I just returned from our second homeschool conference of the year and a lot of things are fresh on my mind to share with you. I know a number of homeschool moms that have never been to a homeschool conference. Whether it’s because of cost, logistics with travel or children, or even disinterest, I want to share with you some tips and tricks for not just getting through it but getting the most out of it. No one wants to be physically, mentally, or financially drained after devoting a few days to a conference. Homeschooling is hard enough as it is! If you follow this advice, my hope is that you will feel refreshed and better equipped and encouraged as you go back home to continue your homeschooling journey.
For me, one of the first things I did, years before my oldest was even school age, was attend the homeschool conference in my state. If you do not know what to expect at a homeschool conference, there will be many seminars with homeschool experts, ministry leaders, and curriculum and enrichment professionals, often divided into different tracks for different interests such as those new to homeschooling, teenagers, or homeschool dads. There are also usually children’s activities, family activities, an exhibit hall, and used curriculum sales. Some conferences also include workshops and educational screenings. In a nutshell, there is a lot to do and learn, so here’s how to get the most out of it without being completely wiped out!
Take care of the kids
With so much to see, hear, and do, it can be difficult for parents and kids alike, young or old if they aren’t occupied with something during this time. I highly recommend taking advantage of the activities offered at the conference for your kids. For us, it is rare to have child care or grandparents around to help with the children. And if you don’t have older children to help with the young ones, this can be particularly distracting if you are toting them around to each session with you. At really busy conferences, it can even be be scary as I know a homeschool mom that lost her 3-year old more than once this last weekend when he made a run for it in between sessions and slipped off in the crowd. I’m not saying who. But it was scary. For her. Of course, if you are going to lose a child in a crowd, this would be the one to choose.
If you do have grandparents available to help or older siblings, the conferences usually offer great rates for families which include all the unmarried children living in the home and add-ons for additional attendees. Regardless of who is caring for them, snacks and entertainment go a long way. When the kids are in tow, we bring a small cooler around with us with food and drink, along with books, toys, paper and stickers, and an iPad with headphones with daisy chain cables so that they all can watch a movie together. Even still it is a challenge and it isn’t flawless as my oldest has a tendency of getting so amused he’ll blurt out a loud reaction not realizing how loud he is being with the headphones on. The children’s programs are much preferred but they often don’t go the entire length of the conference. And there are also wonderful programs for older kids and teenagers where they can meet other homeschooled kids and learn things they may not ordinarily get to as a part of their homeschool education. But this leads to the next point…
Register early
Sometimes the children’s activities sell out. In order to take advantage of these things, you will want to make sure to register for the conference and any additional programs early. We didn’t think we were going to be able to attend one of the conferences this year because of other obligations, but at the last minute plans changed and we were able to make it but the children’s programs were full. So we found ourselves toting three tiny tots around to sessions where they reminded us to keep the children quiet or take them outside so as to not interrupt the recording of the session. Ha! I’m sure no one else has noisy children, but it’s almost comical how impossible this is for us. Almost.
Most conferences offer special discounts if you register at the conference the year before, which is great. The prices are already very reasonable as compared to many other types of conferences and conventions. But who doesn’t like save money?! For example, here in Colorado, Christian Home Educators of Colorado has been sponsoring a homeschool conference since 1991, now known as the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference. Their regular family rate of $100 was dropped to $50 for anyone registering for next year at the conference (or within a couple days after). This year was the first year Teach Them Diligently Homeschool Convention came to Colorado and they also offered a discounted registration bundle to families registering soon after the conference.
So register early for children’s activities and other add-ons, and also take a close look at the speakers and sessions that are lined up. I love this part of the process actually. I get out my highlighters and print the schedule and start marking up the sessions I’m interested in and then go back and narrow it down later. Most of the time, I have one or two sessions per time block chosen by the time I’m at the conference. But that is so much easier than trying to figure it all out then. Sometimes there are only 15 minutes between sessions, so if a speaker runs long or you have a question to ask after the session, it’s going to be hard to ruffle through the schedule and figure out where you want to go next and get there in time. Anything you can do to make it go smoothly will make it more fun for you and your family and will also give you margin for meeting the speakers and other attendees.
Bring your food
Maybe not all of it, but you will save a lot of money and simplify your time if you plan ahead and bring most, if not all of your meals. Almost everyone does this. You won’t stick out like a sore thumb, and honestly who cares if you did?! We pack tons of snacks for any sessions where kids will be in tow and also breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Make sure none of the programs, specifically children’s programs don’t already include a meal and look at meal times and the locations of each of the members of your family to decide when and where you will eat. Sometimes it’s just in a hallway or in an empty room. We like to plan one meal that we will get something special, either order pizza, carry out from a near by restaurant or the like. And depending on if you are staying on site, you may have the ability to cook in an RV or have a complimentary hotel breakfast. Which leads me to…
Stay on site
I love RVs and we used to have a little pop-up camper but grew out of it. Some day I hope to have an RV but until then we try to stay at least one night at the hotel on-site or nearest by. The days at the homeschool conferences are usually long and you’ve usually travelled a bit to get there. So for me, the last thing I want to do is hunker down for a drive to and from each morning and evening. And with young ones, the proximity and ease of having a room to take the nappers to and kids that just need some quiet time is really valuable. If you are only staying one night, this can be tricky with late check-in times and early check-outs. But you can make it work if you are diligent about timely requesting early check-in and late check-out. Better yet though, stay two or three nights if you can swing it. If you live nearby, maybe you don’t need to. But even still you could make it a mini stay-cation. If you have an RV or camper, reach out to the facility or conference to make sure you are able to park it on-site.
If you can’t stay and have to make the adventure just for a day, don’t worry. All is not lost. We have been in that situation before as well. We just took a look at the conference schedule and picked the day with the sessions and activities we most wanted to attend. It’s still worth going. The energy and encouragement you feel from connecting with people live and in-person is really beneficial. Especially for us homeschoolers that can feel ostracized and alone depending on your support system in this journey. You won’t find more loving and compassionate company than you do at these conferences. It’s a great time to connect with like minded moms, dads and families!
Go to the exhibit hall with a plan
Do not try to find your connections in the exhibit hall. Make no mistake, homeschool conference or not, many vendors are very clearly there to sell you something. If you don’t like it when solicitors knock on your front door, you need to enter the exhibit hall with a plan. Are you wanting to purchase curriculum? Are you needing help with tutoring, specific subjects or evaluations? Are you looking for encouragement or resources from wise homeschool authors? Something else? Think about this in advance and plan to stay focused on the booths you are seeking. You can even check the exhibit hall map in advance to see where specific vendors will be. Exhibit halls can be very big and very busy during shopping breaks. If you want to avoid the fray, plan to go another time when they are open. If you want the best deals, plan to go to the grand opening where many vendors will offer their best deals and giveaways that aren’t available during the rest of the conference. I love the exhibit halls and I always visit numerous times throughout the conferences, but I know they can be overwhelming for some, especially those very new to homeschooling or just checking it out.
In sum
It really is easier than perhaps I’ve made it sound. Just keep these five things in mind:
- Take care of the kids
- Register early
- Bring your food
- Stay on site
- Go to the exhibit hall with a plan
Yes, you can wing it. It won’t be the end of the world and I am sure you will still get something out of it. But I’m a planner and a consumer of information. I always find I am more refreshed and walk away pumped up if I have planned our time at the conference well. I hope this helps you to do the same!
