Parents
Why should your child go to LeakyCon?
For Parents
LeakyCon 2012 is a Harry Potter and Literature centered conference geared at fans of all ages. Here’s a short rundown of what parents or guardians need to know about LeakyCon and having their children attend our conference either with the family or by themselves, with a chaperone.
LeakyCon Basics
LeakyCon is for fans of Harry Potter, by fans of Harry Potter.
LeakyCon 2011 attendees reading their commemorative yearbooks
J.K. Rowling’s stories have shared with all who have read them the messages of friendship, community and love. These same three principals are what we at LeakyCon base our conference around, with the important addition of fun. We aim to have every attendee experience a fun, enlightening, safe, and magical weekend with his or her fellow Potter fans and book lovers.
Anyone over the age of 13 may attend LeakyCon, but, to ensure their safety, registrants aged 13, 14 or 15 must have a parent/guardian or chaperone with them. Ages 16 and 17 must have consent from their parent or guardian. Anyone aged 18 or older may register at will. Full information on the legal requirements and procedures for underage attendees (that is, under 18) can be found in our FAQ.
For our 2012 conference, our activities will take place in and around the Chicago Hilton Hotel on Michigan Avenue, in the heart of the city. The hotel is providing conference space on various levels in which our panels, concerts and events will take place. Check out our hotel page for more!
It’s fun and safe!
The cast of The Final Battle at LeakyCon 2011
LeakyCon is about having a good time. Attendees of all ages are sure to have a good time, meet new friends with similar interests and benefit from the exploration of the novels of J. K. Rowling as well as interact with some of the most regarded YA authors writing today.
There are very few places today where teens can feel accepted and have fun in wholesome ways. Encouraging the love of reading and books, and creating a place where it’s cool to geek out about culture, has given some of our attendees very memorable experiences.
It’s fun for you, too!
LeakyCon isn’t just for the young or Harry Potter fans. If you, or your whole family, choose to come with your child to Chicago, there is something everyone can enjoy. Housed in the beautiful Chicago Hilton Hotel on Michigan Avenue, the conference is located in the heart of the city with its countless cultural, historical, and retail-shoppable attractions are within walking distance. Theaters, museums, spas, shopping centers, and more await both you and your family. LeakyCon’s an excellent opportunity for the whole family to spend time together in a world-class city.
They can meet and interact with fellow fans!
The Harry Potter community is one of acceptance and inclusion. At LeakyCon, attendees come from across the world to join in group activities about what they love. This environment offers a fantastic opportunity to make new friends while being immersed what brought all of us to the conference in the first place: Harry Potter.
They can meet and interact with some of their heroes!
Members of Team Starkid meet with fans at LeakyCon 2011
LeakyCon brings the fans of Harry Potter some of the people responsible for creating and cultivating our fandom. Among them are actress Evanna Lynch and other actors from the films, the crew from the popular Team StarKid theater group, VlogBrothers John and Hank Green and the puppeteers behind the curtain in Potter Puppet Pals. We will give attendees the chance to meet with these creative folks in a way that other conferences cannot. Unlike other conferences where the main activity is waiting to purchase an autograph, we get our special guests involved in our programming and activities. We give our guests a chance to learn from them, to hear their stories, sometimes even to dance with them. Because they are fans, too.
It’s an opportunity to learn!
During LeakyCon 2011, we presented over 48 hours of programming on every aspect of the Harry Potter series from the delicate balance of good and evil and the moral implications of the character’s choices in the story to how to unlock your creative talent through drawing and applying your interests in giving back to your community. LeakyCon is a tremendous opportunity for attendees to learn, discuss and share while also having fun.
In 2011, we held the first ever LitDay, a special day-long track of programming featuring over twenty Young Adult authors, publishers and editors speaking to their industry and sharing the tips and tricks they’ve learned during their respective careers. We are expanding this for 2012 to a full two-day conference within a conference from this model. More information about LeakyCon Lit will be available shortly.
It’s a chance to give back!
Charity has always been a major part of Leaky, and LeakyCon is no exception. Over the past three years, we have raised and donated over $125,000 to various charities. LeakyCon 2012 will benefit The HP Alliance and Book Aid International. By simply attending you are helping these two charities continue their good works around the world. Full information about our charitable charter can be read at this link.
