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 (Fellowship Hall, 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 1 (Friday, 9:00am - 10:00am) 

In Over My Head! What Was I Thinking

Jan Smith (Sanctuary, 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

HOME Leader, Amy Decker (Sanctuary, 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 us for this informal time of sharing over refreshments and the chance to connect with other homeschooling moms for blessing and encouragement.  

WORKSHOP SESSION 2 (Friday 11:00am - 12:00pm) 

5 Ways to Increase Your Impact

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

Every homeschool mom thinks she is failing and wants guidance. Every one of them also can help

another. Jan will give practical tips to finding a mentor or being a mentor. From child training to

seemingly fruitless discipline, every mom needs a confidant for comfort and reassurance, or a new

perspective. Get ideas from Jan’s forty years of mentoring.

WORKSHOP SESSION 3 (Friday 5:00pm - 6:00pm)

Ramp it Up! 

Mad Science of Maine (Fellowship Hall, 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 4 (Friday 6:00pm - 7:00pm)

Dad's Essential Role

Dr. Roger Smith (Sanctuary, 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.

Interactive Maine History with Hal! (family)

Hal Shurtleff (Fellowship Hall, Hope Baptist Church, 176 Western Ave., Manchester) 

How Well Do You Know Your Maine History? Bring your students to an interactive session with Hal Shurtleff, Director of Camp Constitution to find out! Here he will present an intriguing session as well as a Maine History quiz!

WORKSHOP SESSION 5 (Friday 7:15pm - 8:30pm)

Leading Through Change in Times of Uncertainty

Dr. Roger Smith (Sanctuary, 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 1 (Saturday, 9:00am - 9:45am) 

Nurturing Children’s Ability and Character Through Music

Ellen Gawler (Classroom 209A, Augusta Armory)

Dr. Shinichi Suzuki started what he called the “mother tongue approach” to teaching music in 1946 in

Japan. He discovered that the basic, natural way we learn our mother tongue can be applied to other

disciplines! Now the Suzuki Method is an international movement with over 400,000 students.

Pineland Suzuki School has been teaching children in central Maine successfully and joyfully for 30

years. This session will include a student concert of fiddle, classical and folk music and an

explanation of the Suzuki Method.

Group Portfolio Review

HOME Leadership (Classroom 209B, Augusta Armory) 

This is an opportunity to join other homeschoolers in a group setting, and share what homeschooling was like for your family during the past year. A Maine certified teacher and a veteran homeschool leader will facilitate discussion, answer your questions, and provide you with a signed evaluation letter to submit to the Maine Department of Education and your local superintendent. 

WORKSHOP SESSION 2 (Saturday, 10:00am - 10:45am)

The Power of Motivation

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

Parents need to create a motivational environment. While some children are naturally more interested and energetic, all benefit from motivation. As parents, we can fan the flame of our children's passions, and even help them to find their passions.  We believe every child is designed for a particular purpose, and it is a privilege and responsibility for parents to help them find it. Practical steps will be discussed to help you as you help your child.

• The benefit of assessments

• The power of appreciation, celebration, and recognition/reward

• The value of relationship

Preparing Your Special Needs Child for Life After Graduation

Cherie LaFlamme (Classroom 209B, Augusta Armory) 

Is your special needs child of middle or high school age? Are you wondering how to get them ready for life after high school? Come and have a conversation with Cherie LaFlamme about practical life skills that will improve quality of life for your soon to be adult. Cherie will also have resources available to help you navigate the world of available adult services of which you may choose to take advantage.

WORKSHOP SESSION 3 (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.

Building Your Support System: How to Secure Support at Home and in Your Community

Michelle Collomy (Classroom 209B, Augusta Armory) 

With Homeschoolers of Maine in your corner, you have all the support you need to get started. As you walk out your homeschool adventure, you will want to continue to build support around your family. This workshop will give you some concrete ideas on how to build your community of support to ensure that you and your children will thrive.

WORKSHOP SESSION 4 (Saturday 12:00 - 12:45pm)

Financial Literacy For Today's Youth

Jake Oliver (Classroom 209A, Augusta Armory) 

Come learn about 7 daily habits to teach your kids about money. Whether you have a 5-year-old or 15-year-old, these are money habits that will teach today's youth about the importance of how to manage and invest money. This year's session will get into the specifics of how to teach Investing to your youth.

Nurturing Your Marriage Relationship Amidst a Busy Homeschool Lifestyle (Moms)

Lucy Martin (Classroom 209B, Augusta Armory) 

As a mom, you set the tone of the home, the homeschool, and your marriage. Homeschooling and marriage both become peaceful when you learn simple, biblical principles. Walk away with several practical things to try to create change right away.

WORKSHOP SESSION 5 (Saturday, 1:00pm - 1:45pm)

Reading for Early Learners

Meghan Ellwell (Classroom 209A, Augusta, Armory)  

In this session, HOME's reading specialist will include a short background on the science of reading, the "Big 5," simple at-home strategies that are the most effective, why handwriting is important, and when to ask for help or support if you have a struggling reader.

Hands on: Learning Violin from Age 3!

Lori Scheck (Classroom 209B, Augusta, Armory) 

Dr. Shinichi Suzuki started what he called the “mother tongue approach” to teaching music in 1946 in

Japan. He discovered that the basic, natural way we learn our mother tongue can be applied to other

disciplines! Now the Suzuki Method is an international movement with over 400,000 students

Pineland Suzuki School has been teaching children in central Maine successfully and joyfully for 30

years. This session will include a student concert, an explanation of the Suzuki Method, and a

sample hands on class for parents and children ages 3 and up.

 WORKSHOP SESSION 6 (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.

Homeschooling for the Long Haul

Robin Charbonneau (Classroom 209B, Augusta, Armory) 

Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."   Homeschooling is an amazing experience but it is also a lot of hard work! It can be easy to get discouraged and want to give up. In this session, Robin will encourage other moms with real-life, practical ideas and stories to help you stick to it, so that you and your family can reap the rewards!  You don't have to be brilliant, perfect or wealthy to homeschool your children, you just need to keep going. You are the mom that God gave to your children and with His help (and a sense of humor) you are enough. You can do this!!  

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

Experiential Learning + PBL (Problem Based Learning)

Joanna Martel (Classroom 209A, Augusta, Armory)  

For the active family and learner who may find the classroom boring. For those who like to "do" as they learn, improve and explore the world around them, PBL and Experiential Learning may be for you.  Come and learn about how to set up or take advantage of real-world experiences for PreK-12th grade. How to partner with schools, nonprofits, and employers while tracking learning. Come and explore a great way to structure education to allow for student ownership, purpose, and partnership.

The Spark That Couldn’t Be Contained

Tippy Missick (Classroom 209B, Augusta Armory) 

Join this heart-opening, interactive session by Tippy Missick—neuro-fitness practitioner, author, and speaker. Tippy will share her personal journey of growing up undiagnosed with ADHD and how discovering movement-based learning transformed her life. Through relatable stories, Tippy invites parents to reframe how they see their wonderfully wired children. This session includes hands-on neuro-fitness activities that can used to help boost focus, reduce frustration, and bring joyful movement into daily learning. You'll leave encouraged, equipped, and inspired to nurture your child’s spark—instead of trying to contain it.  

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

Fostering an Adventurous Spirit

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

Having watched their children approach life with gusto, sensing few boundaries, the Smiths will share some of the things they think made it possible for their children to think outside the box, and live like it! Stories from others they know, and examples from scripture will be used to help make the ideas and approaches applicable to your home. We all want our children to be brave. This session will examine what that may look like in its development.

ABCs & 123s

Karen Richards Toothaker (Classroom 209B, Augusta, Armory) 

Children’s picture books are great teachers of concepts for children. Come explore some concept picture books to read with your children, including Say Cheese! A to Z. Participate in some enrichment activities to enhance your child’s learning. Make and take an activity to play with at home! 

* Music on Saturday will be provided by harpist Kimberly Miller and Pineland Suzuki Music School! 

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