Getting Started at the HEAV Homeschool Convention
The 2024 Virginia Homeschool Convention is almost here!
Your first experience at the convention–one of the largest in the country–will be exciting and thoroughly engaging,
Here are some tried-and-true tips to help you make the most of your time!
WHERE TO PARK
Parking is most scarce on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
The convention parking garage at the corner of Marshall and 3rd Streets fills up very quickly. Plan to arrive EARLY.
Check out the interactive map for nearby garages and prices.
Many hotels also run shuttle service to the convention.
FREE SHUTTLE BUS on FRIDAY ONLY
Keep things simple on Friday! Parkat City Stadium (FREE!) and ride the shuttle bus straight to the convention doors.
WHERE TO START – In the Lobby
If you have pre-registered, go first to the Pre-registered Tables, where you will pick up your name badges, convention program, and welcome bag.
If you register onsite, go the Registration Tables, and complete a digital form. One of our volunteers will process your registration payment, and give you your name badges, convention program, and welcome bag.
Now you can get started!
FIRST THINGS FIRST
GENERAL CONVENTION HOURS
Thursday – 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Exhibit Hall opens at 5 p.m.)
Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Exhibit Hall opens at 9:30 a.m.)
Saturday – 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Exhibit Hall opens at 9:30 a.m.)
MAPS ARE YOUR FRIENDS.
The convention center takes up two full city blocks, so a little advance planning can help save your time—and feet!
It consists of two buildings—the Exhibit Hall Building and the Ballroom Building. They are joined by a skywalk over Marshall Street.
Rooms that begin with E are in the Exhibit Hall Building.
Rooms that begin with B are in the Ballroom Building.
Full Convention Center Maps
Find your workshop rooms.
Exhibit Hall/Vendor Map
Shop your favorite exhibitors!
DOWNLOAD THE APP
You’ll find the maps, workshops schedule, and exhibitor/vendor list in the program and around the convention center, but downloading the app puts it all in the palm of your hand!
Get it now.
THURSDAY
The schedule on Thursday is a bit different from Friday and Saturday, as there is a lot packed into the convention.
Thursday is designated our “bring-a-friend” day, because they can enjoy the How-to-Begin-Homeschooling series (and subsequent tour of the vendor hall) without cost!
FOOD
No outside food or beverages may be brought into the Greater Richmond Convention Center. There are concession stands in the Exhibit Hall, in the Main Lobby, and on the second floor of the Exhibit Hall Building that offer a variety of foods, including a few items priced to be family friendly.
There are also restaurants within walking or short driving distance.
UCS – USED CURRICULUM SALE
The Used Curriculum Sale is a MEGA opportunity to get homeschool resources at a bargain—and to sell those items you don’t need!
If you preregistered for full convention: You were assigned a UCS time based on the time you pre-registered. You’ll receive your UCS tickets in your welcome bags.
If you registered onsite: You may shop in the UCS after 2:30 p.m. on Friday and all day Saturday.
If you purchased a shopping-only ticket: You may shop in the UCS after 2:30 p.m. on Friday and all day Saturday.
If you volunteer two or more hours:
Want to get in BEFORE ANYONE ELSE? Volunteer at least two hours over the course of the convention, and earn a “golden ticket,” giving you early entry to the UCS!
You can volunteer onsite. Just go to the Volunteer Table next to Registration.
GLEANING
Items that are not sold and are designated for donation are available—free of charge—on a first-come, first-served basis after 4:30 pm on Saturday. Book gleaning begins at 4:30 on Saturday afternoon. If you volunteer beginning at 2 p.m. to help prepare for gleaning, you’ll be the first to have access to these unsold items.
WORKSHOP RECORDINGS
$69 On-Site Special
Consider purchasing convention recordings of general session workshops—either individual copies or the full set MP3. The Resounding Voice booth is in the Lobby, and it offers an excellent deal—just $69 for the full set of recordings if purchased on-site during the convention.
Eliminate the stress of trying to make it to every workshop on your list–and enjoy encouragement all year long!
Note: Exhibitor workshops; optional, fee-based add-ons; Green Ember Live, and Kirk Cameron’s keynoteare not recorded.
BUY IT HERE
Bring your receipt to one of the four Buy-It-Here receipt redemption stations in the convention center to be validated, and for every $25 receipt you’ll get a ticket for a prize drawing of $100 cash! One winner is chosen each day.
Bringing Children to the Convention?
The convention is a family event, containing much of value for every family member! Children of all ages are welcome to attend workshops with you, but if they have trouble sitting still or get bored easily, they may be happier in the Children’s Program for all or part of the day.
Check out these blog posts by Kyndra Steinmann, one of our veteran homeschool and convention attendees.
Taking Preschoolers and Toddlers to Convention
ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE
RELAX AND ENJOY
The HEAV convention weekend is jam-packed with workshops to attend and exhibitor booths to browse. There is a lot to see and do, and we want you to enjoy the weekend and get the most out of your time with us.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Bring a sweater. (The air conditioning can be chilly.)
- Bring a wagon to carry books and purchases.
- Bring labels with your name, e-mail, phone number, and address. This makes it super easy to sign up for information and promotions as you visit the Exhibit Hall.
- Plan downtime, especially if you have the children with you. Give them time and space to just play.
- Don’t feel rushed to do everything on the first day.
- Take advantage of the nursing mother’s rooms in E-22, in the Balroom Building, and at the front of the Exhibit Hall.
- Plan ahead for meals and take time for lunch.
Still on the fence?
Come to the FREE How-to-Begin Homeschooling workshops on Thursday.
Afterward, you can shop in the Exhibit Hall from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday. THEN–you can decide if you’d like to purchase a full convention registration to come back on Friday and Saturday!
We pray that you leave the HEAV Virginia Homeschool Convention feeling refreshed, energized, inspired, encouraged, and equipped for the homeschool journey.
