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| TAFFIE
Yearly Events - homeschool conferences,
bookfairs, homeschool days and educator events which repeat.
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 Homeschool
Conferences and Bookfairs
Homeschool Days
 Educator
Events |
Texas has a very active homeschool community and
is fortunate to have a large number of events and activities available.
Some
of these events repeat on either a yearly or on a regular basis. The
purpose
of this page is to provide a summary and highlights
of some of these events.
We've included comments from homeschoolers
who have attended these events. If you have been to any of these events
and
would like to contact us with your comments, please do so. Also contact
us
if you have additional yearly events to add to our
list here. Submission of comments does not guarantee they will be
placed
on our web site. We always appreciate hearing from those who have been
to
events.
Thank you to everyone who has submitted
their comments. The more information individuals have about what to
expect
at an event, the easier it is for them to decide if a particular event
suits
their needs and the better they are able to be prepared
for that event.
If you have any comments to add,
please
Contact us
Yearly
Events Descriptions
Conferences, Workshops
and Book Fairs
Austin
CHEACT is
a large
Christian homeschool
organization that serves Austin and the Hill Country area. The
event normally takes place in late June. This conference is
not as large as SETHSA in Houston, but still has a good number of
vendors. Members of CHEACT receive a discount admission rate.
CHEACT - Christian Home Education Association
of Central Texas
http://www.cheact.org
|
Dallas/Fort
Worth Area
This
event is held each May, normally over Mother's Day Weekend at the
Arlington
Convention Center. It is one of the largest homeschool book fairs in
the
country with thousands of people attending each year.
Hearth & Home Ministries
http://www.homeschoolbookfair.org
|
The
event takes place each August as the Plano Convention center. Many who
attend
the Arlington Book Fair in May, will also attend this event. There is
usually
a large amount of vendors and workshops at this event.
NTHEN- North Texas Home Educators Network
http://www.nthen.org
|
This event takes
place at the
Sheraton Grand Hotel in Irving every 18 months, rotating between
Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. Over a decade old, one of
the oldest unschooling events in the country. A multi-day family
conference that includes teen activities such as the
"unprom". The event appeals to primarily unschoolers from throughout
the state and nearby states and is currently one of the few secular
conference in Texas.
Rethinking Education
www.rethinkingeducation.com
|
Annual
leadership
conference held in July for those in the Greater Dallas/Fort
Worth and surrounding north Texas region. Hosted by Heart
of Texas, a new regional group in North Texas.
http://www.heartoftex.org/
|
*Note: this event did
not take place in 2007, check the NTHEN website for updates
on their summer conference. *
The
event takes place each January at the Richland Hills Church of Christ
in
Ft Worth. This is a small conference, good for beginners who are
starting
mid-year. NTHEN is a large Christian homeschool organization that
serves the DFW metro and surrounding areas.
NTHEN- North Texas Home Educators Network
http://www.nthen.org
|
*Note:
this event
did not take place in 2007, check their website for other
Wholehearted events and workshops*
The
event takes place at the Harvey Hotel near the DFW airport and
features
Sally Clarkson, author of
Educating the Wholehearted Child This conference appeals to
those interested in living books or
Charlotte Mason. There is a limit of 1,000 moms, so register
early if you intend to go to this event. No registration available at
the
door, this limit is usually exceeded. No children allowed except
nursing babies due to space limitiation.
www.wholeheart.org
|
Comments
about these events:
"They
have their workshops (both vendor & main) repeat on the same
schedule
both Friday and Saturday. This leaves the homeschooler free to use one
day
on workshops and the other day for shopping the very large exhibit
hall, or to mix it up between both days."
"If
you can go to both days, you won't miss any workshops. There are a LOT
of
workshops to choose from and the exhibit hall is large."
"I like both fairs
- they are large enough to allow you to look at almost every curricula
or
material available to homeschoolers. The workshops have a good mix
between
really helpful to the newbies and more specialized for those who are
veterans. Even the vendor workshops, although
it depends, are helpful in more than a "buy my stuff" manner."
- Donna C, Ft. Worth
|
"Unlike
the SETHSA conference, this one has the majority of the
conference/speaking
in one large room, which is actually many smaller rooms with the
partitions
removed. The first day, it is divided in half for a few smaller
workshops for those who can arrive early on Friday.
There is also a smaller nursing mothers room off to the side. Then, you
have
a room with vendor tables that usually includes about a dozen vendors
that
are hand-picked for their content. Remember
that the Clarkson's and their book, Educating the Wholehearted Child,
is
primarily Charlotte Mason and whole books, so that is mostly what you
will
find there as well as a few gift or home-items.
One year there was also a booth for scrapbooking. In the main lobby
outside
all of these rooms, you have registration and the Wholehearted
Ministries
book sales. There is a good selection of quality books and things there
without having to weed through the text-book
publishers and things you might not be interested in.
Lunch is also provided on Saturday and is
always quite nice.
I believe their limit is 1,000 moms, due
to the hotel conference room limits (fire hazard, etc.). The room is
very
large and very full each year."
- Eva Nance, Conroe
|
|
Houston
*Note:
this event did
not take place in 2007, check the SETHSA website for updates
on their summer conference. *
This event is usually held
each
January in Houston. It is smaller in scale than the
summer
conference wtih fewer workshops and vendors. The winter conference
will
include a beginner's track and a more experienced track of
workshops. This is good one to send people to that have pulled out
their
children mid-year or who are considering homeschooling for the
following
year. Not as overwhelming as the large summer conference.
SETHSA is a large Christian homeschool organization that
serves the greater Houston area.
SETHSA - Southeast Texas Home School Assn
http://www.sethsa.org
|
Also known
as the Gulf Coast
Home Education Conference, this event takes place in
early
June at Reliant Hall each year and is one of the largest homeschool
conferences in Texas. Over 20
years old, it is large and well organized, and features well-known
keynote speakers. With over 200 vendors and over 50 workshops,
this conference has something for everyone. During each hour
there is normally a choice of up to 12 different workshops to attend.
Leave
plenty of time for the vendor hall. This conference also features a
special
set of workshops for teens and a children's program. The day before the
conference, there is a
curriculum sale that homeschoolers all over Houston can attend
to buy and sell their materials.
SETHSA - Southeast Texas Home School Assn
http://www.sethsa.org
|
Now
in it's 7th
year, since 2004 this conference has been held at The
Woodlands Waterway Marriot each August and has continued to
grow each year. Conference include over 100 vendors and
an assortment of workshops on different topics and
includes a fellowship time for special interest groups
(single parents, special needs, support group leaders, ect) as well as
a children's program. Free Thursday evening program and Fri/Sat night
entertainment with "Hank the Cowdog" author John Erikson.
Because this is a state
conference, it will attract homeschoolers from around the state.
THSC - Texas Home School coalition
http://www.thsc.org
| ARCH
Homeschool Curriculum Fair - Houston
For the last 17 years, ARCH
has sponsored this bookfair. The event usually takes place in
April at a Catholic church within the Greater Houston Area. Conference
includes
Mass, speakers and vendors with Catholic curriculum.
ARCH
www.arch-homeschool.org
|
Comments
about these events:
I've attended this
event
many
times, both as a vendor and participant, it is well organized and has
many workshops and vendors to
choose
from each year. It's one of the largest homeschool conferences in Texas
and
I generally have a great time going to this conference. For both new
and experienced homeschoolers, there's plenty to satisfy both. SETHSA
has a full range of workshop with over 50 offered
each conference. While some workshops do repeat both
days, many do not, so pay special attention to your program so you
don't
miss out. On the average there
are normally over 200 vendor booths at this event. Young
Adult and Children's conference offered each year.
Used Book Sale the day before is open to homeschoolers all over Houston.
If you think you will leave for lunch, the in/out parking pass is well
worth it since Reliant charges for parking every time you enter their
parking lot and it's too far to walk to get outside the park.
No outside food/drink is permitted in the hall, so another
option is pack a lunch and eat in your car to avoid the high priced
Reliant food.
I've attended this
several
times. It continues to grow larger each year. The Marriot in The
Woodlands is a great location, free parking,
plus it is within walking distance of many places to dine at the
Woodlands Mall or Market Square. The vendor
hall was a better layout than previous venues and the evening
fellowship with "Hank the Cowdog" author was memorable. Not as many
workshops or vendors as SETHSA's but a good mix of materials and
speakers. Promoted as a family conference, includes vacation add-ons,
children's program and teen staff program. Free Thursday
evening session great for new homeschoolers.
Parking: Park for free in the Six Pines garage and use the skybridge to
get to the Marriott. Towing is enforced at other area lots, so this is
the best place to park. The garage is shared with The Cynthia Woods
Mitchell Pavilion, a large outdoor amphitheater that accommodates over
16,000 guests. On concert
days to avoid traffic congestion, enter from the
north via
Lake Woodlands Dr. and go south on Six Pines instead of using Woodlands
Parkway/northbound Six Pines. If the Six Pines garage is full, you will
have to use the paid parking at the Marriott garage on Lake
Robbins Dr.
|
San
Antonio
FEAST
Book
Fair
This event is held each
May
in San Antonio. It is a medium-sized conference like CHEACT but still
has
plenty of vendors and workshops to keep you busy. FEAST is the regional
Christian
support group that serves the San Antonio area.
FEAST - Family Educators Alliance of
South Texas
http://www.homeschoolfeast.com
|
SA
HERO Learning Resource Roundup
This event is held each
July
in San Antonio. Features San Antonio area resources and presentations.
Workshops and activities for both children and parents. Resource tables
include area support groups, museums and more.
SA HERO
http://www.sahero.org/
|
Comments
about this
event:
"The
first year I went I
took
a backpack. Last year they gave us a canvas tote bag but I still had a
backpack
and was glad I did! If you're going to purchase a lot of books, they
can
get really heavy after awhile, so the backpack is a lot easier
to load up and carry than the canvas tote.
Regarding purchases, and this would apply
to probably any book fair, use your program or map to see which booths
you
definitely want to visit. If you know ahead of time that you want to
purchase
certain books, materials, etc. then go ahead and purchase
them then. But, if you're not sure, go through all the booths once and
THEN
decide what you want to purchase and make your purchases then. If you
are
going to purchase something heavy, you might either wait until the end
of the day and buy it then (so you don't have to carry it around)
or ask the vendor if she/he can hold it for you and you'll pick it up
later.
At the FEAST fair, I found that kids were
easily bored. I would take a book for an older child and something for
a
younger child to do. They really need a kids play area or something!
You
might see if you can go without kids as you'll enjoy yourself
much more!
This year (2002) it'll be at the Live Oak
Civic Center instead of the FEAST place so things might be a bit
different.
I'm not sure if there will be food, a kids area, or anything like that.
They do have workshops. I took 2 last year
and they were both crowded. Again, since there is a new location this
year,
I don't know what size rooms they'll have, etc. I remember last year
the
rooms were FREEZING also. I hope that won't happen in the
new location!
According to the newsletter announcing it,
there will be over 100 vendors and I counted up the workshops they are
anticipating
and there were about 35 or so. It was crowded last year but not
unmanageable.
It was definitely worth going! Their workshops range from
the beginner level (How to Best Use a Curriculum Fair and Not Be
Overwhelmed"
and "Getting Started" to the advanced "Preparing Your Transcript" and
"Raising
National Merit Scholars for Fun and Profit". There are also
several family type workshops such as "Life Before Marriage" and "Open
Discussion
on Fathering and Husbanding" (for men only). Also, the FEAST one costs
$5
if you pre-register."
- Kelly Crespin, San Antonio
|
Educator events,
Festivals and
other regular
events
*Note the next Museum
District educator open house will be held in Aug/September of
2008*
This free event is held in
either late August or early September and is open to all educators,
including homeschoolers. Up to 9 museums and facilities
participate in this event including the Houston Museum of Natural
Science, Children's Museum of Houston, and Houston Museum of Fine Arts.
Free shuttle busses are provided between museums. At each stop
pick
up educator information and field trip planners. Light snacks are
provided at many of the stops. This is an adult event, so leave
children
at home.
|
Each August this educator
event is held on the Saturday morning one day prior to the public
Theater District Open House. Educators gather at the Hobby Center to
preview the school programming opportunities for the Theater District's
season and learn how to incorporate the arts into their curriculum by
scheduling school field trips or arranging for the Theater District
groups to bring programming directly into their schools. Each arts
group has booths set up in the foyer where educators can go to ask
questions, register for programs and gather materials about arts
programming offered in the Theater District. During the Open House,
Theater District organizations will make 15-minute presentations
featuring live performances and information about the school programs
offered.
www.houstontheaterdistrict.org
|
Comments
about this event:
Comments
from your Taffie
List
Mom:
I've attended this event many times, it's a great way to find
out what is new at the Houston museums. I like to go with several
friends
and make an evening of it. The information is especially helpful if you
are
planning field trips. I like to park at the HMNS because it has the
most
information booths of any of the stops and a great field trip planner.
It is possible to do all 9 musuems in the 4 hours this event lasts if
you don't spend a lot of time at each one. At each stop, get your
registration card punched, it's good for door prizes. The Houston Zoo
used to be part of this event but now does it's own educator event. In
2004, they made some major improvements to the shuttle bus service.
Comments
from your Taffie
List
Mom:
You stay in the same place for this event and do not travel to other
venues. The event is free, but parking is $6 in the garage. The event
normally starts about 9am and ends about noon. Arrive early so you can
enjoy the free food (breakfast items such as bagels, fruit, and juice)
and have time enough to browse the info tables and pick up items and
ask questions before the presentatons start. Throughout the morning
very nice door prizes are given to educators including things like free
class field trips. The presentations are entertaining and will help
give you an idea about what each theater program has to offer.
|
This is the annual open
house for educators held each September at Space Center Houston. Learn
what programs Space Center Houston has to offer students and educators!
Johnson Space Center's Educator Resource Center Presentations!
Experience ALL Space Center Houston Attractions at NO COST! Register to
win GREAT PRIZES! Eduators ONLY please! Reservations are required.
http://www.spacecenter.org/TeachersOpenHouse.html
|
This free yearly event
provides an opportunity for educators to find out what Moody Gardens in
Galveston has to offer them. Includes guided tours through the
Rainforest and Aquarium, free admission to all attractions, ideas for
unique field trips, classroom activities, animal visits and information
on our teacher workshops and outreach program. Reservations are not
required and admission is free so come early to register for door
prizes, enjoy refreshments and to pick up free teaching materials while
supplies last. This event is reserved for educators only please. Note:
you will be required to present some form of ID (support group
membership card, current newsletter, ect). Held in late September/early
October.
www.moodygardens.org
|
*Note: for 2007, instead of
a conference, an educator open house was held in late August
with registration at the door.*
The Fair Park Educators'
Conference is a professional development program for public and private
school teachers in North Texas held in September. It began in 2001 as
an Open House in four museums and has since expanded to nine museums
across the entire park. It features curriculum tracks in a variety of
educational areas, including science and social studies. Free
admission, parking and lunch! Pre-register early for this event, in
2004, spaces filled up several weeks before this
event. There are six curriculum tracks designed to help you with Art,
Science, Social Studies, Texas History, or early childhood classes.
Select one track from the list. No spouses or children due to the
working nature of this event.
www.fairparkeducators.com
|
This is the annual open
house for educators (including homeschool teachers) that the museums in
the Fort Worth Cultural District hold each September. They have
information available about community resources that you can borrow or
access. It's also an opportunity for teachers to tour the museums for
free.
www.fwculture.com
|
Stay Tuned, more to come
later
Last
updated August 10,
2007 Copyright 2007 Susan
Frederick
|