HOMESCHOOL IOWA CONFERENCE

Dear Iowa homeschooling families,

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.

Here are the 3 primary factors that led to this decision:

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!

2021 Homeschool Iowa Conference
June 18-19, 2021
Grand View University
Des Moines

Teaching your children – and helping them to be all that they were created to be – is a challenging, complex journey filled with doubts and joy, despair and love, and everything in between.

You wonder if you're up for this staggeringly formidable task.
The answer is "Yes!" And you're not alone. We're here for you.

You'll reap a harvest of encouragement and motivation at our 2021 Conference with just what you need to equip and encourage you: new ideas, strategies, vision, and perspective.

Come join us and many other like-minded homeschool families.
Let’s recharge, learn, grow, and walk this beautiful, sometimes messy, but always incredibly vital journey together.

Our Speaker Lineup

REGISTRATION AVAILABLE NOW!

TEACHER CREDIT COURSE

VOLUNTEERS

Conference SPECIAL TRACKS

BUILT INTO THE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Friday, June 18
8:30-11:30am

Friday, June 18
Noon-5:00pm

Saturday, June 19
12:15-4:30pm

MORE INFO

Special Conference Meal Events

ADVANCE REGISTRATION | LIMITED OPENINGS

Homeschool Iowa Conference Moms & Muffins

COUPLES' DINNER

6:30PM | FRIDAY, JUNE 18
Speaker: Rob Reinow

BRUNCH & LEARN

9:45AM | SATURDAY, JUNE 19
Speaker: Heidi St. John

Make & Take Workshops

ADVANCE REGISTRATION | LIMITED OPENINGS

QUICK VIEW CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Homeschool Iowa Conference Friday Schedule

8:00AM
Conference Registration Opens
8:30-10:00AM
Friday Morning Keynote
8:30-11:30AM
Start Homeschooling Special Track
10:00AM
Exhibit Hall Opens
10:30-11:30AM
Workshop Session I
11:30AM-1:00PM
Lunch & Exhibit Hall Shopping
Noon-5:00PM
Special Needs Special Track
1:00-2:00PM
Workshop Session II
2:30-3:30PM
Workshop Session III
4:00-5:00PM
Workshop Session IV
5:15-6:15PM
Exhibitor Workshops
5:00-7:00PM
Exhibit Hall Shopping
6:30-8:30PM
Couples' Dinner with Rob Rienow
7:00PM
Exhibit Hall Closes

Homeschool Iowa Conference Saturday Schedule

8:00AM
Conference Registration Opens
8:30AM
Exhibit Hall Opens
8:30-9:30AM
Workshop Session V
9:45-11:15AM
Brunch & Learn
10:00AM-11:00AM
Workshop Session VI
11:00AM-12:30PM
Lunch & Exhibit Hall Shopping
11:15AM-12:15PM
Exhibitor Workshop Session
12:15-5:30PM
High School & Beyond Special Track
12:30-1:30PM
Workshop Session VII
2:00-3:00PM
Workshop Session VIII
3:30-4:30PM
Workshop Session IX
4:30-5:30PM
Exhibit Hall Shopping
5:30PM
Exhibit Hall Closes

THANKS TO OUR 2021 Sponsors

CONFERENCE DETAILS

Conference Parking

Hotel Accommodations

Masks

Homeschool Iowa is excited to be planning for an in-person conference this year!

We will be following the guidelines for masks set by the Governor of the State of Iowa, so masks will not be required at the conference.

A few of our exhibitors who are older or who have health concerns have told us that they may require masks in their booths. We ask that you honor their request if you choose to shop in their booths.

Special Meals, Box Lunches, & Snacks

ONSITE MEAL OPTIONS

COUPLES' DINNER
6:30pm | Friday, June 18

Homeschooling parent couples are invited to an evening of encouragement and hope, including a delectable catered dinner and presentation by Rob Rienow. Details are provided above.

BRUNCH & LEARN
9:45am | Saturday, June 19

Enjoy a delicious catered brunch along with a special opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with Heidi St. John. Details are provided above.

BOX LUNCHES
(Advance Order)

For your convenience, we offer advance order box lunches for Friday & Saturday.

FRIDAY BOX LUNCH
Pot Belly™ sub sandwich, chips, cookie. bottle of water
$8.50 per lunch

SATURDAY BOX LUNCH
McAlister's Deli™ sandwich, chips, cookie, and bottle of water
$8.50 per lunch

Onsite Snack Sales

A limited assortment of snacks and beverages will be available for purchase onsite at the conference.

Our conference facilities are located near a number of restaurants and convenience stores offering offsite food and beverage purchases.

Homeschool Iowa Representatives Chat Area

Mothers’ Room & Toddler Play Areas

Teacher Credit Course

Wrist Bands

A wristband will be issued to every registered attendee at registration check-in.

Wristbands will be specially-designed to indicate the access level purchased by each registrant.

Wristbands must be worn at all times while attending the Homeschool Iowa Conference and/or Exhibit Hall.

They are not to be removed from the wrist until the conference concludes and may not be shared or transferred.

Conference Recordings

Photograph/Video Usage

Please note that photos will be taken and videos will be recorded at the Homeschool Iowa Conference.

Homeschool Iowa reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by Homeschool Iowa, without the expressed permission of those included within the photograph/video.

Homeschool Iowa does not provide compensation or royalties in conjunction with publication or use of these images and videos. Homeschool Iowa does not offer the opportunity to inspect or approve the use of an image or video prior to our publication of any photo, video, or audio recording taken by Homeschool Iowa or those designated by Homeschool Iowa to do so. .

Homeschool Iowa may use the photograph/video in publication or other media material produced, used, or contracted by Homeschool Iowa, including, but not limited to: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, etc. Please email us at contact@homeschooliowa.org with any questions or concerns.

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.

PLAN TO JOIN US AT THE CONFERENCE!

"I came to the conference feeling overwhelmed with our school year. I left feeling refreshed and renewed, with helpful tools and excellent reminders of what is important and why I am doing this."

~Homeschool Iowa Conference Attendee

Be a Conference Insider!

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

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Questions about the conference?

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