Archives for January 2018

When you consider the wonderful and vast array of learning opportunities in the world for our children, travel stands out as a teacher like no other. Educational family travel has the ability to breathe life into learning, expand our minds, and fuel our passions.

The possibilities of educational family travel experiences in the U.S. and Central America are endless and can also seem overwhelming, so we’ve put together a list of ideas for 10 incredible educational family adventures. And if you can’t easily travel to any of these destinations – take the same learning concept from our examples and apply that to a city that’s closer to home or even in your own hometown.

10. Vernal, Utah: The Land of Dinosaurs

Dinosaurland is the area around the Dinosaur National Monument and just a few hours drive from Salt Lake City, UT. I feel like every child goes through a dinosaur phase and with great reason – it’s amazing to think about these huge animals that once roamed the planet. In Dinosaur land, you can explore many areas such as the Quarry Visitor Center and Quarry Exhibit Hall where you can view real dinosaur bones. Also, since this area has such beautiful terrain, it’s a great place to get out and hike to search for exposed fossils in the surrounding rocks. Family travel blogger, No Back Home recommends the Desert Voices Trail. It consists of geology and ecology signs written and drawn by children and for children. Distance: 1.5 miles.

*Need a shorter hike for smaller kids: try the Box Canyon Trail that is 1/2 mile level walk into a shady box canyon.
*Another great resource for planning a dinosaur themed educational trip to this area: The Uintah County Visitor’s Site

9. San Diego, California: Animals Galore

There are lots of great places to study and learn about different animals and their habitats around the country! San Diego has two great places that help showcase animals that you might not find living in the woods behind your house. In 2015, Trip Advisor deemed the San Diego Zoo as the number one zoo in the world. Traveling to China might not be in the budget, but you can learn about and visit the giant pandas. Visiting them will teach your children about these beautiful, shy creatures and the country and habitat they live in.

San Diego Safari Park will take you around the world to Africa. Here you and your children can witness animals in their natural habitat where zebras, giraffes and rhinos hang out at the watering hole together. Want to add adventure to your learning? Take the Flightline Safari!

8. Washington D.C.: Our Country’s History

Where better to learn about the history of our great country than in our Nation’s Capital! Families can visit the Supreme Court, the White House, visit war monuments and stand where great speeches were made – plus, there are over 70 museums – many free – to learn all about our country, leaders, and culture. To help guide an educational visit to Washington D.C., we love this post by Keryn from Walking on Travels.

7. A Volunteer Vacation: Service Learning Through Educational Family Travel

Kindness starts in each of our homes. However, teaching our kids about giving back to the community and the world we live in is something that is taught and modeled. Why not get the entire family involved and have a destination volunteer vacation? There are organizations that offer family volunteer vacations right here in the United States. Check out this article that provides organizations to further research to determine if they are a fit for your family.

6. Nashville: Music

Do you have a music-lover in your crew? Nashville – otherwise known as Music City – is a wonderful destination for kids and families – and there are plenty of opportunities to add some educational music history, and experiences! From the Grand Ole Opry to The Country Music Hall of Fame – from the historic Ryman Auditorium to songwriters night at The Bluebird Cafe – Nashville is like no other and is a fabulous family-friendly city where you can teach kids and have tons of fun too! We love Sarah’s post at TheWanderingRumpus.com for 10 kid-friendly places to hear music in Nashville.

5. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Erosion and Invasive Species

About 5.5 hours north of Chicago lies Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a 35 mile stretch of amazing scenery on the coastline of Lake Michigan. There are a lot of great outdoor adventures to be had here as a family, but it’s also a wonderful teaching opportunity to learn about erosion through the giant sand dunes and the invasive species that have ended up in Lake Michigan.

4. Panama: Educational Family Travel to Learn Spanish

Consider taking your family on a Spanish learning trip. Deb from The Family Backpack talks about her experience with her two daughters.

“Studying in a Spanish-speaking country is SO much better than studying at home. From a language perspective, you are surrounded by Spanish and get to instantly use what you learn. You quickly develop an ear for the language, passively absorbing vocabulary and phrases as you go about your day. Being forced to conjugate that verb in order to eat at a restaurant is a huge motivator, and your skills develop so much faster with the constant ability to practice.”

You can read more about Deb’s experiece and her review of Habla Ya in Boquete, Panama on The Family Backpack.

3. A National Park: Junior Ranger Program

Our National Parks are pretty awesome and we are so lucky to have the Junior Ranger program providing instant learning for kids at any National Park. Are you aware that kids in 4th Grade get a FREE park pass? Yes, you heard right. The pass admits all children under 16 and up to three adults for FREE! We just had to say that word FREE one more time as it sounds so good. Homeschoolers are included, and you can learn more on Every Kid In A Park’s website. Want to introduce the kids to the parks before traveling? Check out the WebRanger program and the National Park Service’s teacher page.

2. Monterey, CA: Oceans

Since the oceans cover more than 70% of the earth’s surface, it seems fitting that oceanography should make our list. One of our favorite places to learn about our oceans is the Monterey Aquarium. Plan on spending an entire day here as there are lots of hands on opportunities and things to watch every day – such as the otter feeding. After you’ve gotten your fill at the aquarium you can get out on a local beach in this coastal town and experience the ocean first hand as a family.

Find a great teaching guide designed by the Monterey Aquarium at this link.

1. New York City: The Melting Pot

As most people will tell you there is no city like New York City in the U.S. NYC has it ALL. The City has an abundance of opportunities to teach your children about cultures from all over the world. You can start at the Statue of Liberty and end in Little Italy. Food is another excellent way to teach your kids about countries and cultures, and you can eat from anywhere around the globe while you’re in NYC. We have curated the best of the posts on New York to make it less overwhelming when planning a trip here.

Our Guest Author:

A Travel Pro’s Top Educational Family Adventures is brought to you by the creator of The Family Backpack, Andrea Khan
She says, “I first ventured out of the country to France in high school and I have been traveling ever since. Now with a husband and three school-aged kids, I have 31 countries and 30-plus states under my belt. I still have a lot of the planet to explore and adventures to experience – and I can’t wait to do so with my family!

While planning our family vacations over the last decade, I combed through hundreds of family travel blogs. I found myself wishing there was one place – one site – that was easy to search and contained the best of these posts. And so I created one, The Family Backpack.”

Visit The Family Backpack to help plan your next adventure or educational family travel with your kiddos!

More TCHSL post featuring educational Family travel

Attending a homeschool convention, conference, or expo is an excellent opportunity for you and your family to find resources, learn of opportunities available, and strengthen your teaching skills. You can find a convention to attend in every corner of the USA, and in many places around the world. Search this list of all the 2018 homeschool conferences available. If you want more information about attending a conference, see our Homeschool Convention Series at this link!

When it comes to homeschool conventions, they are hosted by many different companies and organizations. Some identify as Christian, some as secular, and some don’t specify and welcome anyone. When the information is available, it will be included in the listing below.

Label Key:

Christian – The convention/conference is aimed at Christian homeschoolers
Christian based – The organization or company hosting the event identifies as Christian, but anyone is welcome to attend.
Inclusive – The event has no affiliation and everyone is welcomed.
Secular – The event is exclusive of religion.
Education focused – The event organizers focus solely on education and have no religious leanings.
Other affiliations may be included that offer more information.

The following is simply a list of all conventions, conferences, and expos centered around homeschooling that could be found. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement, and it is possible that a convention has been missed. Please contact the blog author if you know of an event that needs to be added.

United States Homeschool Convention and Conference Listings

Alabama

– CHEF of Alabama Convention and Curriculum Fair – June 22-23 – Birmingham, AL – Link – CHEF is Christian based

– Teach Them Diligently – May 3-5 – Mobile, AL – Link – Christian based

Alaska

– Alaska Private and Home Educators Association Convention – April 6-7 – Anchorage, AK – Link – Christian based

Arizona

– Arizona Families for Home Education – July 13-14 – Phoenix, AZ – Link – AFHE is Christian based

Arkansas

– Teach Them Diligently – March 22-24 – Rogers, AR – Link – Christian based

California

– California Homeschool Network Family Expo – September 6-9 – Garden Grove, CA – Link – Inclusive

– CHEA – June 28-29 – Pasadena, CA – Link – Christian

– Great Homeschool Conventions – June 14-16 – Ontario, CA – Link – Christian based

– Homeschool Association of California – August 9-12 – San Jose, CA – Link – Inclusive of all

– HSC DiscoveryCon – February 2-4 – Garden Grove, CA – Link – Inclusive

– SCOPE & CHEA Family Discipleship & Homeschool Conference – June 8-9 – Rocklin, CA – Link – Christian

– Southern California Catholic Home Educators​ Convention and Curriculum Fair – June 23 – Costa Mesa, CA – Link – Catholic

– Valley Home Educators Convention – July 27-28 – Modesto, CA – Link – Christian based

Colorado

– Northern Colorado Home Educators’ Expo – No conference for 2018, possible future conferences – Loveland, CO – Link – Christian based

– Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference – June 14-16 – Denver, CO – Link – Christian based

Connecticut

– CT Homeschool Network 2017 Conference – June 16 – Middletown, CT – Link – Inclusive

Delaware

Florida

– FPEA Florida Homeschool Convention – May 24-26 – Orlando, FL – Link – Christian based

– Jacksonville Catholic Homeschool Conference – June 8 – Jacksonville, FL – Link – Catholic

– Tampa Catholic Homeschool Conference – June 14 – Tampa, FL – Link – Catholic

Georgia

– Secular, Eclectic, Academic Homeschoolers Conference – July 12-15 – Atlanta, GA – Link – Secular

– Southeast Homeschool Expo – July 27-28 – Atlanta, GA – Link – Open to all **(The TCHSL publisher, Lesli, will be speaking at this event! Stop by the table and say, “Hi!” **

– Teach Them Diligently – April 5-7 – Atlanta, GA – Link – Christian based

Hawaii

– Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii Conference – March 9-10 – Honolulu, HI – Link – Christian

– Hawai’i Island Homeschool Network Conference – Date not published at time of posting, Check link – Link – This organization is inclusive of all homeschoolers

Idaho

– CHOIS Homeschool Convention – June 1-2 – Nampa, ID – Link – Christian

Illinois

– APACHE Homeschool Convention – March 8-10 – Edwards, IL – Link – Christian based

– Central Illinois Christian Homeschooling Association – 2018 Details not published at time of posting – Springfield, IL – Link – Christian based

– Chicago Catholic Homeschooling Conference – July 12-13 – Woodridge, IL – Link – Catholic

– ICHE Annual State Convention – May 31-June 2 – Naperville, IL – Link – Christian

– ICHE Southern Illinois Conference – March 24 – Salem, IL – Link – Christian

Indiana

– FWAHS Expo and Workshops – May 18-19 – Ft. Wayne, IN – Link – Christian based

– Holy Family Home Enrichment Homeschool Conference – May 19 – Indianapolis, IN – Link – Catholic

– IAHE Home Educators’ Convention – March 23-24 – Indianapolis, IN – Link – Christian based

Iowa

– Homeschool Iowa Conference – May 31-June 2 – Coralville, IA – Link – Christian based

Kansas

– Kansas City Conference for Catholic Homeschoolers – June 1-2 – Overland Park, MO – Link – Catholic

– TPA Convention – April 13-14 – Wichita, KS – Link – Christian based

Kentucky

Louisiana

– Lafayette Catholic Homeschooling Conference – April 13 – Lafayette, LA – Link – Catholic

– Southeast Louisiana Catholic Homeschooling Conference – April 2-3 – Covington, LA – Link – Catholic

Maine

– Homeschoolers of Maine Convention – March 15-17 – Rockport, ME – Link – The HOME organization has a Christian background

Maryland

– Maryland Catholic Homeschool Conference – June 1 – Mt. Airy, MD – Link – Catholic

– Maryland State Home School Curriculum Fair – April 20-21 – Frederick, MD – Link – Christian based

Massachusetts

– MassHOPE Christian Homeschool & Family Discipleship Conference – April 26-28 – Worcester, MA – Link – Christian

– New England Catholic Homeschool Conference – July 20 – Lowell, MA – Link – Catholic

Michigan

– Information Network for Christian Homes Conference – May 17-19 – Lansing, MI – Link – Christian

– Michigan Catholic Homeschool Conference – Date TBD, However this is listed as a 2018 location. – Lansing, MI – Link – Catholic

Minnesota

– MACHE Conference – April 13-14 – Rochester, MN – Link – Christian based

– Minnesota Catholic Homes Education Conference – June 1-2 – St. Paul, MN – Link – Catholic

Mississippi

– Mississippi Home Educators Association Spring Conference – May 18-19 – Starkville, MS – Link – Christian based

Missouri

– Great Homeschool Conventions – July 19-21 – St. Charles, MO – Link – Christian based

– Midwest Parent Educators Homeschool Conference – April 6-7 – Kansas City, MO – Link – Christian based

– St. Louis Catholic Homeschooling Conference – June 8 – St. Louis, MO – Link – Catholic

Montana

Nebraska

– NCHEA Conference and Curriculum Fair – April 27-28 – Lincoln, NE – Link – Christian

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

– ENOCH Homeschool Conference – Dates TBA – Lincroft, NJ – Link – Christian based

– New York Catholic Homeschooling Conference – July 27-28 – Mahwah, NJ – Link – Catholic

New Mexico

– CAPE-NM New Mexico Christian Homeschool Convention – April 19-21 – Albuquerque, NM – Link – Christian

New York

– Loving Education at Home Downstate Convention – Date TBA – Patchogue, NY – Link – Christian based

– Loving Education at Home EPIC Event – March 17 – Fulton, NY – Link (Event listing can be found on the LEAH Facebook page. Website is not updated to 2018 events yet.)- Christian based

North Carolina

– Charlotte Catholic Homeschool Conference – May 25 – Belmont, NC – Link – Catholic

– Lifeschooling Conference and Activities Fair – July 11-13, 2019 – Matthews, NC – Link – Christian

– Thrive! The NCHE Homeschool Conference – May 31-June 2 – Winston-Salem, NC – Link – Christian based

North Dakota

The North Dakota Homeschool Association Convention – February 15-17 – Grand Forks, ND – Link – Christian based

Ohio

– Cleveland Catholic Homeschooling Conference – July 20 – Berea, OH – Link – Catholic

– Dayton Catholic Homeschooling Conference – June 29-30 – Huber Heights, OH – Link – Catholic

– Great Homeschool Conventions – April 12-14 – Cincinnati, OH – Link – Christian based

– Teach Them Diligently – June 7-9 – Columbus, OH – Link – Christian based

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Homeschool Convention – May 4-5 – Oklahoma City, OK – Link – Christian based

Oregon

– LIFE is Good Unschooling Conference – May 24-27 – Tigard, OR – Link – No affiliation

– Oregon Christian Home Education Conference – June 22-23 – Albany, OR – Link – Christian

– Mid-Valley Homeschool Conference – February 10 – Lebanon, OR – Link – Christian based

Pennsylvania

– CHAP Convention – June 1-2 – Lancaster, PA – Link – Christian based

Rhode Island

South Carolina

– Great Homeschool Conventions – March 8-10 – Greenville, SC – Link – Christian based

– Low Country Homeschool Convention – May 31-June 1 – Charleston, SC – Link – Open to all, affiliations unknown

– Teach Them Diligently – May 17-19 – Myrtle Beach, SC – Link – Christian based

South Dakota

– Sioux Empire Christian Home Educators Conference – May 11-12 – Sioux Falls, SD – Link – Christian

Tennessee

– Chattanooga Southeast Tennessee Home Education Association Curriculum Fair – 2018 Date TPA, check website for more info – East Ridge, TN – Link – Christian based

– Teach Them Diligently – March 8-10 – Nashville, TN – Link – Christian based

– Wild + Free Conference -September 28-29 (Event is sold out, but 2019 dates will be announced in May 2018) – Franklin, TN – Link – Inclusive, but Christian owned. Wild + Free is more of a mom’s retreat than a convention.

Texas

– ARCH Houston Catholic Homeschool Conference – June 8-9 – Houston, TX – Link – Catholic

– Great Homeschool Conventions – March 15-27 – Fort Worth, TX – Link – Christian based

– Homeschool Family Expo – March 10 – Spring, TX – Link – Open to all

– North Texas Catholic Homeschooling Conference – July 6-7 – Grapevine, TX – Link – Catholic

– Saint Anne Catholic Homeschool Support – 2018 Dates TBA, Check link for more info. – San Antonio, TX – Link – Catholic

– THSC Convention – Arlington – May 10-12 – Arlington, TX – Link – Organization is Christian based, but THSC is open to all

– THSC Convention – The Woodlands – May 31-June 2 – The Woodlands, TX – Link – Organization is Christian based, but THSC is open to all

Utah

– LDSHE Conference West – May 30-June 1 – Logan, UT – Link – LDS

– UHEA Homeschool Convention and Curriculum Fair – 2018 Dates TBA, Check link for more info. – Layton, UT – Link – Seems to be Education focused

Vermont

Virginia

– HEAV Convention – June 7-9 – Richmond, VA – Link – Organization is Christian based, but HEAV is open to all

– LDSHE Conference East – May 16-18 – Williamsburg, VA – Link – LDS

– National Catholic Homeschool Conference – June 22-23 – Fredericksburg, VA – Link – Catholic

– VaHomeschoolers Conference and Resource Fair – March 23-24 – Glen Allen, VA – Link – No religious affiliation

Washington

– North Sound Homeschool Fair – April 14 – Mount Vernon, WA – Link – Christian based – Link still has 2017 information, but the fair is listed on the Hill Creek Christian site. Please call Hill Creek Christian for more information.

– Washington State Family Discipleship and Homeschooling Conference – April 26-28 – Redmond, WA – Link – Christian

– WHO Convention – June 22-23 – Auburn, WA – Link – Inclusive

West Virginia

Wisconsin

– The Unschoolers Platform – February 25-March 2 – Lake Geneva, WI – Link – Inclusive

– Wisconsin Parents Association – May 4-5 – Stevens Point, WI – Link – Inclusive

Wyoming

Homeschoolers of Wyoming – Dates TBA – Link – Christian Based

Homeschool Convention and Conference Listings Outside the USA

Canada

– Canadian Online Homeschool Convention – Feb 2-11 (Sessions available for purchase) – Online – Link – Inclusive

Alberta

– AHEA Convention – April 12-14 – Red Deer, AB – Link – Christian

– Western Canadian Catholic Home School Conference – March 22-24 – Edmonton, AB – Link – Catholic

British Columbia

– British Columbia Christian Home Educators’ Convention – April 27-28 – Kelowna, BC – Link – Christian

Manitoba

– Manitoba Association of Christian Schools Conference – March 23-24 – Winnipeg, MB – Link – Christian

New Brunswick

– Home Educators of New Brunswick Conference – May 25-26 – Sussex, NB – Link – Christian based

Newfoundland

Northwest Territories

Nova Scotia

– HEMS Spring Conference – April 27-28 – Lower Sackville, NS – Link – Christian based

Nunavut

Ontario

– Kitchener-Waterloo Christian Home Educators’ Association Conference – April 7 – Kitchener, ON – Link – Christian

– Ontario Christian Home Educators Convention – May 4-5 – Ancaster, ON – Link – Christian

– Rideau Valley Home Educators’ Association Conference – April 21 – Kanata, ON – Link – Christian based

Prince Edward Island

Quebec

– The Association of Christian Parent-Educators of Quebec Conference – June 8-9 – Laval, QC – Link – Christian

Saskatchewan

– Saskatchewan Home Based Educators – February 23-24 – Regina, SK – Link – Inclusive

Yukon

Great Britain

– AEFES Home Education Festival – July 21-28 – East Sussex – Link – Inclusive

– Christian Educator’s Conference – Dates and Location TBA, Likely in December, Check link for more info – Link – Christian

Australia

– Mum Heart Conference – June 22-24 – Kingscliff, NSW – Link – Christian

– The Master Plan Conference – March 8-11 – Wellington, NSW – Link – Christian

South Africa

– Homeschoolers South Africa Homeschooler Expos – September 15, Cape Town – Link – Inclusive

Japan

– CHEA Japan – 2018 Dates and locations TBA – Link – Christian based

Mexico

– Family Adventure Summit – October 30-November 2 – San Miguel de Allende, Mexico – Link – Inclusive, Aimed at long term traveling families

Other International Conventions

Global Home Education Conference – May 21-25, 2018 – Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia – Link – Learn more by visiting the 2016 GHEC site

More Great Convention Posts from This Crazy Homeschool Life: