Join us for Homeschool Day at the Capital 2026!
- Hear from our keynote speaker, Lauren Gideon from Education Independence, and our new HSLDA staff attorney, Ralph Rodriguez!
- Network with like-minded families over breakfast and lunch.
- Browse the vendor hall.
- Choose your own Capital Day adventure (meet with legislators, tour the Capitol, enjoy the NYS Museum, and more)!
Register Here Today!
Event Schedule:
Monday Evening Kickoff with Lauren Gideon from Education Independence (optional)
Monday, May 4, 2026 | 7-9pm
Location: Shaker Ridge Country Club
- 6pm Registration opens
- 6:30pm Introduction / Orientation
- 6:45pm Keynote Address #1 from Lauren Gideon: Under God the People Rule: Romans 13 in a Republic
- 7:45pm Q&A
- 8:15pm Greetings from our Sponsors
Refreshments will be provided at Shaker Ridge. After 9pm, we plan to organize a family hangout time at the hotel (Tru by Hilton Albany Airport). See the registration page for the booking link.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | 8:30am-2pm
Homeschool Day at the Capital
Location: Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Meeting Rooms 2, 3, & 4. Please check Empire State Plaza for directions, parking info, and much more!
- 8:00am Registration, breakfast, vendor hall
- 8:45am Welcome, worship, greetings from elected officials, keynote address #2 from Lauren Gideon: Hold the Line: Renewing American Independence in Its 250th Year
- 10:00am Build your own Capital Day adventure!
- 12:00pm Lunch, vendor hall, introducing Ralph Rodriguez (HSLDA Attorney for NY), keynote ddress #3 from Lauren Gideon: Education Independence: The Front Line of Liberty
- 2:00pm Continued family time at the Capitol (optional)
Both a continental breakfast and box lunch will be provided for you at the Conference Center (and you can enjoy the complementary hotel breakfast!)
Current Legislation:
This year, there are already two bills we are working hard to advance! One is the Sports Bill (A389 and S3436), which will allow homeschool students to participate on high school sports teams. The other is the Letter of Substantial Equivalence Bill (A2326 and S199), which will require District Superintendents to write the Letter when students have completed their home education in compliance with Section 100.10 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. By May, there might be other bills we are supporting, and there may also be bills we are opposing, so your presence is needed both for offense and defense!
Bring the Whole Family!
We are homeschoolers, so, of course, this is a family-friendly event! No childcare is available, as we encourage you to have your children present during the meetings. There will be a room set aside for nursing and a place for you to put coats. Every Individual Home Instruction Programs (IHIP) has a section for Citizenship; participating in this event together with your children is a great way to accomplish that!
Register by March 20 for only $20/person (max of $80/family)!
Grab your Capital Day apparel here!
Keep an eye out for our event app. We’ll see you in Albany!
