What is the evidence for a global Flood? How did the waters recede? How did life restart when the Flood was over? This is the story of Noah and the science behind the Flood. This is a Parent/Child session.

Life in a post-modern world can be tough for Christians – especially young Christians. When skepticism is the rage and Christ is "so not cool," it's not always easy to express one's faith, much less do so courageously and convincingly. With pressure-relieving simplicity, this session will equip young Christians to stand up, step out, and defend the Christian faith – all without losing their own.

The catastrophic events at Mount St. Helens gives us clues about how the global Flood impacted the earth.

No matter where we turn, we're facing an epidemic of visionless, clueless, fantasy-driven young people. Stuck in an education system which fosters this disconnect from reality, few Millennials, even Christians, are able to successfully bridge the gap into real life. From the perspective of a Millennial, Daniel calls students and parents to adopt a new paradigm for his generation in light of God's word. Don't attend this session unless you are ready to be challenged with a new vision for life and an awakened understanding of the responsibilities God calls every young person to fulfill.

Communication is often hard for people, but it is especially difficult for men and their teenagers. Some fathers lose the hearts of their kids, not because they are not doing the right parenting things, but often because they do not know how to communicate. The talk will cover learning the language of your teenager, girl and guy differences in communication, what things need to be communicated, and a survey of questions that dads can use to start conversations that go deeper into their heart.

If we homeschool simply to achieve high academic marks, we are squandering the opportunity to influence our children for Christ. Character healthy leaders are those children who have learned to elevate virtues above feelings. If we spend our homeschooling hours simply on academics and activities, we may win the praise of man, but we risk losing the hearts of our children. In our few short years with our children we must focus on the first things first and character is always the first thing! In this session, Megan, a homeschooling mother of eight, will challenge you to use every opportunity to teach your children to serve God by loving others and to love others by faithfully serving God.

Welcome to the digital age. What does the future of education look like, and how can the homeschool community take advantage of this? Here's a look at free tools and free content sites online that can make your homeschool more efficient, more economical, and more powerful. Harness the educational advantage of online learning and give your kids a jumpstart on their future. We will look at how Web 2.0 applications are changing the definition of education - blogs, wikis, Google applications, Skype, VoiceThreads, open courseware, YouTube, Facebook and even Twitter, when used appropriately can really help kids learn.

Are you aware of these past crises when America's fate hung desperately in the balance? From the French & Indian War, Revolution, Barbary Pirate War, War of 1812, Civil War, WWI & II, etc., you will learn 'the rest of the story' of how leaders with faith and courage arose and disaster was averted! Captivating true-life incidents of seemingly unexplainable circumstances resulted in the nation being saved! You will be inspired as you uncover "Miracles in American History - 32 Amazing Stories of Answered Prayer." In 1746, 70 ships with 13,000 troops sailed from France to lay waste to the American colonies. Massachusetts Governor William Shirley proclaimed a Day of Fasting. What happened next was unexplainable! After the Battle of Monongahela, George Washington wrote from Fort Cumberland to his younger brother, John Augustine Washington, July 18, 1755: "But by the All-Powerful Dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me!" How did Thomas Jefferson's resolution for a Day of Fasting on June 1, 1774, lead to the forming of the Continental Congress, and eventually Independence? How in 1781 the providential rising of three rivers in 10 days allowed Americans to escape British General Cornwallis? Or how the uncanny way Benedict Arnold's planned betrayal of West Point was discovered? George Washington exclaimed: "The Hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this (the course of the war) that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith." Ben Franklin declared: "In the beginning of the Contest with Great Britain...we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection...All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending Providence in our favor." In 1865, President Lincoln proclaimed a Day of Fasting for April 30. What freak accident happened two days later which changed the course of the Civil War? What did Woodrow Wilson declared as the U.S. entered WWI. Or Herbert Hoover during the Great Depression? Or FDR, Eisenhower, MacArthur and Patton during WWII? Or Truman during the Korean War? When Apollo 13 was lost in space, what happened after President Nixon called all of America to pray? Are you aware of these American Miracles?

What are thinking skills and why all the fuss? This seminar challenges traditional teaching methods head on by outlining the best way to teach so your child can remember and use what he has learned-- even when he is an adult. Analysis, synthesis and evaluation explained; samples of creative and critical thinking. And lots of suggested resources and activities that are uncomplicated, time-saving, inexpensive, and effective.

Overlooked! That's what often happens to foreign language instruction. And yet, the "language window" is open and waiting in our children for only a short period of time. Sara Rask, Rainbow consultant and former, High School French teacher, encourages homeschooling moms to introduce a foreign language to young children. She walks through the transition to formal language learning in middle school and addresses the high school credit dilemma. Throw open the window and let foreign languages carry your child to fluency!

Do you want a lifelong learner who initiates studies on his own? Then let go of the wheel and start giving your kids responsibility for their education. Here are practical, inexpensive steps that will encourage children to pursue their own learning, and prevent parent burnout as well.

Basic Academic knowledge is important, but does it prepare a student for success in their field of employment? Is your student becoming a Collaborator, a Communicator, a Critical Thinker, a Creator? Are they developing Media, Information, Technology, Life and Career Skills? When College Professors and CEO's are surveyed, they disagree greatly on how prepared a graduate is for life in the modern world. Come learn how to set up your student for success... beyond the curriculum.

Dr. Eagleson draws on his 30 years of homeschooling and twenty years on the CHAP board to introduce the topic of getting started in homeschooling. A summary of the research into home education is provided. Curriculum, schedules and record keeping will be covered. Dr. Eagleson takes questions from the floor both during and after the presentation. Many homeschoolers comment that they heard this talk when they were just starting.

Have you wondered, "How can I afford to homeschool" or "Am I capable of teaching my children?" You and thousands of parents these past 30 years have wondered the same exact things and have homeschooled their children successfully. There are so many options today, so where do I start? You can homeschool on one income and do it very well! Homeschooling is a journey for the whole family, one in which you will all grow individually and together. Come and glean from the 30 plus years of experience as Renee Miller shares hundreds of ideas to save you money as you teach your children and raise them to love the Lord with all their hearts.

In this session, a robotics team of homeschoolers from western Pennsylvania will share their journey and give you hints on how you can start your own robotics team in your local area. They will share about their experience in the BEST Robotics program which includes aspects of designing and building robots, programming, technical writing, and marketing.

This talk includes many of the evidences for creation that the Lord used to bring Dr. Martin from being an agnostic, zen-Buddhist, evolutionist to a young earth creationist. Dr. Martin uses statistics and current studies to vividly demonstrate how our Christian school kids are following the same downward path into secular humanism that the public school kids are taking and that it is only the homeschoolers who are "stemming the tide," though they are also sloping off into moderate Christianity instead of staying solidly Biblical. When belief in the Bible's authority and accuracy is shaken, people lose their trust in it and the culture departs from Biblical principles. This talk will help equip all ages with foundational truths about creation which will enable young people to stand strong against the attacks of evolution and secular humanism in the academic arena and today's culture.

Our culture is changing at a terrific speed and today's youth are not always getting the Biblical principles they need in time to help them make wise decisions. In this session Dr. Martin will share a Biblical approach to social networking, blogging, YouTube, Smartphones, texting, iPods, Kindles, etc. which are a huge part of everyday life now. While these technology innovations are not bad in and of themselves, they can have a negative influence on our lives if our use of them is not guided by Biblical principles. This session will present specific Scriptures to help guide Christian teens and young adults in their use of technology-based systems so that they will glorify the Lord - not feed the flesh.

Art is the forgotten subject for many families. But what has been missed is not just the "Art Lessons". Come learn why art is important, how to incorporate it into core subjects, and how to make learning fun! You'll leave with hundreds of ideas to make learning more enjoyable, refreshing and fulfilling. Best of all they will retain what they learn!

Whether you want ready-made unit studies or the tools to develop your own, this workshop could be the answer! Come for an overview and explanation of definitions, comparisons, and resources for implementing unit studies into your home. In this workshop, we will also develop your personal Unit Study P.R.O. skills and provide you tools to create your own unit study at home.

Come see how fireflies do it. What is color blindness? The eye is one of God's most incredible creations and it only can see three colors! Watch an electrocuted pickle glow in the dark, see a home demonstration to illustrate the Trinity, a light with no color and a diamond like you've never seen before. Why do flowers come in so many colors? It's not for the bees!

Join Attorney Dewitt Black, Pennsylavania's HSLDA attorney, for his brief summary of Pennsylvania's homeschool law with an emphasis on recent changes due to the passage of HB 1013. Dee's summary will be followed by a Q & A session where you can get all your questions answered about the homeschool law.

Picking curriculum can be an overwhelming, confusing, and a surprisingly expensive venture. If you are starting out on the homeschool journey, or if you are a curriculum junkie who has struggled with completing curriculum, this talk might be for you. Sarah Mae gives you the confidence that you can give your child a wonderful education without spending hundreds of dollars.

Food engages the senses and intrigues our minds, so why not add it to your curriculum! Join Sara Rask as she offer suggestions and resources for incorporating cooking into your classroom. Learn how to make your curriculum truly multi-sensory in this tasty workshop!

At birth you see everything upside down and backwards! Why would God design the eye like that? Can you really trust your ears? Your eardrum needs to only move one-half the diameter of a hydrogen atom to register a sound! A one-sixteenth inch piece of DNA translated into books makes a stack from the earth to the moon and back 400 times! Our God is totally awesome!

Jesus lived thousands of years ago, but He is still changing the world today. Before he ascended, he sat down with his disciples and left them with a few words of correction, hope, and direction. These same words can help give your life with clarity and purpose.

Author and host of the television show, Starting a Micro Business, Carol Topp will encourage teenagers that they can start and run their own micro businesses. Carol will share video clips of homeschool teenagers who started their own businesses and went onto learn confidence, time management, and business skills while earning money. She’ll guide a discussion to help teenagers come up with a micro business idea of their own.

Author and host of the television show, Starting a Micro Business, Carol Topp will encourage teenagers that they can start and run their own micro businesses. Carol will share video clips of homeschool teenagers who started their own businesses and went onto learn confidence, time management, and business skills while earning money. She’ll guide a discussion to help teenagers come up with a micro business idea of their own.

Using visual illustrations, we show how life only shows design, order, and beauty – not random accident and chance. We cover three aspects of the natural world the evolution cannot explain – including design, instinct, and general relative sizes of creatures.

The story continues as we delve more into the commission that Jesus gave in the Upper Room. The riveting account of this story is sure to stir within you a passion for life.

Too many students graduate from high school with no idea what career they should pursue. Homeschool mother and author, Carol Topp, will offer steps, resources and her experiences in helping students pursue a career path unique for them. Attendees will receive a free copy of Carol’s ebook: Career Exploration for Homeschool High School Students.

Why is it that almost half of college graduates can’t find a job? What’s missing? What does a student really need to learn between the ages of sixteen and twenty two to be ready for “real life”? Everyone focuses on academics, but you need more than academic ability to be fully equipped for the challenges and responsibilities of adulthood. In this session Jonathan will guide you through the seven essential skills and abilities that are crucial for successfully launching into adulthood. This time of life is a unique time, offering amazing possibilities. Come learn how to maximize this time, focus on the essentials, and be prepared and equipped for extraordinary success!

Most purity resources these days focus on girls, but purity tends to be a much bigger problem for young men and many seem hopelessly naïve about the battles our sons are facing. Today’s young men grow up with challenges to their purity on every side. In a time when over 90% of teens have been exposed to internet pornography, how can we teach our boys to keep their way pure? What can we do when temptation is lurking on friends' phones and beckons are just a click away? How can we give them a Biblical context for sexuality—from their toddler years to adulthood? Come hear the parents of six sons give you frank, practical advice on raising your son to be a virtuous knight.

Learning to embrace a natural, holistic way of education can make homeschooling doable and successful academically, spiritually and socially for both the students and the parents. It’s important to let go of our pre-conceived notions of what “school” should look like, and instead major on the strengths of homeschooling – flexibility, real life learning, real books (living books), dialogue rather than formal tests, etc. Discover how to emphasize the benefits of homeschooling and avoid the burnout that happens when parents try to replicate a traditional school in their homes.

Don’t let the idea of teaching science send you into a panic. Science at its core is about making observations, asking questions, and seeking out answers. Going on a nature walk provides the perfect opportunity to nurture the budding scientist inside each of you. Come unlock the wonder and beauty of science explorations awaiting your family in the great outdoors. We’ll delve into the many benefits and give you an arsenal of ideas to implement in your neighborhood, parks and nearby wilderness areas! Plus you’ll discover how these adventures will help in all of your other academic endeavors as well.

"My child hates piano - should I let him stop?" "I'm thinking about starting my children in music - what should I do?" "When should my child begin piano?" "Should all children learn piano?" These are questions I commonly hear from homeschool parents. What should one look for in a teacher? How can a child be encouraged to play? These questions and more will be covered in this workshop.

Come explore the scientific research behind the mind/body connection and how movement can be the key switch to turn your child ON to learning. Learn ways to incorporate movement into everyday learning to maximize your child’s learning potential.

Do the social sciences leave you thirsty for more than dry academics? Join us as we blow the dust off the books and take a fresh look at teaching God's world, God's people, and God's story. We will descuss tips and tricks for taking our studies outside the box and making the social sciences engaging for all learning styles.

Discover how to teach students of all ages to write stories reports and essays with style using the award-winning Excellence in Writing.

Working with other families who are homeschooling can be a huge blessing! What makes for a better working relationship in a co-op situation? What are some potential pitfalls to avoid? You can successfully put one together to meet the needs of your students. Come and get ideas to get started!

Come see how to teach math using a skill based, multi-sensory approach form counting to Calculus. Teach your child to understand math and build a foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

Learn how hundreds of children have become confident, successful spellers using the methods taught in Spelling You See. There are no weekly spelling lists, no weekly spelling tests, and no time-consuming instructor preparation. Instead, a brief daily activity helps students integrate writing, reading, speaking and listening.

You can help a student move from simply reporting facts to the more sophisticated skill of using facts in order to support an opinion with several different essay models and a gradual method of building the analytical writer.

In a world of ever changing technology, students must not lose the art of effective note taking to carry them throughout life.

Learn life-long skills to sound smart when speaking and writing

After a short overview of Classical Christian Education, we will delve into the unique characteristics of 7th through 12th grade students, along with how the Classical Christian approach works to equip them for life and motivate them for a life of service to Christ. We will focus on the end product, what qualities will define our children when they graduate from our high schools, socially, academically and spiritually. We will discuss how Logic and Latin, along with other uniquely classical subjects, fit in to the big picture, guiding your child to embrace a Christian worldview and discover his or her life's mission. You will leave this workshop with a more clear understanding of Classical Christian education’s goals, along with strategy and resources for achieving those goals.

Gain insightful tips for homeschooling teens and building good relationships at home. We’ll discuss the academic advantages of homeschooling teens and getting them ready for college. Learn about the most important priorities during the teen years, including Elizabeth’s quick list of “Homeschooling Teens: What’s Important.” For those deciding about home schooling teens this is a must.

Raising a teenager is an intimidating prospect. How do we keep their hearts and prepare them for the future? Whether you’re parenting teenagers now, or will be in the future, this workshop offers encouragement, hope, and solid teaching on how to make these years some of the best. Join Lisa, currently the mother of 5 teenagers, as she shares her heart and wisdom in loving and directing your child through the teen years.

Learn how to teach geography in an integrated way. Our world is an amazing place! Through the study of geography we can understand and appreciate the people that God has placed upon this earth and how geography affects cultures. Let’s learn how to go into all the world together as families. (Note: no airline tickets necessary.)

By anyone’s standard boys are failing in the current educational environment. Recent research has confirmed the biological, psychological, and physiological differences between the way male and female brains learn. Rick explores those differences and looks at some strategies that can help males succeed in an educational environment that is often confusing and discouraging to their learning styles.

People of all ages are captivated by dinosaurs. Unfortunately, evolutionists use dinosaurs to indoctrinate the young and the old with an earth history that includes millions of years but has no room for the Bible. This presentation will show the power of a person’s starting assumptions (or “worldview”) when interpreting past events, and will define the different types of sciences used in investigating the world around us, with a thorough exploration of these enigmatic lizards. Let’s take dinosaurs to the Bible and see what God’s word has to say about them!

In this session we define “science”, and illustrate the scientific method of problem solving. In the light of true science, the three main concepts that the theory of evolution is based upon are examined and shown to be faithbased rather than science-based. The purpose of this session is not only to show that science does not support evolutionary theory, but also to give Christians some “tools” with which to combat the theory.

Would you like to bring your teenager home from a traditional school, but you aren’t sure where to start? Would your teen really like to learn, but is constrained by traditional methods and classrooms? Are you currently homeschooling your high schooler, but need some direction? Are you home schooling a middle school child and want to begin to prepare for high school? This workshop provides the basics in preparing and conducting high school classes for your homeschooler, including requirements, what to teach and when.

Do you ever wonder. “Are we really on the right track?” Most likely, the answer to that question is, “Yes!” It is very possible that progress is being made, but not the way in which you are hoping or expecting. In this workshop, Krisa points out the sometimes forgotten areas of progress, and also provides some teaching strategies, assessment ideas, and other resources that will help you “keep up the good fight” when it seems your efforts are in vain.

Just what it says: the nitty-gritty of these areas of post-high school – how to maneuver the maze of matriculation!

Come and discover award-winning Excellence in Writing, a method of teaching composition that really works. Usingthis program, students of all ages will learn to write stories, reports and essays with style. This workshop will give you an overview of the program and show you how you can get started.

"My child hates piano - should I let him stop?" "I'm thinking about starting my children in music - what should I do?" "When should my child begin piano?" "Should all children learn piano?" These are questions I commonly hear from homeschool parents. What should one look for in a teacher? How can a child be encouraged to play? These questions and more will be covered in this workshop.

Enjoy tea and cake as ladies share the experiences as a homeschool mom, pursuing excellence, and trying to find that ever-elusive "balance." Several ladies have prepared something to share, but the time is flexible enough to address the needs and concerns of the attendees.

God has created each family and each family member to be unique. When we, as parents, embark on this adventure we call “home schooling,” we need to realize that we cannot have a “one-size-fits-all” mentality. What works well for another family may spell disaster for yours. The success your first child enjoyed with your original curriculum choice may not be mirrored by your second child. We’ll touch on a variety of ways you can educate your children, from kindergarten through high school, without getting stuck in an educational rut. We’ll also explore some of the many opportunities that await your child after graduation. Join us as we learn to “Think Outside the Box.”

Jonathan Brush of College Plus talks about the 10 crucial years between the ages of 10 and 20.

Picking the perfect curriculum is a tricky task. There is a plethora of overwhelming choices. Classical? Unschooling? Charlotte Mason? Unit Studies? What's a mom to do? In this session parents will get a broad overview of the general types of curriculum and educational styles. Come learn how to navigate the market, avoid purchase pitfalls and find the right fit for your family’s learning styles and budget.

Teaching writing and evaluating your student’s work may be simpler than it seems! Capture the vision for writing instruction that leans on God’s structured design of the language and receive practical tips and inspiration for nurturing your student’s writing. Telisa encourages parents to mentor their students in writing and provides ideas for giving clear assignments and templates for evaluations to guide student’s development in writing

Homeschooling is challenging. Sometimes it can feel like a major accomplishment just to take a shower and get the breakfast dishes cleaned up before dinner! Most homeschool moms feel the pressure of providing their children with a solid academic foundation ¬– but there's so much more to homeschooling than academics, isn't there? The truth is that the greatest accomplishment of homeschooling is to nurture children in the ways of the One who made them. Whether you are on the edge of homeschool burnout, wondering why God has called your family to this homeschooling journey, or just need some honest, real encouragement, this is the one homeschool workshop not to miss out on!

This session provides helpful information about the achievement test tool and how it can benefit your homeschool. Topics include testing requirements in Oregon, opportunities available for testing your student, and preparing your student to take an achievement test.

This session will encourage parents to examine their reasons for home schooling, and to avoid certain pitfalls that commonly occur. Sharon shares from her own experience many of her mistakes, some of which are humorous, and encourages parents with the compassion and understanding of a veteran home school mom to keep on keeping on. She deals with challenging areas such as organization, planning, curriculum choices, cleaning, etc., and encourages every home school parent to find and live the balanced lifestyle which is Gods will for them. After 24 years of home schooling, Sharon has some practical, and often humorous, advice to share with home schooling parents. Home school burn-out can happen to anyone, whether a new or veteran home schooler, so Sharon will teach you how to avoid ten, common home schooling pitfalls. Come prepared to laugh, and re-focus, and leave determined to be too blessed to be stressed!

What is ‘real science’? Jonathan discusses the distinction between ‘origins science’ which seeks to explain what happened in the past and ‘operational science’ which is testable, repeatable, and is the source of things like cell phones and antibiotics. He shows how what we see from operational science—things we observe today—support the Bible’s statements about origins and an intelligent Designer—the God of the Bible. This includes startling evidence for a globe-covering Flood that laid down rock layers, formed fossils, and carved canyons.

In popular culture (media, movies and public education), dinosaurs are probably used more than any other topic to indoctrinate people, particularly our youth, into the worldview of evolution and its associated millions-of-years timeframe. However, most have never heard the overwhelming evidence that demonstrates man and dinosaurs have coexisted in recent history. Moreover, evolutionary paleontologists have been confronted by physical evidence that contradicts their idea that the last dinosaur walked the earth 65 million years ago. What does this mean for Christians? Gary relates how we can use this information to reaffirm the Bible’s account of history, and the dinosaurs’ place in it. It’s important information that we can use to equip our children when they are confronted by the cultural view of dinosaurs and the millions of years of evolution.

Sharon knows from experience, if Mama aint healthy, aint nobody happy!. After nearly two decades of burning the candle at both ends in service to the home school community, God used some serious events in Sharons life to teach her what her true priorities were. Sharon will teach the ladies how to maintain, or rebuild, optimal spiritual, physical and emotional health (including Biblical principles of time management). She'll also teach the ladies her secret weapon from becoming over-committed.

Creatures do change over time. It’s called natural selection, but it’s not evolution, because they can only change within predetermined limits. Frogs stay as frogs, and dogs remain as dogs. If we are taught to understand it from a biblical perspective, natural selection is actually great evidence for the incredible capacity for animals to adapt due to their design. In short, what we observe is the opposite of evolution, and great evidence of a designer—the Creator God of the Bible. Equip your children to understand this important issue so they can withstand the humanistic evolutionary bias that interprets the real evidence to discredit the Bible. Romans 1:20 “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

Why do most scientists believe in evolution? Is it because the science behind evolution is so strong? In this eye-opening presentation, and using their very own data, Gary ‘busts’ the myths behind evolutionary assumptions and shows how the evidence fits the biblical account better. But why is this an important debate for Christians? It’s because our children will be taught evolution as ‘fact’ when they undertake higher education. The consequences are having a damaging effect on the church as our youth walk away from their faith. It doesn’t have to be this way. We can actually empower our children if we can teach them how to think straight in this crooked world.

What is ‘real science’? Jonathan discusses the distinction between ‘origins science’ which seeks to explain what happened in the past and ‘operational science’ which is testable, repeatable, and is the source of things like cell phones and antibiotics. He shows how what we see from operational science—things we observe today—support the Bible’s statements about origins and an intelligent Designer—the God of the Bible. This includes startling evidence for a globe-covering Flood that laid down rock layers, formed fossils, and carved canyons.

Gary is arguably the world’s leading Christian authority in this area. His book, Alien Intrusion: UFOs and the Evolution Connection, is the only creation book to be an Amazon top 50 best-seller. He points out that life can only arise from one of two mechanisms; either it was created (as the Bible says) or it evolved (as evolutionists claim). Countless numbers, including most Christians, believe in alien life due to popular culture and evolutionism. So what about life on other planets? What about all the UFO sightings and experiences with alleged aliens that people (including some Christians) claim to have? Are these real events, and are they really aliens? Gary’s investigations have taken him all over the world to uncover a sinister agenda by spiritual forces that have deceived millions. And yes, the experiences can be real, but they are not really aliens. As much as it might surprise many, Gary will demonstrate from Scripture that, even in this incomprehensively massive universe, the earth and mankind are unique, and that the Bible does not allow for intelligent life on other planets. Prepare to have your thinking challenged.

Many non-believers rail against God because they witness so much death and suffering in the world, and this is one of the main reasons why people reject the God of the Bible. However, if they are atheists, what logical basis do they have for determining what is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ anyway? Sadly, many have left their Christian faith because they have been taught that death and struggle is an essential part of ‘life’, and so this must be the way that God created. However, if we understand and take the Bible’s history at face value, the death and suffering we see in the world should actually serve as a reminder that something is wrong with this fallen world. When we look at the world through the lens of the Scripture, we find that indeed God has done something about all the death and suffering in the world. You will be immensely encouraged by this message.

We can tell when something shows evidence of having a human designer. So when things in nature show those same characteristics—only on a much more complex level—it makes sense to attribute that to a Designer as well. Jonathan discusses several evidences of magnificent design in nature, including DNA, molecular machines, the complexity of the cell, and more. He also demolishes arguments of ‘bad design’.

Introduction to the Common Core and what it means for homeschoolers. This was presented at the 2013 NYS LEAH Downstate Homeschool Convention.

Are you so overwhelmed that you find yourself going through the motions of school, without a clear sense of purpose or direction for each of your children? With a few tips, tools and techniques you can create a doable plan that will help you feel more confident and purposeful. We’ll look at how to assess the whole child, evaluate the school year and set tangible, achievable goals for each of your students. Come learn how to start with The Counselor, take practical steps, and even include your spouse in the process!

Most of us were taught worthless or misleading spelling rules filled with exceptions. Come, examine ways this complex language is much more consistent than we've been lead to believe.

What type of homeschool parent are you? A box checker? Eclectic? Do you love schedules? Loathe them? Maybe you’re still looking for that perfect “niche.” Paige will share practical tips for helping all personalities succeed as homeschooling parents. Examine areas of struggle, identify strengths, and most importantly, be encouraged that God knew your strengths and weaknesses when He placed your children in your home.

Society tries to convince us of what’s hot and what’s not. But what does God have to say about bulging muscles and striving for the perfect figure?

Families with kids of all ages are invited to come and hear the compelling evidence that shows dinosaurs were on the Ark and the subsequent eye witness accounts.

Our children are precious gifts from the Lord but sometimes they can interfere with our human plans. Many homeschooling parents are in distress because they find their little ones seeking attention at all the wrong times. Let Paige share with you creative ways to prepare these young “sponges” for school while keeping them creatively occupied at times when the parent needs to concentrate on the older ones. The workshop is full of practical suggestions for educational toys and common household items that can be used to educate and occupy young ones. Homeschooling with young ones can be easier than you think!

It’s difficult to be a Christian when you feel like you’re faking it. Harder still when you actually are faking it. Honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to our relationship with God. It’s time to sit down, take a deep breath and hear what He has to say.

Do you ever feel like you are stuck in a thought pattern you cannot escape from? Are there circumstances or hurts that keep you hindered or afraid? Having first hand seen the devastation that comes from believing the lies of Satan, Elizabeth will address the power of female emotions and the freedom that comes from having a mind controlled by the love of Christ.

The internet has opened up a seemingly endless stream of social opportunities. What are the pros and cons of this new world and what are the principles for effective and godly use of these amazing tools? Join us for a conversation about these questions and more.

Let’s be frank. There are two kinds of homeschoolers, those who think homeschooling rocks and those who think it doesn’t. Come hear two homeschool graduates talk about the good, bad and ugly of growing up in a homeschool and why, in fact, homeschooling isn’t lame.

Has anyone ever seen a live dinosaur? How many different kinds of dinosaurs are there? How much can a dinosaur eat? Curious families, come and find out the answers to these questions.

Rick Boyer and his wife have been home schooling since 1980. Starting out young and green in a time when only a handful of families was home schooling, Rick and Marilyn found few resources to help them in their journey. They had to blaze their own trail, surviving such obstacles as skeptical grandparents, hostile school authorities, unhelpful curriculum publishers, blizzards, Indian attacks&(just kidding). The Boyers are still home schooling today and now share their experiences around the world through their books and their speaking ministry. Rick will share some of the most profound lessons learned along the way, including: -It's not schooling, it's discipleship -Life is the curriculum -The kid is the can -Socialization is for socialists -George Washington survived without Little League -and many more!

A Biblical, age-appropriate approach to sex education. In this workshop parents of elementary and middle school children will learn what to talk about with their kids at every stage of development. This workshop includes information on how to set the paradigm for purity and courtship beginning in preschool. We will also discuss media discernment, how to give "the talk", and how parents can begin now to open up the lines of communication with their children to pave the way for honesty and openness during adolescence.

Once decisions have been made about what to require for high school graduation, once the overall plan has been set, there is still much to do. How do you set up each course? Courses can be designed or modified by using prepackaged curricula, by using a variety of materials you already have on hand, or by outlining the course and finding materials to fit your needs. We will discuss these methods of course planning, and will also cover grading, keeping track of assignments with no stress, and record keeping.

Is your daughter the "odd girl out" or the "leader of the pack"? The rise and fall of the hierarchies of our daughters, and their siblings and friends, is like the rise and fall of kingdoms and world powers. How do we as parents deal with the cliques and their fall out? What is a Godly pattern for our girls and how should they structure their relationships? How do the lies of our culture perpetuate the need for our daughters to bolster their self image and define themselves through the eyes of their peers? Come and hear about God's design for our daughters and their relationships. Step off the treadmill of our culture's say so and into the Spirit of God as the architect of relationships-even those of girls.

Selecting curriculum for the upper grades can become a real nightmare. On the one hand, many materials seem designed for a classroom setting with expensive equipment required, and on the other hand, home-school-designed materials vary so widely in ability level (for both students and teachers) that it is hard to know what will work. Parents often wonder if they need an advanced degree to teach advanced courses, or if "throwing money" at a difficult subject will help, or if materials they like are too basic to count for high school. In this session, we will focus on resources for a variety of subjects that almost any family can use, and will discuss ways to evaluate the myriad of texts and programs available.

When the truths of history (the good, the bad, and the ugly) are sifted through the strainer of political correctness, it loses its potency and relevance. In this modern age that some professionals have labeled, "The Age of Entitlement", both children and adults often appear clueless and nonchalant when it comes to understanding the sacrifices made on their behalf. It often seems that America has forgotten what it means to be grateful. In this session, Jamie will share her heart as she explains how the "watered down", politically correct, history textbooks have had a part in helping students so easily forget the past and think it irrelevant. "For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; and may not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God."? Ps. 78:5-8

This charge was given to high school graduates at the Graduate Recognition Event of the 2009 OCEAN Conference. The text of the address is found in Micah 6:8: "And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (NASB) Mike explains what it means to "do justly", to "walk humbly", and to "love mercy" as we go through our daily living. The aim of the address is to remind graduates of what's important in life and how to evaluate true success.

This session presents important questions to ask regarding home schooling teens and stresses building good relationships at home. The academic advantages and getting them ready for college are discussed. For those deciding about home schooling during the teen years, this is a must. Also, hear Elizabeth's "Top 10 Priorities" for home schooling your teen.