Special Event Registration

Compass 2 College: Foundations helps high school families of 9th and 10th graders get organized early with college planning, transcripts, GPA calculation, course records, testing options, and advising. Students receive two advising meetings each year, priority access to PSAT preparation workshops, the opportunity to apply for Compass-exclusive internships, and guidance on service, leadership, and student awards. The goal is to help families build a strong, well-documented high school record without waiting until senior year. Read more about Compass 2 College.

Compass 2 College: Scholars provides expanded college-planning support for high school students who want more guidance as they prepare for applications, essays, transcripts, testing, and senior-year milestones. Scholars students receive two annual advising meetings, transcript and GPA support, priority access to SAT preparation and college essay-writing workshops, access to Compass-exclusive internship opportunities, and guidance on service, leadership, awards, and Common App homeschool counselor responses. Senior Scholars may also choose a professional diploma and graduation regalia options for Compass’s graduation or another ceremony. Read more about Compass 2 College.

Compass students can register here to receive a discount code for a FREE membership at the Elite level (a $179 value) in Volunteer Scholars, a Compass affiliate, where you can earn the American Volunteer Service Award (AVSA), the American Citizenship Award (ACA), National Distinguished Student Leadership Award (NDSLA), and/or the Sacred Service Commendation (SSC). Additional information about these awards can be found on the Volunteer Scholars webpage.

Non-Compass homeschooled students from Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Arlington, Stafford, and Fauquier counties, or Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park cities) can register here to receive a discount code for a membership in Volunteer Scholars at the Premier level for $39 instead of $99- a $60 savings- or an Elite level membership for $59 instead of $179- a $120 savings.

Additional information about this awards can be found on the Volunteer Scholars webpage. The $39/$59 fee will be collected by Volunteer Scholars rather than Compass.

Go beyond the trail. Learn to see the wild. Curious Naturalists Field School is a guided, small-group exploration led by a senior master naturalist and environmental educator. Meeting bi-weekly, families engage in purposeful field study where every outing is an opportunity to investigate, identify, and understand the natural world in depth.

This is not a casual nature walk. Families learn how to observe like naturalists and think like scientists as they identify native plants, track seasonal changes, study wildlife signs, and examine ecosystems up close. With expert guidance, they explore topics such as botany, ecology, water systems, and habitat relationships, building real knowledge of the environment around them.

Led by a credentialed educator with advanced training in environmental science, stream monitoring, and habitat restoration, each session is grounded in both expertise and experience. The group may assess stream health, recognize invasive species, understand watershed dynamics, and participate in meaningful stewardship practices.

Curious Naturalists Field School offers a deeper, more intentional outdoor experience for families ready to move beyond basic exploration. It cultivates curiosity, sharpens observation, and builds confidence in the field while fostering a lasting connection to the natural world.

This is a family program with parents and children participating together. Each participant in a family must register and pay separately. Children under age 3 are free to tag along, provided they are not a distraction. This is not a drop-off program. Registration and commitment is by single date with the group meeting bi-weekly. For more information on outdoor expectations, see the Compass outdoor class webpage.

Step into the past. Cook from centuries ago. In Eating Through History: Medieval Fare, students explore the foods and traditions of medieval England through hands-on cooking and engaging discussion. Each week, students prepare recipes inspired by historical sources while learning how food reflected daily life, social structure, and available ingredients. Students will make:

• Spiced gingerbread (England, 14th-century)
• Douce Zane, a savory-sweet dish of capon (chicken) with milk and honey (England, 1390)
• Pumpion Pie (England, 1670)

This immersive class blends culinary skills with cultural exploration, helping students experience history in a way they can see, smell, and taste. See the Compass Cooking Class webpage for more FAQs about our cooking classes. There is a supply fee of $25.00 due to the instructor on/before the start of the workshop.

Compass high schoolers ages 14+ are invited to Happily Never After, a spooky costume party, on Saturday, November 7, from 7:00pm-10:00pm. Enjoy games, music, and activities. Treats, snacks, and beverages will be served. All Compass rules on behavior and dress code will apply to all partygoers. Tickets are $15.00 per person (early registration) prior through October 30, and $20.00 per person after October 30 (late registration). Note: Attendees must be currently enrolled Compass students or the guests of current Compass students.

Compass middle schoolers ages 12-14 are invited to Once Upon a Fright, a spooky costume party, on Sunday, November 8, from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Enjoy games, music, and activities. Treats, snacks, and beverages will be served. All Compass rules on behavior and dress code will apply to all partygoers. Tickets are $15.00 per person (early registration) prior through October 30, and $20.00 per person after October 30 (late registration). Note: Attendees must be currently enrolled Compass students. Non-Compass guests cannot be accommodated at this event.

Plan ahead, take control of deadlines, and make your time work for you.

You cannot make more time- but you can get a whole lot better at using the time you have. Instead of constantly reacting to deadlines, students can learn to make intentional choices about where their time goes. In this two- session workshop, students will develop practical strategies for balancing schoolwork, activities, responsibilities, friendships, hobbies, and downtime without feeling as though everything is competing for the same few hours.

Students will practice estimating how long tasks really take, prioritizing competing responsibilities, planning short- and long- term assignments, and avoiding last-minute rushes. They will experiment with calendars, planners, task lists, weekly planning, reverse planning, and time blocking while also exploring productivity concepts such as the Pareto Principle, Parkinson's Law, and the Pomodoro Method.

Between sessions, students will test selected strategies during their actual week and return ready to evaluate what helped, what got in the way, and what needs adjusting. They will leave with greater awareness of how they use their time and a practical set of tools for managing increasingly complex responsibilities.

Note: This is a 2-session workshop that meets for 1.5 hours on 11/9 and 1.5 hours on 11/16.

Go beyond the trail. Learn to see the wild. Curious Naturalists Field School is a guided, small-group exploration led by a senior master naturalist and environmental educator. Meeting bi-weekly, families engage in purposeful field study where every outing is an opportunity to investigate, identify, and understand the natural world in depth.

This is not a casual nature walk. Families learn how to observe like naturalists and think like scientists as they identify native plants, track seasonal changes, study wildlife signs, and examine ecosystems up close. With expert guidance, they explore topics such as botany, ecology, water systems, and habitat relationships, building real knowledge of the environment around them.

Led by a credentialed educator with advanced training in environmental science, stream monitoring, and habitat restoration, each session is grounded in both expertise and experience. The group may assess stream health, recognize invasive species, understand watershed dynamics, and participate in meaningful stewardship practices.

Curious Naturalists Field School offers a deeper, more intentional outdoor experience for families ready to move beyond basic exploration. It cultivates curiosity, sharpens observation, and builds confidence in the field while fostering a lasting connection to the natural world.

This is a family program with parents and children participating together. Each participant in a family must register and pay separately. Children under age 3 are free to tag along, provided they are not a distraction. This is not a drop-off program. Registration and commitment is by single date with the group meeting bi-weekly. For more information on outdoor expectations, see the Compass outdoor class webpage.

Create a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art using delicate mini millefiori, tiny ceramic and glass tiles, and natural stones. In this hands-on workshop, students will design and create one mini mosaic jewelry piece, choosing from a pendant, bracelet, or pair of earrings, subject to available styles and sizes. A variety of settings and materials will be provided so each participant can create a piece that reflects his or her own style.

This beginner-friendly project is a great introduction to the art of miniature mosaics. Each registration includes one finished jewelry piece. Participants who finish early and would like to create an additional piece may do so for $35.00 per item, as time and materials allow.

Ages 13+ may register independently. Students ages 10- 12 must register with a paid, participating parent.

Instructor Shona D'Cruz is a Virginia artist and owner of Blue Hyacinth Mosaics, LLC, where she creates one-of-a-kind wearable and functional mosaic art using mosaics, fused glass, and metal clay. She is a member of the Made in Fairfax artist network and has been teaching fused glass, mosaics, and art to children and adults since 2018.

Warm ovens. Wonderful aromas. A table made more meaningful by their own hands. In Kids' Own Thanksgiving, young cooks step into the heart of the holiday by preparing delicious, crowd-pleasing dishes to share with their families. This hands-on workshop celebrates the joy of giving, as students create recipes they can proudly contribute to the Thanksgiving table.

Students will prepare a selection of festive favorites with a creative twist including:

• Spinach Stuffing Balls
• Victorian Sugared Cranberries
• Tomato Manchego Tartlets
• Apricot and Prosciutto Focaccia

Along the way, they will build confidence in the kitchen while learning techniques that bring both flavor and presentation to life.

Each dish is designed to be taken home and either frozen and reheated on Thanksgiving Day or recreated and perfected for the big meal. Whether served as a side, appetizer, or showpiece, these recipes allow students to take an active role in their family's celebration and experience the true joy of sharing what they've made. There is a $25.00 supply fee due payable to the instructor on/before the start of the workshop.

Candy-cane columns, licorice lattice, gumdrop gutters, iced icicles, or a peppermint path. Journey to your own Candyland with darling gingerbread houses adorned with unique confection constructions. Enjoy your gingerbread house as a holiday centerpiece or a delicious pull-apart treat! Students will learn how to plan their design considering layout and symmetry. Then they will learn how to embellish with Royal icing and candy-encrusted details. They will also learn how to simulate frosted shingles and how to do chocolate writing. The instructor will provide a mouth-watering array of candy decor choices.

Notes: (1) For children under age 8, an adult must attend with the child. Over age 8, children may be dropped (2) Some garnishes (gummies or marshmallows) may contain gelatin and food coloring. (3) Each student should bring a cookie sheet to transport his/her gingerbread house home. (4) There is a supply fee of $25.00 due to the instructor on/before start of the workshop.

Go beyond the trail. Learn to see the wild. Curious Naturalists Field School is a guided, small-group exploration led by a senior master naturalist and environmental educator. Meeting bi-weekly, families engage in purposeful field study where every outing is an opportunity to investigate, identify, and understand the natural world in depth.

This is not a casual nature walk. Families learn how to observe like naturalists and think like scientists as they identify native plants, track seasonal changes, study wildlife signs, and examine ecosystems up close. With expert guidance, they explore topics such as botany, ecology, water systems, and habitat relationships, building real knowledge of the environment around them.

Led by a credentialed educator with advanced training in environmental science, stream monitoring, and habitat restoration, each session is grounded in both expertise and experience. The group may assess stream health, recognize invasive species, understand watershed dynamics, and participate in meaningful stewardship practices.

Curious Naturalists Field School offers a deeper, more intentional outdoor experience for families ready to move beyond basic exploration. It cultivates curiosity, sharpens observation, and builds confidence in the field while fostering a lasting connection to the natural world.

This is a family program with parents and children participating together. Each participant in a family must register and pay separately. Children under age 3 are free to tag along, provided they are not a distraction. This is not a drop-off program. Registration and commitment is by single date with the group meeting bi-weekly. For more information on outdoor expectations, see the Compass outdoor class webpage.

*Note this activity fee includes an additional surcharge for the required group pass.

Educational matinees bring history lesson plans to life through a live medieval tournament featuring jousting, sword fighting, and horsemanship, with lunch included. Students explore the Middle Ages, the roles of nobility, and medieval knights and their horses during a structured school-day experience.

Date: Friday, December 4, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM (arrive 10:15 am)

Location Name: Medieval Times

Address: 7000 Arundel Mills Cir, Hanover, MD 21076

Ages/Grades: K-Adult (recommended minimum age 6). This is not recommended for children under the age 6 because of the length of the show, loud cheering/shouting, and dark.

Parents & Siblings: All attending parents and siblings must pay the admission fee.

Cost: $57.00 per person (includes server tip)

Program Description: Step through the castle gates and into Medieval Spain! The Compass group will enter the arena and be seated together for an educational matinee that brings the Middle Ages to life through nearly two hours of live action, storytelling, and pageantry. Students will watch knights compete on horseback in a dramatic tournament featuring jousting, sword fighting, hand-to-hand combat, and impressive displays of horsemanship and falconry. Along the way, the performance introduces students to life in the Middle Ages, including the roles of nobility, the traditions of medieval knights, and the importance of horses in medieval culture. A four-course lunch is served which includes oven-roasted chicken, garlic bread, sweet corn cobette, herb-roasted potato, and a chocolate chip cookie. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly meals are available upon request.

Parking & Arrival: There is free parking in the mall parking lot. Enter near entrance #5, near Old Navy.

Notes:

• Attendees must arrive at 10:00 am to meet their group and check-in.
• This is a family field trip and parents (or parent proxies) are expected to remain onsite.
• Late arrivals cannot be accommodated once programming begins.
• Students may not be dropped off.
• A collection of study guides are available for download from Medieval Times.

Chewy, chunky, crispy, or crunchy- kids love cookies! Join us for a one-day, 3-hour Christmas Cookie Academy where bakers will craft 3 kinds of cookies. In the workshop, kids will prepare and bake: Spiced Sugar Cookies with Espresso Glaze, Spritz Butter Cookies, Orange Cranberry Cookies with Orange Glaze, and White Chocolate Cherry Oat. Students will leave with a tray of 3-4 dozen cookies ready for an exchange or holiday party and the recipes to repeat the cookies at home. See the Compass Cooking Class webpage for more FAQs about our cooking classes. There is a supply fee of $25.00 due to the instructor on/before the start of the workshop.

Chewy, chunky, crispy, or crunchy- kids love cookies! Join us for a one-day, 3-hour Christmas Cookie Academy where bakers will craft 3 kinds of cookies. In the workshop, kids will prepare and bake: Spritz Butter Cookies, Orange Cranberry Cookies with Orange Glaze, and White Chocolate Cherry Oat. Students will leave with a tray of 3-4 dozen cookies ready for an exchange or holiday party and the recipes to repeat the cookies at home. See the Compass Cooking Class webpage for more FAQs about our cooking classes. There is a supply fee of $25.00 due to the instructor on/before the start of the workshop.

Enjoy a day on the snowy slopes skiing with homeschool friends at Liberty Mountain Resort in Fairfield, PA.

Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2027

Options:

• Full Adventure Package: includes group transportation, equipment rental, lesson, lift ticket & lunch
• Meet Us There Package: includes equipment rental, lesson, lift ticket & lunch

Schedule:

• 8:30 am (bus departs)
• 10:30 am – 3:00 pm “on the mountain” lessons/skiing
• 5:00 pm (bus returns to Compass)

Notes:

• Minimum age 7 for lessons. Ages 7-9, must have a participating parent or designated adult
• This event can be drop-off for children ages 10+
• This program is being coordinated by MC Youth Ski Club which is owned by a Compass parent.
• All participants will be required to set up access and sign waivers through MCYSC’s online portal prior to the trip.

Sign up here to participate in the Northern Virginia Homeschool Geography Bee on January 27, 2027 (4:00 pm- 5:30 pm). This is an independent bee that does not advance to a regional or state competition, as the National Geographic Bee has been cancelled indefinitely. The bee will use geography questions from prior years' National Geographic Bees. This is an in-person bee held at Compass's Herndon facility. All participants will receive a certificate and mementos, and the winner will receive a medal and a gift.

One Grandmaster. Dozens of boards. One epic face-off! Challenge Grandmaster Babaev in a fast-paced simultaneous chess tournament where he will take on dozens of games at once- compete individually, with a partner, or as a team and see if you can outthink the grandmaster while he keeps every board in play. The event takes place Saturday, January 30, from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM in Herndon.

Break it down, beat the overwhelm, and keep big projects moving forward.

Big project? Do not panic. Break it down, map it out, and get moving. Even capable students can get stuck when an assignment feels too large, too complicated, or too important to mess up. Procrastination is not always laziness; it can grow out of overwhelm, perfectionism, uncertainty, or simply not knowing where to begin. This two-session workshop gives students a repeatable system for turning intimidating projects into manageable next steps.

Students will learn to break projects into smaller actions, establish milestones, create realistic timelines, reverse-plan from deadlines, reduce decision fatigue, and build momentum without waiting for motivation to magically appear. Hands-on planning exercises will allow them to apply the strategies to research papers, presentations, long-term assignments, volunteer projects, and personal goals.

Between sessions, students will use the system with one of their own projects and return ready to evaluate their progress and troubleshoot challenges. They will leave with a practical framework for replacing procrastination and last-minute panic with steady, intentional progress.

Note: This is a 2-session workshop that meets for 1.5 hours on 2/1 and 1.5 hours on 2/8.

Enjoy a day on the snowy slopes skiing with homeschool friends at Liberty Mountain Resort in Fairfield, PA.

Date: Monday, February 8, 2027

Options:

• Full Adventure Package: includes group transportation, equipment rental, lesson, lift ticket & lunch
• Meet Us There Package: includes equipment rental, lesson, lift ticket & lunch

Schedule:

• 8:30 am (bus departs)
• 10:30 am – 3:00 pm “on the mountain” lessons/skiing
• 5:00 pm (bus returns to Compass)

Notes:

• Minimum age 7 for lessons. Ages 7-9, must have a participating parent or designated adult
• This event can be drop-off for children ages 10+
• This program is being coordinated by MC Youth Ski Club which is owned by a Compass parent.
• All participants will be required to set up access and sign waivers through MCYSC’s online portal prior to the trip.

Enjoy a day on the snowy slopes skiing with homeschool friends at Liberty Mountain Resort in Fairfield, PA.

Date: Monday, February 22, 2027

Options:

• Full Adventure Package: includes group transportation, equipment rental, lesson, lift ticket & lunch
• Meet Us There Package: includes equipment rental, lesson, lift ticket & lunch

Schedule:

• 8:30 am (bus departs)
• 10:30 am – 3:00 pm “on the mountain” lessons/skiing
• 5:00 pm (bus returns to Compass)

Notes:

• Minimum age 7 for lessons. Ages 7-9, must have a participating parent or designated adult
• This event can be drop-off for children ages 10+
• This program is being coordinated by MC Youth Ski Club which is owned by a Compass parent.
• All participants will be required to set up access and sign waivers through MCYSC’s online portal prior to the trip.

Register here to participate in the Junior Spelling Bee on February 24, 2027, at 4:00 pm. Junior Spelling Bee is for students under age 9. This is an in-person bee held at Compass's Herndon facility. After sign-up, participants will receive a practice word list to study. All participants will receive a certificate and mementos, and the top two finishers will receive a medal and be invited to the Senior Spelling Bee, an "official" school bee which feeds into the Fairfax County and National Scripps Spelling Bee.

Cut the distractions, fuel your focus, and create conditions that make it easier to get things done.

Your attention is valuable. Learn how to stop giving it away. Focus is not simply a matter of trying harder or sitting at a desk longer. Where students work, what surrounds them, when they work, and the habits they bring to a task can all make concentrating easier or much harder. This two- session workshop helps students create conditions that make focused work more natural and productive.

Students will examine how clutter, interruptions, multitasking, notifications, and mental overload affect concentration. They will explore strategies for designing effective study spaces, limiting distractions, developing productive routines, and identifying personal cues that make it easier to begin working. The workshop also considers sleep, movement, nutrition, breaks, and individual peak-energy times as part of a broader approach to managing attention and executive functioning.

Between sessions, students will experiment with changes to their environment and routines, then return to evaluate what actually improved their focus. They will leave better equipped to protect their attention, work more consistently, and make studying more efficient without simply adding more hours.

Note: This is a 2-session workshop that meets for 1.5 hours on 3/1 and 1.5 hours on 3/8.

Register here to participate in the Senior Spelling Bee on March 3, 2027 at 4:00 pm. Senior Spelling Bee is for students ages 9-15. This is an in-person bee held at Compass's Herndon facility. All participants will receive a certificate and mementos, and the winner will receive a medal. The Senior Spelling Bee, an "official" school bee which feeds into the Fairfax County and National Scripps Spelling Bee.

Build independence, strengthen real-world skills, and get ready for college, careers, and adult life.

Eventually, nobody is going to remind you. Learn how to keep yourself on track. College, jobs, internships, volunteer roles, and adult life all require more than academic knowledge. Young adults are expected to manage responsibilities, communicate professionally, solve problems, keep commitments, and follow through without someone constantly checking behind them. This final two-session workshop connects the organizational and executive-functioning skills in the series to the independence students will need after high school.

Students will explore systems for managing multiple commitments, long-term goals, meetings, deadlines, and group projects. They will also practice organizational habits that strengthen communication, including preparing thoughtful questions, writing organized emails, managing shared calendars, documenting commitments, and communicating effectively with professors, employers, mentors, teachers, and teammates.

The workshop will also address self-monitoring, adapting systems when circumstances change, meaningful goal-setting, resilience, perfectionism, comparison, imposter syndrome, and fear of failure. Between sessions, students will put several strategies into practice and return ready to evaluate what they learned.

Note: This is a 2-session workshop that meets for 1.5 hours on 4/5 and 1.5 hours on 4/12.