2027 Homeschool Conference
Equipping, Encouraging, and Inspiring Families.
Registration
- One registration covers up to two parents and their first-generation minor children
- Adult unmarried children may be included if they are not a parent
- Access to all keynotes, breakout sessions, and vendor hall
- All paid attendees receive a complimentary 1-year HSD membership
- Conference recordings available online to all attendees after the event
Registration for the 2027 conference opens soon
Conference Venue
The Monument
Rapid City, South Dakota
May 14–15, 2027
Doors open at 7:30 AM both days
Registration QR Code
Keynote Speakers
Kevin Swanson
generations.orgFounder, Generations
Kevin homeschooled himself in the 1960s and 70s. He and his wife Brenda have homeschooled their five children. Kevin has 56 years of experience in homeschooling and 27 years of experience in leadership, serving as Executive Director of Christian Home Educators of Colorado and Director of Generations — a ministry he founded to strengthen homeschool families worldwide. Kevin was the pro-life champion at the highest levels of government and churches for 22 years. He is a sought-after speaker and host of the Generations Radio program.
Books: Upgrade: 10 Secrets to the Best Education for Your Child; Family Life; The Story of Freedom; Apostate; Epoch; Worldview
Andrew Pudewa
iew.comFounder, Institute for Excellence in Writing
Andrew Pudewa is the founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing. Presenting around the world, he addresses issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, and spelling 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 student writing skills.
Dr. Renton Rathbun
rentonrathbun.comClassroom Teacher & Homeschool Educator
Renton has been a classroom teacher for over 25 years. His teaching experience has included both secular and Christian colleges and universities. He and his wife homeschooled their oldest son Daniel, and are now homeschooling their two younger children. Renton has spoken for homeschool venues such as the Foundations Summit, the Canadian Homeschool Symposium, Teach Them Diligently, and the Great Homeschool Conventions.
Workshop Speakers
Dr. Dikkers is a husband and father of two homeschooled adults. As a teacher, principal, pastor, professor, and researcher, he has authored books including TeacherCraft and Mobile Media Learning, with a decade of research, instruction, and practice in game-based learning.
A third-generation homeschooler and founder of Christian Halls International. He has a DPhil from the University of Oxford where he taught New Testament and Greek. His work focuses on building Christian educational communities.
A veteran home educator, movement innovator, and communication strategist. Creator of NeuroPower Pilates®, Jan fuses brain training with mindful movement. Her witty mantra — "The last person to get a cell phone wins" — reflects her commitment to intentional, screen-free family life.
Tj was homeschooled starting in 2nd grade. As a senior HSLDA attorney, he assists members across the country with legal questions and challenges to their homeschool freedom. Tj and his wife Susan have been homeschooling their children since birth.
Emily is a wife of 25 years and mother of two boys in Piedmont, South Dakota. After struggling with spatial dyslexia in public school, she discovered tools for success, stepped out in faith to homeschool, and has experienced God's faithfulness — including graduating her first son last year.
Session Schedule
🕐 All times Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)
Keynote Sessions
| Speaker | Session | Room | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Swanson | The Heart of Homeschooling | Rushmore Hall 3–5 | Friday 8:50 AM |
| Dr. Renton Rathbun | Kids' Deconstructing Faith and How to Win Them Back | Rushmore Hall 3–5 | Friday 1:30 PM |
| Andrew Pudewa | However Imperfectly | Rushmore Hall 3–5 | Friday 4:30 PM |
| Dr. Renton Rathbun | AI, Homeschool, and the Brain: Preserving Critical Thinking | Rushmore Hall 3–5 | Saturday 8:50 AM |
| Andrew Pudewa | Conquering Corrupt Culture | Rushmore Hall 3–5 | Saturday 1:30 PM |
| Kevin Swanson | For Such a Time as This | Rushmore Hall 3–5 | Saturday 4:30 PM |
HSD Sessions
| Session | Room | Time |
|---|---|---|
| HSD Leadership Coffee | LaCroix C | Friday 3:00 PM |
| Gubernatorial Candidate Q&A | Rushmore Hall 3–5 | Saturday 11:40 AM |
| HSD Legislative Update and Q&A | LaCroix B | Saturday 3:00 PM |
Speaker Workshops
| Speaker | Session | Room | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Pudewa | Cultivating Language Arts | Rushmore Hall 3–5 | Friday 10:30 |
| Dr. Seann Dikkers | The Insidious Nature of Schooling | LaCroix A | Friday 10:30 |
| Dr. Nicholas Ellis | Homeschool College & Trade Halls for SD | LaCroix B | Friday 10:30 |
| Jan McGrath | Disconnect to Reconnect: Reclaim Your Family from Screens | LaCroix C | Friday 10:30 |
| Military Connection Coffee | Noel Molnar | LaCroix D | Friday 10:30 |
| Kevin Swanson | What Does the Bible Say About Educating Kids? | Rushmore Hall 3–5 | Friday 3:00 |
| Dr. Seann Dikkers | Carrots, Not Sticks: Designing Learning for Joy | LaCroix A | Friday 3:00 |
| Andrew Pudewa and Dr. Nicholas Ellis | Building a Family Legacy: From Homeschool to a Christian Civilization | LaCroix B | Friday 3:00 |
| Andrew Pudewa | The Three Best Things I Did as a Homeschool Dad | Rushmore Hall 3–5 | Saturday 10:30 |
| Dr. Seann Dikkers | Project-Based Learning | LaCroix A | Saturday 10:30 |
| Tj Schmidt | Latest Homeschool Cases and Legislation (Across the USA) | LaCroix B | Saturday 10:30 |
| Dr. Renton Rathbun | A Biblical Worldview of Math: Does It Add Up? | LaCroix C | Saturday 10:30 |
| Military Connection Coffee | Noel Molnar | LaCroix D | Saturday 10:30 |
| Kevin Swanson | The Fight for Family Freedoms & Parental Rights | Rushmore Hall 3–5 | Saturday 3:00 |
| Dr. Seann Dikkers | Play More | LaCroix A | Saturday 3:00 |
| HSLDA | Legislative Update and Q&A | LaCroix B | Saturday 3:00 |
| Emily Baumiller | Joy in the Journey | LaCroix C | Saturday 3:00 |
Vendor Workshops
| Presenter | Session | Room | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Etiquette Factory, LLC | Raising Gentlemen Who Live with Honor | LaCroix A | Friday 11:40 |
| WatchSafe | Guarding the Hearts of Your Children: Biblical Authority Over Digital Media | LaCroix B | Friday 11:40 |
| South Dakota Hall of Fame | Exploring Leadership Skills Through the SD Hall of Fame | LaCroix C | Friday 11:40 |
| BJU Press / HomeWorks by Precept | Military Homeschooling: From Deployments to Retirement | LaCroix D | Friday 11:40 |
| Interfaith Federal Credit Union | Equipping Teens for Financial Freedom | Rushmore Hall 1 | Friday 11:40 |
| Club America | Raising Patriotic Leaders at Home | Rushmore Hall 2 | Friday 11:40 |
| Christian Halls International | Education as Community Formation: A Multi-Generational Vision | Rushmore Hall 1C | Friday 11:40 |
| The Etiquette Factory, LLC | Discipline with Love / Protect Your Relationships | LaCroix A | Friday 12:35 |
| Black Hills Christian Hall | Questions That Lead to Truth: Christian Socratic Path to Biblical Wisdom | LaCroix B | Friday 12:35 |
| South Dakota Hall of Fame | Exploring Leadership Skills Through the SD Hall of Fame | LaCroix C | Friday 12:35 |
| BiblioPlan | Bits of Wisdom for Moms of Pre-K through 2nd Graders | LaCroix D | Friday 12:35 |
| Alpha Omega Institute | Dragons, Unicorns, and the Bible | Rushmore Hall 1 | Friday 12:35 |
| Biblical Science Institute | Importance of Genesis | Rushmore Hall 2 | Friday 12:35 |
| Ready Lamp LLC | The Homeschool Entrepreneur | LaCroix A | Saturday 12:35 |
| SD Family Voice | Creating a Child's-Rights Movement in America | LaCroix B | Saturday 12:35 |
| Classical Conversations | 5 Tools to Help Your Child Think Well and Develop Understanding | LaCroix C | Saturday 12:35 |
| BiblioPlan | All Together without Mom Losing her Mind! | LaCroix D | Saturday 12:35 |
| Alpha Omega Institute | The Origin of Life and God's Amazing Design | Rushmore Hall 1 | Saturday 12:35 |
| Christian Halls International | Studying the Book of James | Rushmore Hall 2 | Saturday 12:35 |
| TeenPact SD | Equip, Grow, Engage | Rushmore Hall 3–5 | Saturday 12:35–1:20 |
Music & Worship
Mike Weaver
We are hosting a free Friday night worship concert featuring Mike Weaver — the lead singer of Big Daddy Weave, known for beloved songs like "Redeemed," "The Lion and the Lamb," and "My Story." No tickets required — bring your whole family and invite your friends and neighbors!
Morning Worship
Praise and worship by local homeschool singers and musicians — 8:15 AM in Rushmore Hall 3–5 on both mornings.
Saturday Choir & Band Concert
A Homeschool Choir & Band concert at 6:00 PM in Rushmore Hall 3–5 on Saturday evening.
Youth Activities
A full schedule of youth activities including educational and entertaining sessions from local and national educators. Outdoor activities are also available throughout the event.
| Activity | Presenter | Room | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic Painting (Ages 7+, fees apply) | Canvas 2 Paint | Rushmore Hall 1C | Fri & Sat 10:00–11:30, 1:30–3:00 |
| Juggling with Jared (Ages 10+) | Jared Ashton | Rushmore Hall 1 | Fri & Sat 9:00–10:00 |
| Homeschool PE (Ages 7+) | E3 Sports | Rushmore Hall 2 | Friday 9:00–10:00 |
| Rock Hounding (Ages 3–12) | Rushmore Hall 2 | Friday 10:30–11:30 | |
| Unlock Your Memory Workshop (All Ages) | Marge Greene | Rushmore Hall 1 | Fri & Sat 10:30–11:30 |
| Science Steve (All Ages) | SD Public Broadcasting | Rushmore Hall 2 | Fri & Sat 1:30–2:30, 3:00–4:00 |
| Introduction to TaekwonDo (All Ages) | Master Scott Craig | Rushmore Hall 1 | Friday 3:00–4:00 |
| Speed Stacks (Ages 8+) | Jamie Limberg | Rushmore Hall 1 | Fri & Sat 4:30–5:30 |
| The Power of a Threefold Cord (All Ages) | Shane Gould | Rushmore Hall 2 | Friday 4:30–5:30 |
| Robots and Programmers (Ages 8+) | Trivium Polytech Micro School | Rushmore Hall 2 | Sat 9:00–10:00, 4:30–5:30 |
| Intro to Chess (All Ages) | Paul Freidel | Rushmore Hall 2 | Saturday 10:30–11:30 |
| Step into the Shoes of a SD Legislator (Ages 12+) | Teen Pact | Rushmore Hall 1 | Saturday 10:30–11:30 |
| Black Hills Pioneers (All Ages) | 1881 Courthouse Museum | Rushmore Hall 1 | Saturday 1:30–2:30 |
| Preparedness Skills (All Ages) | ACSD | Rushmore Hall 1 | Saturday 3:00–4:00 |
Vendor Hall
About the Vendor Hall
Browse and purchase curricula, books and supplies, and learn about new educational resources and methods. Consult with experts and interact directly with conference speakers.
Vendor Hall Hours
Participating Vendors
Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors
The HSD Annual Conference is made possible by the generous support of these partners.
2026 Conference
Gold Sponsors
Lodging
DoubleTree Inn
Conveniently located across the parking lot from The Monument.
505 N 5th St, Rapid City, SD 57701
(800) 445-8667
The 2027 group rate and booking link will be posted here soon.
Food at The Monument
No outside food is allowed in the Convention Center. The Monument has a food court with many options, including all-day free refills on select drinks.
Session Recordings
Recordings from many keynote sessions and speaker workshops will be available online after the event — included for all attendees and HSD members.
More at the Conference
Gubernatorial Candidate Q&A
Bring your respectful questions about the issues that concern you to this moderated session, structured to help you become a better-informed voter. All registered gubernatorial candidates have been invited.
Saturday 11:40 AM · Rushmore Hall 3–5
Graduation Ceremony
We invite all homeschool graduates and their families to join us for a special graduation ceremony honoring their achievements.
blackhillshomeschoolgraduation.comASVAB Career Testing
High school students can take the ASVAB Career Exploration Program on Saturday at 2:00 PM. Bring a fully charged laptop. The test averages 90 minutes. Parents wait outside the testing room.
asvabprogram.comComplimentary Passes
Current legislators, non-homeschooling pastors, and non-homeschooling grandparents are invited as guests. Legislators, please bring credentials to receive your free pass.
Families & Services
Unstaffed Respite Tables available in Rushmore Hall 1 for children to unwind. A Nursing Moms' Area is available with a code — visit the HSD Registration table for details.
Vendor Prize Drawings
Collect stamps on your vendor stamp card by visiting participating vendor booths — identified by yellow stamp card flags. Enter early for more hourly prize opportunities. Prizes must be picked up from the vendor during hall hours.
Code of Conduct
The conference is designed to be a family-safe and family-friendly event. The conduct and behavior of parents and children represent the South Dakota homeschool community. Please prepare your children to conduct themselves with decorum, decency, and respectfulness. Children who are unable to follow instructions will be asked to return to their parent's care.