2025 Event Sessions and Activities

 REGISTER NOW to enjoy any or all event benefits and activities! 

FIND A COMPLETE SCHEDULE HERE.

MORE ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS HERE. 

KIDS PROGRAM (Friday, 9:00am - 12:00pm)

Calling All Superheroes! Join the Ultimate Hero Quest! 

CEF of Maine (Hope Baptist Church, 176 Western Ave., Manchester)

Are you ready to take on an exciting challenge? Join us for the Ultimate Hero Quest, where you’ll embark on an adventure to find the greatest superhero of all time! Kids ages 6 to 12 are invited to team up with Child Evangelism Fellowship of Maine and Camp Good News for a day filled with thrilling Bible stories and important life lessons. Through games and challenges, you’ll discover what it truly means to be a hero. Delicious treats will keep your energy high as you race against time to uncover the ultimate superhero! So, grab your capes, assemble your team, and get ready for an action-packed day of fun and friendship! Are you ready to answer the call? Let’s go save the day! 

WORKSHOP SESSION I (Friday, 9:00am - 10:00am) 

In Over My Head! What Was I Thinking

Jan Smith (Hope Baptist Church, 176 Western Ave., Manchester)

 Often falling on the heels of making a bold decision in your family, a little voice in your head cries out, “What was I thinking?!! I can’t do that!”  Even when we are being obedient to clear direction, we can become insecure and fearful.  Humorous stories will lighten your load if you are feeling the press to make changes, and will help you to stop listening to the accusations from within.

MORNING COFFEE BREAK (Friday, 10:00am - 11:00am) 

Heart to Heart Fellowship and Q&A

Dr. Roger and Jan Smith (Hope Baptist Church, 176 Western Ave., Manchester) 

Do you have questions or concerns about homeschooling? What's on your heart during this season of your life? Join the Smiths for this informal time of sharing over refreshments and the chance to connect with other homeschooling moms for blessing and encouragement.  

WORKSHOP SESSION II (Friday 11:00am - 12:00pm) 

TBD

TBD (Hope Baptist Church, 176 Western Ave., Manchester)

WORKSHOP SESSION III (Friday 5:00pm - 6:00pm)

Ramp it Up! 

Mad Science of Maine (Hope Baptist Church, 176 Western Ave., Manchester)

Hop on board the Mad Science express and get ready for a high speed romp into energy and power! Reach your potential and become ecstatic as we make things fly, spin, and soar. Witness energy conversion in action as you race around the room with your teacher in an energy relay. Do you have the energy for the Mad Science Power Pedaler? Give it a try!

WORKSHOP SESSION IV (Friday 6:00pm - 7:00pm)

Dad's Essential Role

Dr. Roger Smith (Hope Baptist Church, 176 Western Ave., Manchester)

What’s a dad to do?  In a busy home, dads often find themselves being dragged along in all the activity involving the children.  But can it be another way?  The influence of the father can be the thing that helps all the activity stay on course.  Dr. Smith will share ways he and others have made significant contributions to the home in the midst of a busy career.  This session will not be an attempt to produce guilt about failures, but will offer solutions and hope for increasing the influence of dad in the home, resulting in everyone being more happy.

Snacks and Games (family)

WORKSHOP SESSION IV (Friday 7:15pm - 8:30pm)

Leading Through Change in Times of Uncertainty

Dr. Roger Smith (Hope Baptist Church, Manchester)

New or uncertain situations can cause the paralysis of an organization, or even worse—reactionary decisions. It is precisely during these times that leaders must increase the frequency and the clarity of communication in order to establish strength and stability. Never underestimate the value of your team members. Principles we will discuss in this session include:

• Dealing effectively with different people’s responses to change

• Working through the idea of who gets the credit—and deciding if that is important

• Emphasizing the value of courage and vision

• Communicating the power of hope.

EXHIBIT HALL SHOPPING OPEN ALL DAY FOR PAID REGISTRANTS!

Exhibit Hall Only Shopping - FREE between 12:00 and 5:30pm (arrive before 4:00pm for admission) 

WORKSHOP SESSION I (Saturday, 9:00am - 9:45am) 

Homeschooling with Living Books 

Laura Oliver (Classroom 209A, Augusta Armory) 

Are you curious about the term "living books" or have you wondered how you can incorporate them into your homeschool? Do you ever wonder if building a home library is worth the time, money, and effort? Please join Laura in exploring ways to use enjoyable, well-written, living books every day in your homeschool and how you can leave the textbooks behind forever. There will also be discussion on ways to effectively and economically build your home library to suit your family's needs and why it is more important than ever to curate a worthy home library.

Making Connections: Socialization for Both Parents AND Kids!

Carolyn Simonds (Classroom 209B, Augusta Armory) 

What is the difference between classroom and homeschool socialization? How do homeschoolers meet other homeschoolers? Where can I find a homeschool group or co-op? Can homeschoolers participate in sports programs? Homeschool veteran and HOME leader Carolyn Simonds will answer these questions and more! Learn simple and creative ways to provide your child with safe, healthy, and positive opportunities for socialization throughout your homeschool years.  

WORKSHOP SESSION II (Saturday, 10:00am - 10:45am)

Do You Know the Presidents? Camp Constitution (Family Interest)

Hal Shurtleff (Classroom 209A, Augusta Armory)

This lively presentation will include a review of Article 2 of the U.S Constitution, which is where the duties and powers of the President are listed, followed by a short history of the Presidents. Come to learn about the men who have led our nation through good times and bad!

What is Experiential Learning?

Joanna Martel (Classroom 209B, Augusta Armory) 

Experiential learning is integral to the homeschool experience. Come learn about what it is, how to identify it, how to set it up, and most importantly how to track and quantify the experience. PreK - university, let’s explore what homeschoolers have known all along and public schools are just figuring out - lifelong learning comes from experiential learning.

WORKSHOP SESSION III (Saturday, 11:00am - 11:45pm)

Tending to Your Child's Emotional Health

Dr. Roger Smith (Classroom 209A, Augusta Armory)  

Learn from pediatrician, Dr. Roger Smith, how stress and trauma affects a child’s ability to learn and perform. Research on stress has yielded a better understanding of the biochemical and neurologic responses we see as “behavior.” Parents can tap into this research to better guide their child through life’s stresses. This session will review both the science and the social impact of emotions in the context of a Biblical worldview. Dr. Smith will transform scientific gobbledygook into layman’s language with tangible application.

Protecting Homeschool Freedom: Who's Doing What, and Why Everyone is Needed

Michelle Collomy (Classroom 209B, Augusta Armory) 

What difference can I make in helping the homeschool community to thrive? How can I possibly be involved locally, on a state and national level and keep up with homeschooling my own family? Are my efforts really needed? Do they really matter? And how might they benefit me and my family? If you are a homeschooler, are working with homeschoolers or would like to be a support to homeschoolers, this presentation is for you!

WORKSHOP SESSION IV (Saturday 12:00 - 12:45pm)

Financial Literacy and Investing for Times Such as These

Jake Oliver (Classroom 209A, Augusta Armory) 

Learn why personal finance should be taught in your homeschool curriculum, and how to integrate it.  

Creating an Atmosphere for Storytelling and Writing in Your Home

Molly Mayo (Classroom 209B, Augusta, Armory)  

"Five years from now you’ll be the same person you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read!” -- Charlie Jones. A good book has the amazing power to inspire, excite, and challenge the way you view life. Filling your home with such treasures can not only change you and your children’s character, but also shape the way you learn, write and grow! Listen in to learn more about influential storytelling, powerful literature in the home, and what Scripture has to say about it all.

WORKSHOP SESSION V (Saturday, 1:00pm - 1:45pm)

Using Agriculture as a Context for Learning

Kelsey Fortin (Classroom 209A, Augusta Armory) 

Agriculture provides an awesome context for learning! During this session participants will learn ways in which they can teach experiential, real life learning, as well as science, technology, engineering, math, reading, art, and health through the lens of agriculture. Participants will learn about the resources, opportunities, and curriculum that Maine Agriculture in the Classroom has available. Easy to implement, hands-on lessons and activities will be modeled that participants can take home and put into action.

The Gift of Time: What Your Early Learner Needs Most!

Jessica Leavitt, Laura Oliver, River Radley (Classroom 209B, Augusta, Armory) 

Are you worried about what your child doesn’t know, but “should”? Do you feel pressure from others who say your child is “behind”? This session will alleviate your concerns and teach you to meet your child’s needs in ways that are developmentally appropriate. We will also discuss using good literature and picture books as opposed to textbooks, the importance of hands-on learning, and prioritizing time outside in nature. As the parent, you know what is best for your child and there is no need to compare where your child is developmentally to another child, even a child within your own family! Come ready with your questions, as Laura, Jessica, and River encourage you that in the early years, less can be more.

WORKSHOP SESSION VI (Saturday, 2:00pm - 2:45pm)

Losing Control? Start Building Influence - Parenting Teens and Tweens

Dr. Roger and Jan Smith (Classroom 209A, Augusta Armory)

Have you ever said, “My kids are out of control!”?  The Smiths will show you why it is not such a bad thing, and will even encourage you to transfer more control for the good of the children, and for your own sanity.  Though this is not a new idea, the way of thinking about it is foreign to most people.  Having raised 4 children to lead productive lives as adults, the Smiths bring real-life stories from their past to illustrate both good and bad approaches to control in the family.  You will be encouraged, and you will be inspired.

How God Uses Ordinary Women in Extraordinary Times

Lisa Beal (Classroom 209B, Augusta, Armory) 

God is always looking for those who are willing to seek Him and serve Him. Come learn about other women in history who have answered His call just as you are doing today!

WORKSHOP SESSION 7 (Saturday, 3:00pm - 3:45pm)

Incorporating Safety and Self-Defense into Your PE Program

Andee Reardon (Classroom 209A Augusta Armory)

Including safety into your homeschool curriculum is important. Teaching your kids about these subjects and figuring out how they fit into school, isn't always easy. Learn how to include subjects like fire safety, street safety, responding to emergencies, building a home safety plan, how to see red flags (and how to protect yourself) into your routine.

This workshop will provide ideas and resources to help you include safety into your homeschool experience.

How to Help Children Understand and LIKE Math

Carolyn Hughes (Classroom 209B, Augusta, Armory) 

In this workshop you will learn what Number Sense is.

• How Number Sense helps prevent math difficulties later on.

• It is never too late to learn or review number sense.

• How to help children understand numbers.

• Help children learn 1 to 1 correspondence.

• Using games to help math become more understandable.

WORKSHOP SESSION 8 (Saturday, 4:00pm - 4:45pm)

Life Happens: Homeschooling in Difficult Days

June O'Donal (Classroom 209A, Augusta Armory)

Author and speaker, June O'Donal, wants to encourage all homeschooling families to persevere in their mission of homeschooling. In 1995 her husband, Wayne, sustained a serious brain injury in a work-related accident, which led to a series of difficulties for the family. She and the family learned many lessons through this journey. You do not need to be the perfect homeschool family to be a faithful one!

Fostering a Lifestyle of Learning

Marion Claus (Classroom 209B, Augusta, Armory) 

You don't have to separate learning from life activities. While homeschooling, discover how your children learn best, set up an environment for learning that supports that learning style and see how learning becomes their lifestyle. When you spend every day with them, you get to know what makes them delighted to learn.

 * Music on Saturday morning will be provided by harpist Kimberly Miller and the Beal Family! Please arrive early to enjoy!

DON'T WAIT! PRE-REGISTER YOUR FAMILY TODAY!