Why Homeschool Conventions Are Worth Leaving the House For

by Jenny Vandever
Feb. 16, 2026

Sixteen years ago, my husband and I moved with our two young daughters from Southern California to Northern California for his job at a social media company. At the time, online identities were just beginning to take shape, and I was both fascinated and conflicted. I loved how social media kept us connected to the family we had left behind — yet I resented it, because his job was the very reason we had to leave them.

Over the years, the convenience of online services — banking, healthcare, shopping, entertainment, education, and even socializing — has shifted from novelty to default. I’ll be the first to admit I’ve succumbed to many a late-night “add to cart” spree, and gladly traded real pants for the glory of doorstep delivery and virtual waiting rooms.

And for homeschooling families, the online world can feel especially indispensable. There are endless curriculum reviews, digital tools, virtual classes, and Facebook groups ready at our fingertips. 

But in an age where nearly everything can be done online, it’s worth asking: is attending an in-person homeschool convention still worth the time, travel, and expense?

The short answer is yes. Because, while digital resources offer convenience, in-person conventions provide something screens cannot replicate: connection, clarity, and community.

Face-to-Face Connection Builds Connection

Homeschooling can be deeply rewarding, but it can also be isolating. With so many options at our fingertips, parents often quietly wonder if they’re “doing it right,” especially when navigating new seasons, challenging learners, or shifting philosophies. In-person conventions place you in a room full of people who understand those doubts because they’ve lived them too.

There is something soothing and powerful about hearing another parent ask the same question you’ve been wrestling with at midnight, or realizing you’re not alone in your struggles. Conversations in hallways, over coffee, or while browsing vendor booths can be just as impactful as scheduled sessions. These interactions remind homeschool parents they are part of a larger community, providing reassurance to carry families through another year.

Live Teaching Offers Clarity That Recordings Can’t

I love a good podcast, but live workshops offer engagement that’s difficult to replicate digitally. The excitement (or panic) of choosing a workshop, weaving through the room to find your seat, feverishly trying to capture every note, and laughing along with the audience are sensations lost online. Those shared, in-person experiences — free from the visual distractions of laundry piled on the sofa and dishes soaking in the sink — make it easier to retain what’s being taught.

Add the chance to ask follow-up questions, seek clarification, or approach speakers afterward, and you may start to question the value of digital resources at all. (I jest. Digital resources — especially recorded conference sessions — are incredibly valuable for revisiting and reinforcing what you’ve learned.) These moments often lead to breakthroughs: a new approach to a struggling reader, a fresh perspective on high school planning, or encouragement that renews a weary parent’s resolve.

Community Strengthens Commitment

Homeschooling conferences are a gathering place for everyone — from first-timers to seasoned veterans, from families just exploring the idea to grandparents supporting from a generation ahead. This overlap creates a unique atmosphere: newcomers see families further along the journey (graduates, experienced parents, and second-generation homeschoolers), providing tangible proof that the effort is worthwhile. Meanwhile, veterans are reenergized by the earnestness and excitement of those just starting out. There is something special in the cross-pollination that happens when encouragement, hard-won wisdom, and fresh enthusiasm meet in the same room.

Homeschool conventions are not just about gathering information — the internet provides that in spades. They are about investing in the people behind the education. They remind parents that homeschooling is not meant to be done alone, and that encouragement, wisdom, and inspiration are often found best in shared spaces.

You may be hard-pressed to find me grabbing school supplies at my local superstore — Amazon Prime Days, anyone? — But for the few years of homeschooling I have left, I will prioritize attending my annual homeschool conferences. I look forward to seeing you there!

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Jenny Vandever, a second-generation homeschooler, has spent the past decade serving in a variety of homeschool-focused ministries, with a heart for cultivating Christ-centered community. She is married to Andrew Vandever (CHEA Board of Directors), her ideal Amazing Race partner and biggest cheerleader, as they near the end of their homeschooling journey — trading read-alouds for conversations about college, and detailed lesson plans for the occasional check-in: “Did you finish that?”