Key Advice for Homeschool Conventions
by Kathy Kuhl I once heard a convention center worker ask, “What do people do at a homeschool convention?” The second answered, “Buy textbooks?” That’s like guessing people go to the beach to take walks. True, but not the whole story.
Homeschool conventions are not bookstores. A homeschool convention can feature dozens or hundreds of workshops, books, cool educational toys, kits, and especially fellow homeschoolers to meet and learn from.
Don’t underestimate the connections you can make with other homeschoolers. It inspires me to be together with other homeschoolers from different places and perspectives, united in our mission to teach our children well.
Nearly everywhere I speak, I have the privilege of connecting parents homeschooling kids with similar challenges. One mother lamented to me that she knew no one else in her county who was homeschooling a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAE). But, providentially, the other mom visiting my booth had just told me a similar story. So I introduced them. Twenty minutes later, they tore themselves away, exchanging hugs and planning to meet.
Not homeschooling yet? You’ll be astonished how cheap admission is compared to patient advocacy conferences, how many different kinds of products are sold, and what a wide range of people homeschool. I tell parents and teachers, even if you plan never to homeschool, you should visit a homeschool convention.
Here’s how to make the most of your time.
Prepare Ahead of Time
- Plan ahead which workshops to attend. Read the workshop list before you go, the descriptions, and the speaker biographies. Some speakers are so good you will want to hear them, even if their topics aren’t your top priority.
- Look at the schedule: Did the homeschool convention organizers allow enough time for shopping? You may want to skip a workshop or two in order to shop, especially if you can buy recordings of the talks.
- Notice which booths you don’t want to miss. Mark them on the vendor hall map before you go.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Bring a water bottle.
- If you might buy curriculum, bring a comfortable backpack, a rolling cart, or even a wheelie suitcase. A tote bag full of books gets too heavy. Going to your car to unload them may take 30 minutes or more out of your day.
- Consider bringing your spouse to the convention. You can attend workshops together, or split up to cover more ground.
- Plan an easy supper for when you return home.
Maximize Your Experience
At the homeschool convention:
- Go up and down every aisle in the vendor hall. (Yes, even in Richmond, Orlando, and Cincinnati—though I wouldn’t cover all those aisles at one time.) You never know what you’ll see!
- As you go up and down, mark up your vendor hall map. Note the booths you want to return to.
- Some things sell out early. Don’t wait until the last minute to buy.
- Come by my booth and say hello! See below for where I’m speaking and selling this year.
Stay Sane!
If you’re taking along a child with sensory issues or other special needs, or if you personally find conventions a bit overwhelming:
- Pack a lunch they’ll enjoy in a cooler and retreat to your car for a break, if the weather and distance from the parking lot permit.
- Take a break outdoors, or find a quiet hallway to regroup. I like to review my notes and map, and think over what I’ve been learning.
- Take earplugs to reduce the noise if your child or you are sensitive to noise and you are attending a very large convention.
- If you’re bringing your children, consider the children’s programs.
- A few homeschool conventions (THSC and HEAV for instance) have Special Buddies programs to give your special child extra help. Check your convention’s website for details—or create your own by bringing along a trusted babysitter or relative.
- If you don’t put your children in children’s activities, go with a friend (or your spouse) and give each other breaks. Take the kids to the lobby for 30-45 minutes while the other shops, then trade.
- Bringing a sitter or an adult relative and paying their admission may be worth it. (Or would friends or grandparents keep the kids for the day?)
- My top tips:
- As you take notes, star any action items: visit this website, buy that book, ponder this issue, ask that question.
- Before you get home, summarize those starred action items on a single page. Pick one to do first. Otherwise, like me, you may find your notes months later and discover you’ve forgotten much of what you meant to do.
Why Buy Directly at a Homeschool Convention?
Like a particular vendor? Want vendors to come back? Say it with your wallet.
Yes, you could save a few dollars buying curriculum used. But vendors spend hundreds getting to each event, renting the booth, and paying for their hotel and food. No matter how professional they are and how great their products look, you’d be surprised how many are small family-owned businesses with tight margins. That $150 curriculum may not give them much return after they research it, write it, edit it, and pay for printing, travel, and shipping the unsold copies to the next convention.
Every year, vendors decide they can no longer afford to go to conventions. When you buy at a convention, or order from the vendors afterwards, you encourage them to come back. The Internet’s a good way to shop, but there’s nothing like holding the books and materials in your hands. Plus, most of the folks behind the counter probably either used or wrote the material. They can answer questions. (One author even told me his curriculum would probably not be good for us, after I explained my child’s learning challenges.)
So, plan ahead and bring the right gear. Pace yourself at the convention, and make special preparations if you or your child are going to find the busy atmosphere tiring. Consider supporting those who produce good materials by buying directly from them.
Have a great time at your homeschool convention! Got more tips? Share them in the comments section below, please.
