Homeschool Day at the Capitol Day

Capitol Day is a biannual event. See all the details on HOME's 2025 Capitol Day event below!

Join the HOME team and hundreds of homeschoolers from around the state for Homeschool Day at the Capitol in Augusta! Together we will raise awareness, share our success and strengthen homeschool freedoms. Families will experience hands-on learning at its best, too!  

PRESERVE, PROTECT AND PROMOTE HOMESCHOOLING ON CAPITOL DAY!

• Come to Augusta and join us for events on Wednesday, April 9, 2025!

• Help HOME to Spotlight Maine Homeschoolers! We are currently updating HOME's Shine the Light on Homeschooling publication, which highlights homeschool families. Would you submit a testimony detailing how homeschooling has been beneficial for your family? We would like to include homeschool stories, assignments, recipes and art. Your submissions will be compiled and published to be distributed to our legislators as part of our Home Education Week celebrations. You can submit your contribution here.

• Consider making a financial contribution to help cover the costs for this event! Thank you for your help and support!

CAPITOL DAY EVENT INFORMATION

Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Theme: Diligence: "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."  1 Corinthians 16:13

Location: The Capitol in Augusta

Cost: FREE! Pre-registration is required. Please Pre-register below. 

DIRECTIONS AND INFORMATION

Find out how to get there, where to park, where to eat, and more!

MEET YOUR LEGISLATORS

Legislators love to meet their constituents. Contact them to let them know you will be attending Homeschool Day at the Capitol! Arrange a visit with your family or invite them to the "Legislator Meet and Greet" happening in the Hall of Flags at 11:00am! Find your Representative HERE. Find your Senator HERE. Learn more about Visiting with Your Legislator. 

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR EVENT? 

Use the chat option through Facebook Messenger in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen.

9:00am - State House Tour (1 hr.) (full)

9:00am - Blaine House Tour (1/2 hr.) (full)

9:30am - Blaine House Tour (1/2 hr.) (full)

RALLY AND SPEAKERS IN THE HALL OF FLAGS 

9:15am - Registration Open

10:00am - Rally in the Hall of Flags

• Welcome and Opening Prayer - Ed Green and Scott Woodruff, HSLDA
• Presentation of Colors - Alert Cadets
• National Anthem - Sung by Abbendale Collomy
• Pledge of Allegiance
• A Hero Tale for World War II - Attorney Scott Woodruff, HSLDA 

Hear the true story of a tiny American destroyer taking on a large group of Japanese battleships and the heroism and devotion of the crew and what we can learn from them. 

• Vigilance Leads to Providence - Kevin Bouck from Project Appleseed 

From Lexington and Concord to the Siege of Boston, Washington and the patriot's vigilance

and patience lead to the events of the night of March 4th, 1776, which lead to the end of the siege. The providence of God being on display when the British tried to counter the cannon placements on Dorchester Heights.

• Legislator Greeting and Introductions from Representative Elizabeth Caruso
• Presentation of Junior Legislator Badges * 

* Recognition of Junior Legislators: To participate in this educational program, purchase a Junior Legislator Learning Unit. (Listen to a review of this unit!) Submit a completed unit checklist to HOME by April 2 to receive a badge and be recognized on Capitol Day!  

11:00am - Acknowledge, Meet and Greet Legislators in the Hall of Flags 

LUNCH ON YOUR OWN - If the weather is nice, bring a picnic to enjoy in Capitol Park! Cross Cafe, located on the ground floor of the Burton M. Cross Building, provides a variety of food items. The Cafe is accessible through the underground tunnel from the State House and is open until 2:00pm.

AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES

TOURS

12:00pm - State House Tour (1 hr.) (full)

12:00pm - Blaine House Tour (1/2 hr.) (full)

12:30pm - Blaine House Tour (1/2 hr.) (full)

MEET YOUR HSLDA ATTORNEY & MAINE LEGISLATORS

1:00 - 3:00pm  - Capitol Welcome Center 

Make the World a Better Place: Start in Augusta - Attorney Scott Woodruff

Normal, everyday, unexceptional people can sometimes turn the tide of history. In the making of good laws, and in the defeat of bad laws, the heroes are the moms, dads, and kids. Hear true stories of close calls, near misses, and astonishing wins on legislative battlegrounds around the state. And hear an update on the battle for freedom now raging in Illinois! Q&A

Meet and Greet Maine Legislators to follow!

HOMESCHOOL RECEPTION

4:00 - 5:00pm - First Amendment Museum

Bring your family and join us at the First Amendment Museum --Just steps away from the Capitol - for a special open house designed just for homeschoolers. Find out more here. 

CLASSES

* Because of limited space, the classes below are limited to one adult per family! Please sign up for one class per family. If you choose to sign up for more than one, in case there is space left, please indicate first choice on your registration form.

12:30 - 1:30pm - Sailmaking and the St. Mary (full)

This program examines the techniques and history of sail making and shipbuilding in Maine. Participants have an opportunity to try their hand at sewing sails while they discover the story of the ST MARY, one of the two last wooden square rigged sailing ships built in North America. (Hands-on) Grades 3 -12

1:30 - 2:30pm - Discover Primary Sources: Working in Maine (full)

The Industrial Revolution began in America in the late 19th century. In a short period of time, industries grew as a result of rapid innovation. But what is industry, and why is it important to Maine? What is it like to work in Maine industries? Who works in Maine’s factories, mills, farms, and forests? Thousands of people have a job in one of the many industries in Maine. Using primary sources, like documents, photographs, and objects, we will explore what it is like to work in Maine today and in the past. 

2:30 - 3:30pm - STEM Explorations with the Maine State Library (full)

A variety of simple, fun activities that explore the science around us.

VISIT THE CAPITOL COMPLEX and complete an outdoor scavenger hunt!

Classes and all activities are free. Details will be emailed to all registrants as the event draws near.

When the Senate or House is convened, the public is invited to visit the Chambers to see what happens during a legislative session. Visitors may observe quietly from the back of the Chamber or the Gallery when open. The Honorary Page program gives students an opportunity to participate in the process and interact with legislators. Students from third grade through high school are invited to serve in the Chambers as Honorary Pages when in session. Under the supervision of the Sergeant-At-Arms and Chamber Staff, Honorary Pages have the opportunity to see what it’s like to work on the floor of the Senate or House and be part of a legislative session. Pages perform such duties as delivering messages to Senators or Representatives and distributing Amendments and Supplements in the Chamber.

Where: Maine State Capitol

When: Tuesday, April 8 or Thursday, April 10

             Tuesday, May 6 or Thursday, May 8

Time: 8:30am

Cost: Free (must pre-register)

Age: grades 3 - 12

Deadline to Register: Extended

Family Learning Organization

Classical Conversations  

Theme: Diligence

Diligence can be equated with hard work, persistence, attentiveness and commitment.  Using these ideas, write about something or someone who has had an influence on your life, or humanity in general, that pertains to the concepts listed above.

Create a writing piece (essay, description, poem, research paper, creative writing piece, etc.) about a person in your life or someone from Maine history. Be sure to include biographical information. Have fun and let the creativity flow as you create this special tribute!

Deadline for Submission: Submit your report in writing to HOME by April 2, 2025.

Prizes: A $25 Amazon gift card for the winning student in each division. 

Division 1: K through 3rd grade

Division 2: 4th through 8th grade 

Division 3: 9th through 12th grade

* Winning essays will be published in the newest edition of the HOME Digest. You may also be asked to share your report during our Capitol Day Celebration.

Celebrate Maine Home Education Week  every year in your own community. Find ways to celebrate and be visible throughout the designated week. The following is just a sampling of activities that could be planned especially for Home Education Week within individual homeschool groups and families: 

• Wear a homeschool t-shirt, sticker or button wherever you go during Home Education Week.

• Have a potluck meal of thanksgiving with other homeschooling families.

• Bake a celebration cake!

• Plan a local field trip with a few families or your support group.

• Arrange for a homeschooling display at your local library.

• Visit a nursing home

• Find ways to volunteer in your community.

• Plan a fundraiser to raise money for your support group or for HOME.

• Buy a copy of Homeschool Heroes and read it to your family! Copies are available at the HOME Office. 

No matter how you choose to celebrate during Maine Home Education Week, please take time to give thanks and glory to God for the very precious freedoms we have to teach our children at home. Without continued prayer, vigilance and a strong homeschool presence within each Maine community, our blessings of freedom could be easily taken away. Take pride in what you do, and enjoy your well-deserved week of recognition!