Making a Plan of Attack for Homeschool Conferences

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For many homeschool parents, the spring is full of convention opportunities with each convention/conference having a different flavor.

With that in mind, the TOS Blog Cruise has a homeschool conference focus with the question: “Homeschool Conventions – Do you attend, what are the benefits, pitfalls, etc. Share your experience!”

This will be my fifth year of attending some form homeschool convention.  Two years ago, I spent most of my time working at homeschool conventions.  And, I’ve experience quite an array of set ups.

Some, like the Maryland State Homeschool Curriculum Fair, are basically big shopping grounds. You can see lots of curriculum up close and personal for the important purchase consideration.  And, you might even have used curriculum sales going on at the same time.

Other conventions, like CHAP in Harrisburg, PA, are not just a huge shopping ground. (Which anyone who’s attended CHAP will attest the vendor hall could comsume more than a day if you visit.)  They also have the opportunity to attend workshops.  The one year I was at CHAP helping at the In the Hands of a Child booth, I tried to sit in on a session about teaching spelling to a struggling student.  It was quite hard to hear over the din coming from the adjacent vendor hall.

Up here in Alaska, the choices are small for conferences.  Thankfully, both options are just a short drive away from our home.  Heading north into the Mat-Su Valley, I can attend the 2 day Christian homeschool conference hosted by Alaska Private and Home Educators Association.  Or, driving into Anchorage the next week has me at the curriculum fair put on by IDEA (our charter school.)  Both have vendors showcasing their wares, just at a smaller scale that those conferences I attended in the eastern US.  And, both have workshops you can attend.  Hence, these days become my ‘teacher training days’!

I wrote a bit about my experience last year (with a failure to go back and share specifics gleaned from workshops.)  Now I am in planning mode for this year’s events.  IDEA has posted about the main speaker and vendors.  After last year’s experience, I know that the vendor hall is quite manageable to walk through in under a day.  But, I can still prioritize which tables I want to visit while I am there.  The workshop schedule is not posted for IDEA, but it is for APHEA.

Having said all that, my plan of attack is as follows:

Decide which conference(s) I can attend and for which days.  Some conferences are one day events while others are over 2 days.  Both of the ones up here are over 2 days.  As an enrolled family with IDEA, that one is free for admission with a charge for parking.  APHEA has an admission fee, but it is a flat rate for the family compared to some that charge per person entering the gates.  The charge goes up if you want to buy a ticket at the door. This is common practice for most conferences.  However, if you are concerned about something derailing your attendance, it might be worth the premium.

Determine which family members, if any, are going to accompany me.  While many conferences will permit children in tow, they may be too big of a distraction to you and others in a workshop setting.  Last year, I had the big boys helping care for Little J when he wanted to move about.

Map out which vendors I simply must visit, whether to check something out in person OR make a planned purchase on site. Some vendors will offer special deals when ordering at a conference.  Others may not offer any break, but be a good spot to decide if it will work in your home. 

Bring a list of questions for a vendor representative of materials I may be considering.  Usually, the vendor reps are more than happy to answer questions and help guide you with what may or may not work in your homeschool.

Find out ahead of time the policies about outside food.  At CHAP, no outside food is permitted.  That means you need to visit your vehicle for a picnic lunch OR plan on spending a lot on food sold there.  Other locations may have no policy against outside food being brought in for consumption. 

Plan activities in the area if the whole family is traveling to a conference site.  Maybe the kids will go with dad to see the sights OR you might dedicate some time to visit attractions as a family.   The large Catholic conference held outside D.C. each year encourages that families plan those fun experiences into their trip.

Overall, I have enjoyed attending homeschool conventions, whether large or small.  I will admit that I would have been completely overwhelmed if I had attended CHAP the year we began homeschooling.  With hundreds of vendors, even a seasoned homeschool parent can find their head spinning.  Having a plan in place can help remove some of the deer in the headlights experience.