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THSC Capitol Days

Keeping Texas Families Free

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Capitol Days

Why Join Us?

THSC Capitol Days is the ultimate hands-on learning experience in state government and a valuable tool for lobbying the Texas legislature on current issues of importance. Students and families meet in Austin for activities and training in the legislative process.

Enrich Your Capitol Days Experience!

lone-star-study

Produced by THSC specifically for Texas homeschoolers, this helpful, 80-page unit study helps to fulfill the requirement of “good citizenship.”

Using this study, elementary through high school age students will gain a more complete understanding of government and the Texas legislature through the activities, projects and reading assignments. This study comes complete with a digital PDF student booklet and answer key.

Perfect for those looking to understand the state governmental process, this study takes students of all ages through the three branches of government and the law-making process. Students will write their senators and representatives, and high school-age students will research a piece of legislation. Take advantage of this hands-on enrichment for your homeschool!

Please note that the “Lone Star Study” is a popular addition to the Capitol Days experience. However, it is not a requirement for participation in Capitol Days.

Download Your Copy

The Lone Star Study is only available as a THSC member benefit. To access your copy of the Lone Star Study, log into your member portal and download a copy.

Log In

Become a Member

Not a member? Join THSC today and receive access to the Lone Star Study and much more. THSC is constantly working to promote homeschooling and parental rights.

Join now!

Testimonials

  • This has become a favorite event and we hope to never miss [it]. As a mom/teacher, I learn as much as my children!

  • Thank you so much for this opportunity. I hoped it would be a good learning experience for my son, but ended up being a great learning experience for both of us. We both learned so much about the exhaustive process to get a bill passed into law.

  • It was an amazing and informative day!!! Great speakers and guests!!! It was a hands-on experience that was engaging and empowering!!!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is my elected representative?

Want to know who your elected representative is?
Visit the Texas House search page.

What does a typical Capitol Day look like?

We meet in the Texas Public Policy Foundation Auditorium and participate in games, skits, and other activities which teach the legislative process of how a bill moves from an idea to a vote and on to law. Afterwards, we break into teams, and distribute packets of information to state representatives and their office staff. (This could change due to COVID-19 restrictions.) We encourage taking time in each office to discuss what the homeschooling position is on certain bills.

 

Does my toddler have to pay to attend Capitol Days with me?

Children 3 years of age and over must be registered to attend Capitol Days. Younger children who will sit in a parent’s lap or stroller do not need to register.

How old do children have to be to participate in Capitol Days?

There is not an age requirement but we find that generally children should be approximately 10 years old in order to fully understand the information and enjoy participating in the days’ activities.

Schedule of Events

What to Expect

In the morning session, attendees learn about current pending legislation important to Texas homeschoolers. After lunch attendees will reconvene, divide into teams and spend the afternoon at the Texas State Capitol delivering informational packets and lobbying the homeschool position to legislators and their staff. (Possible change due to COVID -19)

Group 1

8:30  Registration Opens
9:00  Educational Program in bill creation & legislative process
10:45  Educational Program & Training in lobbying
11:45  Closing Prayer & Departure, Lunch on your own
11:45  (Optional) Letter Writing Campaign
1:00  (Optional) Call time for entry into Capitol
1:30  (Optional) Meet with Legislators at Capitol
 After program (Optional) Capitol Grounds Educational Scavenger Hunt

Group 2

11:30 Registration Opens
12:30  Educational Program in bill creation & legislative process
2:15 Educational Program & Training in lobbying
3:15 Closing Prayer & Departure
3:15 (Optional) Letter Writing Campaign
3:25 (Optional) Call time for entry into Capitol
3:55 (Optional) Meet with Legislators at Capitol
After program (Optional) Capitol Grounds Educational Scavenger Hunt

 

Bills

SB 491

HB 547

Parking

Here are parking options around the Capitol. Please verify before you arrive as price and availability may change.

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Hotels

THSC is offering Courtesy Room Blocks at several local hotels for your convenience. The rates listed are for a limited time.

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Local Attractions

Things to “Do, See and Eat” in Austin! Make the most of your time in the capitol city and visit one of the many local attractions.

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Please observe the location change: due to COVID 19 capacity restrictions, the Capitol Auditorium is being used for House and Senate overflow during the 2021 legislative session. THSC has partnered with the Texas Public Policy Foundation and will be using their new auditorium for our Capitol Days events.

Capitol Accessibility Guide
Vehicles properly displaying an official disabled parking placard or disabled parking license may park at parking meters around the Texas Capitol Complex for free at any time.

Capitol Visitors Parking Garage (very close to the Capitol)
Parking is free for the first two hours, and $1 for each additional half-hour. Maximum price is $12.

Bob Bullock Museum Parking
$10 for full day parking. Entrance is on 18th Street side but may be affected with construction; please check the latest updates today.

1108 Lavaca Street Garage
1108 Lavaca St., Austin, TX 78701
512-306-0100
Visitors only, free.

Capitol Center Parking Garage
100 E. 10th St., Austin, TX 78701
512-474-1530
Takes cards, cash, coins. 40 spaces, covered parking.

125 E. 11th Street Parking
125 E. 11th St., Austin, TX 78701
512-463-8588
Visitors only. Free, 64 spaces (20 reserved for TxDOT).

UT Brazos Parking Garage
$18 for 18-24 hours.

Reserve a Capitol metered space for $15 a day

This page also has a link to all the metered spaces around the Capitol.

Hampton Inn & Suites Austin @ The University/Capitol

Double Queen Beds Room- $105.00

Discount good till 2/24/21
0.3 miles to Texas State Capitol
Breakfast included
$25 self parking each night

Fairfield Inn & Suites Austin/North Parmer Lane

Double Queen Beds Room- $99.00

Discount good till 2/20/21
7 miles about 11 minutes from Capitol
Breakfast included
Free parking

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Austin Downtown – University

Double Queen Beds Room – $99.00

Discount good till 2/22/21
0.5 miles to Texas State Capitol
Breakfast included
Parking $30 daily

Blanton Museum of Art
European paintings, modern and contemporary Latin American art, and an encyclopedic collection of prints. Admission is free on Thursdays. Open Tuesdays-Fridays 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sundays 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
Exhibits, IMAX theatre and more

Cathedral of Junk
Privately owned three-story art structure of junk, 29 years in the making. Try the scavenger hunt. By appointment only. Call Vince 512-299-7413.

Congress Avenue Bridge
Congress Avenue Bridge shelters the largest urban bat colony in North America. More than 1.5 million bats fly out near dusk. Best viewing dates: April-October.

Franklin BBQ
Best barbeque in Austin! But bring some lawn chairs, because the wait is generally one to two hours!

Hyde Park Bar & Grill
Comfort food, casual atmosphere, reasonable prices.

Kerby Lane Café
Famous for their pancakes!

LBJ Presidential Library
Visitors will experience the life and times of Lyndon B. Johnson, one of our nation’s most fascinating presidents, and the era of his administration—the turbulent 1960s.

Neill-Cochran House
Designed by Abner Cook (architect for the Governor’s Mansion), this beautiful 1855 Greek Revival-style home housed the Texas School for the Blind. Tours: Tuesdays-Saturdays from 2 p.m.-5 p.m.

O. Henry Museum
Historic residence of William Sidney Porter

Texas State Cemetery
The final resting place of Governors, Senators, Legislators, Congressmen, Judges and other legendary Texans who have made the state what it is today.

Wild Basin Preserve
227 acres of Central Texas Hill Country habitat, home to two species of endangered birds, golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo. Hiking trails.

Zilker Botanical Garden
30 acres of themed gardens!

Capitol Monuments
Curious about the monuments all around you on the Capitol grounds? Visit this page on the Capitol Monuments.