Frequently Asked Questions

Route is a homeschool extension program in Holland for high school youth that focuses on life skills, character building, and a broad sample of learning of trades. Those enrolled in the program will have time in the classroom, time working on projects, and time on-site at a Habitat for Humanity house built in the Holland area. Route will have skilled instructors and advisors who care deeply about character development and at the same time want to expose high school aged youth to all the trades needed to build a new home. We believe that this Christian-based learning program will equip young people to learn a vast array of new skills, but also empower them to be confident leaders as they approach adulthood. 

We believe that there is more than one route for young people. Not everyone needs to attend four years of college to be a productive, competent adult. This program will be taught by adults who are committed to your high-school aged child and will mentor them in many areas throughout the year.

The classes currently being offered are:

Route Construction 1 (this class is currently full for the 2024-25 school year): This class runs from October-early March. There is a Tuesday and Wednesday option for this class - both are held from 9am-3pm. In this class, students will be introduced to a variety of trades through visiting businesses and talking with business owners, being taught by experts, working on projects, and serving at local Habitat For Humanity build sites. Students will also be taught to safely use a variety of hand and power tools under the supervision of knowledgable adults.Route will encourage all students to participate in order to empower each young person and to improve confidence. Cost - $1500

Route Construction 2: This class meets on Mondays from 9am-3pm from late September-early March. This class is for second year Route students (some exceptions may apply). Route 2 will focus on developing more complex skills and knowledge in a variety of trades, provide more opportunities for hands-on work, as well as helping students focus more on a specific area of concentration and providing additional experiences in those areas. Route 2 will also include serving at Habitat For Humanity build sites. Cost - $1500

Route Automotive: This class will be 10 weeks and meets on Tuesday from 1-4pm. For the fall, this class will meet from Oct. 1 - Dec. 10 with a week off for the week of Thanksgiving. We will also have a winter class on Wednesdays from 1-4pm that will meet from Jan. 8 - March 12. It involves teaching students basic to moderately complex (depending on the groups experience level) skills related to vehicle maintenance, body repair, and small engine repair. Classes will be held at local mechanic shops as well as at Route. A minimum number of students must be reached to offer this class. Cost - $750

Route Home-Ec: Like automotive, this class will be 10 weeks with fall and winter classes. The fall class will be on Wednesdays from 1-4pm from Oct.2 - Dec. 11 and the winter class will be on Tuesdays from 1-4pm from Jan. 7 - March 11. This class is currently for girls only but may include boys in the future. We will focus on skills used in the home such as sewing, cooking, baking, canning, natural health, basic home repair and maintenance, etc. Classes will be held at Route and possibly other places in the Holland area. A minimum number of students must be reached to offer this class. Cost - $375

More classes to come!

Rather than choosing one trade, all students will be exposed to all of the different trades that are involved in building a house. Each day will include one of the following for every student:

Classroom Learning

This block of time will be used instructing the youth about what they will be doing on-site at the house build project. They will learn about safety, tools, expectations, and information about all of the trades needed to build a home. Some stations will occasionally be set up to give the

youth a hands-on learning experience so that they better understand what they hear and see in the classroom. These classes will be taught by instructors who are knowledgeable in the trade

taught and committed to empower each young person to be confident in each area of this house build.

Project Learning

This block of time will be used instructing the youth using a very hands-on approach. Instructors will take the classroom lessons taught and apply them to a specific project. A large portion of these projects will be light construction. The focus of this instruction is to build confidence in each youth as they begin to use tools and build something. We want each young person to take pride in the projects they work on, whether it’s as a group or individually. The projects selected will also equip the youth with the skills to transition to the on-site house build they will be participating in.

On-Site Learning

Students will have the opportunity to visit some of our local trade businesses, meet some business owners and tradespeople, and will get a chance to serve by helping on a Habitat For Humanity house. Our goal is to equip the youth with the understanding that they are building this home while practically living out Colossians 3:23.

Classes, projects, and the on-site learning will be led by local Christian business leaders, retirees with building experience, and others that have a passion for working with young adults. Announcements will be made soon on who some of these leaders are.

Instruction and activities will typically take place at the following location:

Family Church - Redwood Campus

10717 Adams St.

Holland, MI 49423

We also plan to to visit local businesses and serve at a local Habitat worksite.

This program is for homeschooled students ages 15 and up.

This program does include physical labor. Any student that is registered should have the ability to handle construction-related work. Students should also have the ability to work independently. We do not have the resources to offer one-to-one training from our instructors. Please take this into consideration before registering or feel free to contact us with further questions.

Route 1 - Construction 2024-25: $1500

Route 2 - Construction 2024-25: $1500

Route Automotive 2024: $750

Route Home-Ec 2024: $375

A non-refundable deposit for 10% of the total cost will be due upon enrollment to save a spot.

Yes! We are willing to work with the homeschool partnerships to help more homeschool families be able to afford tuition. Please contact us about your specific partnership prior to signing up.

We do potentially have some scholarships available. Please contact us through the website or email info@adifferentroute.org to let us know if you would require this for you or your children to attend.

Please keep in mind that this program, especially just starting out, will obviously not have the resources that places like the Tech Center are able to offer. However, what we are able to offer is that the students will learn a variety of skills in a Christian environment and we will have a strong focus on character and how to be well-rounded people. We also see this as more of a community learning environment that is very flexible to be able to move in whatever direction God is calling us. We welcome anyone that has a passion for teaching youth to come and share your skills. Please visit the "Get Involved" tab to let us know!

The mission of the program is for youth to genuinely learn skills, grow their character, create connections, and serve God and others. With the many business partners that we are connecting with, our goal would be for these businesses to know that a student that came through the Route program is prepared and qualified for employment in a trade. 

We understand that credits are important as well and are willing to help with this, if needed. Proof of attendance can be provided to help assist in using the program towards high school credit hours. 

We do not plan to have any assigned homework and do not plan to have much, if any, "book work". Our goal is to spend as much time as possible learning in a hands-on style by working on projects and helping with building homes. 

Our intention is to keep the groups very small so that each student can receive individualized attention and training. Our goal is to have an adult for each group of 4 students.

Please feel free to email us at info@adifferentroute.org or fill out the form in the "Contact Us" page.