Meeting Others

Tis the season for homeschooling conferences. Almost everyone you talk to nowadays has been or is going to a homeschool conference. Everyone in the homeschooling world that is. What is it about homeschooling conferences that attracts so many people? And when are we going to see more conferences, even mini ones, that are aimed primarily at the unschooler?

Conferences feed that age old need humans have to be affirmed by other people in our decisions. Even though homeschoolers are generally trail blazers, most of us still feel this need. I think it is especially important for homeschoolers who are still very much in the minority and who may be facing opposition for their choices by family members. It also allows for unschoolers/homeschoolers to network with others, learn from those with more experience and pick up supplies.

If you are waiting for a strictly unschooling conference you may have a long wait. For the most part, there are simply not enough unschoolers to make an entire conference in each individual state. A few of the exceptions: The Houston Unschoolers Group Family Learning in is putting on one such unschooling conference in October. Generally, Growing Without Schooling has a family conference in the fall; this year it will be a one day affair in New Jersey.

Though many of the conferences available are typically for the school at home crowd, many are beginning to offer workshops with an unschooling bent. At one of the conferences I attended this year, there were several classes aimed straight at the unschooling heart; one was on math, the other on foreign languages.

Even without being billed as an unschooling conference there are many benefits to attending your statewide conventions. Some of them are:

Networking with other homeschoolers Fun activities for your children Bargains on the latest games and manipulatives Inspirational speakers Good deals on books Knowledge and updates on any homeschooling legislature in your state

Statewide conventions can be overwhelming simply because of their size. Refuse to be overwhelmed and avoid trying to see everything or take every workshop. The last state conference was special because of the friendships I found there. One class was skipped so that I could get to know a new found friend better. It's not school...... we can do that and so can our children.

One final note: register early. Even the statewide conventions have poor, overworked homeschooling moms putting together the conference, biting their fingernails, wondering if they are going to break even again this year or are going to end up owing money out of their own wallet. By registering early you will ensure that there will be a convention to enjoy next year.

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