Preparing for a Homeschool Convention

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Attending a convention is one of the best things you can do for your homeschool. If you’re still on the fence about whether or not you should attend, let me give you three reasons why you should:

  1. Inspiration, encouragement and motivation – The speakers at a homeschool convention will reignite your passion for homeschooling. You will leave feeling empowered and refreshed. Teach Them Diligently Conventions have some of the best homeschool speakers around including: Ken Ham, Heidi St. John, Sam Sorbo, Leigh Bortins, Chuck Black, Israel Wayne, Hal and Melanie Young, Sonya Shafer, and many more.
  2. Vendors galore!  You will be able to cross everything off of your homeschool shopping list in one trip. No shipping costs either, double score!
  3. You are surrounded by thousands of other homeschoolers – You won’t be “that weird woman who homeschools” while you’re there! We’re all weird women who homeschool.

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way and you’ve registered to attend a homeschool convention, there are some things you should know before you go.

  • Research the convention you’re attending. Know the history of the convention. How and why did it get started? Does it have a mission {more importantly, it is a mission that you can support}? Is the convention for profit? Are any of the profits donated? For specific information about Teach Them Diligently, click here.
  • Book your hotel early! Rooms around convention centers fill up quickly! If the convention you are attending is at a hotel, the hotel will typically offer special rates to convention attendees. Also, many conventions work out special rates with nearby hotels. Just ask!
  • Know the parking situation at the convention. Is there on-site parking? Is it free?
  • Find out if there will be food vendors at the convention. Also, find out if the convention center will permit you to bring your own food into the convention center. In Nashville, The Opryland hotel has many restaurants on site. Teach Them Diligently will also have the hotel set up kiosks in the convention area. There is also a mall across the street with a food court. If you are staying onsite, you may bring food to your room.
  • Find out which vendors will be at the convention! Here are our wonderful Teach Them Diligently vendors. Make your curriculum shopping list before you arrive. I’ve created a FREE printable curriculum shopping list that you are welcome to download and print. It includes areas for price comparisons while at the convention.
  • Set a budget. Upon walking into a vendor hall, I become a complete impulse shopper. Setting a budget before arriving {and sticking to it} has saved my checking account many times!
  • Preview the speaker schedules and plan out which sessions you would like to attend.
  • Sign up for any extra events {children’s program, teen tracks, men’s breakfast, etc}. There are a limited number of seats available in these events, so sign up early!
  • Are you overwhelmed yet? Don’t be! This will be a fun, inspiring weekend away! I’ve put together a Homeschool Convention Game Plan printable for you to use! Click here to download yours now!
  • Most importantly, pray! Ask God to take you out of your comfort zone at this convention. Meet new friends, let your heart become convicted as God speaks to you through the words of the speakers. Seek His direction in your curriculum choices. You can never go wrong when you follow His lead.

Need help knowing what to bring to a convention? You can find that here.

Heather Bowen is a dedicated Christian homeschooling mother and wife from southeastern North Carolina. She entered the blogging world in June 2012 and quickly realized it was time to trade in her career as a nurse and embrace the calling of being a full-time work at home mom. Heather blogs at Upside Down Homeschooling. In addition to writing, she is a speaker and a virtual assistant. To find out more about the services Heather offers, click here.