Please share!
For the past several years, spring means one thing for me — homeschool convention season!
I absolutely a good homeschool convention, having attended at least one every year since 2007. Even though I am a seasoned homeschool convention attendee I still need to sit down a make a list of what I want to be sure to remember to take with me. Today, I want to share that list with you. I’m a grab it and go kind of packer, so there’s not a lot on this list — just the essentials for homeschool convention success.
Rolling Backpack — I’ll need something to put everything in, right? And I love this backpack. It has easy access pockets everything I need to have with me, like lip balm, hand lotion, my iPad and charger, business cards, water, and snacks. Plus the main compartment is big enough for pretty much everything I will purchase. It’s so much better than those awful rolling carts that hurt when someone bumps into you, and the footprint is much smaller so it easily squeezes in when you are at sessions.
iPad — My iPad will serve lots of purposes while I’m at TTD. I’ll be able to use it to take notes during speaker sessions, download my PDF I create of the speakers I want to hear and the vendors I want to visit. I will also be using Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to share with you what I’m seeing, hearing and learning all weekend and to keep up with announcements and special offers from companies in the vendor hall! Be sure you’re following me on my social media platforms so you won’t miss anything. I can also blog from my iPad because I have the amazing ClamCase Keyboard Case.
Paper and Pens — Sometimes it’s quicker and easier to jot something down on paper than on the iPad, so I’ll be packing along a legal pad and my favorite pens, too.
Business Cards — I have sweet little business cards for my blog to share with folks I meet. Ben and Me seems pretty easy to remember, but conventions can be so overwhelming, it’s nice to be able to hand someone a card with all of my links right there (blog and social media) as well as my email address. I give my card to anyone I meet — other bloggers, homeschool moms at the lunch table, vendors, etc.
Snacks and Bottled Water — Food at homeschool conventions can be very expensive, and you won’t find a lot of time to go find it either. Plus, if you have kids, they’ll want something eat at the least opportune time. I’ll be packing some great grab it and go snacks — trail mix, fruit, granola bars, peanut butter/crackers, string cheese. And bottled water as well.
A Sweater or Jacket — The temperature in the workshop spaces can be unpredictable. Even for conventions in the middle of the hot summer south, I pack a light jacket or sweater to have just in case. Nothing is more miserable than trying to listen to your favorite speaker while freezing.
Comfortable Shoes — If you’ve never been to a homeschool convention (especially a larger one), then you might be surprised by how much walking you will do. Go ahead and imagine it. Then multiply what you imagined by 10 and you’ll be close. Don’t worry about fashion so much as comfort here, trust me. If you see me, please resist the urge to make fun of my comfy Crocs.
Essential Oils — Even though my shoes will be the most comfortable I own, experience tells me that my feet are still going to hurt. So I pack along a small bottle of peppermint essential oil to rub on them at night. As a bonus, it also helps with headaches and allergies that sometimes occur. I’ll also have lavender with me to help me sleep better and this immune support blend to keep me me healthy from all the germs found in large crowds of people.
Have you attended a homeschool convention? Will you be attending one this year? I’d love to hear all about your favorite things to pack along!
Please share!
