FISH Jamboree

FISH 2025 Jamboree

Couldn't make it to Jamboree? We've got you covered.

FISH Homeschool Athletics Overview
FISH Homeschool Athletics exists to provide Christ-centered sports opportunities for homeschool students in grades 4-12. Through competitive and developmental programs, our goal is to glorify God, foster teamwork, and build character while helping student-athletes grow in skill and confidence.

We offer a full year of athletic programming divided into Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons. Teams participate in local leagues such as TBCAL (Tampa Bay Christian Athletic League) and the Mid-Florida Athletic Conference, and many of our high school teams also compete in Homeschool National Tournaments in Gatlinburg, TN.

High School Sports (Grades 9-12)
- All roster spots for high school teams require a tryout before teams are formed. Participation is not guaranteed, as our high school program is designed to field our most competitive teams. We do not operate with a recreational mindset; playing time must be earned, and roster spots are limited. Our goal is to challenge athletes to grow in their sport while honoring Christ in how we play, train, and lead.
  - HIGH SCHOOL FALL SPORTS
    - Girls Volleyball (JV & Varsity) Tryouts at end of July or early August. Season: August-October. Attending East Coast Homeschool Nationals in Gatlinburg, TN - September 22-26.
    - Boys Volleyball (Varsity only) Regular season is in the Spring, but we will attend the East Coast Homeschool Nationals in September.
    - Cross Country (Boys & Girls) Season: August-October. Coach Brian Willey is holding optional off-season training. Boys Soccer Competing in Homeschool National Soccer Tournament in Gatlinburg, TN - September 22-26. More details will be announced in late July.
  - HIGH SCHOOL WINTER SPORTS
    - Basketball (JV Boys, V Boys, V Girls) Off-season training & camp in September. Tryouts in late September. Season: October-mid-February. Nationals in Gatlinburg - March 9-13.
    - Cheerleading Cheer for all home high school basketball games.
  - HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS
    - Soccer (Boys & Girls) Season: Late January-early May. First games begin in March.
    - Boys Volleyball (Varsity) Season: February-April.

TBCAL Sports (Grades 4-8)
- TBCAL teams focus on development and instruction in a fun, supportive environment. While we may hold player evaluations to help form teams, participation is open, and the goal is for all athletes to learn, grow, and enjoy the game.
- TBCAL JV (4th-6th grade): Emphasis on teaching and participation—everyone plays.
- TBCAL Varsity (7th-8th grade): Still developmental, but more competitive. Playing time is not always equal.
  - TBCAL FALL SPORTS
    - Co-ed Volleyball (JV: 4th-6th, V: 7th-8th) Season: August-September. JV games at 3:30 PM | Varsity games at 4:30 PM. Practices typically from 3:30-5:30 PM. All teams we play are co-ed; TBCAL follows a grade-based structure with age limits.
    - Soccer (Boys & Girls) Interest form posted in September. Season: October-November. Boys play Mondays & Thursdays; Girls play Tuesdays & Fridays. Game times: 3:30 PM & 4:30 PM. Goal: JV Boys, V Boys, and a Girls team.
  - TBCAL WINTER SPORTS
    - Flag Football (JV Boys, V Boys, Girls team) Practices begin in December; games run January-February.
    - Boys play Tuesdays & Fridays; Girls play Mondays & Thursdays. Basketball Formation in February. New This Year: We're looking to take a 14U Boys team to Nationals in March.
  - TBCAL SPRING SPORTS
    - Basketball (JV Boys, V Boys, Girls team) Season: February-April. Boys play Tuesdays & Fridays; Girls play Mondays & Thursdays.
    - Cheerleading Cheer for TBCAL basketball teams.

We are a volunteer-run program and depend on the involvement of parents and families to thrive. Opportunities to help include coaching, concessions, game-day setup, team management, and more. If you’re interested in getting involved, we’d love to connect with you!

Contact Information:
Jason Claus (Athletic Director)
Courtney Kuhnke (TBCAL Coordinator)

Additional Information

TBCAL = Tampa Bay Christian Athletic League - composed of Christian schools primarily in the Brandon area. All JV games are at 3:30 PM and Varsity games at 4:30 PM. We follow TBCAL's bylaws and structure.
Pep Rallies - Held each season (Fall, Winter, Spring) to celebrate our athletes and teams.
Sports Banquet - Held each May to honor our athletes. Banquet dinner is included in the athletic fee. Previous meals have included entrees like Chicken Marsala, Roast Beef, sides, salad, dessert, and drinks.

Community Life

The Families Instructing Students at Home (FISH) Community Life Program exists to support the purpose of FISH by providing opportunities for students to engage in meaningful fellowship and build community to help them grow more fully into the image of Christ and fulfill His purpose for their lives.

Programs

Fellowships
- Overview:
  - Elementary and Middle School students will meet every other month for a time of fellowship. They will meet in August, October, December, February, and April. There will be field trips during the other months.
  - High school students will meet monthly for fellowships by grade level.

Class Parents

Elementary - Keisha L. Wheeler
Middle School - Annie Martinez
Freshmen - Jamie Hudson & Mandy Jarrett
Sophomores - Haylie Lilley & Amanda Fry
Juniors - Danielle Wheeler & Kelli Walker
Seniors - Markie Whitt & Kim Johnson

Year at a Glance

August - Back to School Bash @Astro Skate - All Ages
September - High School Silent Disco - 9th-12th Grades
November - Barn Dance - 9th-12th Grades
January - High School Bonfire - 9th-12th Grades
February - Mother-Son Dance - K-12th Grades
February - Daddy-Daughter Dance - K-12th Grades
February - High School Spirit Day - 9th-12th Grades
March - Spring Formal - 9th-12th Grades

Education

The Families Instructing Students at Home (FISH) Education Program exists to support the purpose of FISH by providing academic programs and opportunities for Christian homeschool families to promote the educational development of their students as a means of helping them grow more fully into the image of Christ and fulfill His purpose for their lives.

Programs
- Parental Association for Teaching Homeschoolers (PATH) Co-op:
  - Leaders: Kelli Walker, Mandy Jarrett, and Jamie Hudson.
  - Location: Simmons Loop Baptist Church.
  - Meeting schedule: Fridays on a typical academic semester-based system.
  - Per-semester charge for participation: $15 per participant ($40 for high school drop off).
- Field Trips:
  - Leader: Jenna Weaver
  - 2025-26 Schedule: Field trips are still being planned and will happen in September, November, January, and March.
- Yearbook:
  - Leader: Rafaela Burress (Yearbook Coordinator).
  - Timeline and planned events schedule:
  - Fall and Winter: Pictures and make-up pictures
  - Due date for purchase: 1 April 2026
  - Distribution: Spring 2026
- Graduation:
  - Leader: Markie Whitt (Graduation Coordinator).
  - Timeline and planned events schedule: more details to come
  - October 2025: Deadline for signing up for graduation.
  - May 2026: Graduation

Creative Arts

The Families Instructing Students at Home (FISH) Creative Arts program exists to support the purpose of FISH by providing homeschool students with diverse, hands-on opportunities in the creative arts that foster self-expression, collaboration, and real-world application through visual arts and creative entrepreneurship.

Programs
- FISH Performing Arts Club, also known as PAC and PAC Jr. This is a drama club with an emphasis on quality, full-scale productions in a wholesome, Christian atmosphere. PAC and PAC Jr. cast members and leaders work as a team to produce exceptional theatrical performances that build confidence, strengthen skills, develop lasting friendships, and bring glory to God
  - PAC Jr. is for 3rd-7th grades
  - PAC is for 8th- 12th grades
  - Fall Auditions - Aug 6,7,8
  - Shows: Fall 2025: Nov 21, 22, Spring 2026: April 10, 11

Creative Arts Festival is a fun event for the whole family! Our FISH students share their passions by either performing, displaying their creative arts, or serving their culinary treats. Friends and family get to come and experience an evening of entertainment and lots fun

Maker’s Market is for our young aspiring entrepreneurs & family! This is an excellent opportunity for our homeschooled students to show off their skills, talents, hobbies, and to express their passion in what they love. It’s a fun way to sell their handmade creations and promote their business! Students will have the ability to learn the importance of professionalism in the world of entrepreneurship. They will also have the opportunity to gain experience creating products and or services to sell and earn money for a business.