Another Rant

Well here I go on another rant.
Don't you just love me?
When moving to our small town I joined a yahoo home school group for our county.  I did this in hopes to find activities for the kids and to possibly make friends.
I received an email from the group stating there was going to be a big park day/picnic in the neighboring town.  I drove 20 miles over mountain passes and went to the park with my kiddos. 
At first no one was there, and I was late.
Then, slowly some dowdy, down looking moms show up with their kids and proceed to converse with each other ignoring the kids and such.  I was going to introduce myself but did not want to leave my little one's on the playground with no supervision.  Two of the teenage girls sat on the swings and wouldn't let my four yr. old on.  Some boys with their hair long and scraggly brought their medieval swords to play whatever they call it.  And, I felt lost and unwelcome with this group.
My rant is...
Why invite others to join you if you have your clique already set?
Also, if we are trying to get past the world viewing homeschoolers as weird, reclusive, antisocial, and frankly unpleasing to the eye....why are so many homeschoolers still acting this way?
If my child is the only one at the park wearing long sleeves, a long denim jumper and not being very nice to be around...why would anyone view homeschooling as a good alternative to public school?
Just a thought.



Also, couldn't these questions be posed to other groups or individuals as well?
Bible study groups?  Are you welcome to new comers?
Kids at school...are you welcoming to kids that you don't know or seem different?
Do you only send cards to people you like?