HS Conference Season (Full Version)

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roligirl -> HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 8:57:04 AM)

HS Conference Season is upon us! Do you plan to attend a state conference, why or why not?



roligirl -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 9:00:22 AM)

I'm planning on attending this year, but I haven't attended for a couple years. I find it a bit overwhelming when I don't have a purchasing objective. But I have my shopping list in hand and a budget, so hubby and I will be attending. Hopefully, kiddos can hang at aunties' house for the afternoon.



misaham -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 9:40:54 AM)

I am planning on attending one. I have not attended one since about 7 years ago, in another state. I am kinda overwhelmed by it all, but plan to go to find out more information on curriculum and choices that are out there.



Karaboo2 -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 10:26:42 AM)

There is one I really want to attend, but it is 3 hours away, and dh has to work both days. Kids are not welcomed at the conference, unless they are teenagers (they have a separate section of the conference for them). I mostly want to go to see the various curricula vendors. I contacted the organizer and asked if it was possible to visit the vendor room without actually partaking in the 'formal' conference (especially since the vendor room has times separate from the conference times). I was told NO, and to go to one of the local group's resale displays. Well, I wanted to see a selection from ALL of the vendors, not just whatever people don't want any longer. I want to TALK to the company reps. AARGH!!! I even said that I wouldn't object to paying a small fee to enter the vendor room. But I guess it is all or nothing ... and for a one day pass to the conference, it is $50 ($60 for both days). And I would still need to find a sitter plus drive 3 hours each way.

So no, I will not be attending. I will, however, be writing to the various vendors I had hoped to visit, and inform them that the conference organizers are prohibiting non-conference attendees from viewing their resources, and could they possibly send me a catalogue and a sample of a lesson.



dottedmom -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 10:28:14 AM)

We have gone every year since we started. We just finished year 4. We pulled our kids out of Pub. School.---LONGGGGGGGG story.

We go to the one in Kansas City. We have gone to the one in Wichita, but we seem to like the KC one better.

any one else going to be going to that one?? I would love to meet you.



misaham -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 10:52:24 AM)

quote:

I will, however, be writing to the various vendors I had hoped to visit, and inform them that the conference organizers are prohibiting non-conference attendees from viewing their resources

That is the way it is here. I think that is a good idea to write to the vendors. The last time I attended, you just showed up and looked around at our leisure. I am not looking forward to paying either. And I don't really understand the conference speaker thing. I do not want to sit and listen to a speaker all day. My husband said that he thinks that the talks are usually short, and you can go to whatever ones you want to.
(Our conference is not until late June. Wish it was sooner.)



Calea37 -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 11:02:24 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: roligirl

HS Conference Season is upon us! Do you plan to attend a state conference, why or why not?


I'm thinking about attending my first one ever. Do you who have been to them before think they are worth it? It would be a three hour drive; no biggie if it is worthwhile, but I hate to waste the time/money/effort if they aren't really helpful.



Calea37 -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 11:04:05 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: misaham

quote:

I will, however, be writing to the various vendors I had hoped to visit, and inform them that the conference organizers are prohibiting non-conference attendees from viewing their resources

That is the way it is here. I think that is a good idea to write to the vendors. The last time I attended, you just showed up and looked around at our leisure. I am not looking forward to paying either. And I don't really understand the conference speaker thing. I do not want to sit and listen to a speaker all day. My husband said that he thinks that the talks are usually short, and you can go to whatever ones you want to.
(Our conference is not until late June. Wish it was sooner.)


Oops...guess this one answers some of my questions.. lol

The one in June is the one I am planning on going to. Have you been to this particular one before? Do you take your kids?



ddsisson -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 11:21:54 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: misaham

I am planning on attending one. I have not attended one since about 7 years ago, in another state. I am kinda overwhelmed by it all, but plan to go to find out more information on curriculum and choices that are out there.



Are you going to the one in Cinci??



misaham -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 11:26:26 AM)

I did not know about one in Cincy! I just knew about the CHEO one in Columbus. Do you have any info on the Cincy one? That would be SO much closer!

Had not even thought about the kids. Would like to take them. They had a blast last time we went (several years ago). It helps to have them see the stuff (curriculum, manipulatives, etc). Esp my son, who seems to be drawn to some stuff more than others. For example, someone mentioned a math computer program (forgot what it is called, but you subscribe). I thought it looked perfect for him, but he was not at all interested. He would rather do his math textbook, and he is not a textbook learner! Strange!

Anyway, I wanted us all to go. I would love info on the Cincy one. Thanks! The only one that I have ever been to was in Anchorage, Alaska.



cynthia -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 12:05:56 PM)

I plan to go to the WHO (Washington Homeschool Organization) convention this year. It's not until June.



dottedmom -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 12:19:44 PM)

Finally a subject I know alittle about!!

the One in Kansas City put on by MPE is VERY good--$35 for both days plus--a newsletter for a year.

KC is a 4 hour drive for us. They usually have a WONDERFUL kids program. the speakers are AWESOME--explaining different products, and how to handle different issues that we face as HS-ers.

It is totally worth the effort. Especially if you are a hands on --like to see the actual item--that you are looking for. BUT there is always the temptation to purchase more than you need.



cindybode -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 12:22:59 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: misaham

And I don't really understand the conference speaker thing. I do not want to sit and listen to a speaker all day. My husband said that he thinks that the talks are usually short, and you can go to whatever ones you want to.



There is a keynote speaker in the morning each day, and then the rest of the day is divided up into sessions of about 45min each. There are usually 7 or 8 speakers going simultaneously each session, and you go to whichever ones you want to. At some point you need to decide to skip a session or two so you can eat and go through the vendor hall. That is the hardest part - there are usually so many good speakers that it can be hard to decide which session to skip.

I would highly recommend going to a conference if at all possible. Even though I have been homeschooling a long time, I always get something out of it. It is a little easier for me to find time to go through the vendor hall because I just don't need some of the information anymore - I know the law well and I am usually not looking for new curriculum - but I always get enough new information and encouragement that I think it's well worth the price of admission.

Many years ago CHEO used to sell a vendor hall only ticket - they stopped doing that because there are just so many people there that it becomes impossible to keep track of who has what ticket, and unfortunately they had a lot of people sneaking into the conference who hadn't paid.



Karaboo2 -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 12:30:07 PM)

I guess the way I'm looking at it is this -- as far as I've been informed, the vendors are set up right inside the door, and then there is another set of double doors you need to use to get into the 'actual' conference ... why can't there be coloured name tags or something for conference participants, and if you didn't have one, you couldn't go past the vendor room??? That way the vendors aren't losing business by being denied access to ALL interested HS parents ... especially since this is the ONLY time they are all together in one place. I mean, I'm still a relative newbie when it comes to everything, and we've found that A Beka doesn't work well for ds. It has been suggested that we try Konos for him, but I want to SEE the materials prior to buying them ... and SEE if other vendors have something that might be even more appropriate.



shadowspring -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 1:53:18 PM)

I haven't been to a state convention in years.

The last one I went to, we expected it to be a family vacation. It was at the most amazing hotel with the most awesome pool- fountains, slides of varying sizes, a hot tub- something for everyone.

Unfortunately, some thoughtless mother put her kid in diapers in the pool. [:'(] The child pooped and the pool was shut down for 24 hours. My children never got in the water that day. I went in the hot tub, but other hs parents let their kids play unattended in the hot tub, and there was no relaxing for adults in that hot tub![:@]

Not to worry, we thought. We are here till Monday. But Sunday, within an hour of reopening, another thoughtless hs parent put a poopy baby in the pool.[:'(] [:'(]This time, the pool was shut down for 48 hours.

We spent a lot of money that weekend, and my family was so disappointed. I can order everything I need from catalogs or online. I don't go anymore.

But I will add, they were a wonderful resource my first few years of home schooling, because you can see the product and talk to the vendors before forking over your money[:D]Plus, the lectures were all very informative in the beginning. [:D]So I would for sure go if I was a newbie!

But don't take the spouse and kids, expecting a fun time for all. And if you have a child in diapers, please don't put him/her in the pool without approved swim nappies! It ruins it for everyone else.



cynthia -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 1:58:55 PM)

Shadow, I sighed through your entire post. It is staggering how thoughtless some people can be.



amybreit -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 2:43:51 PM)

Not sure if I'll go this year or not, lots depends on how dh is feeling after surgery. It is usually right around my dd's birthday (early May), so my parents are usually in town (or can make sure they are) so we have babysitters available!!! Our convention does a "shopping only" pass (it's cheaper & gives you access to the vendor hall, but not the speakers. I may do that unless some of the speakers really peak my interest! Last year, the only one I really got anything out of was a keynote speaker. I agree that in my first few years, I got a lot more out of the speakers. Of course, if they have some getting through high school topics - I will probably sign up!

The vendors areas can be overwhelming - my advice is to make a list of things you KNOW you need & Don't buy anything that is NOT on that list - unless it is something that fills a need &/or is a really good deal, otherwise just get brochures/catalogs & order later when you can evaluate what you really need & which thing will best fit! Also - bring a rolling suitcase or crate on wheels or something to save your back (even the brochures & things you collect can get heavy!!)!



ddsisson -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 3:15:17 PM)

quote:

I did not know about one in Cincy! I just knew about the CHEO one in Columbus. Do you have any info on the Cincy one? That would be SO much closer!


It is this weekend(Fri and Sat) HERE is the link to their site.



misaham -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 4:12:35 PM)

quote:

It is this weekend(Fri and Sat) HERE is the link to their site.

Oh my gosh! This weekend! I was hoping that it was sooner than late June, but I don't know if I am ready to go that quickly. Especially since I cannot afford to order anything until later in the year. I might check it out and go anyway, just to check things out. Eek!!



Calea37 -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 4:23:46 PM)

So, do you actually purchase things from the vendors on that day if you want to?



Karaboo2 -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 4:28:42 PM)

I've found that a few vendors will say that if you order your materials from a vendor display, you get a discount or the shipping is waived, etc. (Which is a huge deal if you live in Canada ... a lot of places charge a shipping fee equal to 25% of the purchase price!)



operalady -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 6:54:54 PM)

NOPE!!!
'cause I'm all done!!! my last graduates this spring!



misaham -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 8:49:01 PM)

quote:

It is this weekend(Fri and Sat) HERE is the link to their site.


In checking out the Cincy one, and the Columbus one (CHEO), it looks like kids are welcome at the Cincy one, but not the Columbus one! I really want to go to the Cincy one, but am not sure if I am ready to go so soon. Plus my hubby could probably not get off work on such short notice!
However, the other option is waiting until June, and not being able to bring my son! ICK!!!

I just sent CHEO an e-mail asking if their "price structure" (which states that a "family includes teens, parents and grandparents", and my daughter is 13 and my son is 11) means that my son is not welcome.



ddsisson -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/25/2008 10:32:27 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Calea37

So, do you actually purchase things from the vendors on that day if you want to?



You can.

quote:

I really want to go to the Cincy one, but am not sure if I am ready to go so soon.


Well let me know and maybe we can meet. I am going Friday.



misaham -> RE: HS Conference Season (3/26/2008 7:52:21 AM)

quote:

Well let me know and maybe we can meet. I am going Friday.

Are you? I am seriously considering it. Are you going alone or with kids or hubby??



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