Cinncy HS Convention and my teen

[ChicoryChick]

I have finally decided to attend the GHC in Cinncy in April. My BFF has decided to homeschool her son next year and wants to go. I had been waffling in my decision but when she told be that I decided to go and help support her. (I do have curriculum I have been wanting to look at first hand).

 

My question is "Should I bring my (almost) 15yo dd with me"? I do want her input on Biology but am afraid she will end up bored. I know there is a teen track she could attend but I am not really sure what that is about, if it is something I would feel comfortable letting her attend alone etc. I know she would enjoy seeing Tim Hawkins but other than that not sure if it is worth the $$ to bring her.

 

Thought I would get some opinions from the hive.

[Tenaj]

I have finally decided to attend the GHC in Cinncy in April. My BFF has decided to homeschool her son next year and wants to go. I had been waffling in my decision but when she told be that I decided to go and help support her. (I do have curriculum I have been wanting to look at first hand).

 

My question is "Should I bring my (almost) 15yo dd with me"? I do want her input on Biology but am afraid she will end up bored. I know there is a teen track she could attend but I am not really sure what that is about, if it is something I would feel comfortable letting her attend alone etc. I know she would enjoy seeing Tim Hawkins but other than that not sure if it is worth the $$ to bring her.

 

Thought I would get some opinions from the hive.

 

 

My teens have gone for the past three or four years. They always attended at least part of the teen track. Just like the rest of the conference, there were always some speakers they enjoyed and some they didn't. As they got older, they began to branch out and attend other workshops that were interesting to them. Last year they went to a lot of the literature workshops, there's also a math guy that is very popular among the kids and teens (I'm sorry, I don't remember his name) and one of my teens always enjoys the science talks about interesting creatures, etc. Tim Hawkins was always worth it and the highlight for them. They would also just spend time walking the exhibit hall but there were three of them.

 

My 16yods has decided not to attend this year because he would be by himself as my olders are in college this year.

[Susan C.]

My teens always came with me to help pick their books! But dh came too, and they all came and went so I could be alone when I needed it. Also, I never did seminars, so just got shopping only passes. The kids were usually free at the conferences I went to.

[Harriet Vane]

My teenager loved the convention.

 

It's a pretty secure environment. The Teen Track is always in the same place. Your girl could choose to go to just some of the seminars, explore the vendor hall a bit, consult with you on curriculum. If she has a cell phone then you can keep in touch with her, or you can plan to meet and check in with each other at certain times.

 

My teenager also enjoyed going to some of the workshops that were for parents of teens. Afterwards we talked about whether or not we agreed with the advice. For academic organization, my dd found this especially interesting and helpful.

[ChicoryChick]

Thanks for the responses...I still haven't decided but need to make up my mind for tomorrow. I am glad to know it is a secure environment and set up with the optional teen lectures. While interesting and good, I thought they all looked to be a bit heavy. Still need to discuss with her and dh some more. she does have a cell phone, just wish she had a friend to go with her. My dh would not go unless I dragged him kicking and screaming (not really but his eyes always glaze over when I talk homeschooling although he is all for it) so I'll leave him with the other kids and it gives me a break and time with my friend who I do not get to see that often. :)

[PeterPan]

Well I don't begrudge you time alone with your friend, hehe. If you decide to bring her, she'll have a fabulous time. My dd enjoys going. She has done the teen track in the past, but this year she's just going to regular sessions. There's Jim Weis, couponing, acing the SAT, etc.

 

BTW, we have a FB group for organizing our board get together that we do each year. If you want to come (or anyone), make sure you write me and get added to the group so you'll know where we're meeting, etc.