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SPRING 2018
HOMESCHOOL IOWA 5
Who should attend the NICHE Conference?
Lauren:
Anyone who has children still in the home -- re-
gardless of whether or not they plan to homeschool. Teach-
ing the next generation encompasses all aspects of life and
is not limited to the textbook arena. Be filled by the support
of like-minded parents, be challenged by speakers who point up-
ward and onward, and be prayed over by our staff and leaders who
are ever-ready to lend a listening ear.
Crystal:
Everyone! I have attended with my husband, my mom,
and another homeschool mom. Each person has benefited from at-
tending. Last year, my husband couldn’t come, and I missed being
with him. Conference always helps re-calibrate us and puts us on the
same page for our family and our homeschool journey. I’m also sur-
prised by howmuch my mom has enjoyed the conference. She loves
her grandchildren and wants to be part of their childhood. Getting a
glimpse into our world, as homeschoolers, has really enhanced her
support of us.
What makes the NICHE Conference special from other
conferences?
Lauren:
While it can be beneficial to visit other conferences from
time to time, we believe the benefits of attending your own state
homeschool conference are invaluable. A crucial building block to a
strong support system is networking with and meeting new people
in your own community. Are you wondering where you can find a
local homeschool group? Come meet your Regional Representa-
tive! Are you concerned about homeschooling laws and how they
might change? Come meet your legislative liaison! Are you wonder-
ing how you can get further involved with the state organization?
Come meet your Homeschool Iowa board members! You don’t need
to walk this journey alone. Let us walk it with you.
Crystal:
I love homegrown local stuff, and the NICHE Conference
is truly all that put together. I’ve attended this conference for the last
seven years. The workshops are so plentiful, it’s been hard to decide
which one to go to at times. The vendor hall has been a great way
to see new ideas. I’ve told my husband that conference is the new
Christmas, and we try to budget accordingly. To find something so
rich in our own backyard is great.
When and where is this year’s conference located?
Crystal:
May 31-June 2 in Coralville. As a Des Moines resident, I
was surprised by howmuch I enjoyed going to Coralville and getting
away from my obligations at home. The hotel and conference cen-
ter are attached and make getting to workshops easy: no meters, no
parking, and no walking. Also, everything you need is in walking dis-
tance of the hotel -- even a grocery store and a variety of restaurants.
Who are some of the featured speakers?
Lauren:
Hop on our website,
homeschooliowa.org, to find the
complete list. You’ll be surprised by the wide range of topics from
which you are able to choose! However, I am most looking forward
to hearing Eric Ludy. His passion is inspiring others to live boldly,
walk powerfully, and give relentlessly for the gospel of Christ.
Crystal:
There is quite the array of speakers! I’m personally look-
ing forward to Sonya Shafer, with Simply Charlotte Mason. I try to
follow the style of teaching that “Education is an Atmosphere, a Dis-
cipline, a Life.”Mrs. Shafer is a great leader on this.
What is there for my kids?
Lauren:
If you have small children, like myself, Mother’s Room and
Toddler Town are the places for you! Located on the second floor of
the Marriott, you’ll find a little reprieve with toys for the littles and
refreshments for yourself. When you stop in, look for me, as I will be
there with my newest -- coming May 12!
Crystal:
Personally, we have done it all, from the children’s pro-
gram, to keeping the kids with us because I had an infant and need-
ed the older one’s help, to the kids staying at Grandma’s so my hus-
band and I could focus.
What blows me away, and makes a lot less work for parents, is the
children’s program directed by Scott and Hannah Kratzer. They have
been leading this awesome program for eight years. That shows a
lot of love and faithfulness to our kids and to NICHE. The children’s
program is an engaging “Vacation Bible School experience” which
moves the kids through skits, small group learning, and Bible time --
all centered on a strong theme. This year’s theme is The Great Adven-
ture: a mission to pursue, a love to share! The two days are focused
on a shipwreck adventure in the travels of David Livingstone.
Is there anything new at the conference this year?
Lauren:
Yes! Kicking off the last day of conference, we will be hold-
ing a Moms & Muffins and Dads & Donuts session. Heidi St. John will
present a brief devotional, along with a time of fellowship, during
Moms & Muffins, while Eric Ludy presents the same during Dads &
Donuts. Come fuel your bodies with a scrumptious breakfast while
our speakers fuel your spirit with encouragement.
Join Us for HI Conference 2018!
L
auren Johnson and Crystal Wieland are Homeschool Io-
wa’s new conference coordinators. They sat down with
Homeschool Iowa Magazine to discuss the upcoming
2018 conference. Both of these ladies bring something differ-
ent, yet similar, to the table as they spearhead conference plans:
Lauren is the daughter of former Homeschool Iowa board
members, Scott and Stephanie Bailey, she grew up as a confer-
ence volunteer, and plans to begin her children’s homeschool
journey this fall. As an avid homeschool mom, Crystal has been
attending the NICHE Conference for the past seven years and, in
her life before homeschooling, was an event coordinator.