Ron DeSantis America 250 Event: Teaching Kids Faith, Leadership & American Values
Thursday, April 23rd — A Small-Town Mom, Four Kids, and a Big Moment for America
If you had told me earlier this week that I’d be standing in our tiny hometown, surrounded by my four homeschooled kiddos and their homeschool friends, watching Ron DeSantis speak just down the road from our house… I probably would’ve laughed and gone back to our normal daily tasks.
But here we are.
Because that’s the thing about motherhood, homeschooling, and living a faith-rooted life, you learn to expect the unexpected… and then turn it into a lesson.
When History Shows Up in Your Backyard
Wednesday night, we heard the news: Governor DeSantis was coming to Washington County the very next afternoon.
Now, we’re a small, country kind of town. The kind where a big event is usually a football game or a tractor parade. So when something like this happens? It’s not just exciting, it’s electric.
My kids? Through the roof.
As a homeschooling family, we don’t just skim history, we live in it. We talk about government, current events, leadership, and what’s happening right now in our state and country. My kids know who’s making decisions, why it matters, and how it affects their lives (yes—even the younger ones!).
So naturally, we turned this into a full-on “crash course” night:
- Reviewing policies
- Talking through different viewpoints
- Asking big questions
And after all that deep discussion… their final, very scholarly conclusion?
“DeSantis rocks.”
I mean… hard to argue with that level of conviction.
We also took time to talk about something even deeper, faith. In our home, we believe our country’s foundation didn’t happen by accident. The principles our Founding Fathers stood on were deeply rooted in a belief that our rights come from God, not government. We talked about how leaders like George Washington leaned on prayer, sought wisdom beyond themselves, and understood that freedom itself was a gift to be protected and stewarded.
It opened up such a meaningful conversation with my kids about what it looks like to lead with faith today, and why that still matters.
Poster Boards, Sharpies, and a Whole Lot of Excitement
We scrambled together supplies and made signs:
- Homeschool Hero
- Faith • Family • Freedom- Thank you DeSantis
- And of course… DeSantis Rocks
Because nothing says “engaged citizenry” like kids with poster boards and permanent markers first thing in the morning.
The Event: More Than Just a Speech
That afternoon we showed up early (about an hour and a half) and the place was already buzzing.
Cars lined the streets. People everywhere. Smiles, laughter, conversations.
You could feel it: that sense of pride, of community, of shared excitement.
The event centered around honoring George Washington, the Father of our Country, and launching Florida’s efforts toward America’s 250th birthday celebration. Get it… Washington County, George Washington.
And let me tell you… it wasn’t just about the past. It was about the future.
One of the most impactful parts for our family was the unveiling of the statue of George Washington. Seeing him honored in such a tangible way made history feel real for my kids. This wasn’t just a name in a book anymore; this was a man who led through impossible odds, who chose to step away from power, and who trusted God through uncertainty.
We talked about how Washington could have been king, but instead chose to build something different… a republic. A nation where power rests with the people, under God.
My kids noticed things I didn’t even expect, the posture of the statue, the symbolism of honoring him in our small town, and what it represents for our country moving forward. It sparked conversations about sacrifice, integrity, and what true leadership actually looks like. Not loud. Not flashy. But steady, faithful, and grounded in something bigger than yourself.
And this moment is part of something even bigger, Florida’s America 250 initiative, which is inviting families all across the state to reflect, learn, and celebrate our nation’s founding in meaningful ways.
The Moment That Stuck With Me Most
Yes, the speech was powerful. Yes, the history lesson was impactful.
But the moment that hit me hardest? It was watching DeSantis as a dad.
He brought his son up to help unveil the statue. And while he spoke, his son stood nearby; sometimes listening, sometimes being… well, a kid.
At one point, he was casually practicing his baseball swing behind his dad. And I thought: That’s it. That’s the picture.
Leadership and fatherhood. Responsibility and real life. Teaching not just through words, but through presence. No perfection. Just intentional parenting.
As a mom, that spoke volumes.
And it tied right back into what we believe as a family, faith isn’t just something we talk about on Sundays. It’s lived out in the everyday moments. In how we lead, how we parent, and how we show up for the next generation. Seeing that modeled in such a public way was powerful.
Why This Matters (Especially for Our Kids)
On the drive home, we talked.
About leadership.
About sacrifice.
About what it means to be part of “We the People.”
And we circled back again to faith, how our Founding Fathers sought wisdom beyond themselves, how prayer and reliance on God shaped decisions, and how those same principles can guide our children today. Not perfectly, but intentionally.
Because here’s the truth: If we don’t teach our children where we came from… They won’t understand where they’re going.
This 250th celebration isn’t just about fireworks and flags.
It’s about raising a generation that:
- Knows history
- Thinks critically
- Loves their country
- And understands the responsibility that comes with freedom
In our home, that spark has been lit.
From Our Family to Yours
As an early childhood education consultant, a homeschooling mom, and someone deeply rooted in faith and family, I can’t help but feel that this moment matters more than most people realize.
Across the country, states are beginning to prepare for America’s 250th birthday. Here in Florida, the momentum is already building in a big way, and it’s something worth paying attention to.
If you’re looking for a place to start, these are a few of the resources our family has been exploring:
- Florida’s official celebration hub: Explore America 250 Florida
- National Freedom 250 celebration overview: Explore Freedom 250
- White House initiative establishing the national celebration: Read about the 250th Task Force
This milestone marks 250 years of American independence, a time to reflect, to celebrate, and to think carefully about the future we are building for our children.
Because here’s the truth: The next 250 years of America won’t be shaped where most people are looking.
Next week, we’re going to continue discussion America's 250th birthday and how we can support the next 250 years.
We’ll leave it there… for now. Until Then…
Pay attention this week.
To the conversations you’re having.
To the moments with your kids.
To what’s being shaped, right in front of you.
Because it matters more than most people realize.
We’re just getting started.
Written by: Kate Burch, Child Care Biz Help ECE Expert
