How to Choose a Homeschool Convention

So you’ve worked it out in the budget and you can definitely attend a homeschool convention this year. The next question is which one?

At first glance, you might just assume the best thing to do is attend the one closest to where you live. But it might make more sense to think through your most important goals in attending and then choose the one that best meets those goals. The most beneficial one might be further away. So which is it? Smaller local convention with emphasis on your state and local issues? Or a big regional convention such as Great Homeschool Conventions? There is no right or wrong answer. It just depends on what you are looking for.

So what are you looking for this year?

Homeschool Convention Size

Are you looking for something small and intimate? Do you want to bump into people you know? Or are you looking to meet new people? Do you want a few sessions to attend? Or are you looking for dozens to choose from?

Featured Speakers at Homeschool Convention

Who are the featured speakers? Are their topics ones which will benefit you? Will you find the worldview they present encouraging or frustrating?

Curriculum Shopping

Do you want to spend a lot of time looking through a wide variety of homeschool curriculum so you need a huge hall full of ideas? Or is curriculum not as important?

Breakout Sessions

What kinds of things do you want to learn? Do you need some serious encouragement? How many sessions do you want to attend? Do you prefer smaller sessions where you can ask questions or do you like just sitting and taking notes?

Networking

Are you hoping to network at the convention? Do you have a product or service to sell and you want to get out there to mix and mingle? Who would you like to try to meet? Will they be there?

Social Opportunities

Are you hoping to meet people in real life that you only know online? Would you like to organize a meet-up with some of your online friends?

Family Activities at Homeschool Conventions

Do you want to bring your children or are you going alone? Do you want special events for children and teens?

Again, there is no right or wrong answer. Every family will have different needs and those needs might change from year to year. But carefully evaluating what you hope to gain from the convention will help you make the most profitable choice for you and your children.

Check out what other homeschool bloggers have to say about The Hows and Whys of Homeschool Conventions in this iHN linkup!