Win a Family Registration to 2016 NCHE Thrive Homeschool Conference Plus Free Scavenger Hunt Printable

I love being able to offer you a chance to win a family registration to the 2016 NCHE Thrive Homeschool Conference! Thank you to NCHE!!

One of my most favorite things about attending the NCHE Thrive Homeschool Conference is stepping into the Vendor Hall. There's a certain excitement you can feel in the air as homeschoolers - parents and kids alike - take in all there is to offer from the amazing vendors that are invited to set up each year at the homeschool conference.

Here's a peek at just a few of the vendors that you'll see this year who will set up in an area of 45,000 square feet! Yes, you read that right - 45,000 square feet! Eeekk!!

• Abeka
• Alpha Omega Publications
• Analytical Grammar
• Apologia
• ARTistic Pursuits, Inc.
• BiblioPlan for Families
• BJU Press
• Bob Jones University
• Christian Light Education
• Classical Academic Press
• Classical Conversations, Inc.

and so many more! Check here for the complete list of vendors for this year's NCHE Thrive Homeschool Conference.

So what will the kids be doing while you're busy shopping? Here's a Free Scavenger Hunt Printable I've made to keep your kids occupied! You're welcome! LOL

To get your Scavenger Hunt Printable, simply click on the image below!

As promised when I gave you my 5 Must-Haves for a Homeschool Conference, here's your chance to enter to win a Family Registration to the 2016 NCHE Thrive Homeschool Conference!


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See you at the 2016 NCHE Thrive Homeschool Conference June 2-4, 2016 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem!

Walking in His Grace,

Laurie

5 Must-Haves for a Homeschool Conference

I've already started my countdown to the 2016 NCHE Thrive Homeschool Conference here in my home state of North Carolina! This year's conference will be held June 2-4, 2016 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC. I've been going to this annual conference for many years now. This year I'll be going as a high school homeschooling mom! I can't believe it - where has all the time gone?!

I'm excited to be going again this year as part of the 2016 NCHE Thrive Blogger Team! This will be the third year that I've been on this amazing team of homeschool bloggers who will be keeping you up-to-date on all the exciting details of this year's NCHE Thrive Homeschool Conference! I'll be hosting a giveaway for a FREE Family Registration here on my blog compliments of NCHE. Check back here in April for that giveaway!

Now on to my list of 5 Must-Haves for a Homeschool Conference!

5 Must-Haves for a Homeschool Conference

Number One: Lunch Cooler

I love to save money (especially during Conference time!) and packing my lunch cooler each day of the Conference is a must for me. This saves me money and saves me from waiting in the long lines at the snack stations. I fill my lunch cooler with bottled water, protein bars, sandwiches, chips, and fruit. The savings I enjoy from bringing my lunch cooler definitely come in handy inside the Vendor Hall!

Number Two: Schedule Printout

As soon as the schedule hits the NCHE website, I print a copy and start making my game day plan! I really like to take time to read over the speaker intros and the workshop descriptions so that I can prayerfully make my selections of where I will spend my time. Your schedule printout is a must-have that will set you up for a successful Conference experience!

Number Three: Address Labels

Let me tell you that I learned about this Homeschool Conference must-have last year. I have a ton of address labels that I have gotten for free in my mail after giving donations to various organizations. So last year, I grabbed up a bunch of my address labels and stuffed them in my Conference notebook. I used them in the Vendor Hall for the giveaways that I was interested in. Well, imagine my surprise and delight when I received an email that I had won a giveaway and was able to get $200 worth of books for FREE! Address Labels - must have - don't forget I tell ya!

Number Four: Good Shoes and Sweater

I'm combining these two must-haves here. You will be doing a lot of walking - no doubt about it! Make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes so your feet aren't aching by the end of the day. Some of the conference rooms are very cold so be sure to bring along a sweater that you can slip into if needed.

Number Five: Tote Bag for Vendor Hall Purchases

I love shopping in Vendor Hall - there I said it!! My Thirty-One zipper tote bag is a must-have for me to carry my purchases in. I'm only homeschooling one child, maybe you are homeschooling more and will need more than one bag. In the past, I've also used those rolling carts, but found them just too bulky to try to get around with inside Vendor Hall. If my tote bag gets full, I can just run to the parking garage and unload my purchases into my van.


There you have it! My 5 Must-Haves for a Homeschool Conference! What are some of your must-haves when you go to your state's Homeschool Conference? Feel free to leave me a comment below!

Don't forget to check back here in April for my giveaway of one FREE Family Registration to 2016 NCHE Thrive Homeschool Conference. Follow me on Facebook so you don't miss that post!

Walking in His Grace,
Laurie

Scavenger Hunt for the 2015 NCHE Conference Bookfair

The 2015 NCHE Homeschool Conference starts this Thursday, May 21 and goes through Saturday, May 23 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem! WooHoo!! I am so excited to be attending the conference again this year as part of the NCHE Bloggers Team!

It's going to be a great time! I look forward to this much needed time of refreshing every year for our homeschool. One of my most favorite things to do while at the conference is browsing through the bookfair. It is amazing! I remember the first year I attended as a new homeschooler, the bookfair overwhelmed me...but no more...lol! Now I just have to be careful so that I don't overspend {smile}. I always wait to do my homeschool shopping until I go to the NCHE Conference Bookfair each year. This give me a chance to compare curriculum up close and find the best price. It also saves me in shipping costs.

The NCHE Conference Bookfair is every homeschoolers dream!

The conference bookfair has everything you can imagine and more! I've created a fun scavenger hunt for the NCHE Conference Bookfair that you can print off and bring with you to keep your kids entertained and busy while you shop. Maybe you can give your kids a prize if they find all of the items on the list!

Grab your free PDF download of my 2015 NCHE Conference Bookfair Scavenger Hunt and have fun shopping at the NCHE Conference Bookfair!

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

Win a FREE Family Registration to the 2015 NCHE Conference!

Can you feel the excitement?! It's almost time for the 2015 NCHE Thrive Conference! Homeschoolers here in North Carolina are gearing up for another great homeschool conference taking place May 21-23 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC.

I've lost count of how many conferences I've attended, but I CAN tell you that every year I leave feeling that it was the best conference EVER!

I'm sure this year will be just the same!

Here is some information from NCHE about this year's conference:

The NCHE annual conference serves as a celebration of the multi-faceted face of home education in North Carolina. This year we introduce a new name for our conference: Thrive! The NCHE Homeschool Conference. This new name reflects the goal of the NCHE conference and mirrors the NCHE mission "NCHE has a vision for flourishing families and thriving generations in which people remain passionate, curious and actively engaged in their faith and in their learning..."

Our mission is to:

• Equip and encourage homeschooling families through an abundance of outstanding speakers and workshops
• Connect homeschoolers with quality curriculum resources through our extensive vendor hall
• Celebrate our teens and alums through special workshops, fun activities, fellowship, the talent showcase and our state-wide graduation
• Encourage our leaders with a special luncheon and a workshop just for them

2015 NCHE Conference Featured Speakers

I am so excited about the line-up of conference featured speakers! Here's a peek at who I'm especially excited to hear speak at this year's conference. These ladies have made a meaningful impact on my life as a homeschooling mom!

Debra Bell, Ph.D., is the best-selling author of the award-winning Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling, Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling Teens and the Ultimate Planners for moms, teens and students. Writers-in-Residence: A Writing-Focused Language Arts Program and Readers-in-Residence: A Literacy Program will be released in 2015, along with a companion website.

Debra will be sharing the following:
Twenty-first Century Homeschooling: What Leaders Need to Know; Eight Reasons Kids Learn Best at Home; Education by Design: Understanding God's Blueprint for Your Child; Cultivating a Love for Learning in Our Homes; The Six Traits of Great Writing; and Developing Motivation and Interest in Kids of All Ages

Elyse M. Fitzpatrick is a retreat and conference speaker and is the director of Women Helping Women Ministries. She has authored numerous books, including Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus (co-authored with her daughter Jessica Thompson) and Found in Him: The Joy of the Incarnation and Our Union with Christ. She will be speaking with her daughter Jessica Thompson.

Jessica Thompson speaks at women’s conferences and other events. She is the author of a devotional book for families, Exploring Grace Together. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in theology. She and her husband have three children ranging in age from elementary school to high school.

Here's what Elyse and Jessica will be sharing: 
What Makes "Christian" Parenting Christian?; How to Raise a True Believer Instead of a Pharisee; Good Parenting In, Good Kids Out; and Practical Help for Christian Parents

Read about the other wonderful 2015 Conference Featured Speakers here.

Here are more links to all the exciting happenings of the 2015 NCHE Thrive Conference!

• Print off the 2015 Conference Workshop Schedule here.

• Learn about the Graduation Ceremony here.

• The 2015 Conference Talent Showcase will be held on Friday, May 22 at 7:45 p.m.

• The Children's Program will be provided by Giant Cow Children's Ministries.

• Fun events for the Teens will ensure they have a great time, too!

• Plus, a College and Camp Fair!

Sounds fabulous, doesn't it?! Are you planning on coming to the 2015 NCHE Conference? I'm excited to be on the 2015 NCHE Bloggers Team again this year! I'll see you there!

Would you like to win a FREE Family Registration to the 2015 NCHE Conference? Thanks to the NCHE Board, I am giving away one FREE Family Registration! WooHoo!! Simply enter below using the Rafflecopter widget.

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Your 2015 NCHE Conference Blogger, 
Laurie
 







 

Win a Family Registration to the 2014 NCHE Annual Conference & Book Fair

I am so excited to share this opportunity today with North Carolina homeschoolers! As part of the 2014 NCHE Bloggers Team, they are allowing me to host this special giveaway for a Family Registration to the 2014 NCHE Annual Conference & Bookfair! This Family Registration is an $85 value that will be absolutely FREE to the winner.

This wonderful homeschool conference will take place Thursday, May 22 through Saturday, May 24 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. If you have never been to the NCHE Annual Conference & Bookfair, I strongly encourage you to attend this year's 30th Annual Conference! There are so many amazing speakers, helpful workshops, and a book fair that is every curriculum junky's (like me) dream!

I cannot wait to attend this year's conference! Here's my post where I shared about the featured speaker workshops that I'll be attending. I am still planning and praying about the rest of my schedule. There are so many great workshop topics to choose from. There's truly something for everyone!

So whether you are thinking about beginning your own homeschool journey, a seasoned homeschooler, or if you fall anywhere in between the two, I hope you'll join me May 22-24 at the 2014 NCHE Annual Conference & Bookfair!

Please note the Children's Program is only for Friday and Saturday, and it is not included in this giveaway.



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Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

 

2014 NCHE Conference Speaker Highlights

I am so excited that the NCHE Annual Conference and Bookfair is almost here! The dates are Thursday, May 22 through Saturday, May 24, 2014 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Even more exciting is the fact that I'll be attending this year's homeschool conference for North Carolina as a member of the NCHE Bloggers Team! WhooHoo!!

Today I want to share with you the amazing group of speakers NCHE (North Carolinians for Home Education) has lined up for this year's conference! I also want to share the sessions from these speakers that I am looking forward to hearing. Maybe I'll see YOU in one of these sessions from our conference speakers. Don't worry though if you aren't there with me because I'll be posting highlights on Twitter, Google +, and Facebook so you can follow along!

2014 NCHE Annual Conference and Bookfair

Featured Speaker Sessions I'm Attending

• Thursday night's keynote (7:30-9:00 p.m.): Teaching Children to Live as the Image of God Rather Than Society's Definition of Success, will be given by Dr. Anthony B. Bradley. Here's a brief description of what Dr. Bradley will be speaking about: "I continue to be amazed by the number of youth and young adults who are stressed and burnt out from the regular shaming and feelings of inadequacy if they happen to not be doing something unique and special. Today’s millennial generation is being fed the message that if they don’t do something extraordinary in this life, they are wasting their gifts and potential. The sad result is that many young adults feel ashamed if they “settle” into ordinary jobs, get married early and start families, live in small towns, or as 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says, “aspire to live quietly, and to mind [their] affairs, and to work with [their] hands.” For too many millennials, their greatest fear in this life is being an ordinary person with a non-glamorous job, living in the suburbs and having nothing spectacular to boast about."
• Friday morning's keynote (9:00-10:30 a.m.): Cultivating Kids, Raising Children to Live Fruitful Lives, will be given by Dr. Jeff Myers. Here's a brief description of what we'll be hearing: "This generation of children has greater potential and opportunity than perhaps any generation in American history, and yet they’re growing up in a culture of aimlessness and passive consumerism. As one of the world’s leading authorities on youth leadership development and a homeschool dad, Dr. Myers weaves together fascinating biblical insights, penetrating social commentary and hilarious personal stories to help you see your child’s potential in a whole new way."
• Session 4 Friday (11:00 a.m. - 12 noon): Rachael Carman - How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids
• Saturday morning's keynote (9:00-10:30 a.m.): This, We Believe, will be given by Todd Wilson. Here's a brief look at an important reminder Mr. Wilson will be sharing: "Dads and moms, in all the busyness of life and swell of expert advice, we've forgotten the fundamental truths of homeschooling and family. In short, we’ve forgotten why we do what we do. We have plenty of “how tos” but have forgotten the “why tos,” and it evidences itself in our lack of joy of homeschooling, family and parenting. Join funny guy and familyman, Todd Wilson, as he sets the stage for the best year ever as he brings us back to the basics of what we believe about family and homeschooling. You're not going to want to miss this for the world."
• Session 11 Saturday (1:50-2:50 p.m.): Diana Waring - Things I Wish I'd Known 

This is just part of my schedule of the sessions I'll be attending. My days are going to be gloriously packed with encouraging and equipping speakers who believe in homeschooling as much as I do.

So are you ready to plan out your 2014 NCHE Conference experience? The featured speakers bio's are listed on the 2014 Conference Featured Speakers page as well as the topics they will be speaking about. You can find the daily schedule listed on the 2014 NCHE Annual Conference Workshop Schedule page. Detailed workshop descriptions have been compiled onto one page which is available on the 2014 Conference Workshop Descriptions page. I love to print the schedule and workshop descriptions and sneak away with my highlighter to plan out my conference experience!

Can you tell how excited I am?! If you are planning to come to the 2014 NCHE Annual Conference and Bookfair (you really should, it's going to be great!), please be sure to keep coming back here to Grace-Filled-Moments in the weeks ahead as I'll be bringing you special detailed posts concerning this year's 30th Annual Conference! One of those posts will contain {cue the confetti} an opportunity to win a FREE Family Registration to this year's NCHE Annual Conference and Bookfair!

There is more excitement to come, so stay tuned!

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie