Homeschool SD Conference in South Dakota
Dates: Friday, May 2 - 8:00 - 6:00 PM and Saturday, May 3 - 8:00 - 4:30 PM
Registration/Information table located outside Exhibit Hall 2
If you have questions, we have answers!
Registration link will be available in January.
Todd Wilson
Todd Wilson is a dad, granddad, writer, conference speaker and former pastor. Todd’s humor and down-to-earth realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions, retreats and churches across the country.
As founder of Familyman Ministries and the Smiling Homeschooler, his passion and mission are to remind dads and moms of what’s most important in life. He does so by encouraging parents through weekly emails, seminars, books and other products that encourage parents.
Todd and his wife, Debbie, currently homeschool three of their eight children (five have graduated from their homeschool, with four married) in northern Indiana and travel America in the Familyman Mobile. Read more at www.FamilymanWeb.com.
Jamie Erickson
When she’s not curating memories, hoarding vintage books or playing ringmaster to a circus of her own making, Jamie can be found encouraging and equipping a growing tribe of mothers all across the globe on the Mom to Mom podcast, through her blog The Unlikely Homeschool, in the Biblio-files kid-lit vetting community, at national conferences, and in her books
- Holy Hygge: Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow and
- Homeschool Bravely: How to Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child With Confidence.
She’s been married to her college sweetheart for over twenty years. Together, they’re raising and launching their five second-generation homeschooled kids along the shores of Lake Superior in Minnesota.
Dr. Seann Dikkers
Dr. Dikkers is a husband and a father of two homeschooled children. He currently works as Chief Product Officer at Portals developing support for new homeschooling families. He has worked as a middle school teacher, high school principal, researcher, the Department Chair of Education at Bethel University and authored books including
- TeacherCraft: How Teachers Learn to Use MineCraft in Their Classrooms
- Mobile Media Learning: Amazing Uses of Mobile Devices for Learning
- Real-Time Research: Improvisational Game Scholarship exploring the powerful impact of play, design and *gasp* even having fun while learning.
Nancy Bjorkman
After years of being a homeschool skeptic, Nancy began homeschooling her four children in 1992. Now, after over 30 years, she has become known as the Homeschool Mom Whisperer for many and a champion of the cause. She has spoken at homeschool conferences in over 10 states where she is known for her enthusiasm, energy and encouragement.
She finds joy in empowering parents to join the journey of homeschooling. Though she stays busy as a bookstore owner, mentor and speaker, her favorite times are spent with her growing family (grandkids – yeah!). She and her husband own HEPPNER’S LEGACY, a homeschool store in Elk River, MN, where they delight in ministering to the unique needs of families year-round, and where parents say, “Come for the books. Stay for the Therapy.™”
Kevin Boden
Kevin and his wife, Wendi, have 8 children and have been homeschooling parents for 16 years. They have homeschooled in three countries and six states. Kevin is a graduate of Wheaton College (IL) and received his Juris Doctorate from Seattle University.
Kevin served for 13 years in full-time military service and continues his service as a Lt. Colonel in the Alaska Air National Guard. As an HSLDA staff attorney, Kevin serves as the primary contact for members in 11 states and also directs HSLDA International, working to expand homeschooling freedom around the globe. He is passionate about the freedom to homeschool, the blessings of being a husband and dad, most things outdoors and spending time with his family.
Dr. Ashley Gentrup
Dr. Gentrup takes passion to a whole new level in her work. She thrives on making personal connections with her patients and brings her fun, friendly and whimsical personality into every single appointment.
Her exams are much more than simply, “Which is better, one or two?”. She takes a functional approach to patient care and is very thorough in helping people improve both their vision and quality of life. She’s honest, straightforward and communicates clearly without all the medical jargon.
When she’s not making every patient feel like they’re her only patient, Dr. Gentrup likes to spend time with family and friends, cheer on her Huskers, bake, take barre3 classes and travel.
Dr. Neil Rohe
Dr. Neil Rohe is passionate about helping others have great health. As a person who was once on multiple medications, struggling to find solutions, he has personally seen the life change that chiropractic can offer. After going from doctor to doctor, he discovered the difference between a clinician that is going to focus on relief care only and one who seeks to understand underlying causes to problems. This is why he has dedicated his practice life to helping others find the cause of their problems and create real, lasting solutions. He has extensive training in all 5 essentials with a focus on spinal correction.
To register as a Vendor, please complete this form – Vendor Registration Form.
We’re always looking for exciting vendors that can provide value to our conference attendees.
If you’d like to be a sponsor, have questions about our vendors or have suggestions for vendors you’d like to see at the conference, please contact our vendor coordinator.
Sponsorship Levels
The conference’s success is in no small part due to the generosity of its many wonderful sponsors. Please consider supporting the conference, while gaining valuable exposure to the area’s homeschool families, with one of the tax-deductible sponsorship opportunities listed below.
- Gold – $1,000
Gold level sponsors receive a full-page advertisement in the conference program and one-year advertising on the Homeschool South Dakota website. Gold level sponsors also receive recognition in the monthly member newsletter and social media platforms.
Print Ad Full Page: 4.5” w x 7.5” h
Resolution: 300 dpi
CMYK Full Color
No bleed
Preferred formats: .EPS, .PDFWeb Ad: 300 x 500 px
Full color
Preferred formats: PNG, JPG
Resolution: 72ppi- Silver – $500
Silver level sponsors receive a half-page advertisement in the conference program and one month advertising on Homeschool South Dakota website. Silver level sponsors also receive recognition in the monthly member newsletter and social media platforms.
Print Ad Half Page: 4.5” w x 3.5” h OR 2.175” w x 6.75” h
Resolution: 300 dpi
CMYK Full Color
No bleed
Preferred formats: .EPS, .PDFWeb Ad: 300 x 250 px
Full color
Preferred formats: PNG, JPG
Resolution: 72ppi- Bronze – $250
Bronze level sponsors receive a quarter-page advertisement in the conference program.
Print Ad Quarter Page: 4.5” w x 2” h
Resolution: 300 dpi
CMYK Full Color
No bleed
Preferred formats: .EPS, .PDF- Contributor $100
Contributor level sponsors are listed in the conference program.
- Premier
Premier sponsors make a multi-year commitment at the Gold or Silver level. Premier sponsors receive a 6-foot free-standing banner of their design prominently displayed at the conference in addition to the benefits listed above.
Code of Conduct
The conference is designed to be a family safe and family friendly event. However, families who are attending must understand that the conduct and behavior of parents and children are representative of the South Dakota homeschool community at large. We have seen an alarming rise in disruptive and disrespectful behavior by unattended children in activities and the Vendor Hall. Please prepare your children to conduct themselves with decorum, decency and respectfulness while attending the conference and participating in activities. Children who are unable to listen and follow instructions will be removed from activities and asked to return to their parent’s care. Children found running or being rambunctious in the Vendor Hall will be required to do the same.
More activities to come as they are scheduled.
Activities
Robotics and Electronics Crash Course
Join Brooks Jacobsen from Lake Area Technical College for a fast-paced introduction to robotics and electronics. By the end of this session, participants will have gained a foundational understanding of programming cobots, controlling robots and building basic electronic circuits, setting them up for further exploration in these exciting fields. (Ages 10 & Up)
Science Steve
“Science Steve” — aka SDPB’s Education Specialist Steven Rokusek — puts on his lively, engaging science demonstrations at venues throughout South Dakota. Science Steve uses humor, watermelons, and flying toilet paper to bring dry theorems and scientific laws to life for kids and adults. Each appearance includes approximately 10 science demonstrations on physics, anatomy, and more.
Self Defense (8 & Up)
Shannon Donnell, owner of Tiger-Rock Martial Arts, specializes in training children and adults in authentic and professional techniques, as well as in developing life skills. His students enjoy a supportive, comfortable and progressive atmosphere where no one sits on the bench. Shannon strives to cultivate strength, discipline, self confidence, self control and a commitment to our community and an overall sense of honor in life. He is proud of developing strong leaders in our schools and communities and making the world a safer place. This self-defense session will teach children age-appropriate defense skills to protect themselves. This activity is for children 8 and up.
Services
Complimentary Registration
Current legislators, non-homeschooling pastors and non-homeschooling grandparents are invited to attend the conference as our guests. Homeschool SD does not endorse any political party, legislator or denomination, but instead uses their attendance at the conference to acquaint them with home education as a successful, proven educational choice. Please feel free to take a moment and introduce yourselves to them. Legislators, please bring credentials to receive your free pass.
Food
No outside food is allowed in the Convention Center. An expanded menu of lunch and snack choices will be available from concessions in Exhibit Hall 2, behind the vendor booths. Food purchased at the Convention Center concessions helps to defray the cost of the conference.
Mother’s Day Basket Drawing
One special mother will go home with this year’s Mother’s Day Basket. Multiple entries available per family: TEACHSD member (1), completed vendor punch cards (2), completed conference survey (1). The drawing will be held at 4:25 p.m. Saturday in Exhibit Hall 1 before the start of the last keynote presentation. Must be present to win.
Speaker Conference Recordings
Had to flip a coin to decide which session to attend? Wondered what you might have missed? Wonder no more! Once again, audio of all keynote and workshop speaker presentations, unless otherwise noted, will be available in mp3 format. Recordings do not include vendor workshops or special sessions. Conference attendance is required, and the service cost is $15. Recordings are available for purchase at the registration table or on the Eventbrite app. Those who purchase recordings will receive a download link, at the email provided at registration, within 2 weeks of the conference conclusion.
Unstaffed Kid’s Areas
Need a place to let the little ones, or those watching them, unwind? There is an Unstaffed Nursery in Room 5, west of the main entrance to the Convention Center. There will also be Unstaffed Respite Tables in the main hallway between the CHCSD Information Tables and the doors to Exhibit Hall 1 doors. The Unstaffed Nursery is intended for nursing mothers and smaller children while the Unstaffed Respite Tables are for older children who’d like to hang out and play games or just rest a bit. Please note that these areas are unstaffed and adults are still responsible for their children while they’re in these areas.
Vendor Hall
The Vendor Hall is where you can browse and purchase curricula, books and supplies, as well as learn about new educational resources and methods, consult with experts and interact with the conference speakers.
Vendor Prize Drawings
Enter to win amazing prizes donated by participating vendors! To enter the drawing, complete your vendor stamp cards by receiving a stamp while visiting participating vendors. Look for the yellow stamp card flag to identify each participating vendor booth. Vendors may require an adult to visit their booth in order to receive a stamp. Prizes must be picked up from the vendor during Vendor Hall hours. Enter early for more opportunities to win hourly vendor prizes.
Use the search box or click on the arrows at the top of the column to sort by item.
Date | Time | Location | Speaker | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Friday, May 2 | 8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. | Exhibit Hall 1 | Joshua Stibral | Praise and Worship | Start your day with the correct focus and purpose. Join fellow homeschool families in a praise and worship session that provides the foundation to build on. |
Friday, May 2 | 8:50 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Exhibit Hall 1 | Todd Wilson | The Gift | Like you, when we began our homeschooling journey, we asked ourselves, “Will we be able to teach them all they need to know for success?” There were so many options and subjects to teach them. They were loaned to us knowing almost nothing, and we were expected to fill up their noggins and prepare them for adulthood. Little did we know then that homeschooling turned out to be not only what we taught them…but what they taught us! Never would we have believed how God would use homeschooling to teach us what He needed us to know as parents, homeschoolers and as His children. So, join me for an intimate time of sharing and laughing at the lessons my children taught me. My hope is that you will start to view your homeschool day less as a time to teach and muscle through, but as a gift. |
Friday, May 2 | 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Exhibit Hall 2 | Vendors | Vendor Hall | The Vendor Hall is open! Take some time to buy curriculum, explore curriculum and resources, or just talk with the knowledgeable vendors. |
Friday, May 2 | 9:00 a.m – 11:30 a.m. | Rooms 6-7 | Connie Buskohl | Acrylic Painting: Session 1 (Ages 7 & Up) | Painting workshop for conference attendees aged 7-adult. Each workshop is $20 per attendee, which covers materials and instruction. Registration will be near the conference registration table. Attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis. |
Friday, May 2 | 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Exhibit Hall 1 | Todd Wilson | What to Expect When You’re Expecting to Homeschool | Thinking about homeschooling? This workshop is for moms and dads who are wondering if homeschooling is right for their family. You want to go into this with eyes wide open and realistic expectations. Real-dad, Todd Wilson, will shoot straight with you, sharing the good, the bad and the ugly, and will help clarify if homeschooling is for you. |
Friday, May 2 | 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Room 1 | Dr. Seann Dikkers | The Insidious Nature of Schooling - A History Lesson! | Review key legislation, thought leaders and government school design. Then confidently walk away from it. |
Friday, May 2 | 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Room 2 | Dr. Ashley Gentrup | Vision Therapy | More details coming soon. |
Friday, May 2 | 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Room 3 | Nancy Bjorkman | Homeschooling through High School | This very popular, interactive workshop will help answer frequently-asked questions about homeschooling through the high school years. We will consider course requirements, transcripts, record keeping, curriculum choices, dual enrollment opportunities, co-ops, CLEP and other testing options, resumes, career assessments and more. Attendees will leave with the tools necessary and the confidence needed to homeschool through high school. |
Friday, May 2 | 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Rooms 6-7 | Connie Buskohl | Acrylic Painting: Session 2 (Ages 7 & Up) | Painting workshop for conference attendees aged 7-adult. Each workshop is $20 per attendee, which covers materials and instruction. Registration will be near the conference registration table. Attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis. |
Friday, May 2 | 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Exhibit Hall 1 | Jamie Erickson | Called & Equipped | The Enemy would like nothing more than to make you feel ill-equipped to do the work of home educating. He will use your fears, faults and failures to convince you that your homeschool will lead to ruin. But if God has called you to the task, He will fully equip you to do it for your good and His glory. Through many personal stories and Scriptural examples, Jamie will help you reclaim your vision, renew your hope and trust the good plans the Author is writing for you and your kids. |
Friday, May 2 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Exhibit Hall 1 | Jamie Erickson | What Kind of Homeschool is Right for Me?: Methods 101 | More details coming soon. |
Friday, May 2 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Room 1 | Dr. Seann Dikkers | Why Leave Schooling to Do More Schooling? | Education and discipleship are not the same as ‘schooling’. Save massive amounts of time and stress knowing the difference. |
Friday, May 2 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Room 2 | Dr. Neil Rohe | Inspired Chiropractic | More details coming soon. |
Friday, May 2 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Room 3 | Nancy Bjorkman | Math Outside the Book | This interactive workshop will cover the why’s and how’s of using games to bring math to life and increase understanding in students. We will discuss how to use games to enhance any curriculum. We will then dive into a highly visual and interactive review of games to use for specific goals, e.g., understanding number basics, mastering basic math facts, grasping the base-ten system, using multiple operations and more. Let’s play! (Responses to this highly-interactive workshop have been overwhelmingly positive. Parents have approached us years after attending to let us know the great impact these games and ideas had on their math program. In order for everyone to be able to “take the workshop home” with them, and in addition to other math game options, Nancy has put together a packet of games that attendees can purchase for a minimal cost to use immediately at home.) |
Friday, May 2 | 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Exhibit Hall 1 | Todd Wilson | The Four Homeschool Temperaments | Frustrated by the fact that what works for your homeschooling friends doesn't seem to work for you? Or what works for one of your children doesn't work for all your children? You will discover if you are a Falcon, Owl, Swan or Sand Piper, and how to homeschool in light of those traits. You will laugh, nod your head in agreement and find yourself saying, "That finally makes sense." During our time together, we will discuss tips for each temperament, how to teach your children who may not be your temperament, and what types of homeschool curriculum works best for your temperament. This is going to be fun as you discover your homeschool temperament! |
Saturday, May 3 | 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Exhibit Hall 2 | Vendors | Vendor Hall | The Vendor Hall is open! Take some time to buy curriculum, explore curriculum and resources, or just talk with the knowledgeable vendors. |
Saturday, May 3 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Rooms 6-7 | Connie Buskohl | Acrylic Painting: Session 3 (Ages 7 & Up) | Painting workshop for conference attendees aged 7-adult. Each workshop is $20 per attendee, which covers materials and instruction. Registration will be near the conference registration table. Attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis. |
Saturday, May 3 | 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Exhibit Hall 1 | Todd Wilson | Smile Stealers and Smile Makers | You started this homeschooling journey because you thought it was going to be fun. You envisioned yourself teaching your children and smiling through each day. Then something happened. You stopped smiling. There is a reason for that, and some things you can do to bring back those smiles not only for yourself, but also for your children. During our time together we are going to look at the smile stealers and smile makers in your homeschooling world and get you smiling again. Because you have a lot to smile about!!! |
Saturday, May 3 | 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Room 1 | Dr. Seann Dikkers | The Digital Divide | What does research and common sense say about cognitive growth and the strengths and weaknesses of digital tools for learning? |
Saturday, May 3 | 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m | Room 2 | Kevin Boden | Strong Nations Through Strong Families | Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Homeschooling has been the fastest growing form of education in recent memory. We will examine four reasons why home education is the most powerful weapon we have to build a strong nation and change the world. |
Saturday, May 3 | 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Room 3 | Nancy Bjorkman | Explore Learning Styles for More Effective Instruction | Gain a fresh perspective on how your children’s actions and attitudes help you discover their natural bent, so you can plan strategies that will help them grow into the person they were created to be. We will peel back the layers to reveal pieces of the puzzle that go beyond the usual “auditory, kinesthetic and visual” discussions. This workshop will provide you with insight into your children on a new level to help you reach and teach them more effectively. |
Saturday, May 3 | 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Rooms 6-7 | Connie Buskohl | Acrylic Painting: Session 4 (Ages 7 & Up) | Painting workshop for conference attendees aged 7-adult. Each workshop is $20 per attendee, which covers materials and instruction. Registration will be near the conference registration table. Attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis. |
Saturday, May 3 | 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m | Exhibit Hall 1 | Todd Wilson | Irresistible Parenting | The holy grail of parenting is “what to do to have good, godly kids.” Unfortunately, God did not leave a complete guideline for our use. He did leave us some examples of the good, bad and ugly of parenting, and plenty of principles…but we are still left…wanting more. Enter the flim-flam man who fills in all the gaps and begins to pile on rules, principles and things to avoid. Sometimes this approach has adverse effects and leaves behind hurt and wayward children. So…some parents swing the other way and claim and proclaim the message of Freedom to equally dire results. While I would never be so bold as to say, “Here’s how to parent and what to do to have successful children.” I will say there seems to be a sweet spot in parenting that avoids the extremes but not the responsibility. Join me as we get down and dirty in the trenches of parenting and discuss a method of parenting that is irresistible. |
Saturday, May 3 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Exhibit Hall 1 | Jamie Erickson | Unharried Homeschooling: Scheduling 101 | Do your homeschool days feel like an endless exercise in treading water? Is there constant animosity between you and Monday morning? Do you feel like a hamster on a wheel, running at full speed but getting nowhere fast? You may need to re-order your days so that your school schedule works for your home and not against it. Learn the secrets of planning your days and year using Sabbath schooling, loop scheduling, block scheduling, traditional scheduling, rhythm planning and many more. Put your homeschool day on autopilot by forming the right plan. |
Saturday, May 3 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Room 1 | Dr. Seann Dikkers | Play More | It is easy to recognize how valuable play is to our children. They love it! It is not so easy to convince ourselves that play is actually learning too. |
Saturday, May 3 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m | Room 2 | Kevin Boden | Family Advocacy: Passing Freedom to the Next Generation | As Ronald Reagan once remarked, freedom must be fought for, protected and handed from one generation to another. Homeschool freedom is no different. If we do not pass it to them, they will not have it. Let’s look at where we came from, where we are and the risks ahead so that, together as families, we can hand the torch of homeschool freedom to our children and grandchildren. |
Saturday, May 3 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Room 3 | Leaders | HSD Leadership Coffee | More details coming soon. |
Saturday, May 3 | 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m | Exhibit Hall 1 | Jamie Erickson | Homeschooling When You Are One Crazy Day Away from Crisis | If you’re anything like me, you love homeschooling, but sometimes you only like it for zero seconds, especially when you’re having a bad day or a string of bad days. Pair homeschooling with long-term illness, the death of a loved one, a job loss, or just an over-committed schedule, and you have the makings of a perfect forfeit. But you do not have to quit during a season of crisis. You just have to homeschool differently. Be encouraged and learn some practical tips for teaching from a place of delight, not defeat, during your most difficult days. |
Lodging
When requesting reservations, you must mention Homeschool SD.
AmericInn Sioux Falls North
Features: Hot Complimentary Breakfast, Complimentary Wireless High-Speed Internet, Pool, Hot tub, Fitness Center, Lounge
Reservation Deadline: Until hotel is full
Sheraton Sioux Falls & Convention Center
Conference Rate: $149/night + tax
Features: Airport Shuttle, connected to the Sioux Falls Convention Center, Pool, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Bar, Wireless High-Speed Internet
If you encounter difficulty making a reservation with this link, please call the Sheraton directly at 605.331.0100.
Reservation cutoff: TBD