2025 THE GREAT STATE OF MAINE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE
Augusta, Maine May 2-3, 2025
Join us for the largest homeschool event ever held in Maine!
The Great State of Maine Homeschool Conference presented by Maine Home Education Alliance is geared for the whole family:
Interactive, engaging family-friendly entertainment and programs for all ages;
- Workshops and panel presentations featuring co-op leaders, employers, mentors and a variety of homeschool styles;
- Children’s stage and play area;
- Special learner sensory place space;
- Career and college fair for teens and homeschool graduates;
- Social time and networking for both teens and families;
- Workshops for families of children with special learning needs such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia.
The conference will have secular, neutral and faith-based content during breakout sessions. Each session will have 5-8 options. Our keynotes, children’s area and final family entertainment is neutral, wholesome and family friendly for all!
With the growing number of homeschoolers, the need for information, mentoring, and collaboration has never been greater to work together to build the communities we want for our kids!
We seek sponsors, presenters and vendors who would like to assist MHEA to connect Maine’s 10,000+ homeschool students and their families to the resources and opportunities available to help them achieve their goals. Please JOIN US!
Stay tuned as we roll out special announcements of nationally recognized performers and speakers you won’t want to miss!
The Great State of Maine Homeschool Conference will be held at the spacious, centrally located Augusta Civic Center. Right off of I95 at 76 Community Dr, Augusta, ME 04330
Your ticket is an ALL-ACCESS pass for the entire two days
- Friday, May 2, 2025
- 9 am-9:45 am: Registration and vendor hall open
- 10 am: Opening Remarks by Becky Grant-Widen, MHEA President and our Platinum Sponsor, Bath Irons Works
- 10:10 am: Keynote Speaker Ryan Eldridge, Kennebec Cabin Company, home of the Maine Cabin Masters
- 11 am-4 pm: 50-minute breakout workshops with something for everyone (5-8 choices) each hour!
- 9 am-3:45 pm: curriculum/program vendor fair
- 11 am-3:45 pm: teen college and career fair
- 9am-3:45 pm: Special Needs Sensory Friendly Room-staffed by Autism Society of Maine and CITE
- 11:30 am: Frogtown Puppeteers– Children’s Area
- 11:30 am: Maine State Police K-9 Demonstration- Outside
- 1:30-3:30 pm: Maine Local Living School-Outside
- 2 pm: Sagittarius Rising– Maine Stage
- 4 pm- 6pm: Final presentation, performance and Q&A with Sawyer Fredericks 2015 Winner of NBC’s The Voice
- Teen dance and regional socials 7 – 10 pm
- Saturday, May 3, 2025
- 9 am: doors & vendor area opens
- 9am-3:45 pm: Special Needs Sensory Friendly Room-staffed by Autism Society of Maine and CITE
- 9 am- 3 pm: curriculum vendor fair
- 10 am: Keynote Speaker Pam Leo, author of Connection Parenting
- 11 am-4 pm: 50-minute breakout workshops with something for everyone (5-8 choices) each hour!
- 11 am-3:30 pm: teen college and career fair
- 11:30 am: Mr. Drew and his Animals Too– Children’s Area
- 11:30 am: Maine Warden Service– Outside
- 1:30 pm: KindKids Music– Children’s Area
- 4 pm-5:15: Michael Cooper: Masked Marvels
Stay tuned as we roll out special announcements of nationally recognized performers and speakers you won’t want to miss!
The Great State of Maine Homeschool Conference will offer plenty of social time for the whole family on Friday night with a dance for the teens, and regional socials for the rest of the family from 7-10 pm.
Seminars, panel discussions, and breakout sessions at our conference offer a unique opportunity to dive deeper into specific topics, engage in interactive discussions, and network with like-minded professionals. These sessions cover a wide range of subjects and attendees can choose sessions that best align with their interests and goals for a more personalized and impactful experience. Here is a snippet of some of the 50+ sessions you will be able to choose from over the 2-day conference:
- “Protecting Your Supply Lines – Focus on the power of routines to ensure peak performance and for your mental and physical health” by homeschool dad and TED Talk presenter Matt Gagnon
- “This kid is a lot! (Maybe they are gifted)“ by Kathleen Reed of Sweet Tomatoes Learning Center
- “Homeschooling and Working Full Time” Panel discussion
- “Homeschooling and NCAA Eligibility” by Aimee Gerbi
- “Career Opportunities for Students in Tourism and Hospitality” by Caroline Ridout, homeschool grad, of Maine Tourism
- “Lessons in Love: How Homeschooling Strengthens Family Connections” by Lisa Berry former homeschool mom and director of Freedom Academy
- “Helping Families of Students with Special Needs Understand their Right to Access Special Education Evaluations/ Services” Lee Ann Arnold, former school Special Education Director
- “Understanding the Ins and Outs of Level All’s College and Career Readiness Platform” by Stephen Guilette of Level All
- “Getting into a Career in Real Estate” by Melanie Crane of Elevate Maine
- “Yoga for all ages” by Kaya Lescault of Sat Manav Yoga Ashram
- TBD– Conjuring Carroll
- “Getting Started with Unschooling: Finding Freedom in Fully Trusting Your Kids” by Aimee Gerbi
- “Early College Pathways” by University of Maine System Early College
- “Suzuki Method: Nurturing Children’s Ability and Character through Music” by Betsy Kobayashi from Pineland Suzuki School
- “Eating to Think- How your diet effects your mental productivity” by Sunyata Lescault, PhD of Sat Manav Yoga Ashram
- “How to get started homeschooling in Maine” by Heather Lane
- “Preparing your child for life after homeschool” by John Lewis of Synergy Workforce Solutions
- “Ancient Wisdom for Modern Homeschooling: The Gurukul Philosophy in Today’s World” by Jaya Lescault of Sat Manav Yoga Ashram
- “Co-ops 101” Panel Discussion
- “Planning for and Paying for College” Finance Authority of Maine
- “Successful Scholarship Searches and Applications” Finance Authority of Maine
- “Horse Powered Reading- Using horses and other farm animals to teach reading and literacy to school aged children-of all readings/literacy skills.” by Teresa Elvin
- “Strategies in teaching math to teens” Brian King, homeschool dad and former high school math teacher
- “Experience the Classical Education Model (while learning about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World)” Rebekah Mower of Classical Conversations
- “Building Social Communities for High School Homeschoolers”-panel presentation with Marylyn Wentworth and students from The New School
- “From the Mean Streets to the C-Suite – an unconventional journey to success” Christopher Fleming, CEO of Bourgeois Guitars & Retired Master Mariner – US Merchant Marine
The Great State of Maine Homeschool Conference will host a College and Career Fair for teens within the event! Employers, career preparation professionals/programs and Maine colleges will be on hand throughout the event in a dedicated space to provide information on a variety of opportunities available to young people in our great state. Each day will highlight different resources. Many will provide breakout workshops where you can get in-depth info on all they have to offer and how they achieved their own career goals!
We have invited colleges and employers from throughout the state. Stay tuned as we will be adding to the list weekly!
- General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works
- Maine Tourism Association (fun fact: Caroline Rideout is a homeschool grad!)
- Level All
- Finance Authority of Maine
- University of Maine System Early College Programs
- Synergy Workforce Solutions | Workforce Development Consulting
- Kennebec Valley Community College
- University of Maine
- Maine College of Health Professions
- University of Maine at Augusta
- Thomas College
- Eastern Maine Community College
- Central Maine Community College
- Maine Maritime Academy
- United States Air Force
- and more coming soon!
- Homeschooling for Beginners
- Homeschool Reviews and other Assessment Options
- Special-Needs Homeschooling
- High School and Transcripts
- Co-ops
- Early College
- College Applications
- Legislative Watch: School Choice and $$$ for Homeschools
- Maine’s Homeschool Laws
- Career Options for Teens and Young Adults
- Road Schooling
- Strategies for teaching: Humanities and STEM
- Navigating Homeschool Access to your Local Public School and the Law
- There will be secular, neutral and faith-based content
We are so excited to announce that we are partnering with the Autism Society of Maine and CITE to provide a fun, friendly play space for families and their children who maybe learn a bit differently or have physical or developmental disabilities. The space will be a one-stop shop for networking, information on resources for families, all while the kids are in a safe, monitored space to play. Need a quiet corner for an overstimulated family member? We’ll have one conveniently attached to the play space. This is meant to be a drop in space where families can come and go as they need to…. for 15 minutes or a few hours! It’s your call. Many of our team have homeschooled our neurospicy kids, so we’ll be sure to think of everything we would want!
- Nationally Recognized Entertainment
- Family-Friendly Programming
- Secular, Neutral & Faith-Based Sessions
- Teen Career/Job & College Fair
- Quiet Room for Moms with Babies
- Kids & Special Needs Play Area
- Curriculum & Program Vendors
- Networking
Please join us by sponsoring this inaugural event to connect directly with families about all that your trade, business or institution might have to offer! This is not just a sponsorship but the beginning of a partnership and collaboration to help meet the changing needs of your organization. Please reach out to Becky Grant-Widen at becky@mainehea.org or fill out the sponsorship inquiry form: https://forms.gle/kKmcqd1yxrE1tgVq7
Platinum Level Sponsor: $10,000 – 1 available
- Full page back cover color program ad
- Logo on all attendee lanyards
- Logo or clickable link on all social media promotional posts/ads and on Facebook event
- Name or logo on event promo on Augusta Civic Center marquee
- Signage behind podium at main auditorium
- Opportunity to address attendees for a 5 minute opener during the opening general session
- Logo on all print and digital materials
- Onsite signage and premium event/vendor table in location of choice
- 6 conference tickets
- Clickable logo on MHEA conference website until September 1st, 2025
- Option to serve on a panel presentation in a breakout session for teen attendees on job opportunities in your company/or field of work and what types of skills and strengths are needed (other presentation concepts will absolutely be considered- hands on would be fantastic)
Gold Level Sponsor: $5,000- 4 available
- Full page inside cover color program ad
- Logo on all print and digital materials
- Onsite signage and premium event/vendor table in location of choice
- 6 conference tickets
- Opportunity to address the audience for 2 minutes during one of four general sessions
- Signage at podium for one of four general sessions
- Clickable logo on MHEA conference website until September 1st, 2025
- Option to serve on a panel presentation in a breakout session for teen attendees on job opportunities in your company/or field of work and what types of skills and strengths are needed (other presentation concepts will absolutely be considered- hands on would be fantastic)
Silver Level Sponsor $3,000- 3 available
- Half page inside cover color program ad
- Logo on all print and digital materials
- Onsite signage event/vendor table
- Signage at one conference breakout space: Teen College and Career Exploration Hall, OR Sensory Friendly Play Space, OR Family Programming Room/ Stage
- 4 conference tickets
- logo on MHEA conference website until September 1st, 2025
- Option to serve on a panel presentation in a breakout session for teen attendees on job opportunities in your company/or field of work and what types of skills and strengths are needed (other presentation concepts will absolutely be considered- hands on would be fantastic)
Bronze Level Sponsor $2,000
- Quarter page program ad
- Logo on all print and digital materials
- Logo on signage for one of 5 community/regional social events for families OR teen dance
- Event/vendor table
- 4 conference tickets
- Logo on MHEA conference website until September 1st, 2025
- Option to serve on a panel presentation in a breakout session for teen attendees on job opportunities in your company/or field of work and what types of skills and strengths are needed (other presentation concepts will absolutely be considered- hands on would be fantastic)
Community Sponsor $1,500
- Quarter page program ad
- Logo on all print and digital materials
- Event/vendor table
- 4 conference tickets
- Logo on MHEA conference website until September 1st, 2025
- Option to serve on a panel presentation in a breakout session for teen attendees on job opportunities in your company/or field of work and what types of skills and strengths are needed (other presentation concepts will absolutely be considered- hands on would be fantastic)
Thank you for your interest! Our schedule is now FULL. Please consider participating as a vendor https://forms.gle/NAhpYsPbJcX1HEX29 or plan to submit your proposal for the 2026 conference later this summer!
Many hands make light work! In order to pull off the largest homeschool event our state has ever seen, we need lots of help to make the event run smoothly. Parents and responsible teens are needed! We have jobs for everyone, from social butterfly to bookworm. To find out more, please fill out this volunteer form: https://forms.gle/dXFuEvmQJoSwAwfPA
A member of our board will be in touch!
Check back frequently, our exhibitor list is growing daily!
If you are interested in becoming a vendor please fill out the vendor form soon for more information!
Questions?
If you have questions about The Great State of Maine Homeschool Conference or need assistance, contact us today
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Technology Sponsor
Community Sponsors
