It all started with an announcement in the church bulletin. "Parents for Home Education meeting". Three people attended. As time went on, Cherie Gerholdt, who was attending a homeschool enrichment group, threw out the idea of beginning one here at the Evangelical Free Church of Wauconda. By April 1996, Cherie, Terri Patterson, Tracie Gawlik, Vivian Lehmann and Shelly Snitko met every other week for 4 months to plan the Rainbow’s End enrichment group. Rainbow's End began in the fall of 1996.

Vivian Lehmann recalls the group decided to meet three times a month with a field trip on the fourth week. “Everyone filled out a questionnaire listing their talents and interests as well as their children’s ages and interests. That’s how we decided what subjects to cover. We started fairly simple that first year. The next year, we pursued more subjects. We all took turns cleaning up before or after the group met on Wednesdays. Our goal was just to get the children together and to do activities that were difficult with just one or two children. We seemed to have a well-rounded group.”

“We did not realize how much work it was going to be to start up and run every week, but the kids absolutely loved it and that kept us going, ” remembers Terri Paterson, fondly,“We made friendships that years later still exist. We made great arts and crafts that we still display each year. We have great memories of the original, well acted Biblical skits put together for opening worship each week by the Gerholdt and Lathrop children.”

“My most memorable time was when the fire alarms went off in the kitchen. We were making Laura Ingall’s pancakes. When we put the cold mix into the hot skillet, it set off the alarms from the smoke. The firetrucks came and made us evacuate the building. I was totally embarrassed, but the kids got a kick out of the firetrucks!” shares Vivian .

The second year saw an increase in participation and the families believed that God was blessing their faithfulness.

From 1996 to present day, the local home schooling movement has grown rapidly and the Lord has led the group to meet its arising needs. In 2001 the format of the program was changed. Rainbow's End currently meets once a month for an event, once a month for support and fellowship. Spectrum was created to meet the specific academic and social needs of children ten and up. Parents are able to share their talents by offering classes in areas like physical education, music, foreign language, Gavel Club. Rainbow's End has hosted spelling bees, Lego League Mind Storm teams, science fairs, international nights. At fellowship meetings, Rainbow's End has had guest speakers and game making workshops.

Rainbow's End had a humble beginning, three parents with a vision to home school. Today it continues, families enjoy fellowship, educators find encouragement, and from one generation to the next is passed the Biblical mandate in Proverbs 22:6.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.