Home Educators’ Conference – Mahaffey Camp & Conference Center

Home Educators’ Conference 2024:

Saturday, September 28

CHILDCARE IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2024 REGISTRATIONS.

Join us for an exciting and refreshing time of fellowship! Renew your passion for homeschooling alongside other homeschooling parents, sharing ideas and inspiration. Hear from seasoned homeschoolers in sessions and workshops designed to help you in your homeschooling journey. Submit questions and sit in on the Q&A Panel, where our speakers will share advice. Make connections, expand your knowledge, and leave with a sense of restoration at the start of the new school year.

Attendees must pack their own lunch, including lunches for any children attending.

Online Registration

Fill out the form to register online. Payment can be made by credit/debit card, or with a Paypal account.

Having trouble registering online? Call the camp office at (814) 277-5544 to register over the phone!

2024 Conference Speakers

Todd Wilson (Virtual Speaker)

Todd Wilson is a dad, grand dad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd’s humor and down to earth realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions, retreats, and churches across the country. As founder of Familyman Ministries and the Smiling Homeschooler, his passion and mission are to remind dads and moms of what’s most important through weekly e-mails, seminars, and books and products that encourage parents. Todd, and his wife Debbie, homeschool three of their eight children (five have graduated from their homeschool with four married) in northern Indiana and travel America in the Familyman Mobile. You can read more at www.familymanweb.com

Darlene Catlett

Darlene Catlett is a veteran homeschool mother and passionate advocate for homeschool families. With 22 years of hands-on experience guiding her own children’s education, Darlene has become a trusted voice in the homeschool community. Since 2009, she has served as an evaluator and encourager, instilling confidence and helping countless families navigate the challenges and joys of home education.

Darlene’s website, iHomeEd.com, offers a wealth of resources including engaging blog posts, reassuring videos, and practical tools like sample objectives and transcript templates.

Known for her warmth, humor, and practical wisdom, Darlene’s keynote promises to inspire and equip both seasoned homeschoolers and those just beginning their journey.

Bonnie Rose Hudson

Bonnie Rose Hudson is the owner and publisher of WriteBonnieRose.com. Her heart’s desire is for every child to feel the love of God and know how special they are to Him. Her website exists to serve homeschoolers, home educators, and teachers around the world by creating practical resources that are fun, affordable, and easy to use. She has hundreds of resources in many subject areas for preschool through high school and releases an average of more than 50 new titles each year. Because she has a heart for the persecuted Church and the lost, some of her resources, as well as much of her blog content, are designed to help parents teach their children about missions and the persecuted Church. She has written for numerous publications and educational websites and is also the author of The Hidden Village, an early reader published by JourneyForth about unreached people in India.

2024 Conference Schedule

Schedule is subject to change

8:15 – 9:00 AM Registration, Displays/Vendors, Welcome Booklet Review, Tickets placed for Giveaways, Fellowship and Coffee (Dining Hall)

8:30 – 8:50 Childcare Drop Off (Children’s Ministry Building)

9:00 – 9:50 Welcome and Information (Dining Hall)

Session #1 – Keynote Address: “Living, Loving and Learning: Homeschool Wisdom for Every Season”

Presented by Darlene Catlett

10:00 – 10:50 Session #2: “Benefits of Using Notebooking and Copywork in Your Homeschool”

Presented by Bonnie Hudson

10:50 – 11:30 Connection, Coffee, and Cookie Time, Displays/Vendors

11:30 – 12:15 Q & A Panel

12:15 – 1:15 Lunch Break (Displays/Vendors may be available)

1:15 – 2:30 Session #3: “Common Mistakes Homeschool Parents Make (or how to get your kids to hate learning)”

Presented by Todd Wilson (virtual)

2:40 – 3:30 Session #4: “The Curriculum Compass: Navigating Choices and Changes”

Presented by Darlene Catlett

3:30 – 4:00 Giveaway Winners Announced, Closing Thoughts, Final Questions

4:00 PM Childcare Pick Up (Dining Hall)

2024 Session Topics

Living, Loving and Learning: Homeschool Wisdom for Every Season (Keynote)

Presented by Darlene Catlett

Examine strategies for living fully, loving deeply, and learning joyfully in each phase of your homeschool adventure. Join Darlene as she shares practical wisdom for every stage, whether you’re just starting out, in the thick of it, or nearing the finish line. Together, we’ll explore:

Ways to navigate the unique joys and challenges of each homeschool stage
Strategies for fostering love and unity in your family through intentional practices
Tips for bringing extended family members on board
Ideas for grounding your homeschool in faith and effective educational approaches

From managing preschool energy to preparing for college applications, this session aims to offer practical insights and encouragement, helping you take positive steps towards a more confident and hopeful homeschool journey.

Benefits of Using Notebooking and Copywork in Your Homeschool

Presented by Bonnie Rose Hudson

Notebooking and copywork are commonly mentioned in homeschool communities and are popular tools for many families. If you’re new to homeschooling, you may wonder how these tools can be a blessing to your family. Even if you’re a homeschooling veteran, you may wonder if there are new ways to incorporate them that you haven’t explored. In this workshop, we’ll look at what each of these tools includes, how they can add variety and help you create memories, what the benefits of incorporating them into your day are and how to do it without adding stress, and more.

Common Mistakes Homeschool Parents Make (or how to get your kids to hate learning)

Presented by Todd Wilson

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.” Let me just say from the start that I BELIEVE homeschooling and learning should be fun for our children and us. Its very design enables learning to be experienced in a way NO public or private school can provide. So why is it not the case in most homeschools?

I think the answer is simple: we’ve believed and adopted some ideas that are not true and that kill inspiration and the love of learning. Join me as we talk about helping our children LOVE to learn.

The Curriculum Compass: Navigating Choices and Changes

Presented by Darlene Catlett

Is your curriculum charting the right course for your family’s unique learning journey? Discover ways to navigate the vast sea of educational resources with confidence! In this practical session, you’ll learn to:

Plot six essential steps for making informed curriculum choices
Assess and adjust your current curriculum effectively
Explore innovative approaches to meet your family’s unique needs
Navigate common curriculum challenges with ease

Whether you’re a new homeschooler or a seasoned veteran, this session offers valuable insights to align your curriculum compass with your educational goals. Leave equipped to chart your course wisely and adjust your sails confidently, ensuring a smoother voyage and an effective learning experience for your crew.