PAACH welcomes you to attend our 36th Annual Homeschool Convention! Our focus this year is God’s sovereignty over the family. The Psalmist wrote, “He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom He loves.” God has chosen a heritage for you and your children as well. He has placed you, your spouse, and your children together intentionally for His purposes. Because God is actively involved in your family, you can be confident that He knows both your victories and your challenges; and has given you everything you need to raise your children to know Him. He has called you to homeschool because it is the best way for your family to BE a family that glorifies Him. Our goal this year is to encourage you to understand God’s providence in your family. We hope this weekend also helps you to reconnect with others in the homeschooling community while also bringing fresh ideas and practical tools to aid you along your journey. We, the PAACH board and committee, look forward to serving you during this convention and at other future events throughout the rest of this year. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@apachecentralillinois.org.
Registration InfoConvention pricing is listed below. Non-subscribers can subscribe to PAACH (for $25) if they want to register early or at the lower subscriber price. As always, pastors and widows/widowers can attend convention for FREE. Working scholarships are also available to cover your cost of registration (see details below under Volunteer Information). |
Early RegistrationJanuary 13 - February 21, 2025
| Online RegistrationFebruary 22 - March 21, 2025
| Walk-In RegistrationDuring Convention
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Thank You to Rural Home Missionary Association for Sponsoring the 2025 PAACH Homeschool Convention |
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Featured Keynote Speakers
| Andrew PudewaIEW - Institute for Excellence in Writing | website Andrew is the founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing and a father of seven. Traveling and speaking around the world, he addresses issues related to teaching, writing, thinking, spelling, and music with clarity, insight, practical experience, and humor. His seminars for parents, students, and teachers have helped transform many a reluctant writer and have equipped educators with powerful tools to dramatically improve students’ skills. |
| Steve DemmeBuilding Faith and Family | website Steve and his wife Sandra have been married since 1979. They have been blessed with four sons, three lovely daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren. Steve encourages parents as they seek to build families of faith. His messages are rooted in scripture, illustrated from personal experience, and filled with practical application. He has served in full or part time pastoral ministry for many years after graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. A former math teacher who has taught at all levels of math in public, private, and Christian schools, Steve is also the founder of Math-U-See. |
| Will Estrada, Esq.HSLDA - Home School Legal Defense Association | website Will is senior counsel and contact attorney for HSLDA members in the states of CA, WY, IL, AL, GA, SC, MD, PA, and NH. He works to make homeschooling possible for thousands of member families and hundreds of thousands of homeschool students by advocating in state legislatures for homeschool freedom, working to ensure that homeschool graduates are treated equally, and that the laws protecting the rights of homeschool families are followed by government officials. Will is a homeschool graduate from Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Rachel (a homeschool graduate from Virginia), have two sons, Dominic and Merrick, and live in Northern Virginia. |
New to Homeschool NightThursday, April 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.Considering homeschooling, but not sure where to start? Join us for this special informal event, which is FREE to new and first year homeschoolers. Hear from Kirk Smith, Executive Director of ICHE (Illinois Christian Home Educators) and homeschooling dad of 11, find answers to any questions you may have, and shop our vendor hall.
Family Movie Night! |
Family CampFriday, April 11 - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the SanctuaryIn this faith-based comedy, when two polar-opposite families are forced to camp together, the dads struggle to hold onto their families and marriages as they compete for the coveted camp trophy. 2022 | PG | 1h 51m |
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Convention Vendors |
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Convention Information
Name Badges
Please wear your name badge at all times during the convention. They are your proof of registration. On your final exit from the convention, please return lanyards and badges to the baskets at Registration as you leave convention.
Youth
Children ages 12+ may attend any workshop. Children under the age of 12 must be with an adult at all times if they're not attending a specific youth session. All children of all ages need to be in the sanctuary during both morning keynotes if they're not attending a special 9 a.m. session. Thank you for your cooperation.
NO SKATEBOARDING allowed on church property. Please do not go down by the pond.
Parents
During workshops if your infants or young children make distracting noises, even happy ones, we ask that you immediately leave the room out of consideration for the speaker, fellow attendees, and the quality of the MP3 recording. The infant care room is available for you to use. An adult must remain with their infant at all times.
Food
Food is only allowed in the eating areas (or outside, weather permitting). While water bottles with lids are allowed in classrooms, no liquid of any kind is allowed in the sanctuary. Thank you for showing your appreciation for the wonderful facilities by respecting these requests. The main dining area is located in the 924 building across the parking lot out the back doors of the vendor hall.
Food will be available for purchase in the 924 Building during lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days.
Coffee & SnacksNeed a little refreshment? CIBAD Speech & Debate Club is selling coffee and snacks at the kitchen window in the vendor hall. They thank you for your support! Volunteers & Working ScholarshipsIf you would like a working scholarship, please email our volunteer coordinator at mumum83110@yahoo.com. When you register, please select the "interested in volunteer or working scholarship opportunities" option. You will need to pay for your registration up front, and then will be reimbursed after you fulfill six hours of volunteer time. Please check in at the PAACH info booth (in the foyer) 5 minutes prior to your shift. Thank you for serving! Need Assistance?PAACH board and convention committee members will be wearing navy blue PAACH t-shirts. We're happy to help you! A Note from the BoardPAACH does not necessarily endorse every product or idea presented at the convention. We recognize the diversity which is prevalent in the home education community and trust you will exercise discernment in making the proper choices for your family. Notice of Event Photography & RecordingPAACH intends to capture images during convention for use in publications and all media forms. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography/recording by PAACH. If you have questions or concerns, please see an PAACH board member. Refund PolicyIf you cannot attend convention after registering, you have two options. You may:
Refund requests sent before March 1, 2025 will receive a full refund. Requests sent after March 1, 2025 will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be given after April 1, 2025.
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Connect with UsFor questions regarding newsletter submissions, the Homeschool Convention or home education in general, please send an email to info@apachecentralillinois.org. A Board member will respond as soon as possible.
Mailing Address: PAACH | P.O. Box 5203 | Peoria, IL 61601 |