I remember the first year I went to the Illinois Christian Home Educator’s convention. My oldest was just entering 6th grade, my middle one was going into 2nd and my youngest was an infant. I had already done a lot of research and chosen the core curriculum we were going to use before heading to the homeschool convention, but there was so much that I didn’t anticipate. With some tips in mind before you go, you can have a successful convention experience and set yourself up for a great homeschool year ahead. There’s a free planner download at the bottom too!
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My little story
We previously had the oldest two enrolled in a Christian school. It was a good school with small class sizes and teachers that genuinely cared about the students. But, because of a few reasons, the Lord called us to pray, and step out of the proverbial mainstream education boat and trust Him. That was many homeschool years and conventions ago. I was an attendee for a couple years, then I was called on to be a curriculum consultant, work at the convention, and help parents choose curriculum for their children. Attending the workshops and shopping the vendor hall was still something I made a priority, because each year the needs that we had as a family were a little bit different.
A little overwhelming
The first time I walked into the vendor hall, I needed to look around and get acclimated. I was kind of in shock at the multitude of vendors. I’ve often heard parents say that they bought a lot of curriculum that they never even used, and they regretted wasting their money. With destressing and helping you navigate the convention in mind, here are a few tips to take you from “being a mess” to “being a success”!
Be prepared before you go to the homeschool convention
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Fail to plan, plan to fail.
I don’t know that you would fail, but having a plan will certainly set you up for a much better experience. Take a look at the list of sessions that you want to attend and make a “Top Five” list. Which speakers or topics do you really want to make sure that you don’t miss? You can add to the list for secondary sessions you could attend if you end up having time (and your brain isn’t turned to jello yet😊). There’s a free planner at the bottom that will help you prioritize and be prepared to attend the important workshops.
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Bring some snacks and water.
Getting everything in that you want to do in the limited amount of time that you have will likely create some moments of “crunch time”. You’ll likely want to talk to some people too, and unexpectedly, you may be running to a session without having eaten much.
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Bring a carry-on suitcase on wheels or a rolling cart.
What do they sell at the homeschool convention? Books! Books are heavy!! I have a weakness for art supplies and paper, so I would also stock up on any cool paints, pastels, watercolor paper, etc. (also very heavy). It saves on the shipping cost, but you don’t want to carry that heavy tote bag.
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Prepare to take notes, so bring a notebook or device.
Great ideas abound when you’re surrounded by other homeschool parents and experts. You’ll likely have a lot of “light bulb” moments that you want to hold onto, so think ahead. I’ve included a download at the bottom to help you organize your notes so you’ll be able to use them all year.
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Bringing address labels would be helpful.
You may appreciate this easy way to give someone your contact information if you don’t have a business card. It’s especially nice for entering giveaways!
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Save up money in advance for curriculum.
Yes, you can find used homeschool curriculum fairly easily. But if you are new to homeschooling, buying new the first year is helpful. You’ll have all the components and have access to the publisher for your questions. If you’re a seasoned pro, a budget is still in order. Curriculum is an expense each year and you don’t want to start off the year unprepared.
Once you are at the homeschool convention
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Limit purchases in the vendor hall at first.
Unless it’s something that you may not be able to get if you wait until the end of the day or the next day, wait to purchase. I’ve made a few exceptions to this over the years. With those art supplies I mentioned above—they sometimes sell out items quickly. Another time that I remember was a homeschool couple that had written a curriculum themselves. They were also presenting a workshop and I knew they would sell out before I could get back into the vendor hall. I still have that book and it is an absolute treasure that is out of print now. I have a download below to help you organize your vendor hall shopping list.
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Give the workshop presenters grace.
These are real people, and most are homeschoolers just like you. They may not be the most polished speakers and maybe the technology is glitchy as they present, but what they have to share is valuable and put together with the idea of helping you. They’re often very busy with back-to-back workshops, so talking with them after a session may not be feasible. Be understanding.
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Attend 3-4 sessions at most each day.
The temptation to try to fill your empty bucket is great, but you’re going to experience information overload. Plan on purchasing the MP3 downloads of the sessions. They’re not that expensive and they pump you up throughout the year. If cost is an obstacle, find another family or two to split the cost and share them.
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Have a plan for “recharging” your physical battery.
The homeschool convention provides a “high” as you are surrounded by so many other people that share your education decision. Make time to rest, even for 15 minutes at a time. Pray about curriculum that you’re considering, new directions that you’ve been exposed to or anything else that’s on your heart. The Lord is in your homeschool, and likely has been the driving force in moving you in this direction.
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End the homeschool convention with a spring to your step.
If you’ve had the blessing of attending as a couple, take the time to have dinner together before reuniting with the kiddos. If you’ve been on your own, make time to share some key takeaways with your family while it’s still fresh. You will be processing a lot, but at least share what really spoke to you, excited you or gave you new direction. Those main points are what will stay with you long after the convention is over.
To make your homeschool year blossom and bloom, check out my homeschool boards on Pinterest. There are a lot of great ideas for all ages and learning styles. I’ve also written these posts recently to help with your homeschool.
https://inspiredandrefreshed.com/homeschool-strong-5-expert-tips/
https://inspiredandrefreshed.com/am-i-helping-my-anxious-child-the-best-way-possible/
I ended up giving you a “Top Eleven” instead of ten–bonus! God bless and keep on keeping on and enjoy this year’s convention and the school year ahead.
Sally
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
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