CHILD & TEEN Programs
Our Homeschool Iowa Conference
offers an exciting lineup of opportunities
for children and teenagers.
Teen Volunteers
Children’s Program
KIDS Program
New This Year!
Free On-Site KIDS Program
While you’re taking in the Homeschool Iowa Conference, your children can enjoy a Bible-based program in our conference facility.
KIDS Program Details
Children ages 5–12 can participate in the Homeschool Iowa Conference KIDS Program.
A parent or over-age-18 sibling must accompany every child participating in the program.
Registration will be offered on-site at the conference on a first-come, first served basis.
There is no extra fee for this program.
Space is limited and participation is not guaranteed.
The KIDS Program will be offered in the Activities Room in our conference facility, with a one-hour session on Friday and another one-hour session on Saturday.
Children can participate in one or both sessions.
The sessions include a missionary adventure program
filled with songs, memorization, and drama.
Session #1: Friday 2:30-3:30pm
Session #2: Saturday, 9:30-10:30am
Our KIDS TREK Staff & Volunteers!
Our 2023 KIDS TREK Theme
KIDS TREK Highlights Video
Conference Children's Program
While you’re taking in the Homeschool Iowa Conference, your children can enjoy a Bible-based program in a secure environment with screened and trained staff and teachers.
Our highly acclaimed children's program, KIDS TREK, offers a new theme every year, effectively communicating principles found in the Word of God through songs, memory verses, activities, lesson times, and the much anticipated 8-part fully-scripted and costumed drama!
Click on the KIDS TREK video to take a peek at what is waiting for your children at this amazing program!
Teen SESSIONS
ANIMATION FUN!
Special Sessions for Teens
Your teens can experience two exciting sessions with Chad Stewart from The Animation Course.
TEEN Sessions Details
Registration is offered on our 2026 Conference attendee registration form.
Participants will register for the two-session program.
$25/student
Limit of 2 students registered per family
Space is limited, so register early!
Workshop #1: Hands On! Design your own Character
Friday, June 5, 4:00pm
In this workshop, students will learn about the basic principles of Design and how to apply them to the creation of their own original character. We’ll touch on shapes, structure, and movement and how all of these will affect the overall final design. Bring your pencils, we’re going to draw!
Workshop #2: Hands On! Animation Flipbook
Saturday, June 6, 2:30pm
In this workshop, students will get a chance to create their own animation by using the tried-and-true animation exercise of ‘The Bouncing Ball’. This exercise was first used at Disney studios in the early 1920’s and 1930’s and the lessons it teaches are still applicable today.
CHAD STEWART
Chad Stewart has been a professional animator in film and television for over 35 years! He’s animated at studios such as Disney and Sony on such films as:: Tarzan, The Emperor’s New Groove, Fantasia 2000, The Polar Express, Stuart Little 2, and Surf’s Up.
Ten years ago, Chad was inspired to share his knowledge of animation with kids via the wonders of the world wide web, starting The Animation Course, the first online animation class for students ages 11 to 18.
Through this venture, Chad and his wife Kayla have helped over 6000 students explore and learn about animation and filmmaking.
Chad and Kayla's family includes 4 adult birth daughters and 4 adult sons, adopted from Liberia, West Africa. As a family, they completed an over 20-year homeschooling journey!
TEEN TRACK SESSIONS
INSTRUCTOR: Amy Ratekin
DATE & TIME: Friday, June 9, 8:45-9:45am
Amy will lead participants in gaining empowering life-saving skills. Teens will learn how to identify and respond to a threat, as well as what to do and why. The workshop will offer physical techniques that can be used against an adult attacker and how to verbalize in a threatening situation. Amy will share abduction prevention skills and help participants rehearse 911 scenarios.
INSTRUCTOR: Tressa Teel
DATE & TIME: Friday, June 9, 12:30-1:30pm
This workshop will cover the basics of how Iowa’s legislature works in an exciting and interactive way. Learn how a bill becomes a law in Iowa, participate in mock committees, and more. This teaching is designed for those wanting to learn more about Iowa’s political process and how they can be involved.
Financial Freedom for Teens
INSTRUCTOR: Larry Hanthorn
DATE & TIME: Saturday, June 10, 9:30-10:30am
We're excited about this workshop designed to help teens develop the skills they need to make wise financial decisions affecting their futures. Larry will be including some interactive exercises to make the experience instructive and fun.
INSTRUCTOR: Kristin Lackie
DATE & TIME: Saturday, June 10, 11:00am-Noon
Students are often expected to have strong study and organizational skills, but they are rarely taught what that means. This workshop includes practical information geared toward developing effective study habits like setting goals, managing time, organizing spaces, improving reading comprehension, taking notes, taking tests, and finding balance. Gain the skills you need to succeed in academics, in employment, and in life.
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
Exhibit Opportunity!
Do you have a budding young business operator in your family? If so, you'll want to check out this exciting opportunity.
We're offering a one-day exhibit area for homeschooled Young Entrepreneurs from Homeschool Iowa member families. Students who are 10-20 years of age are invited to register for display space to present their small business products or services.
The Young Entrepreneurs display will be offered all day on Friday, June 10, in a special area at the 2022 Homeschool Iowa Conference.
Click on the Information Packet cover to read complete details about this special opportunity. If you have questions, please contact our Young Entrepreneurs Coordinator.