2026 THE GREAT STATE OF MAINE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE

Augusta, Maine May 1 & 2, 2026

Join us for the largest homeschool event ever held in Maine!

purchase tickets here until
Monday, APRIL 2oth 2026
***There will be No tickets at the door***

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;
Children’s area;
Special learner sensory space;
Career and college fair for teens and homeschool graduates;
Social time and networking for both teens and families.

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

We have set up a block of rooms at the Best Western Plus Augusta Civic Center Inn, located at 110 Community Drive. It is in the same parking complex as the Augusta Civic Center (76 Community Drive) and the only hotel within walking distance.

Please use the above link to reserve your room. Dates can be modified as needed between Thursday, April 30th – Sunday May 3rd.

Schedule (subject to change)

Friday, May 1, 2026

8:45am Doors open/registration

9am-4pm Vendor hall open -See drop down below

9-11am College/Career Fair -See drop down below

9-4pm Special Learner Sensory Playspace open -See drop down below

11-11:30 Opening remarks: MHEA and Sponsors

11:30-12:10 Keynote: Amanda Weeden “School Choice: A Cautionary Tale from NH”

12:15- 3:00pm Mainstage: Various performers and acts, schedule TBD

3:00 Josiah Dyer on the Mainstage

Breakout sessions: (30 minutes between each session for lunch/snacks and vendor hall)

12:15-1:00pm Breakout Session 1 Choices:

–Legislator Panel: How to Interact and Engage with Elected Officials – Elizabeth Shardlow moderating; Rep. Liz Caruso, Rep. Tracy Quint, Matt Pouliot, others TBD
–University of Maine System Early College Programs
–Girl Scouts & Benefits to Homeschool Families – Samantha Lott Hale, Girl Scouts of Maine
–Paleo Problem Solving – Beth Heidemann & Curtis Bentley, Go2Science
–Skill Builders and Micro-credentialing for Homeschoolers – GenerationUS

1:30-2:15pm Breakout Session 2 Choices:

–College Admissions Panel
–Questioning An Unschooler- Come on in and ask anything! – Aimee Gerbi
–Journey to Job: Career Exploration – Erica O’Toole, Eastern Maine Development Corporation
–Elevate your child’s talent with love, music and environment! -Betsy Kobayashi, Pineland Suzuki School
–Write ME: An Introduction to Letter Poems for Young Poets age 8–12 – Julia Bouwsma, Maine Poet Laureate -Skill Builders and Micro-credentialing for Homeschoolers – GenerationUS

2:45-3:30pm Breakout Session 3 Choices:

–FAME Maine
–The “Best Kept Secret” in Maine Education: Career and Technical Education) CTE for Homeschoolers -Bill Tracy, Ed.D., Maine CTE
–Homeschool 101 (Getting Started in Maine) – Heather Lane, Townsend House
–Universal Design for Learning and Sensory Needs – Melissa Bliss, Maine CITE
–Classical Education with Triangles – Rebekah Mower, Classical Conversations
–Write ME: An Introduction to Letter Poems for Young Poets age 13+ – Julia Bouwsma, Maine Poet Laureate
–Your Homeschool Group: Answering the Hard Questions – Darren Jones, HSLDA

4:00-4:45pm Breakout Session 4 Choices:

–Kids Who Learn Differently and the Parents Who Want Answers – Suzanne Fenton, Right Start Math
–Portfolio Reviewer Panel
–Wellness Wizard Magic Workshop – Conjuring Carroll, Wellness Wizard
–Dads & Homeschooling – Darren Jones, HSLDA

–Nature-Powered STEM – Brian King, Educator Eco-Stem Adventures

Children’s Room:

12:15-1:15: Frogtown Puppeteers

2:45-3:30: Mr. Drew and his Animals Too

Outside Activities:

1:00-3:30 Maine Local Living School

6:00-8pm Homeschool Idol with special guests Sagitarrius Rising & Josiah Dyer

Saturday, May 2, 2026

8:45am Doors open/registration

9am-4pm Vendor Hall open -See drop down below

9-3:30pm Special Learner Sensory Playspace open -See drop down below

11-11:10 Opening remarks: MHEA and Sponsors

11:15-12:05 Keynote: Patrick Farenga “Learning is Natural, Schooling is Optional”

Breakout sessions: (30 minutes between each session for lunch/snacks and vendor hall)

12:15-1:00pm Breakout Session I Choices:

–Career opportunities at Bath Iron Works
–Science Superpowers: Engaging Neurodivergent Learners – Beth Heidemann, Go 2 Science
–Experience Classical Education with Triangles! – Rebekah Mower, Classical Conversations
–Homeschooling & NCAA Eligibility – Aimee Gerbi
–Crush Homeschool PE Requirements. Stronger Families, Kids and Lives. Q & A – Betsy Mancine
–Vikings, Pirates, and Ninjas: Teaching History with Mixed Grade Levels – Kat Stelly, Well-Trained Mind Press

1:30-2:15pm Breakout Session 2 Choices:

–College Admissions Panel
–Homeschool 101 (Getting Started in Maine) – Heather Lane, Townsend House
–Elevate your child’s talent with love, music and environment! – Betsy Kobayashi, Pineland Suzuki
–Looking Ahead: Homeschooling the Teen Years – Becky Grant and Ellen Stanley
–Homeschooling Autism – Jennifer Frey & Raychel Ward
–Traveling Light: How we Traveled and Homeschooled without being Rich – Brian King, Educator Eco-Stem Adventures

–Raising Connected Learners: How to Weave Emotional Intelligence Into Your Homeschool Rhythm– Sharon and Andrew Ulrich

2:45-3:30pm Breakout Session 3 Choices:

–Central Maine CommunityCollege Early College
–Co-op Panel
–Building a Solid Math Foundation—Because Confidence Matters – Suzanne Fenton, Right Start Math
–Parental Rights, Homeschool and the Law – Elizabeth Shardlow, Esq.
–Tools to Help Students Struggling with Dyslexia, ADHD or Anxiety – Jessica Bishop
–Wellness Wizard Workshop – Conjuring Carroll

–Bilingual Homeschooling without Burnout– Adele Morales, Corto y Dulce Homeschooling

Children’s Room: 12:15-1:00 Mr. Drew and his Animals Too 1:30-2:45 Kindkids 2:45-3:30 Mr. Drew and his Animals Too

3:00 OPEN Fiddle jam! Mainstage: Bring your guitars, fiddles, penny whistles to join fiddlers Owen Kennedy & Benjamin Foss, this is open to any conference attendee with basic fiddler experience!
4-6pm Community Contradance from 4-6 PM! All ages welcome- No experience needed-

Friday May 1, 2026

Keynote Speaker: Amanda Weeden, New Hampshire’s Home Education Advocate and Leader will talk about “School Choice: A Cautionary Tale from NH”

Performance by Josiah Dyer, Maine homeschool graduate & musician. Check him out in the American Idol auditions!

Maine’s Homeschool Idol– singing competition for homeschooler’s aged 13-20!

Saturday May 2, 2026

Keynote Speaker: Patrick Farenga, writer, publisher, and education activist will talk about “Learning is Natural, Schooling is Optional”

Community Contradance from 4-6 PM! All ages welcome- No experience needed-

Stay tuned as we roll out additional announcements of nationally recognized performers and speakers you won’t want to miss!

We are excited to announce a bigger, expanded children’s area and even MORE family friendly, hands-on programs than last year! Returning for this year’s lineup: Mr. Drew (both days), Frogtown Puppeteers, and KindKids.

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.

Breakout sessions to date:

Kids Who Learn Differently and the Parents Who Want Answers
Building a Solid Math Foundation—Because Confidence Matters
Come Learn More about the Alfond Grant and Maine’s 529 Education Savings Plan
Experience Classical Education with Triangles!
Homeschooling the Teen Years
Opening to Magic: Teaching Poetry from the Poet’s Perspective
Nature-Powered STEM: How to Build Curiosity, Confidence, and Real Science Skills
Traveling Light: How we traveled and Homeschooled without being rich
Unschooling 101: Trust and Connection
Homeschooling 101
State Legislator Panel-Homeschooling and Legislative Concerns
Science Superpowers: Engaging Neurodivergent Learners
Paleo Problem Solving
GenUS Microcredentialing Program for Maine Homeschoolers
Co-op Leader Panel-Starting and Organizing Co-ops Q&A
Wellness Wizard Magic Workshops
Portfolio Reviewer Panel Q&A
Write ME: An Introduction to Letter Poems for Young Poets
Special Learners Parent Panel Q&A
Parental Rights, Homeschooling and the Law
Public Librarian Panel- How Public Libraries Help Maine Homeschoolers
Career Pathways at General Dynamics/Bath Iron Works
Elevate your child’s talent with love, music and environment!
Journey to Job: Pathway to Career Exploration
Your Homeschool Group: Answering the Hard Questions
I’d Like to Help, but How? Dads and Homeschooling
Early College Program Q&A
College Admission Panel Q&A
How to Effectively Engage with Policy Makers, and Why it is Important! Q&A
Homeschooling Advanced, Gifted, and Twice-exceptional Children and Teens
Crush Homeschool PE Requirements. Stronger Families, Kids and Lives. Q & A
Vikings, Pirates, and Ninjas: Teaching History with Mixed Grade Levels

The Great State of Maine Homeschool Conference will host a College and Career Fair for teens from 9-11 am on Friday, May 1! Employers, career preparation professionals/programs and Maine colleges will be on hand throughout the fair to provide information on a variety of opportunities available to young people in our great state. 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!

College and Career Fair Attendees:

In the afternoon of both Friday & Saturday, attend one of our college- and career-focused workshops (see schedule above for details), including:

Career and apprenticeship opportunities at Bath Iron Works
Skill builders and micro-credentials through GenerationUS
Early college programs for high school students
College admissions counselor panel
College and career financial planning
Career opportunities & planning
And more!

We are so excited to announce that we are partnering with some amazing organizations for the Special Learner & Sensory Play Space! Both the Autism Society of Maine and Gallant Therapy Services will be providing a fun, friendly play space for families and their children who may learn a bit differently or have physical or developmental disabilities. In addition Rise, Inc., Maine CITE, Special Olympics, Camp Capella, and the Maine Parent Federation will be there to 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 from our team have homeschooled our neurospicy kids, so PLEASE come join us!

The vendor fair will run from 9am-4pm each day; where 9-11am each day is dedicated specifically just to the vendor fair. Our vendors bring together homeschool friendly businesses offering tools, ideas, curriculums, resources, service and/or products to encourage and inspire homeschooling families.

FREE 2-day family ticket to the 2026 Great State of Maine Homeschool Conference for the people who serve homeschool families! Are you a homeschool group leader (in person or digital?) Are you a public librarian who serves homeschooled families? If so, you may be eligible for a free conference pass. You must apply no later than Thursday April 16th! https://forms.gle/r3cF86hPV76FzZPCA

The vendor fair will run from 9-4 each day; 9-11am each day is dedicated specifically to the vendor fair. We have big plans for a ROBUST vendor area in the main auditorium for 2026!

Please complete the form found at the link below if your organization is interested in a paid vendor space at The Great State of Maine Homeschool Conference on May 1 and 2, 2026 at the Augusta Civic Center. If Maine Home Education Alliance feels you are a good match for our event, we will get back to you within 2 weeks with vendor details. Space is limited, so please submit early! https://forms.gle/d77N5QL3MWvUxibbA

Thank-you for your interest! Sponsorship packages start at $1500 for Community Level sponsors. Please contact Becky AT mainehea.org if you are interested in joining us as a sponsor for 2027!

Thank you for your interest! We are finalizing our program and have a handful of spots open for programming that supports homeschool families. We are specifically looking for more workshops regarding dyslexia instruction, humanities instruction, and STEM. Hands-on, engaging workshops for tweens and teens are also encouraged.

WE ARE NOT IN A FINANCIAL POSITION TO COMPENSATE BREAKOUT SPEAKERS. This is a goal for future years!

All speakers will receive either a 2-day family pass OR lunch and a canvas conference bag on the day of their presentation. If you have expertise in any of the above areas, please reach out to Becky AT Mainehea.org

Thank you!

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. Check back in March to find out how to volunteer!

We encourage nominations and applications for a conference scholarship! Thanks to our generous sponsors, we were able to provide scholarships to 100% of applicants in 2025. Applications for conference scholarships can be found here: https://forms.gle/ZcpjyYXaBhjXKd21A

Questions?

If you have questions about The Great State of Maine Homeschool Conference or need assistance, contact us today