PARENTING & HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE

Since 1984, CHEA has been hosting an annual homeschool event that features workshops for homeschoolers at all stages, an exhibit hall with curriculum, resources, and services, children's and teen conventions, high school graduation, and much more. Join other homeschool families from across the state as you are encouraged and equipped for the school year ahead. This is an event you don't want to miss!
Members Only Early Bird Registration - March 13-19

Event Policies

CHEA’s Parenting and Homeschool Conference promises to be one of the most exciting homeschool conventions around, with many new and unique offerings and a new location, Calvary Chapel Downey. Our goal, as always, is to provide you with the resources you need to train your children, and to give you a quality event with an atmosphere that glorifies God. We continue to offer the popular Exhibit Hall, exhibitor workshops, and great speakers. This year, CHEA again hosts a Mini-Conference on Thursday, free for those interested in homeschooling, a “Life After High School” Night, free for high school students and their parents, a High School Graduation, Children’s Convention, and Teen Convention.

It is important that you read the information provided here to help you navigate the wealth of information related to the operation and benefits associated with the Convention. By registering for this event you are signifying that you have read and agree to abide by the Event Policies for this event.

Admittance and Convention ID

The wristband is your admission ticket to all areas of the Convention. Wristbands are for the sole use of the registered attendee and may not be transferred or shared. Each registered adult and accompanying minor family members will receive one wristband for all days of the Convention. All Additional Family Members will also receive a wristband. Teens registered for the Teen Convention will have a different wristband from their parents–one band for both days of the event. Children registered for the Children’s Convention will also receive separate wristbands for the Children’s Convention.

Cell Phones and Mobile Devices

Please turn off all cell phones and mobile devices (or place on silent/vibrate mode) so you will not disturb the speaker, other attendees, and session recording. If you receive a call during the session, please wait until the session is over or leave the room to answer the call. Parents with children attending the Children’s Convention must place their cell phone on vibrate so Children’s Convention staff can contact you if needed but not interrupt other Convention activities.

Changes in Registration

If you wish to make any changes to your registration prior to Convention, please contact our office Monday through Thursday between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. If you wish to make changes at Convention, please visit the Registration Booth in the foyer of the South Sanctuary.

Children at the Convention

There is no childcare available for children under five. Children four and under are welcome to join their parents at no charge in all parts of the Convention. All older children (ages 5-18) must either be included in Family Registration (no extra charge, but children’s names must be listed) or registered for Children’s Convention or Teen Convention. Seating is limited in all meeting rooms. We ask parents with children to take advantage of the family seating in the back of the room. Strollers may be used for the Exhibit Hall, however you must leave strollers outside of meeting rooms due to space limitations and Fire Marshall Regulations. Strollers may never be left in aisles or walkways.

Contacting CHEA During the Event

CHEA can be reached during the event by calling 562-864-2432. This number is for use during Convention during the following hours:

  • Thursday, July 13: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Friday, July 14: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 15: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Disclaimer

The presence of a particular speaker or exhibitor at this Convention does not constitute an endorsement of their product or service or imply that a comprehensive evaluation of specific products or services has been made by CHEA. CHEA endeavors to present speakers and exhibitors whose materials are compatible with biblical principles, and our first choice is always to have Christians presenting these materials; however, if a speaker or exhibitor has material which would be beneficial to home educators, their participation is not restricted because they may not subscribe to specific religious doctrines. If you have convictions about doing business with non-Christians or are uncertain about the content of specific material, please clarify this with the individual speaker or exhibitor before making your purchase or signing a contract for services.

First Aid

Major injuries or illnesses should be reported to the Information Booth immediately. Bandages, aspirin, and other over-the-counter medications are available for purchase at several nearby stores and pharmacies.

Food

Calvary Chapel Downey has a cafe that serves various types of drinks and snacks. There will also be a variety of food trucks in the church’s south parking lot with food available to purchase. For nearby attractions, information will be available at the CHEA Information Booth, or on the City of Downey’s website.

Food and drinks are not allowed in the Main Sanctuary.

Full Workshop Sessions

We know it can be very disappointing when you can’t get into the session you were looking forward to hearing. We do the best we can to select appropriate room sizes for speakers. Please understand that if you are turned away by a room host/hostess, it is due to Fire Marshall Regulations that do not allow seating on the floor or standing in the back. We suggest you try to arrive at the room early, and have an alternative workshop in mind just in case. You may also choose another session and order the missed session’s audio from the CHEA Audio Store. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Getting Around 

A facility map will be included in your Convention Program.

Health & Safety Waiver

I acknowledge and understand that my participation includes possible exposure to and illness from infectious diseases, including but not limited to COVID-19. While particular rules and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious illness and death does exist. I knowingly and freely assume all such risks related to illness and infectious diseases, even if arising from the negligence or fault of CHEA, Calvary Chapel Downey, and event sponsors. I hereby knowingly assume the risk of injury, harm and loss associated with the Activity, including any injury, harm and loss caused by the negligence, fault or conduct of any kind on the part of CHEA, Calvary Chapel Downey, and event sponsors. All attendees are required to follow all applicable state and local ordinances in place at the time of the Convention.

Literature Distribution

No unauthorized literature may be distributed in any area of the Convention. Only items pre-approved by CHEA may be distributed or displayed. If you are approached by a solicitor anywhere outside the Exhibit Hall, please report it to the Information Booth or to a CHEA Convention volunteer.

Lost & Found

Items left in workshop sessions or in the Convention area may be left or picked up at the Information Booth until the close of the Convention Saturday evening. Items not claimed will be held at the CHEA office for one week.

Media Release

By entering the Convention site, I understand that I am giving my permission to Christian Home Educators Association of California to use any photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, recordings or any other records taken while I or my child is participating in the Convention and engaged in any activity or event sponsored, promoted, or organized by Christian Home Educators Association of California, including publicity, advertising, or any legitimate purposes.

Nursing Mothers

A nursing mother’s room is available on the south side of the Main Sanctuary all hours of CHEA’s Parenting & Homeschooling Conference.

Program

One Convention program, including the schedule and workshop descriptions, will be provided for each Family Registration at check-in. At-the-door registrants receive programs as available. Additional or replacement programs will be provided as available.

Refunds and Adjustments

We regret that refunds are not possible and registrations are non-transferrable, including Thursday classes. We must contract for and reserve space and services in advance; therefore we cannot issue refunds. Unredeemed registrations can be used as a tax-deductible donation. Upon written request, we will issue a receipt for tax purposes.

Welcome Bag

A free Welcome Bag is distributed to each registered family and is full of information about resources to help you in your parenting and homeschool journey.

Wheeled Carts

Because of safety and congestion problems created by the proliferation of wheeled items in the Convention facility, only small rolling suitcases will be permitted. Wagons, other four-wheel vehicles, rolling crates, or two-wheeled “shopping” carts will not be permitted. Wheeled units must be kept next to attendee when viewing curriculum or conversing with others.