Extracurriculars That Count: Turning Passions Into High School Credit

Wondering how to fit electives, sports, and real-life experiences into your teen’s transcript—without losing your family’s mission (or your mind)?

In this episode, Felice Gerwitz, host of the Vintage Homeschool Moms podcast shares practical, faith-first ways to weave extracurriculars into high school for credit. From shadowing professionals and Toastmasters to ministry, sports, entrepreneurship, and even scuba, Felice shows how prayer, purpose, and planning turn interests into intentional education. You’ll also hear how Media Angels, Truth Seekers Mystery Series, and the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network were born from this same “follow the Lord + make it count” mindset.

What You’ll Learn

• Pray first, plan second: Why prayer frames every decision about electives and activities.

• Start with mission: How family core values and a simple mission statement guide what “counts.”

• Make it credit-worthy: Finding course codes, setting objectives, and documenting hours for legit high-school credit.

• Career exploration that matters: Job-shadowing (reporter, doctor, lawyer) to clarify direction—then transcript it.

• Communication confidence: Toastmasters, podcasting, and speaking as real credits for shy or reluctant teens.

• Service as a transcript line: Pro-life outreach, Habitat for Humanity, youth ministry, local missions—how to log it all.

• Sports & sanity: The surprising academic benefits (focus, time management, character) and navigating team politics.

• Entrepreneurship in high school: Microbusiness ideas (small engine repair, lawn equipment) and how teens price work.

• Research → writing → opportunities: The Truth Seekers fiction series led to archaeology research and a real dinosaur dig invite!

• Protect margin: Why unhurried time helps teens think, pray, and hear God’s call.

Quick Ideas You Can Use This Week

• Write or refresh your Family Mission Statement (include Scripture that anchors your “why”).

• Pick one interest and ask: “What standards/objectives would make this a course?” Then find the state course code (or build your own scope & sequence).

• Schedule one shadow day for your teen. Debrief and log hours.

• Join or start a youth Toastmasters/speech club—track speeches, roles, and evaluations for credit.

• Convert current service (church nursery, food pantry, roofing with Habitat, etc.) into a documented Service Learning credit.

Favorite Quotes

• “Prayer is the beginning and the end of everything we think, say, or do as a Christian.” —Felice

• “Don’t do activities just to be busy—make them serve the mission God gave your family.”

• “If the opportunity is from the Lord, He will provide a way.”

Mentioned in This Episode

• Media Angels – Creation science curriculum; writing/publishing resources; Truth Seekers Mystery Series.

• Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network – Free shows for homeschool families.

• Vintage Homeschool Moms – Felice’s show (find it on Apple Podcasts/Android apps).

• Current Issues & the Constitution – Civics through current events (Felice moderates with her brother-in-law).

• Micro Business for Teens (podcast/ideas) – Turning skills into income and elective credit.

• Toastmasters (youth/speech club) – Communication credit option.

• Habitat for Humanity – Local service that can count toward community service hours.

How to Award Credit for Electives (Cheat Sheet)

• Define the course: “Speech & Communication,” “Career Exploration,” “Service Learning,” “Photography,” “Sports Conditioning,” etc.

• Objectives: 4–6 clear outcomes (skills/knowledge).

• Hours: 120–150 hours = 1.0 credit; ~60–90 hours = 0.5 credit.

• Assessments/Evidence: Project list, reflection journals, supervisor signatures, portfolio (photos, audio files, logs).

• Description (for transcript): 1–2 sentences describing scope & outcomes.

Encourage Your Teen

• Try things, tell the truth about what you liked/didn’t, and keep moving. That clarity is progress.

• Protect thinking time—faith and calling grow in quiet.

Connect with Felice

• Website: MediaAngels.com

• Show: TheVintageHomeschoolMoms.com

The post Homeschool Extracurriculars That Count for High School Credit appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.