The concept and practice of homeschooling has been around since children were first born. (That would be Cain and Abel, etc.) It has only been since the mid 1800's that removing children from the home for the purpose of education was begun in earnest. The "modern" Christian Homeschooling movement began in the seventies, but really took root in the eighties when Dr. James Dobson began to champion the idea on his radio program. In 1983, two attorneys, Mike Farris and Mike Smith, formed the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) to fight for parental rights to homeschool. In 1986, a group of Christian homeschooling parents in Lancaster county began the first annual homeschool convention. In the eighties the legal situation in Pennsylvania was unclear. In 1988, HSLDA succeeded in having the Pennsylvania Homeschool law ruled unconstitutional. After this, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a law in 1988 making homeschooling an approved educational option for all parents. Learn about the Law and browse available forms for more information.

In 1986, a group of Christian homeschooling parents formed a support group named Lancaster County Home Education Association, L'CHEA. They held the first convention at the Farm and Home Center with just a few vendors and speakers. God continued to bless this group and the convention kept outgrowing its venues. It traveled to The Worship Center, Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster Mennonite High School, and Elizabethtown College. In 1993, in what was a giant leap of faith, the convention was moved to the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Since going to the Farm Show Complex, the CHAP convention has become one of the largest in the world.
As L'CHEA, grew it outgrew its name as well. The ministry expanded to reach across the whole state. In 1994, in an effort to better describe its mission, L'CHEA changed its name to the Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania or CHAP.

MEDIA - In an ongoing effort to keep both the public and homeschoolers informed about homeschooling in Pennsylvania, CHAP offers numerous publications.
The CHAP Magazine, first published in 1989 as a monthly newsletter, is now offered as a full-color, quarterly magazine filled with articles and resources to encourage the homeschool community. The magazine is available through subscription or is included in the CHAP membership package.
CHAPonline.com, our primary web presence, was originally launched as CHAPboard.com in 1998. CHAP continues to maintain a positive web presence with a variety of websites, including CHAPBookstore.com, CHAPmag.com, CHAPeNews.com, and just recently, the CHAPcalendar.com which serves support groups throughout the state.
In 2000, as part of our effort to improve the Pennsylvania law relating to homeschooling, CHAP instituted an e-mail newsletter (CHAPeNews) which is delivered to subscribers free, on a monthly basis.

AFFILIATIONS - CHAP has also been involved at the national level. CHAP representatives have participated in the Home School Legal Defense Association's (HSLDA) federal lobbying program. CHAP board members have consistently attended the National Center for Home Education (NCHE) and the Alliance of Christian Home Education Leadership's (formerly The Teacing Home Magazine's) national conferences. CHAP board members also have spoken at local, state and national meetings on home education topics.