Where did the idea of education come from? Does the Bible say anything about it? Is our common viewpoint on education in the US on point or way off target? Join Ginger as we consider the purpose and goal of education, along with what a proper education should include.

“What’s your secret for staying together?” That’s the number one question younger couples want to ask veterans of long-term marriage, according to a recent study. There are bonds which are tighter than the strongest glue, and they’re not dramatic – just very, very powerful, and what’s more, Biblical. Join Hal and Melanie as they share what they’ve learned in 38 years of marriage and years of talking to other couples about the things that stick us together - and help us enjoy it!

Will breaks down Pennsylvania’s homeschool law in easy-to-understand steps to help you homeschool with confidence. He also highlights legal issues and legislation that impact homeschooling and shares some of the ways he is advocating on behalf of homeschooling families.

This session provides a biblical alternative to the standard explanation for these creatures, and answers the basic questions everyone has on the subject - What were dinosaurs? When did they live? What really happened to them? Does the Bible talk about them?

Whether you have or are considering starting your own business, entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart and truthfully, it’s not for everyone. In this session, Rebecca will share some of the highs and lows of her own journey creating multiple businesses and some of the things she has learned along the way about leadership, innovation, and following God’s lead. If you have a big idea you’ve been sitting on and are trying to make your way to financial freedom, make sure to bookmark this session!

So many parents ask, “Why doesn’t my son enjoy reading? I want him to love it!” We look at ways to help your boys read better (because it’s hard to love it when it’s hard!), enjoy reading more, and find joy in stories and in research. From the parents of six adult sons, all of whom learned (eventually) to love reading! Many boys struggle with writing, too. They complain that it's too hard, that they can't think of anything to write, that they don't know why they have to do it anyway. Hal & Melanie homeschooled all six of their boys all the way through. Their boys learned to love writing and won writing awards. You can pull it off, too!

Are you wondering how in the world you will be able to homeschool multiple kids at different grade levels? Especially without losing your mind? Abby Banks is a homeschool mom of five and has been homeschooling since 2008. While it's not always roses & buttercups, she’s learned how to have a flexible rhythm & flow in her day and still be productive – even with five kids. In this workshop, we’ll share three keys to homeschooling multiple kids without going crazy (on most days!). We’ll also walk through specific action steps to take to implement what you learn.

Are you dealing with broken relationships, heartbreak, depression, or even bone-wearying exhaustion in your family? In this session, you’ll be inspired by stories of real revivals through history and how children, men, and women were forever changed and marked not by striving, but by God’s presence. You don’t need a five-step plan—you need the one who can bring beauty from the ashes, joy in the morning, and rain on a dry and thirsty land. May you walk away full of anticipation for the great plans that God has for you. He’s not finished with you yet.

The Bible tells fathers to teach their children the things of God - and tells the kids to be sure and ask! But even if you come from a great family, there will always be things you have to learn on your own - from the sublime to the ridiculous. For a lot of us, we're trying to do things a little (or a lot) differently than our fathers did. Hal's dad was an only child and father of two. Come hear what Hal's learned raising eight homeschooled kids of his own and laugh with him about the strange turns our lives take when we take on this adventure.

Bible literacy is a growing concern in the church, even among those who grew up in Christian homes. Sometimes our kids know the Sunday School stories, but they don’t know how to read and study the Word for themselves. This session will discuss the case for Bible literacy, why it’s important to find resources that dive deeper than simply learning Bible facts, plus how families can start studying whole books of the Bible together – even if you never learned yourself!

This is one of the most breathtaking and perplexing sites in the world. Standard geological explanations for its formation are wrong, and most creationists have overlooked some major pieces of the puzzle. Amazingly, what carved the canyon also explains most of the fascinating geological features in the entire area (e.g. Monument Valley, The Petrified Forest, Canyonlands & Arches, Canyon de Chelley, etc.). Furthermore, they all formed very quickly! What happened?

Homeschooling has changed drastically over the years—everything from who is doing it to why and how they go about it. What does the future look like? Do we just keep approaching the same things in the same ways, or is it time to adapt and flip the script? We aren’t raising our children for a world that was written about 20 years ago, we are raising them for the world 10 years from now. Let’s talk about proactive homeschooling and equipping a generation for what is yet to come.

In this informative talk, Will discusses the law in your state, and how homeschool families can take steps to protect their children from abuse and neglect, as well as from unnecessary and traumatic investigations by CPS investigators.

How do grades work in homeschooling? Do you grade your kids from kindergarten on? Can my child skip a grade? What exactly is the supervisor's role? In this helpful chat, Ginger shares new thoughts about grades, grading, and the process of learning. There may just be a few thoughts about 'Things I Wish I Knew', too!

If you’ve ever heard your kids say this, it’s time to have a frank discussion about it. What is genius? What are we measuring ourselves up against anyway? Sometimes we need freedom from our own limited view of intelligence so that we free our children from the narrow-minded perspective of the world. Let’s unlock the individual genius in the kids we have been given—and in ourselves—as we lift the veil and choose to see the bigger picture together.

Preteens and teens crave connection and acceptance, while media of all kinds are telling them that identifying as a different gender or sexual orientation will solve all their problems. Even kids not tempted by these things are affected by the kids and culture around them, sometimes believing their parents are hateful or unloving in their response to that culture. Find out about the influences reaching out to our kids, learn how to respond in a way that will preserve your relationship, and get practical help in guiding them through the clamoring voices of our society.

Maybe you’re new to homeschooling or maybe you’ve been on this journey for years. One thing is true for no matter how much time you’ve logged as a homeschooling parent: we all need encouragement to keep going. In this session, we’ll talk about potential stumbling blocks to staying encouraged and staying the course. There are practical as well as emotional obstacles like sensing a lack of skills or knowledge, the tendency to compare ourselves to others, or even a lack of cooperation from friends and family. Please join us as we bring some of these issues into the light and assure you that you are not alone!

Let’s be honest: homeschooling is hard. But what makes it even harder is that it is not our only responsibility. We also have to be parents and homemakers while working at our jobs or being involved in our churches or ministries. How do we effectively balance all these important missions that we have been given? How do we prioritize and strategize what truly matters? If you’ve been feeling pulled in a million directions, this one’s for you.

“He never talks to me.” “My teens are so disrespectful.” “I have no idea what she’s thinking.” “They’re so ugly to each other.” “I wish we could just talk.” We hear these things all the time from families. It’s easy to get into a cycle of communicating badly with each other, but it doesn’t have to be that way! The Word of God gives us a lot of really practical advice about communicating with one another, but it’s hard to know what that looks like in real life. Come learn how to turn that advice into action, change your family culture for the better, improve your other relationships, and laugh a little, too.

This session normally closes the seminars. With fascinating illustrations, it contrasts the evolution model with the creation model from a historic standpoint through a look at what many ancient cultures were able to accomplish. It contrasts some of these civilizations to our own.

With so much cultural discord and upheaval, it can be easy to give into despair if we lose sight of our true source of HOPE. Like the Men of Issachar, we must understand the times and know what to do. Join Rick for this promising session as he shares strategies for families to understand and navigate the current state of our country with a Biblical, Constitutional, & Historical perspective full of JOY & HOPE! Together, we’ll train up a generation of leaders who are ready to fight for our freedom and spread HOPE throughout their communities.

Children’s motivation improves when you teach relevant character qualities and help children believe three specific things. In addition, learn the four roles you must play and comebacks to use when children are frustrated. You’ll love the practical ideas!

This is a practical session on how to listen to what has been said and then how to follow up with good questions to understand the speaker. As families are together 24/7, it is important we learn how to interact in a godly manner. Our job is to encourage and love God who is the One who changes hearts.

You've decided to take the homeschool plunge or you're on the fence and need more information. Now what? This session explains what homeschool is, what it can look like, and how to get one's feet wet in the homeschool pool. There will also be a smattering of tips and tricks to help encourage you on your new journey.

All children need to know they’re smart. This empowers them to have hope and believe in their future. When all 8 smarts are awakened and strengthened, children will know they can learn and will successfully study when something isn’t easy. When parents teach to all 8 and use them for review, motivation and learning improve.

Government, history, economics…these topics usually put students AND parents to sleep, yet they are some of the most important things we’ll teach if we expect the next generation to be good citizens and preserve the republic. In this presentation, Rick shares tips and methods for bringing history and civics to life, keeping it fun, engaging the students, seeking truth, and making the lessons count for generations to come.

“I won’t do it!” my child screamed after being asked to sit down and start the day’s math assignment. “You will too!” I resolutely stated back. “I will not!” And thereupon ensued an all-out fight of wills. The strong-willed mother determined to win over the strong-willed child. This workshop is designed to give you helpful tips in dealing with a strong-willed child, how to nurture as well as homeschool this child, how to stay sane in the midst of anguish, and give you hope for the future. Deborah Wuehler is the Senior Editor of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine whose goal is to glorify God and strengthen homeschoolers in their commitment to keep their children Home Where They Belong.

Your children have five legitimate needs that drive their wants, choices, actions, and attitudes. (You have the same five needs.) When their needs aren’t met in healthy ways, they can be anxious, depressed, apathetic, competitive, and more. When God meets their needs and you partner well with Him, your children will have less stress and depression and more contentment and joy. You’ll be refreshed by Dr. Kathy’s practical problem-solving approach to behavior, learning, and motivation problems.

Taking manipulatives out of the kindergarten classroom and recognizing their benefit in teaching mathematical concepts all the way to Algebra can make a proven difference in students’ mathematical comprehension. Explore the science that helps unlock the key to long-term mathematical understanding. This workshop will be of particular benefit to parents who struggle to help their children learn mathematically.

Presently there is a big identity crisis among males regarding what a man is. There is no clear transition from childhood to manhood, and the culture has defined men simplistically. As a result, many fathers are relationally isolated and emotionally disconnected leaving them at a loss for how to lead boys into manhood. This workshop will address the culture’s attack on boys/males, the impact of biology on boys/males learning style, mentoring and educational principles to help boys develop into honorable men and concrete action steps moms and dads can take in the developmental process of boys.

Technology’s Influence Over Beliefs and Behaviors – Dr. Kathy Koch Using technology can cause children (and you) to believe five lies about how the world works. These lies are the root of some of your biggest concerns about children’s behavior (e.g., complaining, pride, anger, depression, selfish decision making). Understanding why they believe the lies and what the lies cause will empower you to make practical changes even as they keep using technology. You’ll find hope in this message.

Good readers are not necessarily early readers. And, early readers don’t always grow up to love reading. God designs each child differently as He deems fit for His purposes. Deborah Wuehler, Senior Editor of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, will talk about her own struggling readers and the practical things that helped them jump those hurdles. Deborah will show you how to have victory over your own obstacles as you keep your children Home Where They Belong.

You are not alone. The Principles of Liberty still work when we work them. And YOU have a role to play in a proven plan for restoring freedom. Let’s be honest…America took a major turn towards government control of the people in the past couple of years. But precisely because of all the government overreach, we now have before us a once in a century opportunity to convert an entire generation into liberty lovers raising patriotic families. If you want to see a revival of freedom in America, then you do not want to miss this presentation by Rick Green as he lays out a path forward for restoring Biblical Values and Constitutional Principles in our communities.

Research says that students who learn to manage their academic time are more successful. How do you teach a child to stay on task when they cannot even find their way to the school table? Come and join Gretchen Roe as she shares research into why your child struggles to manage their time and effective ways you can teach them to set goals and stay on task.

Ever read through the PA Homeschool Law? Find the paperwork process confusing? Do you wonder what the law really means? Find out how to comply with PA's homeschool law and what the requirements are in plain language.

How to make learning fun, memorable, and enjoyable. After many years in the classroom, and as a youth leader, followed by many more years as a homeschool dad, Steve shares strategies and tips that he has practiced and developed in his lifetime to help kids learn.

When a social worker knocks on your door and announces you are being investigated for abuse or neglect, what should you do? A very innocent misstep could mean your kids are whisked away. Scott Woodruff will provide a short explanation of the 4th Amendment and then offer valuable tips and strategies he has developed while helping families for over 22 years.

This session is for anyone looking for information about evaluations. It's for those who are preparing to meet with an evaluator as well as for those who might be interested in becoming an evaluator. We'll look at the requirements in the Pennsylvania Home Education Law for both. There'll also be time for questions. Marsha will share her experience in doing evaluations for over 30 years.

Homeschooling parents are well aware of the shocking statistics of how many of our kids walk away from the faith and values upon which they were raised. The world around them has embraced moral relativism. If the Biblical values that built western civilization are to be restored, the next generation must be equipped to be counter-culture revolutionaries for truth, justice, and the old American way.

Deborah will share how the Bible has made an impact on her homeschooling and how it can change yours. Do your children know the Biblical reasons they are homeschooling? Do they know why they don’t participate in things other kids participate in? Do they have the tools they need for life to battle sin, defeat the enemy, and answer their peers and culture? Find out the importance of the Bible in the homeschool. It’s as important as life and death! Deborah Wuehler is the Senior Editor of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine whose goal is to glorify God and strengthen homeschoolers in their commitment to keep their children Home Where They Belong.

In this most popular of Rick’s presentations, Rick shares a look at our founding fathers, our courts, and our founding documents to take a historical perspective on the current debate regarding whether or not our nation was founded on Biblical principles and how that founding should affect current public policy, and whether our faith should be part of both our private and public lives.

There is no right or wrong way to homeschool, yet the homeschool can cater to your specific child. This course will help you to recognize your child’s learning style and how to support it with tips and tricks added to any curriculum. We will also discuss how to help our children understand themselves so they can advocate.

God designed fathers to serve and lay their lives down for their wife and children. Jesus was a loved son before He was a loving Savior. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father is essential to our relationships with the members of our family.

A 50-minute crash course in the Constitution, including an explanation of the Constitution versus the COURTstitution and how we can restore our Constitutional Republic.

Home academics can be particularly difficult if you think composition is a mystery and you HATE to teach writing. Wouldn’t you love to have the practical tools to teach composition without the stress? Join Gretchen Roe as she reflects with humor and insight on ways to teach a subject many parents dread.

It can be easy to forget why we are homeschooling due to the daily stress and the emotional and physical demands of the job. We hear voices that say, “Someone else could do this better!” or, “What was I thinking?” There are so many things that bring lack of courage to continue on. Besides questions from relatives and strangers, sometimes even our own children will ask why we are homeschooling. Do we have the answers? It is good to remember why we are homeschooling so that when the tough times come, our homeschool will not collapse. Deborah Wuehler is the Senior Editor of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine whose goal is to glorify God and strengthen homeschoolers in their commitment to keep their children Home Where They Belong

1-2-3 Eyes on Me- Many of us were told we weren’t taking in information unless we were showing it with our whole bodies. However, many children need to move to learn. This course will delve into the times that children benefit from sitting and how to engage our moving, wiggly learners.

When a student is having fun, it is much easier to learn … and remember what is being taught. Join Steve as he shares interesting and humorous ways to illustrate and convey key math concepts in an enjoyable manner.

Anxiety is a normal emotional response that we all deal with in varying degrees. As parents our hearts hurt when we see our children face anxiety that interferes with their everyday activities and we naturally want to rescue them. What are the red flags for unhealthy anxiety in our children and how do we effectively intervene? This seminar will explore anxiety from a biblical and psychological perspective. Special attention will be given to cognitive and practical strategies to assist parents in fulfilling their God-given roles as coaches and supporters in “training up a child in the way he/she should go” (Proverbs 22:6).

Regardless of the particular passion God has placed in your child, being successful in any profession depends greatly upon the ability to communicate effectively. As a leader, one must learn how to speak the language of your audience and present your message in a way that allows them to perceive and understand the exact purpose of your communication. In this workshop, Rick will give students and parents specific tools and skills to start them on a road to mastering effective communication skills.

Are you longing to find predictable points in your day to bring all your children together around the table rather than distractedly jumping from child to child? This course will provide tips to keep children of all ages and abilities engaged as well as help us to set realistic goals specific to our kid’s needs.

What is a mentor? Who can be a mentor? Do I need a mentor? Where do I find a mentor? Understand the importance of mentoring relationships in your homeschool journey and how unique each one can be.

Do you hate to wear a certain type of clothing? Does the sound of a person chewing really bother you? Do you tap your leg or repeatedly fidget during the day? These are all “sensory quirks.” When these quirks impact your or your child’s participation in what they need and want to do, we need to address it. This course will discuss the eight sensory systems and ways to help our children organize information from them all.

When good people don’t understand the homeschool laws, bad things can happen! Based on over 22 years of helping homeschool families around the country, Mr. Woodruff will give a thorough, but understandable explanation of the ins and outs of Pennsylvania homeschool law.

Do you feel like you just don’t have what you need to fulfill God’s purpose for your life as a home educator? Do you feel like you don’t have what it takes to be a Godly parent? Do you feel like you lack patience, understanding, kindness, or joy? Where we lack, God’s divine power provides. In this workshop, we see God’s power and grace given in order to do all that He asks of us and reflect Him to our children and to the world. His grace gives us all that we need to abound in every good work—even homeschooling!

Sometimes the most difficult journey is just keeping everyone alive on a homeschool day. Join Gretchen Roe as she reflects on 21 years of homeschooling 6 kids and shares a variety of practical, humorous suggestions for keeping your head together when they are losing theirs. (This is more discussion than presentation, but MAN, it is FUN!)

Dads and moms, in all the busyness of life and swell of expert advice, we've forgotten the fundamental truths of homeschooling and family. In short, we’ve forgotten why we do what we do. We have plenty of “how tos” but have forgotten the “why tos” and it evidences itself in our lack of joy of homeschooling, family, and parenting. Join funny guy and familyman, Todd Wilson, as he sets the stage for a great homeschool convention and the best year ever as he brings us back to the basics of what we believe about family and homeschooling. You're not going to want to miss this for the world.

Your house is a disaster, your kids seem out of control, and you wonder how you'll ever make it through another day of school. Your "get up and go" has "gotten up and went". You used to think homeschooling was the best thing since sliced bread, but now you’re feeling like burnt toast. Take heart - you're not alone! No one homeschools because it's easy. You do it because you believe it is best. But there are times when you need to be reminded once again why it's best. Join me as we do just that. You'll laugh and be encouraged in the toughest job you'll ever...love.

Are you new to homeschooling or new to Pennsylvania? Are you thinking about homeschooling at some point in the future? Do you have questions about what homeschooling might look like and how to get started? This session is designed to encourage and equip you to homeschool your children. Topics include: why homeschool, how to get started in PA, a typical day, curriculum, record keeping, testing, portfolios, and evaluations.

The world our children live in today is quite different from the one we grew up in. They are constantly bombarded with post-modernism, which says whatever you want to believe is your “truth.” Now more than ever, we need to provide them with the tools to discern and combat the lies being hurled at them on a daily basis, even as they are being homeschooled. Join me in this session, where we will identify some of these lies and learn what questions to ask to separate truth from deception.

If you have a hyperactive or easily distractible child, you won’t want to miss this informative and sometimes humorous message that shares stories from his experience as an ADHD child himself. You will receive practical and Biblical insights into ADD/ADHD and will be encouraged that there is hope for your child!

Dan breaks down Pennsylvania’s homeschool law in easy-to-understand steps to help you homeschool with confidence. He also highlights legal issues and legislation that impact homeschooling and shares some of the ways he is advocating on behalf of homeschooling families.

I don’t know why what you expect is typically what you get, I just know that it’s true. Since that’s the case it makes sense to understand this powerful reality at work in our world. Understanding the power of expectations changes your relationships, your parenting, your professional life, and ultimately the course of your life. This session will talk about God’s expectations, what that means for you, and how your expectations will change you and those around you.

Are you having trouble finding the time and energy to meet the needs of your husband after a hard day of homeschooling? Maybe you've forgotten what his needs are. Would you like your husband to take a more active role in homeschooling? Maybe your husband refuses to be involved in training your children. Join me as we look at your role, not as a homeschooling mom, but as a homeschooling WIFE. Your husband will thank you for coming! The discussion will be led by a real husband of a homeschooling mom.

Despite many stereotypes, homeschooling programs are unique and vary widely based on the student. Dan, a homeschool graduate himself, shares from his experience the benefits and challenges of homeschooling as well as the reasons why he is homeschooling his children.

It has only been in recent decades--with the development of technology capable of scanning the human brain--that neurologists have been enlightened as to how learning occurs and how we can optimize new knowledge. This session will address some of the amazing intricacies of the brain, the principles of brain-based learning, how boys and girls learn differently, and how God’s Word teaches us to think for learning retention.

Do you know where the theory of peer group socialization originated? Learn what really drives the question: “What About Socialization?” Israel will go back in History and reveal the engineers behind modern social education theory. You may be surprised to learn what is truly behind this infamous question.

Homeschooling high school can seem intimidating. This is an informational session for those with children approaching high school or in high school. Basic information about transcripts, credits, tests, course descriptions, and some of the options available for high school courses and curriculum will be presented. This overview is designed to provide insight and encouragement as you enter this new phase of the homeschooling adventure.

The heart of leadership is influence and everyone influences someone. That means everyone needs some basic leadership skills, no matter who you are or what you do. You can spend a lifetime reading and studying leadership, and that’s not a bad pursuit, but this session will give you the basic leadership skills you need to understand so you can apply them immediately

The homeschool movement coined and promoted the idea of fostering a LOVE of learning…and yet most homeschooling moms have fostered a “hate” of learning. Instead of inspiring their children to love exploration, discovery, and learning, all of which homeschool SHOULD foster, moms find their children fighting them tooth and nail to “do school.”

The first step in safeguarding your homeschool is knowing your state’s homeschool law. Dan regularly communicates with school officials, social workers, and others regarding the legal requirements and legitimacy of homeschooling. In this workshop, Dan makes sure you know what is legally required of you while equipping you to confidently handle interactions with government officials.

Have your questions answered by a panel of homeschool veterans.

Why do you homeschool? When your children are grown, what will define success for you? What is the difference between a Biblical view of education, and the way most Christian parents (even homeschoolers) educate their children? This workshop will help you to focus on what is really important.

This session is for anyone looking for information about evaluations. It is for those who are preparing to meet with an evaluator as well as those who might be interested in becoming an evaluator. We will look at the requirements in Pennsylvania Home Education Law for both. There will also be time for questions. Barb will share her experience in doing evaluations over the past 21 years.

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. This session 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!

Homeschooling is hard, parenting is hard, and marriage…well, that’s way hard. And that’s OK and even normal. Trouble is we don’t like hard. We want easy, fast, and cheap, and at the same time we want successful results. But the truth is that good things are hard and hard things are good, and they go hand in hand. Sadly, most people don’t ever experience the good because they can’t handle the hard. They put the hard thing off, hoping it will get easier, or they avoid it all together, and all they end up with is a pile of regrets. Here’s the good news: you can handle the hard. In fact, if you’re faced with two choices, pick ‘HARD.’ During this hour, you’ll laugh with Todd as he shares how to embrace the hardness while keeping your eye on the joy and experience God’s best for you.

It's a fact! The only thing tougher than being a homeschooling mom is...being married to a homeschooling mom! Dad, your wife needs your help. Come join me as we discuss how to support and assist our wives in the homeschooling journey. We'll also do a lot of laughing, as I encourage men to be encouragers of their homeschooling wives.

After you’ve filed all your papers to homeschool, what happens then? What do I do with these children all day? What does a day of homeschooling like? Are there different ways to homeschool and what do they look like? How do you find the perfect curriculum? What counts as “school”?

The world, the flesh, and the devil are vying for the minds of our kids, often in such subtle ways that it goes unnoticed until they are in crisis. This session will delve into multiple venues in which our thoughts, our time, and our choices are influenced by our worldview. We will put many of these examples to the test of a biblical worldview with the goal of heightening awareness of where “little foxes” creep in and seek to spoil (Song of Solomon 2:15).

As homeschoolers, we are often accused of retreating from society instead of impacting it. What is the balance between sheltering our children and reaching out to a lost world around us? In this session, Israel explains how you can equip your children for the ‘real world’ by developing a family ministry.

Pennsylvania is one of the most regulated states for homeschooling. It is considered one of the “hardest” states to homeschool in, but it’s not as difficult as it seems. Come hear about how easy it is to meet the law requirements, see what a simple portfolio looks like, hear a description of what an evaluation looks like, and ask all your homeschool law related questions.

Presently there is a big identity crisis among males regarding what a man is. There is no clear transition from childhood to manhood, and the culture has defined men simplistically. As a result, many fathers are relationally isolated and emotionally disconnected leaving them at a loss for how to lead boys into manhood. This workshop will address the culture’s attack on boys/males, the impact of biology on boys/males learning style, mentoring and educational principles to help boys develop into honorable men and concrete action steps moms and dads can take in the developmental process of boys.

We like things nice and neat, orderly, and with a predictable outcome, but most of the time OUR plans don’t ‘come together’ as we hoped. Instead, our plans often fall apart, disintegrate right before our eyes, and leave us dumbfounded and stunned. I’ve talked to plenty of homeschooling parents who were sold a plan. They followed the plan and then later stood before me with tears in their eyes because the plan “didn’t come together.” “We did everything THEY said to do,” they say. “We didn’t have TV…we homeschooled…we ate organic…we only wore dresses…we sheltered and protected….we practiced courtship…they played the violin…we emphasized the classics…we never missed family devotions…we emphasized purity…we birthed our children at home…we had a home business” and on and on the list goes. They feel betrayed, angry, and lost….and their children are starting ‘tell all’ websites!!! I have to admit that several years ago when I heard their sob stories, I inwardly wondered what they had done wrong. I believed that they must have gotten the WRONG plan…or didn’t carry the plan out according to the instructions. And while some of that may be true, I know NOW that sometimes our plans don’t come together because God has a DIFFERENT PLAN. Join me as we take an honest and humorous look at plans, why they fall apart and what to do when they have.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, homeschooling has exploded. Millions of new homeschool students are experiencing the benefits of a customized education at home. But the growth of homeschooling has also caught the eye of policymakers who want to help—and those who don’t. Dan will bring you up to date on homeschooling trends and equip you to advance homeschooling freedom into the future.

The goal of this session is to share the joy of designing and teaching unit studies. Learn how this unique approach to teaching uses real-life experiences, books, games, projects, and other resources to encourage students to deeply explore topics and to become life-long learners. Discover ways to integrate subjects to make learning more meaningful and fun. Realize the wealth of knowledge to be gained through unit studies as well as easy methods of constructing them.

Many homeschoolers struggle with self-doubt and/or criticism for their decision by well-meaning friends and family. In this session, Israel will tackle some of the top objections people raise about home education and will give statistics and fact-based answers to help give you confidence to defend your choice to home educate.

Simplifying your homeschool could be the difference between a parent who makes it thought the long haul and one who gives up after a few years, sending her child back to school because she “can’t do this anymore.” This workshop is full of practical ideas to implement and philosophical thoughts to ponder. Bring your specific questions about a trouble spot in your homeschool and let’s see if simplifying will smooth it out.

People are everything. Relationships are the foundation that gives meaning to our lives. Today we’re more connected than ever before and at the same time more isolated than ever before. Why? A lot of people no longer know the basics principles of great relationships. This session teaches those basic relationship principles.

Drawing from over 40 years of experience in the home-education movement, Israel will help you to avoid some of the top errors many parents make in the homeschooling process. The tips offered in this session can save you hundreds of dollars and perhaps years of regret from committing these costly errors.

All children are created equal. Girls and Boys have equal importance and significance but there are certain responsibilities that we need to train our boys and girls differently. It’s not archaic or about inequality, it’s Biblical parenting and our children need us to prepare them for the future. Join Todd as he tackles this sticky topic and combines laughter, truth, and practicality together for a vital topic in today’s wacky and purple world.

If you have more than one child, you know first-hand that they come to us uniquely “crafted” by our Heavenly Father--no two are alike! This fact is especially challenging when homeschooling and trying to plan what to teach. This session will: • Address the imperative given to us in Proverbs 22:6 to “Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent]” (Amplified Bible), • Include several “personality” test options to help you understand your children and how they learn best, and • Provide teaching/learning strategies to help you utilize this information to inform your homeschooling efforts.

Parenting and marriage have a great deal in common. Both come with great joys, but also with challenges and pitfalls. Ephesians 4:22-24 gives us insight into parenting and marriage success by introducing us to the Put-off and Put-on principle. This joint seminar will provide you with the practical tools you need to raise your home’s marriage and parenting standards.