Homeschooling Family Fun:

Attending the Great Homeschool Convention at the Kalahari Resort & Conventions in Texas was an extraordinary experience for our family. This annual event, held from July 11-13, 2024, brought together thousands of homeschooling families, educators, and exhibitors from across the country. Sponsored by numerous organizations passionate about education and family values, the convention provided a wealth of resources, inspiration, and networking opportunities.

The convention took place at the luxurious Kalahari Resort & Conventions in Round Rock, Texas, offering a perfect blend of educational and recreational activities. The cost for attending the convention varied, with options for single-day passes, full-event passes, and family packages to accommodate different needs and budgets.

Kalahari Resort & Conventions

The Kalahari Resort & Conventions is a premier destination for events and family vacations. Known for its massive indoor waterpark, the resort provided an exciting backdrop for the convention. Attendees had access to a variety of amenities, including spacious rooms, multiple dining options, and entertainment facilities, making it an ideal venue for families with children.

An Overview

The Great Homeschool Convention spanned three days, packed with workshops, keynote sessions, exhibitor booths, and special events. This year, the convention was sponsored by a host of influential organizations, including The Good and the Beautiful, Reading Eggs, Trail Life USA, Focus on Family, Buckaroo Beau Books, Penyo Learning, La Classe Divertida, Nature Workshop Plus, Liberty University, Christian Light, Demme Learning, Medishare, Waterless Cookware, Hifalutin Homeschooler, and the Tuttle Twins among countless others.

John & Rebekah Lovell ~ “Raising Virtuous Rebels”

One of the highlights of the convention was the keynote session by John and Rebekah Lovell titled “Raising Virtuous Rebels.” This talk resonated deeply with us, offering valuable insights into raising children with strong values and a sense of independence, especially in a homeschooling environment.

Key Takeaways

A Christian, Conservative View on Child Raising and Homeschooling on a Farm/Homestead

The Lovells emphasized the importance of instilling Christian values and conservative principles in our children. They advocated for a balanced approach to parenting, where children are neither overly coddled nor left to navigate life’s challenges alone. Instead, they encouraged parents to let their children take risks, particularly boys, as a means of forging resilience and strength.

Talking About the Realities of the World

Another crucial point was the necessity of preparing children for the realities of the world. This includes discussing difficult topics such as the dangers of LGBTQ grooming and the biblical view of gender identity and sexuality when age-appropriate. The Lovells stressed the importance of teaching children the biblical significance of the rainbow as God’s covenant after the great flood, providing a counter-narrative to the secular use of this symbol.

Developing a Good Work Ethic

A significant aspect of the Lovells’ philosophy is the importance of chores in developing a good work ethic. On our homestead, this translates into delegating farm chores to our children, helping them understand the value of hard work and responsibility from an early age.

Encouraging Independent Thinking

The Lovells also highlighted the need to raise children who are not blind rule followers. Teaching them to question and challenge unjust rules is crucial to preventing them from becoming “sheeple” and fostering their ability to think for themselves.

The Importance of History Education

Finally, the Lovells emphasized the importance of teaching history, particularly American history. They recommended the Tuttle Twins books, graphic novels, and shows as excellent resources. Inspired by their advice, we purchased the entire box set bundle and the ABCs and 123s Tuttle Toddler books for our children.

Exploring the Convention

Beyond the keynote sessions, the convention featured a vibrant exhibitor hall with booths from various organizations dedicated to homeschooling. Here are some of the standout exhibitors we visited:

The Good and the Beautiful

Already a staple in our preschool curriculum, The Good and the Beautiful offers high-quality educational materials that integrate academic excellence with strong moral values. Their booth provided us with additional resources and new curriculum options to explore.

Reading Eggs

Reading Eggs is an engaging online program designed to make learning to read fun for young children. Their interactive lessons and activities cater to different learning styles, making it an excellent tool for early literacy.

Trail Life USA

Trail Life USA, akin to the Boy Scouts, focuses on developing boys’ character and leadership through outdoor adventures and Christian values. Their booth highlighted various programs and activities that align with our family’s values and interests.

Focus on Family

Focus on Family is a well-known organization dedicated to strengthening families through biblical principles. Their booth offered a range of resources, including books, workshops, and counseling services, aimed at supporting family life and homeschooling.

Buckaroo Beau Books

Buckaroo Beau Books specializes in children’s literature that celebrates the joys of country living and traditional values. Their charming and educational stories captivated our children and provided us with new reading materials for our homeschool library.

Penyo Learning

Penyo Learning offers innovative educational products and services designed to enhance homeschooling experiences. Their booth showcased a variety of learning tools, including interactive apps and curriculum guides.

La Classe Divertida

La Classe Divertida provides fun and engaging language learning resources, particularly in Spanish. Their immersive approach to language education caught our attention, and we plan to incorporate their materials into our homeschool curriculum.

Nature Workshop Plus

Nature Workshop Plus focuses on hands-on science and nature studies, offering kits and materials that encourage exploration and curiosity. Their booth inspired us to integrate more outdoor learning activities into our homeschool routine.

Liberty University

Liberty University, a prominent Christian university, had a booth promoting their online programs and dual enrollment options for homeschoolers. Their flexible and faith-based approach to higher education aligns with our long-term educational goals for our children.

Christian Light

Christian Light offers a comprehensive homeschooling curriculum rooted in Christian values. Their booth provided us with additional resources and support for our homeschooling journey.

Demme Learning

Demme Learning, known for their Math-U-See program, offers a structured and hands-on approach to math education. Their booth featured various math resources that cater to different learning styles and needs.

Medishare

Medishare is a Christian healthcare sharing ministry that provides an alternative to traditional health insurance. Their booth offered information on how their program works and how it can benefit homeschooling families.

Waterless Cookware

Waterless Cookware promotes healthy cooking methods using high-quality, waterless cookware. Their booth demonstrated the benefits of their products, which are ideal for preparing nutritious meals for our family.

Hifalutin Homeschooler

Jennifer Cabrera, a fellow Texan homeschool mom of three boys and a friend from Facebook, was at the Hifalutin Homeschooler booth. Known for her humorous and relatable take on homeschooling, Jennifer’s booth was a highlight, providing both resources and entertainment.

Tuttle Twins

The Tuttle Twins, known for their engaging books and educational resources that teach children about economics, government, and liberty, had an impressive booth at the convention. Their materials are designed to make complex topics accessible and interesting for young minds. We were thrilled to purchase the entire box set bundle and the ABCs and 123s Tuttle Toddler books for our children, adding a valuable resource to our homeschool library.

Meeting Like-Minded Families

One of the most rewarding aspects of the convention was meeting like-minded families who share our homeschooling values and experiences. We were thrilled to connect with a wonderful family who had four sons aged 4, 3, 2, and 1. Coincidentally, one of their sons was also named Leon, just like our own son!

Our conversations with them reinforced the sense of community that these conventions foster. Sharing stories, tips, and encouragement with other homeschooling parents was invaluable, and it reminded us that we are not alone on this journey.

Our time at the Great Homeschool Convention at the Kalahari Resort & Conventions was nothing short of transformative. The insights from John and Rebekah Lovell’s keynote session, the wealth of resources from the exhibitor booths, and the connections we made with other homeschooling families all contributed to a memorable and enriching experience.

As we continue our homeschooling journey, we feel more equipped, inspired, and connected than ever before. The convention not only provided us with practical tools and resources but also reaffirmed our commitment to raising virtuous, independent-thinking children grounded in Christian values. We look forward to attending future conventions and continuing to grow within this incredible community.