MassHope Convention

[Karin]

I'm putting this here, because not many make it to the networking board, so I hope this stays! Is anyone going to this? We've never gone, and don't belong to HSLDA, but it looks like my dc and I are going. How do WTM forum members find each other at places like this, especially if we have different workshops to attend? I'm going to hear about homeschooling high school and to visit the vendors. Not sure what else I'll do there, but I've always wanted to see all those vendors.

[Jenstet]

There is one in Manchester, NH but not as big. I don't want to pay Mass tax.

[ccm]

I'm putting this here, because not many make it to the networking board, so I hope this stays! Is anyone going to this? We've never gone, and don't belong to HSLDA, but it looks like my dc and I are going. How do WTM forum members find each other at places like this, especially if we have different workshops to attend? I'm going to hear about homeschooling high school and to visit the vendors. Not sure what else I'll do there, but I've always wanted to see all those vendors.

I'll be there with my dd13. I look forward to MassHOPE every year. Maybe we should wear a WTM button to identify ourselves. :)

[Karin]

I'm trying to multi quote, but it doesn't seem to be working! Anyway, by the time I pay to go to NH I'd spend more than on tax;), but I can see it would be better from where you are.

Yes, a button would be a good idea. I wonder if there's already something out there or if we need to do this ourselves? I'm planning to register my younger ones for the children's event, even though it costs more, so I can focus on homeschooling not parenting so much.

[Karin]

Bumping this as there have been a lot of new threads added since early this afternoon!

[SmallChanges]

I attended MassHope for the first time last year. I think you will thoroughly enjoy the workshops that are offered. There will be vendors galore, so have a list prepared ahead of time of what you might be interested in viewing or purchasing. Hope this helps:001_smile:

[Karin]

I attended MassHope for the first time last year. I think you will thoroughly enjoy the workshops that are offered. There will be vendors galore, so have a list prepared ahead of time of what you might be interested in viewing or purchasing. Hope this helps:001_smile:

Yes, the list idea is great. I spoke with dh this evening and he said fine. Not that I need his permission for everything I do, but with the cost involved I asked. We like to communicate about extra costs:). Will you be going again this year?

[Karin]

Bumping to see if anyone else is going. I found out my dd's penpal of 4 years and her parents will be there (not on these boards).

[Karin]

I'll be there with my dd13. I look forward to MassHOPE every year. Maybe we should wear a WTM button to identify ourselves. :)

I ordered a WTM tee shirt that was supposed to come with a free button, but, alas, one tee shirt and no button. And the tee shirt is enormous on me, so I don't know if I'll wear it. Perhaps they ran out of buttons.

[J'Marie]

last year someone on the TOGboards made colored circles with TOG in them to identify users at Masshope. Maybe putting WTM on your name tag in the corner...We are going we love Masshope, Chenh has one in NH smaller but Doug Phillips and Kevin Swanson will be there this year both great speakers. We are going to that too..(we won a free family pass!) See you there..

[J'Marie]

maybe a computer savey person could make WTM tags (I am not that tech "savy" to)

[Plaid Dad]

My dw and I attended this once when our dd was preschool age. Almost none of the talks were related to classical education - there was one about history, which turned out to be a sales pitch for TOG. We also found that we were on a different page theologically from most of the speakers, and some of what we heard left a bad taste in our mouths. We ended up spending most of our time in the vendor room, but we have never felt it was worth the money to go back just for that. YMMV, of course!

[Karin]

. We ended up spending most of our time in the vendor room, but we have never felt it was worth the money to go back just for that. YMMV, of course!

Well, spending time in the vendor room this one of the main reasons why I'm going. I'm not sure if it will be worth the money, but if it helps me avoid buying any expensive curricula then it may be worth it. There are 2 workshops on homeschooling in high school I'd like to attend. Plus, I've always wanted to go to at least one homeschooling workshop.

Also, in elementary and middle school we're not strictly classical, but more eclectic with a classical bent. High school, on the other hand, is going to be much more classical, but with some twists based on our individual family.

[J'Marie]

Well each year is definately different, and they are a Christian conference, but their website has a listing of speakers and topics and usually are good at describing the workshops. So some years have a more classical mix than others..I think they try to vary a bit year to year for those coming again & again...They also now have vender workshops which are put on by the vendors selling specific cirriculums..which maybe what the TOG one mentioned above was..That for me was good when I was exploring IEW because my questions were specifically about the cirriculum I was interested in and so were the answers. Each speaker comes from their own perspective and there is a variety..You can also buy Cd's of workshops missed if there are two back to back & you want to hear both...The vendor hall is the best in the New England area...I'm sure new York is much larger but I've been to NH,ME & the Ma Boxborough and nothing beats it......Usually there's conference specials & free shipping on anything not in stock...I am in NH and hate paying the sales tax...but if you want to get a hands on look..chances are it will be there....For me I recall seeing more & more Classical approach presented recently..but I haven't studied the upcoming workshops too well this year...
J'Marie