Thank you to all those that attended our Conference on the Rock 2011. Those of you that didn't make it missed a great time.
Donna Ward was an inspiring speaker. She shared sessions on the importance of loving your child, making geography and history come alive through using great resources and techniques, and the importance of including good books not only for learning but also for enjoyment. She also had an excellent display of many wonderful resources on her Northwoods Press vendors tables.
Doug Ward, Donna's husband, gave an update on HSLDA and discussed the importance of joining HSLDA for your own peace of mind and also to support others who homeschool to help promote homeschooling as a viable option.
Calvin Smith convincingly made the case for the importance of Genesis and the origins of life. He showed how everyone comes to conclusions on these matters by using the same facts, but their interpretation of the facts is what makes the difference. Calvin had a great display of books and videos available through Creation Ministries International.
Alfred MacLaren presented the rationale behind the A.C.E. (Accelerated Christian Education) program and how the program works. He was available at his table for discussion throughout the conference.
Stephanie Jackson returned with a table of Math-U-See material and was avaiable for discussion and consultation throughout the conference.
Rod and Staff once again brought their big beautiful display of resources and representatives were also avaiable for discussion and consultation throughout the conference.
As recommended by attendees at last years conference, lots of time was built into the schedule for people to browse the vendor tables and to talk with one another. This is always a favourite part of conference.
Children ages 3-11 enjoyed their time playing in a supervised play room during the conference and the teens took advantage of the youth room and also took in a special session with Calvin Smith.
The conference closed with a passing of leadership for CHENL. Lorne Robinson explained that he and his wife, Cathy, were stepping down from leadership in CHENL as their youngest child has now graduated and they would no longer be actively homeschooling but they would continue to support the homeschooling community in anyway they can. Lorne introduced Dean Stairs as the new chair for CHENL. Dean is a homeschooling dad of a large family. While not a native Newfoundlander he fell in love with the place when stationed here during a term with the armed forces and decided to make Newfoundland his home. He has a great vision for the future of CHENL. Be watching for an explanation of his vision soon.
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It was a great conference (as they always are!). I always find hs conferences a time of refreshing and recharging as it's really great to meet with homeschoolers from all across our province. Even though some of us meet regularly with other homeschoolers, it's very inspiring to meet with an even larger group, new faces and a place to exchange ideas. For those who live in a more isolate area without fellow homeschoolers to meet up with, conferences with many homeschoolers are a real time of blessing. One never knows what ideas, opportunities etc., they will come away with! It's very encouraging to meet with others who all share in the same goal -- home educating our children (and the larger the group, the better -- more ideas etc.)
ReplyDeleteTo Lorne and Cathy -- a big thank you for all you have done with CEHNL and in moving hs'ng forward here in NL. My personal hope is you'll both be still involved with the hs'ng community here at least on some level. The experience (as successful homeschoolers) you bring to the table is invaluable. I remember when I started homeschooling...there were hardly any people who had actually graduated their homeschoolers --- most of us were in the same beginning stages. How I would have loved to talk with homeschooling families who had successful hs graduates...for ideas as well as reassurance ;)
(Hint, hint ;) --- This goes for all of you who have graduated their homeschoolers....your advice/input is invaluable to new and current homeschoolers. ;) )
Thanks to all the conference organizers. Events such as these don't just happen...a lot of work goes into them for sure.
We'd like to extend a big "hello" to Dean as he takes on the role of chair for CHENL. I already note one thing in common...even though we aren't native Newfoundlanders we also fell in love with Newfoundland and chose to make it our home.
Linda