FAQs
Yes! We partner with hotels closest to the convention locations and negotiate cheaper rates and reserve a block of rooms for our Exhibitors and attendees. Choose your convention below to see a list of partnering hotels that offer discounted rates for Great Homeschool Convention attendees. Book early—rooms sell out quickly!
The speaking schedules are typically posted approximately 2 months prior to the convention. They are posted as preliminary schedules as they are subject to change. For any given convention, we can be working with 100-120 speakers and over 250 workshops. Because life and circumstances may cause change, we may have to update the schedule from time to time. The final schedule will be marked as Final as the program guide goes to print approximately 6 weeks prior to each convention. Even after the schedule goes to print, please know there may be minor changes made beyond our control. Any last-minute changes or updates will be posted and available at the registration counter at each event.
Yes. Giant Cow Ministries is a separate organization that provides a VBS-style children’s program. This program is optional. A separate registration fee is required for your child to attend this program. Find more information or register your child(ren) here. Giant Cow Ministries accepts children ages 3–12 at the Texas, South Carolina, Ohio events and children ages 6-12 due to available space at the Missouri and California events. Please note that all pre-schoolers must be fully potty-trained to participate.
Yes! As a convenience for those who have purchased a full convention registration and who attend our conventions and for an additional cost, most sessions will be recorded and will be available for purchase on-site during each specific convention. However, recordings are NOT available to attendees who are attending free on Thursday evenings or who have purchased a Shopping Only pass. Recordings are NOT available after the convention or via mail order.
No. Speaking sessions are on a first-come, first-seated basis.
Please note: If a session is full, i.e. no seats are available, the session will be closed to additional attendees. By order of the fire marshal, sitting on the floor will not be permitted.
Yes, but not double-wide or side-by-side strollers, as these take up too much space in the aisles of the exhibit hall. By order of the fire marshal, strollers are not allowed in speaking sessions or in special event ballrooms.
Yes, we have working scholarships that also help us with our huge need for volunteers. In fact, nobody has ever been turned away that was willing to volunteer for part of the convention in order to also attend part of the convention at no charge. If you are interested in a volunteer position at one of the Great Homeschool Convention, please fill out this form. Learn more of the details about volunteering here.
Yes, a full individual or family registration is designed for the entire convention. It is extremely affordable and is intended to encourage you, your spouse, and your teens to participate throughout the entire convention. You will not find a more affordable homeschool convention anywhere in the United States! It is conceivable that you might find a marginally “cheaper” convention somewhere, but it won’t be a convention that provides the same Exhibit Hall selection, seminar & workshop variety, outstanding speaker roster, Real Faith for the Real World Teen Track, and more that are available to you when you attend a Great Homeschool Convention.
Yes!
No! The Real Faith for the Real World teen track is included with the purchase of a Full Family Registration.
There are no refunds. If you are unable to attend, there are no refunds… just as there are no refunds or exchanges for tickets to a sporting event, concert or other similar event.
If you notify GHC before the date of the convention you are registered for, you may transfer your convention registration to one of our other conventions – including the next year’s convention. You may also transfer your registration to another individual or family. (A $10 processing fee applies) To inquire about transferring your registration, please email us.
For other customer service questions, please email us.
Absolutely! Children are welcomed and encouraged to attend! If you choose to bring your children and not enroll them in the optional children’s program, you may freely do so as a part of your Family Registration.
Please note: we do require that all fussy and crying babies and children be removed immediately from any speaking session or from the exhibit hall so as not to ruin the convention experience for those around you. If you have a disruptive child and do not take the child out, you will be asked to do so by convention staff. All children ages 11 and under must be accompanied at all times by one of their own parents. There is an optional children’s conference, hosted by Giant Cow Ministries (ages 3–12 at the Southeast, Texas, or Midwest events, and ages 6–12 at the Missouri or California events). An additional registration fee is required. You may register for the children’s conference here. Children participating in the children’s conference must be fully potty-trained.
No.
Registration is not required for infants through 4 years old. Infants through age 4 are included at no charge as a part of either an Individual or Family Registration.
Please note: infants and very young children do need a ticket to attend any of the special events. If you have children ages five and older that you wish to bring along with you, you will need to purchase a Family Registration.
You may also choose to enroll your child or children (ages 3–12) in the optional children’s conference, hosted by Giant Cow Ministries. An additional, separate registration fee is required. You may register for the children’s conference here. Children participating in the children’s conference must be fully potty-trained. If your child will be attending the Giant Cow event, you also need to account for them by purchasing a GHC family registration if they are 5 years of age and older.
For nursing mothers: if you’d like the location of the dedicated nursing mom’s room, please ask at the information desk.
Please note: Our Special Events that require a separate, add-on ticket, require that all in attendance need a ticket, children and infants included. (Slugs & Bugs, Comedy Night, etc.)
Convention venues do not allow outside food to be brought into their venue. For each of the GHC events, food will be available for purchase at the convention centers. Each convention center offers a variety of foods as well as snacks and drinks including water.
Yes, we have two! Visit Homeschooling.mom to subscribe and listen to the Homeschool Solutions Podcast and The Charlotte Mason Show. You will love them!
We have a variety of hosts for The Homeschool Solutions Show that airs every Tuesday on a variety of podcast platforms. All have different topics covered by the hosts which include parenting, mom life, struggling learners, and having a sense of humor about homeschooling. Some are interviews and others are solo podcasts. All are encouraging.
The Charlotte Mason show specifically covers all things Charlotte Mason and the educational philosophy behind that way of teaching.
GHC is also a sponsor of the Stories are Soul Food podcast. Author, N. D. Wilson, hosts Stories Are Soul Food, the podcast that helps feed the right kind of loyalties and shape affection for the first and the greatest Author, Jesus Christ. This podcast is made possible by support from the Great Homeschool Conventions and the team at Canonball Books.
Yes! You can visit the GHC blog here.
The General Convention Schedule/Hours can be found by choosing the location you are attending and then the "schedule" tab at the top of each convention location. You will find when:
- the registration desk opens and closes
- the workshop sessions begin and ends
- the exhibit hall opens and closes
- special events begin and end
Thanks for your interest! GHC always needs volunteers, and you may receive a complimentary Family registration simply by volunteering and working a 4-hour shift at the convention. You may apply to volunteer here.