FPEA Day at the Capitol** will return to Tallahassee on Thursday, January 12, 2012, in partnership with the Home Education Foundation.
You won’t want to miss anything, including meeting for lunch on the 22nd floor of the Florida State Capitol, wonderful speakers and representatives, or the Tallahassee Northside Rotary Club giving away several desktop computers throughout the day. James Baron, husband of FPEA District 5 Director Marlene Baron, will perform soft jazz music during the luncheon — to hear samples, visit www.musicallyoverjoyed.com and click on Musical Appetizers.
For the convenience of those traveling long-distance, the FPEA has secured special rates at two hotels within five miles of the Capitol. When calling the hotels for reservations you MUST mention you are with FPEA to receive the discounted rate.
- Holiday Inn and Suites, 2725 Graves Road ($149/night, full restaurant)
- Comfort Inn and Suites, 2727 Graves Road, ($89/night, breakfast included).
So set the date aside and gather your homeschool friends, and let’s spend the day letting our elected officials know that homeschoolers in Florida stand in one united voice. Hope to see you there!
If you are planning to attend please call or email the FPEA Office at 1-877-ASK-FPEA or office@fpea.com to let us know how many are in your group so that we can order the correct amount of lunches. We look forward to seeing yeveryone on the 22nd floor at 10 a.m.
Continue to visit this blog for all the updated information.
**Hold the phone, all you amazing homeschool grammar buffs: we are aware that we are meeting in our state capital, but the main events of the day are taking place on the 22nd floor of the Capitol building, so that is why we call it Day at the Capitol.
I have never attended Day at the Capitol and was wondering if it is kid friendly. I have a 3 and 6 year old. Would this be a good time to have a sleep over with grandma or a family outing?~Thanks
Jennifer, I’ve never gone either. However, you are meeting with state representatives and touring the capitol building; the point of the day is state governance. If you have older kids who want to experience the government aspect, then all you need is a “boredom plan” for the littler kids. If the kids you are going for ARE the little kids, I would wait a few years.
It will be lots of fun and a sleep over with grandma should be fun too. It may be an incredible amount of walking for a 3-year old though, definitely bring a stroller.
Day at the Capitol will be so enlightening this year. You are correct that this will be a perfect fit for older children. Unfortunately, James Baron will be unable to provide the jazz music for lunch. However, Bill Mattox of the James Madison Institute is giving instructions regarding hosting your own town hall meetings and ways to grab your legislators attention. Chic-Fil-A is catering the luncheon. Even more fun will be the re-enactment of the Lincoln-Douglas debates that will be performed by the group of Tallahassee homeschoolers who won the Florida History Fair. Also, Brenda Dickinson will give a legislative update, as will the FPEA Legislative Team.
Jennifer-The Day at the Capitol is a wonderful event. Whether you want to bring your 3 yr old & 6 yr old depends a lot on them and you. Depending on the maturity of your 6 year old and his interest in history and politics, and learning new things, he may really enjoy the day. My older boys were 10 & 8 when we went a couple of years ago and they absolutely LOVED it. Their favorite part was when they all of the kids got to sit in a chair of one of the legislators on the floor of the senate and suggest bills, discus/debate them and vote on one. It was highly interactive and educational fun for all, including most ages of kids and also the parents. The children were taught legislative etiquette (had a microphone and had to be acknowledged). They did it just like real senators, so it was extremely educational and cool. That year they also had an anatomy or space movie at the nearby IMAX and an interactive science show as well. Not sure if those are happening this year, but you could check with FPEA to be sure of all the events planned. If your 3 year old enjoys being on your lap while your 6 year old participates, it may be a good time to get that one on one holding time that always seems way to short when they are that little
Or you may want to let the 3 year old stay with G-ma and spend some one on one with the 6 year old.