This home school convention brings parents from Central Florida together in Orlando for a weekend of socialization, learning, shopping and more. The convention is a time for parents and students alike to dive into lectures and workshops on a variety of topics. There are programs for even young children to participate in so that parents can enjoy themselves without worrying about the kids. The convention is also a time to meet with vendors and check out possible curriculum choices for the upcoming school year. The highlight of the weekend, though, is a formal graduation ceremony for all of the high school seniors in attendance, complete with caps and gowns and diplomas.
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens offers two kinds of classes for home school families. Monthly science classes for home school students allow students to focus on a different topic during each class. Past topics have included a look at the world from a bird's point of view and the life of lizards. The zoo also offers series lessons, which allow students to come back to the same topic for three weeks. These classes are more in-depth than the one week courses. Students can participate in series and monthly classes at the same time because the classes are scheduled to never fall on the same day.
Students in kindergarten through eighth grade can participate in science classes at the Orlando Science Center. These monthly courses include a full day of science fun, including a film in the center's theater and hands-on projects in the science lab. To help parents reinforce the lessons learned, the Science Center offers links on their website for follow-up activities. For all the classes, parents stay and participate with their children and enjoy lunch together as part of the program.
The Orange County Regional History Center offers home school students a chance to check out art exhibits and study history with other home school families. Each program includes time in the museum, a lesson plan, projects, crafts and even extra worksheets to take home for parents to reinforce the lessons learned. This program is offered for free to museum members.
Twice each year, Walt Disney World sets aside a few days for home school families to participate in some special activities related to an educational theme. Parents and students choose from all of the Disney parks as each one offers a different theme for the day. For example, Home School Days at Hollywood Studios give students the chance to explore what it is like to work in show business---from being a performer to being a cartoon artist. Parents and students must commit to the program available at just one park each day of the program.