Park in Hollywood and Minsky Gym in Port St. Lucie.

“We hope to build self-esteem, and to love them unconditionally, whether they jump over a hurdle or knock it over,” Andreasen said. “We, as coaches, count it as a privilege and an honor to work with these children. “

Half-day programs from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. are $56 for a four-week session paid monthly. Full-day programs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. are $79 for a four-week session. A $15 registration fee per family includes a T-shirt. Scholarships are available through CHAA.

For more information on the Christian Homeschool Athletic Association, visit the Web site at

O.J. Callahan can be reached at 305-628-9963 or e-mail to OJSPORTS@ hotmail.com by 9 a.m. Tuesday.