How to Get the Most Out of a Homeschool Convention Part 5

THE DAY BEFORE
Here is a list of last-minute things to do before you go to the convention:

● Put the house in order and make sure there is plenty of food in the fridge before you leave, so you can peace of mind knowing that your family will be able to find everything they need while you are gone.

● Confirm child care arrangements if your children will be staying with someone else. Spend some quality time with your family before you go. Let them know you will be thinking about them.

● Be sure you understand exactly how to get to the convention facility and what parking is available so that you do not lose valuable time and become frustrated before you even arrive.

● Figure on getting there early or at least on time for the opening. Otherwise, at the end of the day, you will wish you’d had that extra hour or two.

● Look over the convention schedule one more time to plan your day. Don’t forget to include breaks, lunch, and plenty of time for a tour of the exhibit hall.

● Pack the items you will be taking with you. (See “Things to Bring” below.)

● Eat a good meal the night before, lay your clothes out ahead of time, and get plenty of sleep.

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THINGS TO BRING
While you do not want to bring along too much stuff, there are some essential items that you will need:

• Directions and/or map.

• Shopping list that you’ve made up ahead of time.

• Cash, checks, and credit card for parking, food, and the curriculum fair. (Keep in mind that some small vendors don’t accept credit cards.)

• Sturdy tote bag or wheeled cart for carrying handouts and purchases.

• Notebook and pens or pencils for taking notes.

• Wristwatch to keep track of time so you won't miss any speakers or workshops.

• Cell phone to check on the kids at home or for them to contact you in case of emergency.

• Address labels to use for catalog sign-ups, free drawings, and other forms. (This saves time at vendor booths.)

• Light sweater (if you tend to get cold in air-conditioned spaces)

• Tylenol (if you are prone to headaches)

• Kleenex (you never know, you may get teary-eyed while listening to a certain speaker)

• If you have a baby, be sure to bring along extra clothes, blanket, diapers, wipes, pacifier, stroller, etc.

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THE DAY OF THE CONVENTION
Hopefully you have already planned ahead, but there are still plenty of things can you do on the day of the convention that will make it a more pleasant experience.

● Start the day off right with everything in order and ready to go.

● Allow time to eat a light, healthy breakfast even though you’re in a hurry. You have a busy day ahead and you will need all of your energy and brain power.

● Make sure you have everything that you need to bring with you.

● Leave home early so that you will have plenty of time to get there, secure a close parking space, check in, and find a good seat before the main speaker begins.

● If you still need to register, arrive as early as possible so you have time to register on-site without missing the first session. (CHEO's registration opens at 7:30 a.m.)

● Drink plenty of water (carry your own water bottle).

● Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes or sneakers.

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TIPS FOR FIRST TIMERS
Homeschool conventions, curriculum fairs, and/or book sales can be quite large and overwhelming. Homeschool conventions consist of many seminars and workshops that offer information, encouragement and advice, often with special tracks for new homeschoolers. The convention is usually associated with a curriculum fair in which there are hundreds of vendors and thousands of books and materials. With so much stuff to choose from, it will be easy to get sidetracked! But don't let the sheer amount of materials and information leave you frustrated. You certainly won't be using everything that you see. For the first time, try to get a broad overview of all that's available, and pick up brochures or catalogs to look at when you get back home. It took us a couple of years of going to the annual curriculum fair before we got it narrowed down enough to know what we really needed. That's why it's good to start planning early, and ideally you should attend a curriculum fair even before you begin homeschooling, to get a better idea of what it’s all about.

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2009 by Teri Ann Berg Olsen reprinted with permission

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Teri Ann Berg Olsen is the author of a book, “Learning for Life: Educational Words of Wisdom,” and an e-book, “How to Write a Homeschool Mission Statement.” Teri has been attending the annual Arizona Families for Home Education convention each year since 1995. She had her own exhibit booth at two educational conferences and also organized a small local book sale. This has given her a unique opportunity to view these events from differing perspectives. Visit Teri’s website at www.KnowledgeHouse.info for homeschool information, links, and resources.