After prayer and careful consideration, the Homeschool Iowa board has determined that the most prudent course of action is to cancel the 2020 Homeschool Iowa Conference.

We announce this to you with heavy hearts, as we were so excited about this year’s conference and all the new and exciting options we had to offer. 

STEWARDSHIP

Although we anticipate and pray that the current situation will continue to improve, it is uncertain whether large event gatherings will be sensible or safe by our scheduled conference date.

Continuing the significant planning, work, and expense required to host an event with a very unpredictable future was determined to be unwise.

As a nonprofit volunteer-based organization dependent upon donations and member support, we especially want to be good stewards of those resources.

LOGISTICS

With homeschool conferences across the nation cancelling, the plans and schedules of many have changed. Several of our vendors and speakers let us know they would not be able to participate in our 2020 Conference due to the COVID-19 situation. This would have significantly impacted what we would have been able to offer to you, our conference attendees.

In addition, our conference venue is currently not allowing large group gatherings in its facility and cannot offer any assurances that this would change by our scheduled conference date.

OPPORTUNITY

The Lord has a way of taking challenging circumstances and using them for His glory.

We see this less-than-ideal situation as a great opportunity to develop expanded services and additional events for the Iowa homeschool community and for new and potential homeschool families.

We are already working on some exciting new projects and events. Read more below about some of the things we're planning!

What will happen now that the conference is cancelled?

We know that news of the conference cancellation will be a disappointment to families who have been attending for years and those who were looking forward to this upcoming conference.

We believe that the Lord is directing us to respond to this challenge by focusing on new and expanded efforts to serve Iowa homeschoolers. Here's just one of those exciting plans:

NETTLETON CENTER | FAITH BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE | ANKENY

We are excited to introduce the premiere of a new one-day event, Homeschool Iowa Connect.

It's designed to provide encouragement for currently homeschooling parents, with an added opportunity for potential homeschoolers as well.

Todd Wilson will be the featured speaker, and we'll offer an option allowing you to do a bit of shopping as well.

We'll be contacting all of our registered attendees and exhibitors with details about options and procedures.

Our annual conference provides one of the primary financial sources to fund our year-round efforts to serve Iowa homeschooling families and to protect the homeschool freedoms in our state. The cancellation of this event severely impacts our finances.

You can help in any or all of these four ways:
• Become a Homeschool Iowa Member
You'll receive access to our website Member Portal with resources, discounts, and more. You'll also receive our bi-monthly Member Update email with news, announcements, an event calendar, and more.
• Make a tax deductible donation to Homeschool Iowa
Your contributions to Homeschool Iowa are tax deductible and help us continue our efforts on behalf of Iowa homeschoolers. Our secure online donation platform also offers an option for recurring monthly giving.
• Volunteer to serve with Homeschool Iowa
We are always seeking volunteers; and now the need is even more intense. Can you help with a short-term project? Do you have a skill you can share? Would you like to join one of our teams? Click the link above.
• Most important: Pray for Homeschool Iowa

Yes, Lord willing, we are prayerfully planning for a 2021 Conference. Our initial investigations indicate that most of our 2020 Conference speakers will be able to participate in our 2021 Conference. 

2021 Homeschool Iowa Conference
Tentative Dates:
June 18-19, 2021

Use our secure online form for signup to receive conference information,
including e-mail updates and the conference issue of Homeschool Iowa magazine.

Disclaimers: While Homeschool Iowa is a Christian organization and whereas this belief guides the structure of the annual Homeschool Iowa Conference, Homeschool Iowa does not require attendees, speakers, or exhibitors to profess or assert agreement to the Homeschool Iowa statement of faith. In the same way, while we may not accept or approve an exhibitor or hire a speaker who is specifically “anti-Christian”, we do admit speakers and exhibitors that are not explicitly “Christian” but that DO provide home educators, both Christian and non-Christian, with information, knowledge, or curriculum that is relevant, useful, and beneficial. Please note that Homeschool Iowa does not necessarily endorse everything found in our exhibit hall or presented in workshops and keynotes. All posted conference details, including the schedule, speakers, workshops/keynotes, exhibitors, etc. are subject to change.