HOMESCHOOL CORNER

Should I Go to a Homeschool Conference This Year?

BY CRYSTAL LADWIG, PH.D. Homeschool conference season starts each year in May and typically runs through August. Last year, homeschoolers across the country were disappointed when conferences were cancelled. Homeschool conferences aren’t like other conferences. They’re family events where children and parents often attend together, with specially planned events for co-op leaders, parents, grandparents, and kids. They’re family vacations. They’re pep rallies. They reenergize homeschooling parents and kids to get them ready for the next year.

When you go to a homeschool conference, you’ll have the opportunity to attend sessions on how to homeschool, how to teach different ages and subjects, and how to teach kids of all ability levels. You’ll get lost in the vendor hall as you explore more curricular options than you knew existed. Most conferences also include family events that allow you and your kids to hang out and enjoy your time together and with other homeschoolers.

One of the best reasons to attend a homeschool conference is to get your hands on curricula. Instead of simply looking at ads, you can get your hands on the books and materials you want for your children. They can come and help you pick out curricula and materials that interest and challenge them. Best of all, there are often significant savings on curricula offered through homeschool conferences.

NEARBY CONFERENCES

The nation’s biggest homeschool conference is held in Orlando each May during the Memorial Day weekend. The annual conference of the Florida Parent Educator’s Association (FPEA) will be held May 27-29 at the Rosen Shingle Creek. Thursday activities focus on homeschooling leaders as sessions help co-op leaders create supportive groups that meet the needs of their members. Friday and Saturday will include dozens of sessions each day. Special activities include the annual teen and children’s programs, a youth leadership summit, as well as art and music classes. FPEA celebrates graduating seniors with a formal graduation ceremony to close out the weekend.

Great Homeschool Conventions’ Florida conference is scheduled for July 22-24 in Jacksonville at the Prime F. Osborn Convention Center. The event includes 2 1/2 days of exhibits and workshops on homeschooling topics as well as parenting, preparing for college, specific homeschool approaches, information about teaching specific subjects and homeschooling “special needs & gifted children.”

For anyone who prefers to attend online, Great Homeschool Conventions also offers an online conference from August 1 through December 31 where registrants can attend workshops, listen to speakers and visit a virtual vendor hall to learn more about curricula and receive discounts.

IS IT SAFE?

The 2020 homeschool season was like no other. Some conferences were cancelled completely. Others went virtual. This year will include a mix of different options, with a variety of in-person and virtual conferences. Like other events, they’ll still look different than usual. In-person conferences will encourage (and possibly require) participants to wear masks. Seating will be different as additional space will be available for social distancing. Sanitizer will be everywhere. Ultimately, you need to decide for yourself if the safety measures taken by an individual group meet your family’s needs.

IT’S TIME TO DECIDE

With registrations already open, it’s time to decide if you will attend a homeschool conference this year and if you will attend in person or virtually. They’re a great way to support others, educate yourself, revive yourself after a long year, and get your hands on those materials. Not to mention...we all love discounts, right?

Mark Your Calendar

Florida Parent Educator’s Association (FPEA) May 27-29 Rosen Shingle Creek Great Homeschool Convention July 22-24 Prime F. Osborn Convention Center Great Homeschool Convention (Online) August 1 - December 31