Special Features

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

Psalm 24:8

Our theme this year is Children of the Most High. Yes, we are children of the Most High, but who is the Most High? One way we know Him is through His names. For 30 days leading up to the convention we invite you to join us in prayer. ICHE will be sending out a short devotional on the names of God and a prayer request for the day. These devotionals are written by homeschooling mothers and fathers, graduates, parents of preschoolers (POPS), grandparents and some of those who work on the convention. We want to come together on June 2nd with soft hearts and open ears to hear His leading for our families. Please watch for this series on ICHE’s website and on Facebook. If you would like them to come directly to your e-mail, please send your e-address to the office at info@iche.org.

An award winning filmmaker will show us how to begin making films! There is a growing movement within the Christian home educating community to write, direct and produce films. These young adults desire to impact our culture with a Biblical worldview, and digital technology makes for inexpensive creativity giving them freedom to get started! Our young people can leave fired up with what they need to know to begin making films of their own. Read More...

We are pleased to have Bernie & Linda Beall coming to speak. They have hearts for the lost and will help us to understand how to reach out as families in our own unique ways. Biblical patterns and hands-on ideas that can stir spiritual creativity in the members of our own families will be presented! We will also learn how to build faith in our children while developing in them a heart for the world. Parents that take steps of faith with their children present will mark their children for Jesus in ways that little else will!  Read More...

Pre-Convention Leaders' Conference

Last year we debuted a new convention event: The Pre-Convention Leaders’ Conference.  The response was great so it will return this year! Join us at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 2nd, to enjoy a continental breakfast on us before the convention opens to the public.

You will also be treated to some great information and inspiration. Our featured guest will be an international homeschool leader, now teaching his children at home underground in a country where homeschooling is against the law. HSLDA attorney Mike Donnelly will also be speaking to us about the growing resistance to freedom in education here and abroad, and what we can do about it. We will finish well before noon so that you will have plenty of time to get some lunch or make your way to the convention's opening session featuring Diana Waring!

Who should consider attending this special event? Anyone who plays a role in leading, supporting, shepherding, or guiding other homeschool families as well as those who may have an interest in stepping up. Support group leaders, pastors, family ministry leaders and lay leaders are all invited to come. We would love to have you at our second annual FREE Leadership Conference ~ even if you are unable to attend the convention.

There is no cost to attend, but we do need to have RSVP’s for this event. Please e-mail us at info@iche.org or call us at 1.847.603.1259 to let us know who you are and how many are coming.We look forward to hearing from you!
 

Visit the Oasis

Bring us your questions! Experienced homeschooling parents having a variety of backgrounds including special needs, struggling learners and other tough homeschooling issues will be ready to answer them. The Oasis is a cheerful, peaceful place just outside the Exhibit Hall (Room 130) reserved just for you to sit down and talk with veteran home educating parents. Maybe getting started is something you can't quite get your hands on ~ just like the hot, dry sands of the desert … and curriculum choices can be as overwhelming as the desert heat ~ come and be refreshed! No concern is too big or question too small. We want to help you in any way we can to make the upcoming year successful, so don’t leave with your questions unanswered!

Oasis Hours:

Pathways

The ICHE convention provides many pathways for one low price ~ there are no additional fees for any of them including beginners or worldview! Finding what you're looking for has been made easy as more than 100 workshops have been organized by subject matter into challenging pathways.   Read more...

Thursday Night "Funshops"

Join us for a great time of putting some fun into workshops!

• Father/Son Fun ~ Be prepared for some competition … and inspiration!
• Couponing 101 ~ You should never have to buy a tube of toothpaste! Find out how.
• Exploring Stop-Motion Animation ~ Lights! Camera! LEGOs! Learn animation techniques.
• Seed Planting Methods 101 ~ Exciting strategies for memorizing Scripture using games, music, conversational drama and more!

Movie Night on Friday

This year we are proud to be able to present a Jubilee Award winning feature film! This 88 minute feature, The Penny, is the product of our own home educated filmmakers from right here in the Midwest. It won top honor as “Best Feature Film” at the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. This film is recommended for a mature audience. Prior to viewing, we encourage parents to watch the trailer in order to make an informed decision concerning family viewing. As always we trust parental judgment and hold it in high regard.

The Penny Trailer from Filmweavers LLC on Vimeo.

Single Parents: Friday

We have special time set aside for you if you are a single parent. Look for the workshop entitled "Singled Out!" on the workshop schedule, and plan to be strengthened for the task of discipling your children.

View workshop description...

Young Entrepreneurs

Homeschool students and graduates, take advantage of this opportunity to give your business a boost ~ promote it at the convention! We want to encourage the businesses of our homeschoolers, so ICHE is inviting them to participate in the conference as vendors! They can have the learning opportunity and experience of running their own table in a Christian and professional environment as well as spur on fellow entrepreneurs. Place a classified ad in the handbook for a small fee, or purchase a table in our entrepreneur area and in combination receive a free advertisement! Our handbook goes home with every family and serves as a reference throughout the year!  Read more...

Hands-On Science

• Join Dr. Lainna Callentine on Thursday or Friday, and be transported into the fascinating and complex world of brain anatomy and physiology bydissecting an actual sheep brain! Pre-registration is necessary and is available with online registration only. Space is limited. Workshop Fee: $5
• Take a tour of the night sky with Nathan Volle and his incredible 16-foot planetarium! Audiences young and old are fascinated as he shares his lifetime interest using a planetarium projector and the inflatableSTARLAB focusing on how the heavens declare the glory of God! Presentations all three days! Sign up at the convention outside Room 520. We apologize that this tour is not handicap accessible.

Special Music

What could make Calvary even more beautiful? Music! Between sessions the atrium will be filled with the melodies of musicians from our homeschooling community. What a treat! There will be extra special music preceding keynote sessions, too, including the King Family Band.