Home : Capitol Days

2009 THSC Association

Capitol Days

Experience the legislature.

Earn Good Citizenship credit.

Make a difference.

See a slideshow overview of Capitol Days!

In this time of political change, economic unrest, and the ever-existing threat to home school freedom and parental rights, THSC is excited to host the 2009 THSC Association Capitol Days!

Bring your family to impact their legislature AND to learn how government works! Texas home schoolers have made their presence and opinions known to the legislature through THSC Association Capitol Days during the last seven legislative sessions with many successes!

Capitol Days attendees will enjoy fun and memorable training sessions on how a bill becomes law and how to lobby. They’ll have hands-on experience as they head to the Capitol and meet and lobby legislators. Each month, varying topics will be addressed, depending on the current issue of concern for Texas home educators.

NEW FOR 2009!

Good Citizen Pack

Besides having a new, more interactive format at Capitol Days, we have also produced a very helpful, 80-page, unit study, the Good Citizen Pack.  Whether able to attend the Capitol Days or not, elementary through high school age students will gain a fuller understanding of government and the Texas legislature through the activities, projects, and reading in the Good Citizen Pack. Good Citizens who complete the pack will be recognized at the Home School Rally and by the House of Representatives in a House Resolution for their accomplishment! Simply order yours using the Capitol Day Registration form, or call the THSC office at our toll free order line: 888-200-4903.

Good Citizenship Credit

THSC Capitol Days is a perfect way to earn credit for the THSC Good Citizenship Awards! Any home school student may accumulate hours to achieve a certificate. The individual with the most hours in a particular category will be presented the award in that category. Get more information on the THSC Good Citizenship Awards.

Want to know more about it?

v      Read about one family's Capitol Day experience

v      Former State Representative Nathan Macias wrote an article describing how 

      his Capitol Days experience inspired him to be more politically active.

v      Read a report, written by home school graduate Cassandra Phillips, about the 

      first 2007 Capitol Day.    

2009 Capitol Day Dates

v      Wednesday, March 4

               Registration deadline: February 25

v      Tuesday, April 7 (Rally Day)

               Registration deadline: March 31

v      Wednesday, May 6

               Registration deadline: April 29

Registration 

Registration is required due to space limitations. Please complete and return the following 

form with the appropriate payment by the registration deadline of the day(s) you will be 

attending.

Printable Registration Form 

Bring your entire group and save! Groups (constituting 3 or more families) can receive the member price of $15/person when they register with the group registration form! Remember that space is limited so register early!

Tentative Schedule for Capitol Days

8:15-9 a.m.              Registration 

9 a.m.-Noon             Legislative Training

Noon-1:30 p.m.        Lunch

1:30-4 p.m.              Grassroots Lobbying

4-5 p.m.                   Debriefing

Location

v      Morning: 

              Extension Auditorium in the Capitol (E1.004)

              When entering the Capitol, take the elevator down to the first floor of the

              Extension (E1). Walk through the concrete tunnel and veer right around the

              semi-circle that encases the Reverse Seal Court. The Auditorium will be on

              your right.

 v     Afternoon:

               Capitol Building

               1500 Congress Ave.

               Austin, TX  78701

               Click here for a map. 

Cost

 $15/person - Current THSC Association member families

 $20/person - Non-member families

 $15/person - Attendees registered with a group (constituting 3 or more families)

  -Lunch is on your own.  

  -No refunds will be made after the deadline for each Capitol Day.

  -Refunds requested before the deadline will be issued less a 10% handling fee.

Confirmation

E-mail confirmations, which will include the schedule, the location of the meeting(s), 

and directions will be sent the week preceding each Capitol Day.

Children

Well-behaved children are welcome. There are space limitations and no child care 

facilities, so parents are not advised to bring small children.

Attire 

Because attendees go to the Capitol to lobby in the afternoon, business attire is required.

v      Gentlemen – dress slacks and ties. Suit coats are optional.

v      Ladies – modest dresses, slack suits, or skirts

Limited Space 

The maximum number of participants per Capitol Day is 350. Registrations 

will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

REVISED 

Accommodations

Please note that the Hawthorn Suites flooded and incurred structural damage; 

the THSC group discount is now available at the Comfort Suites Austin-Airport. 

Stay at the discounted rate of $89/night (regularly $120)!  Make your reservations 

2 weeks in advance and ask for the Texas Home School Coalition group rate.  

Comfort Suites Amenities:

-Free Wireless Internet

-Continental Breakfast

-Free Parking

Comfort Suites Austin-Airport

7501 East Ben White Blvd.

Austin, Texas 78741

512-386-6000 

Field Trip Opportunities in Conjunction with Capitol Days

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