Walking into the Texas HomeSchool Convention for the first time in the summer of 2025 felt a little bit like stepping into a living, breathing version of everything I had been praying for in our homeschool. Our family had never attended a homeschool convention before, and to be honest, I was not sure what to expect. Would it feel overwhelming? Would it be helpful? Would my children enjoy it or simply tolerate it for my sake?
We decided to purchase a family ticket and commit to two full days in The Woodlands, Texas. I remember packing snacks, water bottles, and a stroller, hoping we could make the most of the experience without everyone melting down by lunchtime. What I did not anticipate was how quickly we would all settle into the rhythm of it, how normal it would feel to be surrounded by so many other families who had also chosen this path of educating their children at home.
By the time we walked through the convention center doors, lanyards around our necks and schedule in hand, it already felt like we were stepping into something special.
Our First Year at the Texas HomeSchool Convention
One of the first things that struck me was the sense of community. Everywhere I looked, there were families with strollers, backpacks, and tote bags full of books. Parents were comparing notes on curriculum, kids were flipping through science kits and storybooks, and there was this quiet understanding in the air: “We are all trying to do this well.”
As a homeschool mom of six, that atmosphere alone was worth the price of admission. So much of what we do happens at home, behind the scenes. To suddenly find ourselves in a space filled with other homeschool families made our choice feel both normal and deeply supported. It felt like we were part of something much bigger than our own living room table.
Those two days quickly became a meaningful marker in our school year.
The Sessions That Encouraged Me
Throughout the convention, we attended sessions focused on everything from practical planning to heart-level encouragement. Some workshops were very nuts-and-bolts, full of ideas for scheduling, subjects, and high school planning. Others spoke more to the emotional side of homeschooling: burnout, comparison, and the weight of trying to do it all.
Sitting in those rooms, listening to speakers who understood the reality of homeschooling, was both grounding and energizing. I found myself taking notes, not just on curriculum ideas, but on small mindset shifts and rhythms I wanted to bring back home. It reminded me that I am both a mom and an educator, and that tending to my own growth matters just as much as choosing the right math program.
I walked out of several sessions thinking, “I am not alone in this. Other moms are walking through the same questions and the same tensions, and there is real wisdom to be shared.”
Exploring the Exhibition Hall
Of course, I cannot talk about the Texas HomeSchool Convention without mentioning the exhibition hall. If you have never been, imagine rows and rows of booths filled with curriculum, books, games, science kits, art supplies, and resources for every kind of learner. It is equal parts exciting and a little overwhelming in the best way.
Our family spent hours walking those aisles. The kids loved getting to touch and see the materials we usually only view online. I appreciated the chance to flip through teacher guides, compare different approaches side-by-side, and ask questions directly to the people who created the resources. There is something powerful about holding a book in your hands and immediately knowing, “This will fit our family,” or, “This is not quite what we need,” before ever clicking “add to cart.”
We came home with new books, fresh inspiration, and a renewed sense of direction for our next homeschool year. More than that, we came home with a shared experience that our kids still talk about.
Walking the Halls With Other Homeschool Families
One of my favorite memories from that first convention is surprisingly simple: just walking the halls. There was something deeply encouraging about seeing other families who had said “yes” to this same path. Families of all sizes, backgrounds, and ages moved through the building, comparing notes, juggling cups of coffee, and keeping track of little ones.
I remember looking around and thinking, “These are our people.” Not because we all homeschool the same way, but because we care enough about our children’s education to show up, learn, and invest in it together. That sense of belonging stayed with me long after the weekend ended.
For our family, that first Texas HomeSchool Convention in 2025 was not just an event. It was a reminder that we are part of a larger story, one where parents are choosing to lead their homes with intention, faith, and courage.
Returning in 2026: Partnering With Texas Home School Coalition
That is why I am so excited that this summer, in 2026, I get to return to the Texas HomeSchool Convention in The Woodlands for year two. Only this time, I am not just attending with my family; I also have the opportunity to partner with the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC).
THSC is the organization behind both the convention and the Leader Summits, and I love their heart for supporting homeschool families and the leaders who serve them. They are not just hosting events. They are creating rooms where moms, dads, and leaders can be equipped, encouraged, and reminded that they do not have to do this alone.
Being invited to partner with them this year feels like a natural extension of what I already care about in this space: helping moms find support, clarity, and community as they build their homeschool lives.
When and Where You Can Join Us
If you have been considering stepping into one of these rooms yourself, here are the specific dates and details for this year:
- Houston Leader Summit – May 27, 2026, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center.
Register here: https://events.thsc.org/2026HoustonLeaderSummit#/?affl=Gervase - 2026 Texas HomeSchool Convention – May 28–30, 2026, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott in The Woodlands, Texas.
Convention details and tickets: https://events.thsc.org/2026TexasHomeSchoolConvention#/?affl=Gervase
If you decide to register for the Leadership Summit or the Texas HomeSchool Convention, you can use my code Gervase50 to get 50% off your ticket. Just enter Gervase50 when you check out at any of the links above so the discount applies to your registration.
You can also head directly to the convention page here:
https://events.thsc.org/2026TexasHomeSchoolConvention#/?affl=Gervase
And the Houston Leader Summit page here:
https://events.thsc.org/2026HoustonLeaderSummit#/?affl=Gervase
I love that these events are all clustered together at the end of May in The Woodlands. For leaders, the Houston Leader Summit is one focused day of support, strategy, and encouragement. For families, the Texas HomeSchool Convention that follows is a chance to get equipped for the next school year while being reminded you are not doing this alone.
If last year was about discovering what these events could offer our family, this year is about inviting other families and leaders into the same kind of encouragement and equipping. I truly believe these rooms can shape your next homeschool season in ways you will feel long after the weekend is over.Gervase Ware is a homeschool mom of six, educator, and motherhood and lifestyle creator who shares real-life homeschool routines, curriculum reviews, family systems, and trusted resources for intentional living at GervaseWare.com.
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