When a home-schooled child is placed in a youth group, he will inevitably be exposed to new phrases, social trends, toys and devices, some of which could be viewed as "harmful" by the parents. For example, your child may learn a profane word or be introduced to a violent video game. Older children may find their hormones raging when they are placed with kids whom they are attracted to. Though you cannot hide these temptations from your child forever, you can speak with him openly about the new experiences and create a safe environment where he feels comfortable sharing with you.
Even though a home-schooled child may interact with his siblings, learning to socialize with peers is a whole different experience. Home-schooled children must be comfortable sharing attention and should learn how to talk through disagreements or walk away when someone is being disrespectful. Without these skills, fighting and arguing may ensue between youth group members. Encourage your child to try and work through issues with the other party. If physical or emotional violence is threatened, tell him to seek the help of an adult.
If your home-schooled child's youth group has a faith-based mission, you may want to determine how much of this is incorporated into daily activities. Some youth groups actually minister to others in an attempt to teach them about their particular religion. Others use religious texts to guide their actions. This is not inherently a problem if you subscribe to the group's faith. However, if you don't, your child could be influenced in ways that you do not approve of.
A youth group is a brand-new environment for home-schooled children. Every supervisor has a learning curve, so if they feel their freedom is being taken away, they might test the limits by breaking certain rules. Kids should be encouraged to speak up for their rights, but they should also understand that some rules are made to keep order and safety.
Children who learn in community environments can gauge their skill sets by comparing their work to others. They are held to a set of standards by teachers who must be state certified. Home-schooled students do not have this experience, so when they come into contact with kids from their youth group who seem more advanced, they may feel inadequate. To counter this, explain to your child beforehand that everyone learns at a different pace. Then set realistic goals that can be achieved so your child can measure his progress.