FREE Homeschool Convention Planner

With everything becoming connected online, is there really any reason to physically attend a homeschool convention? After all, that comes with the added expense of travel, and then you can’t just shop online in your pajamas…

So WHY should you attend a homeschool convention?

There’s just no substitute for community and face-to-face contact, and a homeschool convention offers benefits that you won’t find anywhere else!

Finding Your Tribe
I can’t prove it, but maybe the reason homeschool conventions begin in early spring is because they know we’ve been cooped up all winter, and most families are suffering from ‘February Fever.’ We have to break out, find other homeschooling families, and shake off winter!

An Ounce of Encouragement
It can be lonely homeschooling, whether you live in a big city or a rural area. Getting into a crowd of people who have made similar life choices can be affirming. Plus, you’ll be able to bounce ideas off of others, get new ideas, and remember that we’re all in this together.

Information from the Source
It’s one thing to read a book. It’s another to actually sit down and talk with the author and get personalized information. You can actually do that at conventions! Reap the benefits and wisdom of experienced homeschoolers. You can do this in the vendor hall, in a one-on-one setting, walking around the hotel (but be mindful of their limited free time), or within the workshops themselves.

Workshop Paths
Many conventions these days are creating ‘paths’ of workshops, meaning they have a series for new homeschoolers, those with special needs children, and those preparing for college. You’re not confined to those workshops, but by following the path that fits your family best, you have a pre-set schedule that will allow you to maximize what you learn from these experienced speakers. Oftentimes, there are special discounts offered within the workshops, too! J

Curriculum Discounts
The exhibit hall is packed full of vendors offering fantastic discounts on their curriculum. There are usually some pretty nice extras to supplement the curriculum that you won’t find anywhere else, too! If you’re in the market for something new, you can actually flip through and examine various selections, talk to the publishers (or authors) about them, and make a well-informed decision for your family. You can maximize your time by looking ahead to see which vendors will be represented and make a note to visit their booths. (There’s a page for this in the convention planner!)

It’s a Family Affair
There seem to be two types of convention-goers….those who take the whole family, and those who make it a girls’ weekend. (Having done both, my preference falls toward the latter...everybody needs to cut loose with friends sometimes, right?!) If you take the whole family, though, you’ll have a (typically) rare opportunity to get Dad involved. 

Usually the dads are off working full-time so that moms can stay home and homeschool.   Both parents care about education, but Mom is the one fully-entrenched. Taking Dad to a convention will give him a different perspective, and new appreciation, for the daily grind of homeschooling. As for the littles, there is usually some sort of day camp set up for them to enjoy time with other kids while Mom and Dad get some one-on-one time to either attend workshops or go sleep in the hotel room…

Your First Convention Special!
If you feel like your current curriculum is not working, there is no need to trudge through the end of the school year feeling helpless. The SchoolhouseTeachers.com platform provides you with a FULL Pre-K–12 curriculum complete with parent resources, electives, a video library, World Book access, and so much more. The best part is, since birds of a feather tend to flock together, you will have the opportunity to join thousands of fellow homeschooling parents on our Schoolhouse Teachers Facebook Page. Finally, a place to connect with like-minded homeschoolers! If you are purchasing a Quarterly Membership, use the code FINISHWELL at checkout! This guarantees a locked-in rate of only $45 (now reg. $59.97) for the lifetime of the membership.

Tips on Choosing a Homeschool Convention

Some questions to consider include:

• Are there any speakers that you really want to see?  (Research some of the ones you don’t know and you might locate a gem.)
• Is there child care or an activity available?  If not, are children allowed in the presentations?
• Will there be a vendor hall or used curriculum sale?  (You can usually get great deals here!)
• Does the total price (tickets, transportation, and hotel) fit in your budget?
• Is it religious or secular?  Does that fit with your beliefs?

Where are the conventions?

We’ve compiled the ultimate list of 2021 homeschool conventions!

We’ve put together a convention planner to help you organize your weekend and keep track of workshops and vendors. Take this FREE 20-page convention planner to your next event! Also pick up the FREE What Your Child Should Know…. checklist while you’re there…