FREE Mini-Conference for New Homeschoolers


THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
If you are new to homeschooling or thinking about homeschooling, you are invited to join us for a FREE mini-conference the day before the AFHE Convention. Our team will present informative and inspiring sessions designed specifically for those who are considering educating their children at home or are just getting started.

Tell your friends who are considering making the switch to homeschooling!

Bring a friend, spouse, relative, or support person to learn along with you!

additional event info
want a convention discount?

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Phoenix Convention Center South Building
33 South Third Street, Phoenix 85004

FREE! No advance registration required.

Sessions from our inspiring speakers:

  • Kimberly Sorgius Jones - What to Teach: Creating an Educational Plan Your Kids Will Love  
    Are we teaching the right things at the right time? Will there be gaps if we teach outside the box? This session is all about fostering a LOVE of learning and creating a flexible, interest-driven curriculum all while meeting the academic needs of your kids and keeping the important things in focus. 
  • Jamie Mehan - Bringing Literature Into Your Homeschool Days 
    Good literature is crucial to education. But what exactly is good literature and how do we integrate it into our school days? How can we create a culture of reading in our families? We have access to books all around us, but many of them won't nourish our children, and indeed, ourselves. Based on the belief that what your family reads matters, this workshop reveals the characteristics of quality literature and how to use it to help your children grow in their understanding of the world around them, as well as growing in the simple joy of a wonderful story!
  • Carrie De Francisco - Ten Essentials of Simple Homeschooling
    There are Ten Essentials needed for a joyful homeschooling journey. You might be surprised to find out they aren't using a perfect curriculum, reading a particular book, or following a specific methodology. The Ten Essentials of Simple Homeschooling are far more foundational than that—and they are super easy to apply this week! In this session, Carrie shares the Ten Essentials and how to incorporate them into your homeschooling today, whether you are new to homeschooling or you have been homeschooling for years.
  • AFHE Team - We will make sure you get the nuts-and-bolts information you need to begin homeschooling in Arizona. Learn about the legal definition of a homeschool, legal requirements, connecting with other homeschoolers, getting the resources you need, and other essentials.

Read the speakers' bios at our Speakers & Workshops page.

YOU CAN HOMESCHOOL! is supported by these sponsors

AFHE is grateful for the opportunity to present this FREE mini-conference with the support of wonderful partners like these. These organizations understand homeschooling and want to help you get off to a great start! Please join us in thanking . . .
important parking information coming in spring 2025
PARKING INFORMATION FOR THURSDAY AFTERNOON
DOWNTOWN PARKING
There are many places to park downtown. The parking garages closest to the South Building of the Phoenix Convention Center are:
  • JEFFERSON STREET GARAGE, 333 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix
  • EAST GARAGE, 602 E. Washington Street, Phoenix

Please realize that there are other large events taking place the same weekend as our convention. Demand for parking will be high, and it is best that you make a plan as soon as possible for your transportation to/from downtown Phoenix.
  • ParkWhiz.com will show the capacity in nearby garages. 
  • At AceParking.com you can pre-purchase passes for other garages very close by: the East Garage, Regency Garage, North Garage, and more. Visit their website and enter your selection for days and times.
  • Farther away, there are options with LAZParking, although it does not appear that you can pre-purchase to guarantee a spot. You might have to create a profile in order to place an order.

YOU CAN HOMESCHOOL! ESSENTIAL INFO

↓ click through the topics below for important event info ↓

Convention Admission
Attendance at these July 17 pre-convention events does not include admission to the AFHE Convention Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19, 2025. On-site registration for the Convention will be open Thursday from 12:30-4:30 PM for those who wish to register while you're at the Phoenix Convention Center.

If you pre-register for the Convention onsite on Thursday ,you can pick up your convention name badges, welcome bag (one per family), and convention program—and skip the check-in lines Friday morning! 
Children
The mini-conference is geared for training and equipping adults and takes place during exhibitor set-up for the AFHE Homeschool Convention. For your child's safety and to allow you to gain the full benefit of these mini-conference sessions, we encourage you to make childcare arrangements, if possible.

Childcare is not provided. Nursing infants are always welcome.

If you bring your child to the Convention Center, he or she must remain with you at all times. As a courtesy to other attendees, we ask that you step out of the workshop room if your child becomes noisy or a distraction to those around you. 
Exhibit Hall
The Thursday programming takes place during exhibitor move-in, so the exhibit hall will not be open for shopping on Thursday.
 
Convention registration is required for exhibit hall entry on Friday and Saturday.

Exhibit Hall hours for registered Convention attendees:
Friday 10:00AM - 6:30PM
Saturday 10:00AM - 6:00PM 
Recordings
Recordings of the Thursday mini-conferences will be available for purchase. Take advantage of the on-site purchase price on Thursday or during the Convention, or visit the Resounding Voice website following the Convention at store.resoundingvoice.com. 
Parking
Parking is plentiful near the Phoenix Convention Center. We have provided parking suggestions on the CONVENTION ESSENTIALS page.

Visit dtphx.org for an interactive map with parking, restaurants, and road construction updates.

Parking garages closest to the South Building of the Phoenix Convention Center:
JEFFERSON STREET GARAGE | 333 E Jefferson Street, Phoenix
EAST GARAGE | 602 E Washington St, Phoenix 


Want to attend the full two-day AFHE Convention? 
How does a $35 discount sound?

AFHE would like to welcome first-time convention attendees with a $35 discount for adult admission. Adult admission includes free spouse admission for married couples. Adults who have never before registered for the AFHE Convention are eligible to request a coupon code. Current AFHE membership is required to receive this special offer. Click below to learn about AFHE membership!

Visit our Registration Discounts page to learn more and access the request form. (Form available beginning April 11.)
join afhe today!