In-Person Events
Connect with other Orthodox homeschool families at one of our events around the United States.
At our events, you can join a loving, supportive community, develop friendships, find renewal and inspiration, and draw nearer to Christ.
The character of each event varies by location: at “retreats,” families stay at the event venue; at “conferences,” families are responsible for finding their own off-site accommodations.
If you are interested in volunteering at one of these events, or would like to help plan an event in your area, email us at office@saintemmelia.com.
If you are interested in sponsoring an event, advertising at an event, or attending an event as a vendor, email us at programs@saintemmelia.com.
Keep reading to learn more about previous conferences or to find answers to frequently asked questions. Or you can explore specific conferences by choosing a region in the lefthand menu!
Past Events
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are these events for?
The conferences are designed for any families interested in Orthodoxy and homeschooling. We offer talks for all levels of experience—from new homeschoolers to homeschool veterans! Each conference has different age minimums, but there are activities for young kids-teens, while parents are invited to bring their babies and toddlers to all workshops.
What is the difference between a retreat and a conference?
The retreats include on-site accommodations, while the conferences do not. Additionally, retreats typically emphasize fewer scheduled events and more free time.
How do you choose which locations offer a retreat and which ones offer a conference?
The biggest factor is whether the general location offers good options for a venue with on-site accommodations. Other factors include: the general demographics of the area, the capacity of the planning team and spiritual advisor(s), and feedback from families in that region.
What is included in the event cost?
The registration fees, unless otherwise specified, include: meals, keynote and plenary speaker travel/honoraria/meals/lodging, staff travel/lodging/meals, thank you gifts to the host parish (if applicable) and volunteers, and administrative costs (printing, nametags, and other supplies). By far the biggest expense is meals, and while we do our best to keep costs minimal, there is only so much we can do to defray the costs of such significant amounts of food.We do not aim to make money on these events! If you need financial help getting to a conference, please contact us at programs@saintemmelia.com
Are you going to host an event in my area?
We would love to! Typically, we recommend that the first event in a new location be a one-day conference-style event. In order to start the planning process, we need a couple of possible locations (specifically host parishes), and at least three committed volunteers. The planning process is manageable, but does take some time and dedication. For more information, contact us at office@saintemmelia.com.
Why is (x) event being hosted at a non-Orthodox facility?
With the blessing of our Hierarchs, we choose a location of a suitable size in the specific region we are planning a conference. Orthodox retreat centers that fit our particular needs do not exist in all regions of North America. Where they do exist and are available, we make every effort to utilize their facilities. In the instances that no Orthodox facility in a particular location meets our need, we have a blessing to use the host facility's chapels and naves for our own services. We are careful to respect all canonical limitations.