Are you attending your first homeschool convention? It can be a little overwhelming, but don’t worry, I’m here to help!
In this blog post, I will give you some tips on how to prepare for the convention and make the most of it. I’ll also share some tips for succeeding once you get home. So whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned pro, read on for some helpful advice!
*Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details.
What are homeschool conventions? (What to Expect)
Homeschool conventions can be overwhelming yet incredibly inspiring for your year ahead. These events are full of families, large and small, many with kids, spouses, and grandparents, all in tow.
You may also find them called a homeschool conference, a homeschool expo, a homeschool seminar or workshops. Maybe even a homeschool curriculum fair.
Large homeschool conventions typically have a long list of workshops you can attend throughout the day, with sessions on topics like helping boys to like writing, homeschooling a high schooler, parenting without yelling, and everything in between. Most of the time, you are given multiple options to choose from for any given time period. Pick what interests you!
Children are all welcome in workshops with parents, but there are also often children’s programming for school age kids and teens. This is a great option if you don’t want to have to drag your kid through the vendor hall AGAIN. There are occasionally workshops that are for moms only or such, but those are marked and rare.
I look forward to going to convention every year not only because I get to see many resources in person, but I also end up encouraged. Being around other families who do what you do is pretty neat, even if you don’t interact much. There’s just a general sense that “these are my people”. And of course, interacting is encouraged – even for introverts like me.
Speaking of introverts, if that’s you, be prepared. There are lots of people. And lots of stuff. Hiding in a quiet hallway and reading a book is totally allowed. You can even buy a new book there for that purpose!
One of the main attractions for a homeschool convention and curriculum fair is the vendor hall. The first time you walk in, you might experience an urge to turn around and run. It’s big, y’all.
At the larger conventions I’ve been to, there are often 150+ vendors there, some with some pretty large selections! But I enjoy geeking out on all the different resources there are, learning what all is out there that could help in our homeschool.
If all the curriculum choices overwhelm you, check out my guide for choosing homeschool curriculum. Hopefully it can help give you some ideas for narrowing those options down a bit!
Before the homeschool convention
Before I get to convention, there are a few things I like to do to prepare. Maybe these ideas will help you as well. For help to walk you through these steps and more, download my Homeschool Convention Survival Guide pdf!
Browse the workshop list
Once the speaker list is released, take a few minutes to look over the list of workshops.
Mark some of the workshops you may want to see, when you might be able to fit in meals, and when you can go to the vendor hall.
Often workshops I’m interested in are at the same time, so I can’t be in two places at once, which is always frustrating. (Where is my time-turner?) But schedules often change before the actual day, so watch for that.
When we’re just a week or two away from homeschool conference time, I like to print out the workshop list and circle the ones I know I want to see and put a dash by those I might be interested in. This helps me see when I have time for the vendor hall as well.
It’s also helpful to reference this when I’m at the convention and everything around me is so crazy. Sometimes it’s hard to think about what workshops I may want to attend.
Browse exhibitor list
Another list to look over is the exhibitor list. Check this out in advance and mark any vendors you may want to be sure to stop by.
I’m sure at convention you will be pleasantly surprised by other vendors you’ve never even heard of, but it is nice to have a short list to be sure to check out, especially if the hall overwhelms you. Just start with one vendor and go from there.
List curriculum to check out
I also like to prepare a list of curriculum to check out. Not every book publisher you’re interested in will be at the convention, but you may be able to find the books you want to see at one of the booths. There are usually a couple booths with tons of resources to look through, so you are likely to find most of what you are looking for.
Book lodging in advance
Something I recommend doing well in advance if possible, is to book a place to stay. If you are traveling from out of town, hotels close to the convention can fill up fast. And be sure to check into convention discounts on hotels.
Plan your food for convention
Plan what food you will eat. You may want to pack food so you don’t have to leave the convention. There isn’t always food at convention, and what is may be expensive.
Though the convention center is often near some restaurant choices if you are up to leaving the center. Be sure to check what the rules are for the convention, though.
Sometimes they don’t allow outside food or drink inside the building, so you may have to eat outside or in your car.
But don’t worry, bringing your own food is very common at these conventions where there are large families!
Prepare for being away from home
While we’re talking food, if your family is staying home and you are the primary cook, it may be helpful to plan and shop for what your family will eat while you are gone. Also, remember any pets that may need to be taken for a few days.
Over the years, I have also found it helpful to talk with my husband before I leave about mutual expectations while I’m gone. Are you expecting your house to be clean when you get home? Do they need to do school work?
Budget
And no one likes to talk about money, but let’s face it. Homeschooling can get expensive. Adding in a convention just adds to that expense! So check your budget before you go.
Look at how much you are willing to spend on food, lodging, and any books or curriculum you buy there. While many vendors will offer sales, it’s good to not go overboard on your budget. All the fancy shiny curriculum can be so tempting!
What to bring
- Something to carry your stuff in
- Comfy shoes
- Wear layers cause workshops can be chilly
- Notebook and pen (or computer) for notes
- Your Homeschool-Planning Homeschool Convention Survival Guide
- Water and snacks
- Meals if desired
- Things for kids to do
- Stroller and baby carrier
One thing I have started doing is to bring a rolling bag to carry my things in, rather than a backpack or shoulder bag. Something like a rolling carry-on suitcase, a shopping tote, a rolling backpack, or a collapsible rolling crate would work.
Books can get really heavy and carrying all that on my back through the vendor hall for hours, makes for a not-so-happy mama.
While I found mine for cheap at Aldi years ago, here are some links to some that may be good options for you, just for reference! Affiliate links below.
During the homeschool convention
Once you finally get to the convention, now the real fun begins! I’ve already given you a good idea of what to expect, so I won’t go over all that again. Just a few quick tips to remember.
Watch the time during convention
While I wouldn’t ever suggest to be super strict about your schedule, I do suggest you keep track of the time. Pay attention to the times of the workshops you really want to attend so you don’t get lost in the vendor hall. It’s oh so easy to do!
And if you have a break between workshops you want to attend, you could walk through a couple aisles of the vendor hall.
Also beware that the schedule may change, even after you arrive. This happened to me at the last convention I attended and I was so sad. I missed one of the workshops I was wanting to see the most!
Take breaks during the conference
Homeschool conventions can be exhausting. So while I just said to take advantage of all your breaks to squeeze in other parts of convention, it’s also a good idea to take a true break.
Get some fresh air, call your family, maybe take a short walk outside, or listen to music while you overwhelm-cry in the corner – or not. Ha! Ultimately give your brain a break once in a while.
Don’t forget to eat!
Don’t forget to eat! It’s so easy to get sucked into all the workshops, shopping, and perusing, that sometimes you can get carried away and forget to eat. Make sure you make this a priority.
Be present
And last but not least, try to stay in the moment as much as you can. I know I can get so caught up on all the thoughts and information I’m learning that I find myself sitting in one workshop researching a curriculum on my phone. ugh!
So while you are at the convention, try to soak it all up. Enjoy meeting new people, perusing your local resources, learning about new curricula. There will be time for everything else later.
After the homeschool convention
If at all possible, I highly recommend you set aside an hour or two once the convention is over to process.
You just took in a ton of info and if you don’t spend a bit of time thinking over it all and working through it, all your effort may be worthless. Not to mention the feelings of overwhelm.
For help to walk you through these steps and more, download my Homeschool Convention Survival Guide pdf!
Brain dump
First thing I like to do after convention (sometimes even in the middle of it!) is to do a brain dump. Get all of your thoughts and ideas out of your head and into a written format. This will help you to process everything you’ve learned and make plans for implementation. You can do this in many ways.
- Lists,
- drawings,
- mind map,
- long-hand,
- whatever works for you.
Don’t throw out your plans
You will likely feel overwhelmed and exhausted after convention and that’s expected. You might even want to throw all your previous plans out the window and start over! Totally normal, but not recommended. So think on that.
- What did you like about the new information or resources you encountered?
- What did you like about your previous plans?
- Is there a way you can find a middle ground?
- A little imagination and flexibility can go a long way.
Read your notes
Read over the notes you took during the workshops you attended.
- Which ideas resonate with you?
- How can you put those into action?
- Was there anything that inspired you or changes you want to make?
List of resources to follow-up on
Make a list of the resources you want to follow up on. This might include books, websites, blogs, or people you met at the convention. Make lists of resources you want to look at more, and those you want to buy.
Check out what you bought
If you purchased any resources, take some time to go through them and get familiar with them. Start thinking about how you will use them in your homeschool.
Relax and be grateful
Finally, take a few moments to relax, take in the moment, and be grateful.
- Think about the new things you learned and things you encountered.
- Think about your family and what you have already done in your homeschool.
- List a few things that you love about your homeschool.
- Things you are grateful for that you already get to do.
- Maybe a few things you are excited about for next year.
- Write out some people or resources you are grateful to have encountered this weekend.
Keep these things you wrote out nearby over this next school year to look back on. When you encounter a rough day, take out these words. You may find the inspiration you need to keep going!
What are the biggest homeschool conventions?
Here is a list of several of the larger homeschool conferences I am familiar with:
- FPEA Florida Homeschool convention
- Great Homeschool Conventions – This company puts on multiple conventions in different areas throughout the country each year.
- Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference
- Southeast Homeschool Expo
- Teach Them Diligently – This company puts on multiple conventions in different areas throughout the country each year. Check the website for locations!
- Texas Homeschool Coalition: Called to Teach Homeschool Convention
- So many more! Try an online search for “Homeschool conventions near me” for others.
Conclusion
Homeschool conferences can be so fun and encouraging. It can also be pretty chaotic and overwhelming. A little preparation and information on what to expect before you get there can help you make the most of your time and ease some anxiety.
Be thoughtful as you attend the conference. And don’t forget to take some time after to process everything you’ve learned!
I hope these tips are helpful as you prepare for your homeschool convention experience. If you have any other tips to add, please share in the comments! Wishing you a wonderful convention!
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