Homeschool Conventions?

[Twin]

Hello everyone! I am new to HSing but I have heard there are HS conventions out there? Is that true? If so, what do they entail? I am sure it is mostly different curriculum companies pitching their product? How do you find them?

Thanks!

[sewchris2642]

Contact your local homeschooling groups and organizations. The convention I used to go to was held in the spring. There were seminars on various topics as well as booths for various curriculum vendors, children's books, science kits, etc. This is what came up when I googled "homeschool conventions": http://www.google.com/search?q=homes...ient=firefox-a

[Twin]

Thanks! I do not belong to any groups yet since my kids are so young but maybe I can look them up and just pose the question. I did do a google search for that term and got a lot of junk websites so I figured before I filtered through all of them that I would ask here in case there were maybe a few "big" ones that someone could give me a name or website to.

[Lillian J]

I just posted about one a day or so ago: What a conference can be!. There are some that are heavy on curriculum vendors and such, but there are also some very inspiring ones, such as the one I posted about, that are much more focused on the the much more important issues.

Here's a list:
2010 Homeschool Calendar of Events, Conferences and Conventions, Workshops and Seminars, and Homeschool Days. - but don't count on any one source to list them all, just because things fall through the cracks with all the things going on. I know that the person who put this list together, for instance, is going to the one I posted about, but she doesn't have it listed yet. You might also try posting a thread here with a title such as "Conferences in Idaho?" or wherever you live.
Lillian

[AnnR33]

Where do you live? It's a long shot, but the Chicago Homeschool Expo is coming up Aug 6 and it's only $30. They have some great speakers lined up.

HS conferences can be a great way to learn about hsing and a dangerous way to learn about hsing They can be overwhelming and easy to get "lured" into buying LOTS of materials you don't need or will even work well for you.

I think conferences are wonderful, but you have to attend with very specific goals and a list of what to buy and try not to stray from the list LOL

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by AnnR33

HS conferences can be a great way to learn about hsing and a dangerous way to learn about hsing They can be overwhelming and easy to get "lured" into buying LOTS of materials you don't need or will even work well for you.

Absolutely! And they can offer way too much "This is how you're supposed to do it" advice.

- Lillian

[Twin]

Yes, I am sure that is true! I am not too worried though because I have a master's degree in education and years of teaching experience under my belt. I just want to check one out for the sake of it!

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by Twin

Yes, I am sure that is true! I am not too worried though because I have a master's degree in education and years of teaching experience under my belt. I just want to check one out for the sake of it!

Ah! What state are you in? How far are you willing to travel? Lillian

[Twin]

I'm in DE. I don't really want to travel as my kids are too little. But I would drive a couple hours for one in Philly or DC/Baltimore.

[boysmom2]

Originally Posted by AnnR33

Where do you live? It's a long shot, but the Chicago Homeschool Expo is coming up Aug 6 and it's only $30. They have some great speakers lined up.

HS conferences can be a great way to learn about hsing and a dangerous way to learn about hsing They can be overwhelming and easy to get "lured" into buying LOTS of materials you don't need or will even work well for you.

I think conferences are wonderful, but you have to attend with very specific goals and a list of what to buy and try not to stray from the list LOL

Oooh! Thanks for posting this! I'm in SE WI and last time I checked it looked like I had missed everything for this area! I'm new to HS (or at least I hope to be... see my multiple threads about convincing DH) and have never been to a conference before, hopefully I can make it to this one! THanks!!

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by Twin

I'm in DE. I don't really want to travel as my kids are too little. But I would drive a couple hours for one in Philly or DC/Baltimore.

You'd do well to wait for something that might come up next spring or early summer - and a good one could come up again in Boston at some point. In the meantime, here's a whole page of homeschooling resources in Delaware.

And here are some videos from last year's HomeSchool Assn. of California Conference - Homeschooling?!

Linda Dobson put together a book especially for those who couldn't make it to a conference, and it has input from over 30 seasoned homeschoolers on 88 common questions: The Homeschooling Book of Answers.

Here's a thread that might be helpful: How many of you were teachers?

Lillian

[phathui5]

Maryland used to have a good one. I'm not sure if they still do it.

Virginia's one has been great when I've gone.

[Reebekah]

i'm in PA...this year I had to pick between CHAP (held in Harrisburg PA every year) and the MidWest Homeschool Convention (held in Ohio each year...but will be held in 4 different places next year). I went to the Midwest this year (my first convention ever) and I LOVED it.......so neat to see so many different people who all have one major thing in common....and I loved browsing the exhibit hall and looking before buying.....I had heard some really wonderful talks from really great speakers.....it was all very inspiring and encouraging.