I am new to homeschooling. (very new, we haven't even started) I am scared to death. I keep seeing things about fairs and conferences to "get your hands on the curriculum". What are these and where can I find them? I live in North Carolina. Can anyone help?

Tenfeet,
Go to www.hslda.org. Look under support groups. Click on your state and they will list the groups. Click on the group and they will have their events and convention fairs.
Hope this helps!
Drop by and tell us about yourself.
Blessings,
Christine

Thank you for the quick answer. What exactly are conferences for? I hope this isn't a dumb question. Thank you.

Hi Tenfeet,
This is Ann Marie, I posted on the 2nd grade curriculum...As far as the conference goes (and I am new to home educating as well this is going to be my second year). Both last year and this year I went to the CHEA (Christian Home Educators Assocaiton) conference in Ontario, California. The conferences are two part - first the conference where there are classes held from the legal issues to first year homeschooling, record keeping, planning, education teaching/learning styles, etc. There is usually 2 keynote speakers - this year we had Jeff Myers and Lisa Whelchel. This is a great time of encouragement and networking. There are exhibtor workshops where you can talk to company or actual authors about curriculums. Then there is a curriculum fair, where you can see first hand the products - thumb through the pages of the books, again you can talk with representives and/or authors of curriculums. I hadn't planned on attending this year until I found out that Lisa Whelchel was a main speaker - she was incredible and a great encourager (her website is awesome! LisaWhelchel.com) Ours also includes a used curriculum sale - the savings here can definately be work the price of admission
Hope this helps - DonnaYoung.org has some good suggestions before attending a fair is to have a good idea about what you want to see, otherwise it can be very overwhelming. You can check out CHEAofca.org to see the brochure from this year and class handouts, etc.
I will say I was blessed and really enjoyed attending this years conference.
God Bless!

Thank you Ann Marie. That was such a complete answer. I love Lisa Whelchel! I would have gone just to see her too.
God Bless YOU!

Tenfeet,
Have your found a curriculum fair in your area yet?
Blessings,
Christine