Here it is folks – my post about the homeschool conference I attended a few weeks ago. I have attended this particular conference each year since we made the decision to homeschool. The reason I have attended each year is simple….it is local. The conference is hosted by a local homeschool support group. Each year I must choose my sessions carefully. I tend to avoid sessions that are religious based since we believe academics and religion should be separate. I refuse to attend session which advocate “protecting” children from secular points of view. I think that avoiding topics that will be covered in college courses is a disservice to children.
The quality of presentations have declined over the past few years. This year two choices during each time slot were “infomercials”. You know the – buy my book/program because xyz. I really don’t like sessions like that. I enjoy going to conferences to learn about things – not to hear why someone thinks their book is the one I should buy.
No session really stands out in my mind. I didn’t leave a room and feel the need to immediately tweet a comment about anything that was discussed. I think the only time I tweeted after a session was when I decided to leave one early because it had nothing to do with the description. The keynote speaker spoke about the classical education philosophy. I did enjoy learning more about why she choose to develop materials using a classical education approach. I like to learn about different education ideas – even if I’m not a single method kind of girl. 
The vendor hall was smaller than years past, but still had a few good deals. I bought some games, art supplies an books to add to our family library. Vendor halls at conferences can hold a lot even for those of us who don’t focus on workbooks.
I have decided that is is time to look out of the immediate area for homeschool conferences to attend next year. I would love to find one that is for secular homeschoolers or even one that is inclusive, but more welcoming. So tell me – what conferences should I consider?
Next time I go to a conference I really want to be excited to share the things I hear. I don’t want another “so I went to a conference” post. I want to be able to say Wow – what a conference!
We are attending this one, this year. A friend organizes it. We are going to add it into a trip to Disney World that is a surprise to my big kid.
http://www.secularhomeschool.com/group.php?do=discuss&discussionid=81
On your calendar for next year should be the San Antonio HERO Homeschool Roundup – woot! I’m the conference coordinator this year – the conference is July 24 – one day. We’re inclusive and uber family friendly. Our keynote speaker is David Albert http://www.skylarksings.com and his talk is entitled “Dismantling the Inner School.” He’s supposed to be awesome. Our workshops include a couple of panel discussions (one consisting of a panel of homeschool graduates, the other consisting of a panel of the fathers of homeschooling families) – workshops on unschooling, Charlotte Mason philosophy, something called Homeschool 101, and many more!! Also? The Riverwalk is just minutes away (that means massive margaritas for those of you who don’t know….)
I get this! Conferences should be motivating. This homeschooling thing is hard work! You are lucky to have a local one at all. I live in South Central PA and go into MD to attend the Maryland Association of Christian Educators conference. They do a nice job but the name should about sum it up. You posted awhile back about an online conference. Any more thoughts on that? I’d attend.
I think you should make your own conference for Heathen Homeschoolers personally or add your input to one that is already going on.
Well, I am fairly new to the home school scene myself– we will just be starting first grade work with out oldest this fall.
We live in northern Virginia, and while the enormous HEAV conference in Richmond is supposed to be a wonder, I am missing it for the second time this year. Last year I was out of state, and this year the keynote speaker is Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis– the young earth creationist people. Um. No.
I have heard from other home school moms that even though the dominant voice at the convention strikes a very conservative evangelical tone, because the convention is so enormous you can usually find someone sympathetic to you if you look hard enough. And apparently their used curriculum sale is just astonishingly good (way more than workbooks).
This year, as last year, I am going to try to make the northern VA home education conference. I went last year and found lots to see and think about, including a prominent display by the local nonsectarian home school support group. I gather it’s not as huge as the Richmond thing, but it was plenty big for me.
I don’t know of any secular home school conferences; I wish I did. Even though I am a Christian I find my educational goals for my kids tend to align more strongly with my nonreligious friends (which is why I read your blog).
Ahhh, the young earth publishers. Every college science teacher just loves them…..well loves to show why they are wrong, lol!
I have tried to get involved in one here in Missouri. I was told they have no plan to “cater to the few” secular homeschoolers. Now our own conference…..that might be on a drawing board.
Can you keep a secret? Yes, there are ideas/plans being made for a conference we would all like a bit better.
I will have to check it out. The margaritas might just make the deal a bit sweeter
Seriously though – just looking at the page, it seems like a good fit. I would love to speak at something like that also —- why yes, that was just a shameless plug.
I like the ease of adding a trip to Disney. Will have to add this one to the maybe list
I get this! Conferences should be motivating. This homeschooling thing is hard work! You are lucky to have a local one at all. I live in South Central PA and go into MD to attend the Maryland Association of Christian Educators conference. They do a nice job but the name should about sum it up. You posted awhile back about an online conference. Any more thoughts on that? I’d attend.
+1
I have not gone to any homeschooling conferences in my area because they tend to strongly lean to the religious aspect of some homeschoolers. Instead I go to conferences for teachers and tutors…check and see what is in your area. This has helped me with my daughter who is dsylexic. Also we go to the annual Northlands Storytelling Conference in Wisconsin. Both of us get so much out of it. There are a lot of diversified aspects to storytelling and helping one in their verbal skills.