Homeschool Day at the Capitol

2009 DAY AT THE CAPITOL REVIEW--HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT THEY WON'T FORGET!

It was the perfect setting for HEAV's Day at the Capitol--the sun was shining warmly andthere was a light breeze to greet homeschool visitors. As the day ended, one parent of a fourth grader remarked they were glad they had come because the Capitol trip made Virginia history come alive for them, while another student said this was a great ending to her senior year government course. Regardless of the age or interest (parents included!), Day at the Capitol was a great learning experience that went far beyond the covers of a textbook!

Watch a slideshow and read more about this year's Homeschool Day at the Capitol!

2008 DAY AT THE CAPITOL REVIEW

HEAV's 13th Annual Day at the Capitol had record attendance! More than 500 homeschool students and their families gathered in Richmond on February 7, 2008, for a day of interactive learning and fun.

Throughout the course of the day, students had the opportunity to hear the latest about bills HEAV is tracking, listen to and interact with Attorney General Bob McDonnell and Lieutenant Governor William Bolling, sit in on the General Assembly, see the newly renovated Capitol, take part in special living history presentations, and much, much more! Homeschoolers were even acknowledged from the floor of the House and the Senate at the opening of each session.

New! Read the complete review of the event.

New! View a slideshow of the event.

Our thanks to homeschool graduate Seth Fisher of Through My Lens Photography for photographing the event!

2007 DAY AT THE CAPITOL REVIEW

Hear! Hear! For Day at the Capitol!

HEAV's Day at the Capitol offered a unique glimpse into state government—past and present! Parents and students interacted with historical and present-day legislators—Patrick Henry, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Richard Henry Lee, as well as Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, Attorney General Bob McDonnell, Delegate Chris Peace (Henrico), and Senator Ken Cuccinelli (Fairfax).

Homeschool parents and students listened to their elected officials then had the opportunity to ask questions. They heard an up-to-the-minute review of the legislation HEAV was tracking from HEAV lobbyist Ben Lansing, and learned how a bill becomes a law by participating in a fun Mock General Assembly conducted by Day at the Capitol host Martin Brown.

A short bus trip to Capitol Square provided opportunities to visit legislators, view the General Assembly in session, and take scheduled tours of the Executive Mansion, the Capitol grounds, or the Supreme Court. The day ended with a special reenactment of the Second Continental Congress by the Virginia Patriots at St. John's Church. What a thrill to feel we were part of the passionate debates as the reenactors sat among the audience and jumped to their feet to make a point. Parents and students were encouraged to join the heated discussion with an appropriate, "Hear, hear!" or "Nay!" with enthusiastic hand-pounding on the benches to show their agreement.

Gifts for the Legislators
Vicki Bentley prepared gift baskets for our legislative speakers, and we hand-delivered a gift basket filled with candy, home-baked bread, and a homeschool book to Governor Timothy Kaine's office. Governor Kaine recently responded with a thank-you letter expressing his support for home education.

See the Pictures!
If you weren't able to join us, you can see a pictorial review of Day at the Capitol. And if you were with us, you might find yourself in one of the photos, thanks to homeschooler and entrepreneur Seth Fisher of Through My Lens Photography!

Despite the damp weather, the day was filled with lots of fun learning experiences and great fellowship!

Click here to view the photos from the 2007 Day at the Capitol