All participants will check-in at the Brandt Center. Teens and children will be escorted by program leaders from the Brandt Center to their classrooms.

Arriving after 10:00 AM? Skip the Brandt Center and check-in with our registrar on the lower level of the Johnson Sports Center.

Homeschooling is an amazing journey—the adventure of a lifetime. There are unique challenges, opportunities, and experiences. Getting our priorities straight will not only honor God, but it will also improve and enhance the quality of education you’re giving your children.

View the current list of Exhibitors here.

View the current list of Silent Auction Fundraiser donations here.

Ever feel like you are about to lose your mind as a stay-at-home mom? There’s so much to do and so little time! How do you balance it all? How do you know what to do and what not to do? Laugh along with Rachael as you see how insane our culture is and how peaceful walking with God can be.

A pandemic has struck families across the country with full force. Children of well-meaning,

God-fearing parents have graduated and walked away from their parents, and anything to do with God. Some fatalists say, “Well, that’s the ‘chance’ you take with children. You do your best and then spin the wheel.” Others say, “Obviously, there must be a flaw in our parenting model.” Still others shrug their shoulders, cross their fingers, and press on.There’s a better way.Come be encouraged as Todd explains the reasons for the pandemic and gives you hope and points you to a  ‘secret weapon’ that assures your children will love you, God, and everything you hold dear.

For way too many kids these days, their only outlet is…well…an outlet. Are your kids bored and grouchy unless they are plugged in to the Internet or a video game? What ever happened to catching frogs, picking dandelions, climbing trees, and lying in the grass to see the shapes formed by clouds in the sky? There is a world outdoors just waiting to be discovered. In this session, Davis states that every child should explore the wonders of God’s creation because of three truths that can be found in one of the most exciting classrooms that exists — the one outside.

Does it seem that your older teen is ‘behind’ in school?  It could be because of learning challenges, family or health distractions, previous school history, etc. Whatever the reason, the school ‘to-do’ list seems to be larger than the amount of time you feel you have left with your child. In this session, Bev will talk about strategies you can use when determining what concepts must be covered, how to capitalize on your child’s strengths to cover the material, the necessity of supporting their sense of self, and what resources might be ‘friendly’ to this type of situation.

Feeling weary? Worried that you’re failing your children? Need a boost of confidence to keep plugging along? Join Nancy as she reminds us that God has placed our children in our families and that He has equipped us to raise them. She’ll share encouragement from God’s Word that will refresh you and revitalize you in your mission as a homeschooling mom.

Teaching history doesn’t have to be hard.  This workshop will show you how to make history fun, relevant, and memorable—from the ancients to modern days. Dig into timelines, maps, hands-on projects, teaching methods, and more! Learn how to ignite your students’ love of learning and marvel at the hand of God together through your study of history.

This workshop takes attendees step-by-step through the process of getting started in homeschooling. From visiting HSLDA and the Homeschool Idaho websites for information on how to homeschool legally, to finding a support group, picking curriculum and setting up a home for homeschooling, this workshop covers it all!

Consider purchasing lunch and snacks from the Homeschool Idaho Concession Booth in the Johnson Sports Center. Every purchase helps support our year-round efforts to inspire, promote, and protect home education in Idaho.

You are welcome to pack a picnic to enjoy on the beautiful NNU campus. Numerous restaurants are just a few blocks away from the convention site.

If you have students enrolled in the Children’s Program or the Teen Program, meet them in the main gym of the Johnson Sports Center at noon. Return your teens and children to the Johnson Sports Center Gym at 1:15 PM for the afternoon portion of their programs.

Our current education model says that students need to go to this college, to get this degree, in order to get this particular job. But in reality, over sixty percent of graduates do not end up in a job that their education trained them for. Over ninety percent of businesses view a prospective hire’s “capacity to think critically, to communicate clearly, and to solve complex problems as more important than his or her undergraduate major.”  This is why the liberal arts tradition has for centuries and continues to prepare men and women to be leaders in the arenas where God calls them. Please join this webinar to find out more about why Google, Mark Cuban (owner of the Dallas Mavericks), and others have changed the way they view those who have been educated in the liberal arts.

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.

The first five years of parenting are crucial times of development for young children. Foundations are set that give them a perspective of God, themselves, and others. During these early years, children gain an understanding of love, obedience, and responsibility. Their worldview will be shaped by the books you read to them (including the Bible) and the freedom they are given to sing, dance, play, and explore the great outdoors of God’s wonderful Creation. Is this parenting, homeschooling, or both? In this workshop, you will discover ten lessons your young children should learn and experience that can make a big difference in the first five years of their life.

Parents have a dream for how they envision their sons will ‘turn out’ at the end of the journey. How can you carry out the plan successfully if your son spends all day under the direction of a woman? In this session, Beverly will share ways to implement practices that will encourage your teen boys to grow into happy, mannerly, intelligent leaders for their future families – leaders who respect and protect women, embrace their role with confidence, and are comfortable in their manhood. Come be encouraged from a mom with six sons that it is in fact possible…and fun!

Homeschooling jargon can be confusing even for seasoned homeschool parents. In this workshop, Nancy will give an overview of many of the most common curriculum approaches including textbook, unit studies, classical, Charlotte Mason/living books, eclectic, and relaxed/delight-directed learning. We will also go over examples of curriculum and resources that tend to work best with each approach.

Geography is one of the most under taught subjects, but in a world where long distance is a thing of the past, it is perhaps one of the most crucial topics for us to understand. The good news is that the study of the earth—its structure and inhabitants—is not only fascinating, but also easy to integrate into your homeschool. In this workshop, you will find a vision for teaching geography, as well as creative, enjoyable ways to enhance your teaching in every subject.

If you are looking for ideas on how to organize your homeschool then this workshop is for you. Janelle will be sharing numerous ideas for lesson planning, organizing your student’s work and grades, creating ways for your child to work independently and setting up your homeschool. There are plenty of ideas to choose from. Pick the ones that work best for you and your family.

All too often the lessons are finished, the books read, and the frogs dissected, but what priority are you giving the principal? When does he get time with his favorite teacher? Is it time for a principal-teacher meeting (a.k.a. a date)? Standing by our husbands through this challenging lifestyle choice is often neglected. Come and remember the blessing of a well-prioritized home.

For the last twelve years, you’ve probably felt the tension of “what’s next?” for your children. You hoped the dilemma would solve itself, but it didn’t. In fact, there are all sorts of homeschool graduates who are stuck in the “what now zone” or were discouraged from traveling a particular path. It’s time to put your fears aside, look the cap and gown in the eye, and take an honest look at life after graduation.

There is NOT a one-size-fits-all solution and the pressure from family members, peers, and experts can seem dizzying. Should they go to college or try a college alternative, do a gap year, start their own business, stay at home, get a job, travel the world…join a monastery??!! Don’t be afraid. God has a plan for your child, and part of that plan is that He’s given them YOU to help guide them into their next phase of life. We’ll look at the options, discuss the pros and cons, and take the FEAR out of graduation…remembering along the way that every child’s path is different.

Math is sequential. Often students struggle in math due to gaps in understanding of basic concepts either previously presented or not presented at all. The first step is to find the gaps, then effectively fill in those missing pieces. Sue will provide ways to evaluate and develop strategies to develop math confidence and understanding.

Homeschooling parents of a child with special needs often ask themselves many questions like “Am I qualified to do this?” or “What can I possibly offer?” and “Shouldn’t I leave this to the experts?”  As a mom of four dyslexic learners and a daughter with Down Syndrome, Beverly has a unique insight into the doubts and concerns of parents wondering whether they can adequately educate their special needs child. Come and find encouragement for this challenging task.

Lapbooks are a great way to enhance learning and they allow your child to create a review of what’s been learned in a compact folder. Come and learn the basics of lapbooking in this fun, hands-on, instructional workshop! Nancy will go step-by-step through the entire lapbook making process including covering folding tips for creating a variety of mini-books to go inside the lapbook. You’ll make a sample lapbook to take home with you in this workshop. Lapbooks can be used with many different subjects by students of all ages. They are a fantastic, interactive, educational tool for every style of learner.

Everybody has their own learning and processing style, and it’s not always obvious how to make it work to your advantage. In this workshop, we will discuss the nuts-and-bolts of the different learning, processing and teaching styles; how to cater to your and your student’s strengths, and strategies for making learning engaging for everyone in your home.

When you and your family are faced with a challenging life situation, homeschooling can seem daunting. Homeschooling is probably the last thing you want to think about taking on. Is it possible to homeschool when life is difficult? Come hear a mom of seven share how her family homeschooled through a challenging season in life. Be encouraged and gain practical insight.

Do you have a child who doesn’t want to be homeschooled, in-laws who don’t understand your reasons for homeschooling, a spouse who isn’t sold on the idea, or worse – a guilt complex reminding you that you have no business homeschooling your children? Those nagging, sometimes-silent disapprovals can crush a person under the weight of guilt and despair and snatch away firmly held convictions if we allow them to. Join Todd for an hour of laughter and encouragement as he goes face to face with the Conviction Snatchers and shows you how to address their concerns, questions, and critical comments. You’ll be glad you did.

Get away for a delightful evening of worship and teaching as we dive deep into what it means to be rooted – in faith, family, and fellowship.

This special convention add-on features:

• Dessert
• Fun
• Fellowship
• Laughter
• Relaxation
• Prayer
• Worship
• Teaching
• And More!

This is an evening designed specifically for you, mama.

Pre-Registration is required. 

Join other dads and kids for a casual time of fellowship and play. Meet outside at the athletic fields adjacent to the Johnson Sports Center. Dads will be responsible for their own children. 

All participants will check-in at the Brandt Center. Teens and children will be escorted by program leaders from the Brandt Center to their classrooms.

Arriving after 10:00 AM? Skip the Brandt Center and check-in with our registrar on the lower level of the Johnson Sports Center.

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.

View the current list of Exhibitors here.

View the current list of Silent Auction Fundraiser donations here. The Silent Auction Fundraiser will close at 1:20 PM on Saturday.

Having trouble staying on schedule with your chosen curriculum? Wondering if you can keep up with everyone else for just one day? Come and hear Rachael’s confession of her own personal battle with homeschool schedules and how she looks to God to help her persevere.

X-Boxes, Game-Cubes, the INTERNET, Facebook, and iPhones have changed the way we live, have fun, and interact. Children quietly glued to game monitors for hours have replaced laughter and creativity. They beg to play, whine when they can’t, and even lie about the time they’ve spent on “the gadget”. Teens and pre-teens spend most of their waking hours texting, chatting on Facebook, or ‘tweeting’ on Twitter. Today’s latest-breaking technology becomes tomorrow’s obsession, demanding more time, attention, and sacrifices. Technology has become a powerful tool and ‘everyone is doing it’…but maybe you feel like you’ve lost control in your own home. Does the chill down your spine tell you that something is terribly wrong? Do you feel like a beast has invaded your home, but you don’t know how to handle it? If so, then join me as we talk together about the timely topic of taming the TECHNO-BEAST!

Participating in a co-op can be an amazing opportunity to enrich your home education adventure.  A small co-op can be a really exciting and motivating way to study a particular subject or topic with a few friends, without replacing the parent as the primary instructor. It can be a great way to build lifelong friendships, too. Nancy will share from her own experiences the benefits of doing cooperative enrichment learning. We will also cover a great deal of practical information that will help you succeed in enjoying your own homeschool co-op experience.

Some children practically teach themselves to read, but most will need to begin with good preparation and continue with sustained instruction along the way.  Before beginning to work with a phonics curriculum, there are helpful things you can do right now to ensure that your child is prepared to read successfully. Come learn more about the value of pre-reading skills, what those skills are, and what to look for in a sound, thorough phonics curriculum.

Writing can be one of those daunting tasks during your school day, but that can easily change. JoEllen Claypool will present some fun, interactive activities that will show how easy it is to get started with story ideas. The techniques introduced in this workshop can be used for any age and can be done individually, with the whole family, or as a group activity in your co-op. Many different adventures can be created from the same items used. Children will develop a love for writing and parents will be encouraged to see the excitement it brings when their children realize that they have something to offer through their words.

As a parent, you’ve taken responsibility for your child’s education. But does that mean you have to do it all yourself? In this workshop, we’ll learn how to be a good curator of your child’s education and the pros and cons of co-ops, online classes, dual enrollment, and many other learning options. What should (and should not) be delegated? Come learn how to make optimized decisions for your family.

Homeschooling one child can be a challenge but throw in multiple children and things can get crazy. If you are overwhelmed with homeschooling several children then come find encouragement and practical tips in this workshop. Janelle Knutson, veteran homeschool mom of seven children, will share how to homeschool multiple grades without losing your mind.

Consider purchasing lunch and snacks from the Homeschool Idaho Concession Booth in the Johnson Sports Center. Every purchase helps support our year-round efforts to inspire, promote, and protect home education in Idaho.

You are welcome to pack a picnic to enjoy on the beautiful NNU campus. Numerous restaurants are just a few blocks away from the convention site.

If you have students enrolled in the Children’s Program or the Teen Program, meet them in the main gym of the Johnson Sports Center at noon. Return your teens and children to the Johnson Sports Center Gym at 1:15 PM for the afternoon portion of their programs.

All winnings from the Silent Auction Fundraiser should be collected by 5:00 PM on Saturday. 

What face comes to mind when you hear “that child”? Do you smile or scowl when you see that face? Do you struggle to like that child? That child is a world changer. God has a plan for that child. All of that energy, all those questions, all that strength, all THAT, is God-given for His glory. Come learn strategies for learning to enjoy that child, to embrace that child, and to train that child for God’s purposes.

For over ten years now, I have been reminding moms and dads of the truth behind homeschooling. I tell them it’s about relationships and letting their children be what God has created them to be, and blah balh blah blah blah… Moms often come up to me and say, “I believe everything you say…but how do I do that? How do I homeschool in light of all these truths?” Well, Madam Homeschooler, I’m going to show you. Join me as we get down to the nuts and bolts of homeschooling in light of these truths. Buckle your seatbelts!

If you have ever wondered how to design a high school course of study, evaluate the results, develop a transcript or award a diploma, then this is the workshop for you! Linda will cover all of these subjects and more in one quick hour.

You can homeschool a struggling student!  Although there isn’t one single quick fix, there are specific things you can be doing in your home to help lessen the burden on your student. Come listen as Bev shares the little things you can easily implement to help your struggling learner find success.  Strategies that support our children’s thinking skills and set the stage for more effective learning can become part of your daily routine. You won’t want to miss this session!

Kids may adore fantasy and science fiction, but everyday reading is filled with nonfiction—from newspaper articles to recipes and game instructions. Sometimes nonfiction feels dry and boring; but it doesn’t have to be. In Carol Peterson’s workshop, she’ll look at different techniques for writing nonfiction, what they are used for, how writers make them fun for kids to read and how to make them fun for your kids to write. This interactive workshop includes activities and handouts to make learning fun for attendees, too.

Homeschoolers can thrive after leaving the nest, but it doesn’t happen automatically. These five principles from a homeschool grad (now a homeschool dad) could make all the difference.

How is it possible to homeschool your older children with a baby, toddler or preschooler around? Come be encouraged and gain practical tips as a mom of seven shares how homeschooling is not only possible but beneficial for the whole family when you have little ones underfoot.

As an obsessive-compulsive-perfectionist-control-freak herself, Rachael is sometimes her own worst enemy when it comes to taking advantage of the freedoms of home school. Are you too tied to your plan? Do you shiver at the idea of change or adjustment? Are you missing out on significant moments because you are focused on the trivial? Join Rachael for a lesson on how to chill out and turn control over to God.

Marriage is hard… in fact, it’s real hard! Yet when it is right and good, it can withstand anything. It doesn’t matter what the economy does, the status of your bank account, the condition of your home or vehicles, or what your children dish out…because when a husband and wife are right, they’re unbeatable. On the flip side, when a husband and wife feel distant or apathetic, it only takes the slightest breeze to ruffle a bunch of feathers. The truth is a mediocre marriage sucks the joy right out of life and your homeschool. The economy can swing up, your checking account can be healthy, your home and vehicles can purr like kittens, and the kids can behave like angels, and life still…stinks. That’s because marriage matters. Join Todd as he shares real life stories, problems, and frustrations along with practical, simple solutions to having a marriage that can‘t be beat!

Do you have students loves art and does not seem to enjoy math or loves math and does not enjoy art ? Artist Sue Wachter will present information from both personal experience and research to consider how to motivate your student to find success in both math and art. Attend expecting to enjoy interaction and discuss possibilities to creatively assist your student to discover that important combination.

Learning to read shouldn’t be unnecessarily hard for our children… or exhausting for moms!  Come learn some practical things that can help open the door to understanding for your child in the area of Reading. We’ll cover small changes you can make using any curriculum, including what you are already using, that can help both mom and child find success.

Volunteering to lead a homeschool group involves sacrifice … and lots of it! In this session, we will talk about the various ways we pay a high price to encourage others in the home education journey, and why it is a worthwhile price to pay. But don’t lose heart! With great sacrifice comes great reward. You’ll be refreshed in knowing that the price you pay to serve is a worthwhile investment reaping eternal rewards. We will also discuss ways to keep wise boundaries, recruit help from others, and find a healthy balance as you juggle not only homeschooling your own children but serving and supporting other families.

You want your student to become an outstanding communicator, but how do you objectively evaluate their essays and reports? Whether you are a pro at English composition or embarrassed by your own writing, the truth is you can effectively — and objectively — evaluate and grade your student’s writing. This workshop will cover simple tools and rubrics that overcome parental bias and get to the heart of good non-fiction writing and give you a game plan for mastering them. We’ll even look practice using them during the workshop, and answer your burning questions.

Are you trying to decide what to do with your child during the preschool years? This workshop will cover the benefits of keeping your preschooler at home, things to think about before purchasing preschool curriculum, what your child really needs to learn during the preschool years and ideas for learning through play and life experiences.

Homeschooling is not easy. As a matter of fact, it can be downright overwhelming, tempting us to slip into survival mode. Homeschooling is the adventure of a lifetime, and God will be your strength. It is not His will that you just survive—He wants you to thrive. Come hear Rachael discuss what it takes to soar like an eagle.