4/11/20: Due to the Colorado state Capitol’s closure and our statewide stay-at-home order, we have decided to postpone the upcoming CHEC Homeschool Day at the Capitol (with tentative plans to reschedule a modified event in the future). We’ll miss spending this exciting day with you! (NOTE: Did you pre-order items with your registration? Products are already on their way to you via mail, and Chick-fil-A lunch order payments have already been refunded to your account.)
Even though the event is canceled, there are still a few ways you can take action towards the dual-purpose of the Capitol event — a day to make a difference for our homeschool freedom, AND a fun family learning day.
1. Make a difference by staying engaged.
The legislative session will now be extended through the summer, and Carolyn Martin will continue watching carefully for all issues regarding parental rights, religious liberty, and homeschool freedom. And we need you to be ready to act! We fully expect more battles coming our way that could impact our homeschool liberties. Make sure you’re signed up for Carolyn’s regular email updates. Learn more here (and feel free to submit the form to update your records if needed, as well).
Although we won’t be meeting together for Day at the Capitol, we’ve arranged to have a video update from Carolyn Martin that will be broadcast this Thursday, April 16th. We’ll send you an email that morning with more details (or check CHEC.org/blog or the CHEC Facebook page that morning for an update).
2. Get your learning activities through the Future Statesman’s Handbook and the Colorado Civics Curriculum.
Learn the foundations of responsible citizenship and the constitutional heritage of our nation — AND get the fascinating details of our Colorado history — in this 250-page US & Colorado Civics curriculum, created for homeschoolers and by homeschoolers! It’s unit-study style with unique images, book suggestions, activities, and field trip ideas built in to each lesson, allowing you to tailor the content to your student’s abilities. (Bonus — this curriculum can help satisfy Colorado law’s required civics instruction!) Learn more here.
Get pumped up (and equipped!) to make an impact in your sphere of influence by studying how our country was founded and how it runs today! The Future Statesman’s Handbook presents an engaging overview of law, government, and history from a Christian perspective. Over 40 pages are filled with hands-on activities, fascinating historical facts and stories, and research project starters that are good for a variety of ages. Learn more here.
Original Event Information – postponed
Come to the annual Colorado Homeschool Day at the Capitol in April and stand for educational and religious liberty with over a thousand other freedom-loving people from around the state.
Homeschool Day at the Capitol is both a fun field trip (see below for all the activities) AND the #1 way to make an impact on your legislators’ support for homeschooling freedom.
Enjoy your right to homeschool everyday by making a stand on this day!
After you register, let your friends know you are coming by joining the event on Facebook and downloading the flyer to print & share!
Guest Speaker
Rick Green, a former Texas State Representative, is a lawyer, successful entrepreneur, and founder of Patriot Academy and the Torch of Freedom Foundation. He currently travels the nation speaking for WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization that presents America’s forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious, and constitutional heritage. He influences tens of thousands of Americans to become salt and light in their communities, helping them understand their dual citizenship and responsibilities both as citizens of Heaven and of America. Rick and his wife Kara live in Dripping Springs, Texas with their children.
Activities
Tentative Schedule
| Pre-events | Purchase the Future Statesman Handbook (for children and families to complete at home) | |
| Submit your Homeschool Story for a Capitol display — learn more | ||
| Enter the Homeschool Freedom Essay Contest — learn more | ||
| Audition to perform music at the Rally — learn more | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 9:00am | Opening of the Colorado Senate & House | Capitol – Upstairs |
| 9:30–11:30am | Interactive Learning Booths | Capitol – Lobby |
| 9:30–10:00am | Historical drama (TBA) | Capitol – Old Supreme Court Chambers |
| 10:15–11:00am | American Liberty workshop (Kevin Swanson) | Capitol – Old Supreme Court Chambers |
| 11:15–11:45am | **Second Showing** Historical drama (TBA) | Capitol – Old Supreme Court Chambers |
| 11:15am | Lunch | Capitol |
| 12:00pm | March around the Capitol | Begin & end at Capitol west steps |
| 12:15pm | MAIN EVENT: Rally! | Capitol west steps |
Click each activity to view more information:
Pre-Event: Purchase the Future Statesman Handbook (for children and families to complete at home)
The Future Statesman Handbook for Godly Government & the US Constitution, published by CHEC, gives your students an engaging overview of law, government, and history from a Christian perspective. Over 40 pages are filled with hands-on activities, fascinating historical facts and stories, and research project starters that are good for a variety of ages. You and your children will gain an enthusiasm for understanding how our country was founded and is run today, and you’ll be equipped to get started making an impact in your own sphere of influence.
Chapters include:
- Foundation for Biblical Law
- Christ and the Law
- Historical Figures that Impacted Western Freedom
- Stephen Langton and the Magna Carta
- The Mayflower Compact
- Early American Thinking on Government
- America’s Declaration of independence
- The Role of Pastors in America’s Founding
- Biblical Jurisdictions
- Branches of Government
- Bill of Rights
- US Constitution
- Economics for the Civil Government
- How to Pray for Our Leaders
- How to Communicate with Your Legislators
Simply add this on when you register for Homeschool Day at the Capitol. Purchase options include:
- PDF download only, $8
- PDF download + hard copy (mailed to you), $12
- PDF download + hard copy (picked up onsite at the event), $10
Note: This handbook was originally published in 2019. Content is not specific to Homeschool Day at the Capitol and may be completed separately from event attendance.
Pre-Event: Submit your Homeschool Story for a Capitol display
Homeschool families, students, and graduates: We want to display your stories at the Colorado state Capitol!
Posters will be displayed at Homeschool Day at the Capitol (Thursday, April 16th) throughout the Capitol lobby, to showcase achievements, memories, adventures, and experiences from homeschooling. We want hundreds of families represented — let’s fill up the Capitol!
We’ll select stories from the submissions and take care of creating and displaying the posters. Click here to learn more and submit your family, student, or graduate story. Submission deadline is March 30th.
Pre-Event: Enter the Homeschool Freedom Essay Contest
Homeschooled students (through grade 12) are invited to compose an essay (under 1,000 words) on the topic of Homeschool Freedom by the submission deadline of March 30th. The Grand Prize is $200 plus the America in God’s Providence hardback book, and all prizes will be presented during the rally at Homeschool Day at the Capitol.
Pre-Event: Audition to perform music at the Rally
CHEC invites home educated students, graduates, and families to audition to perform (vocal only or vocal + accompaniment) one of two selections at the rally:
- America the Beautiful
- The Star Spangled Banner
Capitol: Directions, Map, & Tips
The Colorado State Capitol is located at 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203.
- What to wear? Due to the formal business atmosphere at the Capitol, all attendees should dress in business or church attire. (Some families choose historical costumes for fun, too.) First impressions are important! Dress nicely, speak kindly, and keep children quietly and respectfully by your side.
- Driving? There is plenty of paid parking (street or lot) near the Capitol, but please note that there is no public parking available at the Capitol. Carpooling is encouraged — make the drive a fun one with other homeschool families! Click here for a map of suggested parking areas.
- Light Rail? This could make for a fun add-on to your field trip! The light rail train comes within just a few blocks of the Capitol. For route, schedule, and price information click here.
View a map of the Capitol here:
9:00 – Opening of the Senate and the House
Attend either the House or the Senate opening in the morning and see how the Colorado legislature opens the day. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time; everyone must be seated by the start time, and space fills quickly!
9:30 – Interactive Family Activities in the Capitol
Visit these interactive booths with fun hands-on activities for the whole family to engage in learning together:
- US Constitution Quiz
- Capitol Day Photo Booth
- The History of Homeschooling in the US & Colorado
- Biblical Jurisdictions
- Fun Facts about TABOR
- Colorado History
- Flag History & Etiquette
- Capitol Building Self-Guided Tour
9:30 & 11:15 – Historical drama
Details coming soon!
10:30 – American Liberty workshop (Kevin Swanson)
2020 is the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims on our continent’s shore! Come celebrate with us and hear Kevin Swanson teach from the Pilgrim’s own writings about why they came, what they endured, and the heritage of liberty they gave us. Then, take with you the inspiration to promote our God-given liberty!
11:15 – Lunch
Eat lunch before the rally. You can pre-order Chick-fil-A sack lunches when you register, or bring your own sack lunch.
Please note: Pre-ordering closes after Saturday prior to the event. There will be a limited number of lunches available to purchase onsite from the CHEC table.
12:00 – March around the Capitol
Continuing our tradition for many years, families will meet in front of the Capitol west steps to march together around the Capitol behind fife and drum in a parade, ending back at the west steps just in time for the rally to begin.
12:15 – MAIN EVENT: Rally!
This is the most important part of the day! We will gather with over a thousand people to make our statement loud and clear: Homeschoolers value our liberty!
The rally will feature music, recognition of elected officials, and special guest speakers.
Please invite grandparents, neighbors, and friends — everyone who values educational and religious liberty. Let’s stand strong together! And beware — the weather can be unpredictable, so dress in layers. (And pray for sunshine!)
Free time: Guided Capitol Tours
Guided Capitol tours are conducted by Capitol staff and volunteers and are very limited in space. Learn more at the Visitor Services desk in the North Foyer of the Capitol Building.
Free time: Visit Your Legislator
We encourage you to set up a visit with your legislator as a part of Colorado Homeschool Day at the Capitol on April 25th. (You can find your legislator and their contact information here.) Personally meeting your elected official will help you know first-hand who is making decisions on your behalf at the Capitol and it will strengthen our stand for homeschool liberty in both the House and the Senate.
When you contact your legislator to set up the appointment, encourage them to attend the noon rally. We would be pleased to recognize them during event. (Email carolyn@chec.org to let her know.)
- Questions about Homeschool Freedom in Colorado? Learn more here.
- Need help contacting your legislator? Email Carolyn, the CHEC Homeschool Legislative Liaison, at carolyn@chec.org.
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