Tips for Newbies & Questions for Seasoned Home Educators
What do you like about home education conferences?
What would you change?
Do you like the exhibitor hall? What makes a booth stand out to you? What would you like to see more of in the vendor hall?
What about the speakers? Who is your favorite?
I remember the first year I went to a home school conference… it was a little overwhelming… I have to admit. A huge exhibitor hall filled with hundreds of curriculums, tons of vendors, thousands of people and no direction where to start looking. Or even what questions to ask.
Looking back on those first few years of attending conferences, I really wish I would have had some guidance. Someone who had been going to them for a few years to tell me it was ok not to buy all the next years curriculum by the end of the conference. As I walked through the vendor hall those first few years, all I saw was amazing, fun activities and hands on skills for life to incorporate… I wanted it all! Honestly, I really should have given myself a budget, if you know what I mean. I should have done better planning.
So I thought today I would give a few first-timer tips in exchange for some of your own ideas and thoughts on what would make a conference or exhibitor hall even better?
Tips for preparing to attend your first Home Education Conference:
Tip #1
Check out the speakers ahead of time and plan out who you want to hear most.
Tip #2
Check out the exhibitors, look online and see who is going to be there. If a company you normally buy from is going to be there, it might be wise to double check your curriculum needs, check prices, compare with other companies attending the conference and make a list of where to buy in order to save the most money {remember: no shipping}!
Tip #3
Set a budget ahead of time. Choose what to buy no based on what is needed soonest, what usually weighs the most to ship, and what is the hardest to get locally. But remember, this vendor hall is a huge temptation to over spend… this is why looking at the vendor/exhibitor list is so important. Some books, deals are not available anywhere else… it is good to know that ahead of time so you can prepare financially and you aren’t surprised.
Tip #4
Come ready to learn! I am a journal junkie… always have been. When my husband and I were first married {before my hands were full with diaper bags and babies}, I took a journal and bible with me nearly everywhere… date-nights, conferences, church, lectures, and even to friends homes. You never know when you are going to need to take a good note, right! Seriously though, I think in those first years especially, I took more notes at the home school conference than I did in some of my college classes.
So what would you recommend to newbies? What do you like most or are you hoping to learn or glean from this years home school conference near you?
Here is a question for you all: If there was an “Intentional Parenting Conference”… not a home-schooler’s conference… would you go?
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So glad you stopped by! God bless your family ministry.
Angie T
One of my frustrations about the homeschool biggie events is that it’s often implied (or much more than implied in some cases) that if you don’t do it exactly like the heroes on the platform, you’re failing. But that attitude completely ignores the fact that God has wired each individual (parent or student) and each family uniquely. Doesn’t it figure that what He wants to do in me and mine is different than what He wants to do in you and yours?
Interesting insight Carey. It is true that God does have a unique plan for each child, parent, family… while I appreciate their guidance, opinions, and focus to serve God and lead others… many might not thinking independently, asking God for His guidance as they surrender some big issues {such as college?}. Some, not all, but some are fast to get on a ban wagon… but we wall need to seek God’s will for our families. Nonetheless, I think it is good and enriching to be challenged… and to pray through many of these issues as husband and wife, seeking God’s individual plan. Thank you for your comment. Very valuable.