A big thanks to Classical Conversations for their generosity in being a sponsor of OCEANetwork’s 2025 Apple Pie Day!

Classical Conversations is a Christian curriculum company and community group program for homeschoolers. Learn more about them here.

🍎 Step Up and Be an Apple Pie Day Hero!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I bring my family or homeschool group? Yes! This is a family-friendly event and a great way to connect with legislators, get involved with OCEANetwork, and rally for homeschool freedom in Oregon!

• Where do we go when we get there? Arrive between 11:45am-12pm at the Capitol building and enter the South entrance on State Street. Try to be inside as close to noon as possible. Plan extra time for parking a few blocks away and getting through security. Our volunteers will be inside to direct you.

• What is the parking situation? Due to construction, parking is limited, so arrive early and be prepared to walk a few blocks if needed. We will be gathering just inside the South entrance of the Capitol building between 11:45am and 12:00pm.

• How should we dress? Dress for comfort, given the weather forecast, and for legislator visits.

• What will the legislator visits and pie delivery be like? Pie and packet delivery will begin at 12pm, so plan to come early so that we make sure we get all the packets delivered! When you arrive, please go through the South entrance, located on State Street (across from Willamette University). After going through security, you will be welcomed warmly by our Hospitality team and provided with pies and info packets, then assigned a legislator to visit on either the House or Senate sides. You’ll also be provided with a sample script to help guide your conversation with legislators, if you’d like. (You can download the script ahead of time, too.)

• What items can I bring into the Capitol? There is a security check at the Capitol entrance. To help things go smoothly, please review the prohibited items. While bags are allowed, they do slow down security check lines, so consider leaving them in the car if possible.

• When and where is the homeschool freedom rally? After your legislator visit, head to the Capitol Mall Park, which is on the West side of the Capitol building, across from the Capitol steps. You’ll see our tents up in the park. Our rally starts at 2pm and includes a choir performance by Resound homeschool teen choir, opening remarks by OCEANetwork, and an encouraging talk by our featured speaker.

• Do I need to bring apple pie? No, this year pies were provided by Willamette Valley Pie Co. They donated several pies and the rest were sponsored by Oregon homeschool families at a deep discount.

• Will there be Capitol tours? Due to construction, we are not organizing tours of the Capitol this year. However, short tours of the open areas in the Capitol are available between 10am and 12:30pm. Tours are subject to availability. Simply inquire at the info desk inside the Capitol.

• Can teens be Pages? Your homeschool teens are welcome to apply to be a Page on March 6th or another day through the Captol’s web site. OCEANetwork is not organizing those activities.

• What about lunch? Please eat before arriving or bring a sack lunch for your family to enjoy during the rally. (A pizza dinner will be provided afterward at the Homeschool Encouragement event.)

• Meeting with legislators seems intimidating. What do we say? We’ve provided a simple script you can download here. You’ll also receive a copy of it at the event. You’ll speak with the legislator or their staffer and it can be a short, positive interaction! They love the smiling, friendly families and the apple pie gifts.

• What is the free homeschool encouragement event that happesn after the rally? After the rally closes at 3:00PM, join us at Fruitland Community Church (less than 20 minutes away from the Capitol). RSVP by emailing adams@oceanetwork.org so we can make sure we have enough food. There will be a Homeschool Q&A Panel, a free pizza dinner, a discipleship session by our featured speaker, and apple pie refreshments.

• Can kids come to the free Homeschool Encouragement event? Yes! Please bring the whole family. (RSVP by emailing adams@oceanetwork.org so we can make sure we have enough food.) There are not separate kids activities or childcare provided, but you are welcome to bring quiet activities for your children to do during the panel and discipleship talk. There’s also a playground available outside. Note that children must be supervised by a responsible family member at all times.