Some of the older homeschooled youth enjoy a game of kickball Friday at Athletix in Columbiana, where they meet to participate. The cost is $5 per youth or $20 maximum for a family for homeschoolers to participate in their 90-minute block. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

COLUMBIANA — On any given late Friday morning, area homeschooled youth can be found putting their best foot forward at Athletix.

Laura Hammond, a parent who helps to coordinate the weekly gatherings at Athletix, which is located at 613 state Route 7 in Columbiana.

The facility charges $5 per child (or $20 per family) weekly for admission, where students gather for 90 minutes of sports activity. One of two groups (age 5 to 10 or age 11 to 18) alternate every other week.

“Siblings are always welcome, but (parents and guardians need to) realize that for safety, participation may be limited in some of the organized action,” she added.

Hammond explained that most of the participating homeschoolers come from Columbiana and Mahoning counties; however, they do sometimes draw from Trumbull as well.

Typically there are 40 to 50 youth each week. “We post it on various social media and community applications that home schoolers use,” she explained.

The older youth participate in both individual and team sports like kickball, volleyball, basketball, ultimate frisbee, flag football, soccer as well as some international games.

The younger group favors games like obstacle courses and tag as well as participating in imagination days as well as kickball and soccer.

Participation in the Friday block is limited to homeschoolers, but Hammond said legally Ohio parents don’t have to make a decision with homeschooling until age 6.

“It is really a great opportunity for multiple ages to get together in a nurturing environment,” Hammond said, adding some of the youth who have been with the program in the beginning can be observed helping the younger participants now.

Homeschoolers instead had used the Salem Community Center, but Athletix is much more convenient geographically.

“Athletix is great about making themselves available to the community,” Hammond said, adding no preregistration is required.

However, Athletix does require a responsible adult to stay on site for liability purposes and a signed waiver for the participant, which is valid for one year.