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Homeschooling
Events
Around the State
 
Events
listed below
are not necessarily
sponsored
or endorsed
by NICHE


Le Tourneau University
Scholarships
Longview, Texas
Le Tourneau University
recently received an endowment for
$5 million in scholarships
for homeschooled students.
Check it out at:
www.letu.edu

Skate Castle: Homeschool Roller Skating
Newton
First Friday of each month
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
The cost is $4/person, $16/family
with quad skates included,
inline skates are $1 more/person.
For closure during bad weather, please call first.
The rink is located on the junction of Hwy. 6 and 14
on the West edge of Newton.
Look for them on Facebook.
Or call Skate Castle: 641-791 RINK (7465).

Civic Center Applause Series
2011-12 School Year
221 Walnut Street Des Moines
The APPLAUSE SERIES
brings world-class performing artists
and diverse art forms to the Civic Center’s stages
for one-hour matinee performances
for school audiences.
Each performance connects to in-class curriculum,
providing the perfect opportunity
to learn about and through the arts.
All tickets $1!
http://www.civiccenter.org/education/applause_series.php
For more information:
info@civiccenter.org
(515) 246-2300

Blank Park Zoo: Homeschool Safari Classes
DESCRIPTION:
Classes will be held on the 2nd Friday of every month
from October thru April and will be drop off.
Each class will have a different theme
with fun activities, plenty of learning opportunities,
and a visit from some animal friends.
Sign up for one class or all the classes
but registration will close the Monday before each class.
Children will be split into like age groups
and all groups will go on at the same time.
Age groups will be 5-6 year olds,
7-9 year olds, and 10-12 year olds.
Please note that the class times
are not the same from week to week.

Click here to download a registration form
 
REMAINING CLASS SCHEDULE:

March 9th 9:45-11:45 AM
Zookeeper for a Day
Learn what it takes to be a zookeeper,
good pet care skills, and other careers involved with animals.
Registration closes March 5th.

April 13th 1:30-3:30 PM
Down Under
See our new Australia exhibit
and explore everything from the animals
to the culture of the people.
Registration closes April 9th.

Contact:
Education Specialist Amy Kopatich
amkopatich@blankparkzoo.org
(515) 974-2558
There is limited space per class so register quickly!

Homeschool Ski/Snowboard/Snow Tube Days
Seven Oaks Recreation
1086 222nd Dr, Boone, IA
February 20, 2012
Print this page and bring it to Seven Oaks 
(one per homeschooling family is fine)
to receive deep discounts on these two days.
$18 to ski only
$18 to snow tube only
$26 to snowboard only
$32 for "park pass" that includes all 3
Prices are per person
and include lift ticket, equipment rental & 
ski or snowboard lesson.
For more information, contact Joel Bryan
(515) 432-9457
www.SevenOaksRec.com

Youth Leadership School
February 25-26
Des Moines
The Leadership Institute is coming to Des Moines
on Feb 25-26 for a "Conservative boot camp."
Learn skills in campaign management, candidacy,
and the conservative movement.
Training is provided in organizational management,
writing press-releases,
leadership skills in coordinating get-out-the-vote events, community canvassing,
effective sign waving and grassroots mobilization.
https://www.leadershipinstitute.org/training/Register.cfm?schoolID=19769&
FOOD and HOUSING are available for FREE
with the $30 registration fee.
Contact:
Daryl Ann Dunigan
Youth Leadership School Coordinator
ddunigan@limail.us or 703.647.3352

Mini Maker Faire
February 25
Cedar Rapids
Want to see homemade musical instruments,
cutting-edge airbrush designs,
the latest inventions or wacky rewired toys
that have a mind of their own?
The inaugural Cedar Rapids Mini Maker Faire
is a chance for makers to show off their wares
and for the rest of us to be inspired, informed,
connected and entertained by Makers and aspiring Makers
of all ages and backgrounds.
Meet tech enthusiasts, tinkers, hobbyists,
science clubs, students, authors and commercial exhibitors.
The event is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25
at the Science Station, Lower Level,
Lindale Mall, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
This Maker Faire is supported by Make Magazine
and O'Reilly Media, the premier information source
for leading-edge computer technologies.
Admission is free.
Student and youth groups are especially welcome.
Call 319-573-2537
or email new.bohemia@gmail.com for more details.
Limited space is available for tables.

2012 NICHE Capitol Day
February 28, 2012
Join homeschoolers from around the state 
as we gather to meet our legislators - 
and let them meet us. 
If you've joined us in praying for our legislators, 
this would be a great time to let them know!

Now is also a great time to show off 
your students' achievements! 
We're looking for the following submissions:
Academic Competition Awards
Writing Competition Awards
Sports Competition Awards
Visual Arts (Photography, Craft Projects, etc.)
Ministry Outreach (Mission Trips, etc.)
Community Service
Club/Organization Awards (4-H, Boy Scouts, etc.)
Other (Any work or award of which you are proud)
Entries will be accepted until February 24, 2012 
or until space is all used. 
Submissions are made on our online
NICHE Capitol Day Family Registration Form

 National Writing Contest
Deadline: March 1, 2012

Entry cost: $45/$25 each additional entry
Enter to win a chance to have your book published!
Are you an aspiring author?
Take a look at this opportunity
to break into the publishing world
and have your fiction or non-fiction manuscripts reviewed
by a dedicated team of publishing professionals.
The National Association of Elementary School Principals Foundation,
in cooperation with Charlesbridge Publishing (Boston),
invites homeschoolers to participate in the
2011 Children’s Book of the Year Contest.

For complete details about this opportunity:
http://www.naesp.org/naesp-foundation/national-childrens-book-year-contest

Patrick Henry College Night
March 6
1st Evangelical Free Church
2008 24th St, Ames, Iowa
Have you wanted to know what PHC is like
without having to travel to northern Virginia? 
Come Tuesday, March 6 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
(Program begins at 7 p.m.). 
Eight current  PHC students will be speaking,
answering questions and meeting those interested in
learning about this 4-year Christian liberal arts college. 
Various students in this group have participated in
moot court, mock trial, debate, basketball, drama,
vocal and string music, government internships, etc.
Questions? Call or contact Bonnie Johnson
(515) 232-3441 or email: drbrjohnson@gmail.com

3rd Annual Family Economics Conference
March 8-10, 2012
Wheaton College Campus
Chicago, IL
Is your family ready to start a business?
Are you ready to take 
your family's economy to the next level?
This exciting event features 
a line-up of speakers 
who will equip your family's economy 
for long-term success, including: 
Kevin Swanson, Steve and Teri Maxwell, 
Dave Tucker, Erik Weir, Bill Roth, RC Sproul Jr., 
Don Hart, Alex and Cassie Michael, and more! 

Just a sample of the topics to be addressed are:
·  Raising Sons to Provide
·  Household Budget Management
·  Marketing a Family Business
·  Facing the Onslaught of Socialism
·  Household Chores and Time Management
·  The Duties of Dominion
·  Keys to Being a Successful Family Entrepreneur
·  Stories from Successful Family Start-Ups
·  A Special Proverbs 31 Track for Ladies
Q&A Panels
·  ...and much more!
 
Also included in the price of registration is a
family pass to the 2012 Annual Liberty Day Celebration 
on Saturday night after the conference (value of $59). 
 
As a special for NICHE member families, 
you can save $20 off your family registration 
by using the coupon code "NICHE" 
when you register online. 
http://familyeconomics2012.com/

 
“Snapshot Iowa ”
Youth Photography Contest Announced
Entry Deadline: March 14

The Iowa Architectural Foundation is pleased to announce
the second annual “Snapshot Iowa,”
a photography contest for 7th – 12th graders.

The theme of this year’s contest is historic Iowa architecture.
One $100 cash prize will be awarded to each of two categories:
7th – 9th grade and 10th – 12th grade.
 
For more information:
http://www.iowaarchfoundation.org/documents/filelibrary/documents/2012_poster_with_Main_Street_905B5AD57FA6A.pdf

2012 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest
Entry Deadline March 15
Each year, students from across the state of Iowa
are invited to submit their original artwork
to the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest. 
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the contest. 
The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is the receiving site for Iowa.
Entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2012. 
Regulations and permitted species can be found at
http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck
In addition, in celebration of the 20th anniversary
of the Junior Duck Stamp Program,
a new curriculum has been produced. 
It will be available on the JDS website very soon.
If you would like to have a copy please contact Doreen
and she will mail you a CD.

If you have questions about the JDS program
or want the curriculum,
 please contact Doreen Van Ryswyk, at (515) 994-3400
or Doreen_Vanryswyk@fws.gov

Teach Them Diligently Convention
March 15-17, 2012
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Speakers: Voddie Baucham, Ken Ham, Doug Phillips
This event was born out of a recognized need
for more events celebrating
the focus of Christian Homeschool Families—
which is to disciple their children to glorify God.
The organizers of this Convention
are also officers of Worldwide Tentmakers
which is a Mission Agency focused on
Tentmaking as a missions strategy
as you would find in Acts 18.
Therefore, Missions, discipleship, and parenting
will be a large focus for the
Teach Them Diligently Convention.
This will be added to the normal
Homeschool Convention focus
on teaching techniques and use of curriculum.
There will be two distinctions to this Convention.
First any vendors that touch on
the Beginning or Creation
or have a Bible Curriculum
must sign a statement in agreement
of two theological principles:
Scripture teaches a recent origin for man
and the whole creation,
spanning ~4,000 years from creation to Christ, &
the days in Genesis do not correspond to geologic ages,
but are 6 consecutive 24 hour days of creation.
The Bible is the plenary, verbally inspired Word of God.
It is our final authority for faith and practice
and is without error.
Second, all of the profits
for the Teach Them Diligently Convention
will go to missions.
It is our hope to help parents
infuse their educational programs
with a Great Commission focus.
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,
do all to the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31).
We desire to focus parents and children on the fact
that we should be seeking opportunities
to spread the fame
of our Lord Jesus Christ whether through
school, playing sports, or running the family business.
http://www.teachthemdiligently.net/home

Lennox Speech Contest
March 19

Lennox Leadership Development Organization,
part of the National Management Association,
 is sponsoring a speech contest March 19, 2012.
This is for all students 9th-12th grades
traditional schools
as well as home schooled.
Also any student of a parent working at
Lennox Industries meeting the criteria.
The student must submit a draft of their speech
no later than Feb 17th, 2012 by 5 pm either by
email, USPS, fax or dropping by the Lennox HR offices.
 
The topic must be Leadership.
Each student may handle this in whatever way desired.
The speech must be 4-6 minutes in length.
Cash prizes will be awarded for all actually participating.
If more than 6 speeches are submitted,
there will be an elimination process to arrive at 
the 6 speeches for which time is available.
 
Cash prizes-at the Marshalltown level:
1st place-$300
2nd place-$100
3-6th places $50 each.
The student receiving first place here,
will be eligible to attend the contest in Detroit Michigan
expenses paid for student and one chaperone.
The first place there is $1000.
From there, the national contest is Seattle Washington
and a grand prize of $4000.
 
All the forms and rules can be found
at the NMA website www.nma1.org
or contact Leah, 641-754-4530 or 641-754-4406,
Leah.cox@lennoxind.com

TeenPact Iowa
March 19-22, 2012
Des Moines
TeenPact is a dynamic, hands-on
leadership school for Christian students.
Our mission is to train youth to
understand the political process, value their liberty,
defend their Christian faith and engage the culture
at a time in their lives when, typically,
they do not care about such things.
Each TeenPact program is marked by
spiritual discipleship, student leadership,
parental involvement
and a commitment to excellence.
Our loyal base of
parent volunteers and student leaders
keep the vision alive and growing
as we continue to expand nationally.
Founded in 1994 by Tim Echols,
TeenPact currently offers classes in 38 states and counting.
“Changing lives to change the world”
is more than a motto to us.
It’s literally what we do every day.
 
Monday: 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
First time students: $225
Returning students: $185
Residential Camp: 3 nights, $130; 4 nights, $170
Political Communication Workshop: March 23,
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., $50
(or $40 with 4-day class purchase)
One Day Class (ages 8-12):
March 23, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., $40, siblings $30
For full information, go to:
http://teenpact.com/state-classes/iowa
 
Secretary of State Offers Youth Programs
Offer extended to homeschooled students
March 23; April and Fall 2012
The Iowa Secretary of State's Office is excited
to announce programs to encourage youth participation
in their communities through a better understanding
of the legislative and electoral process.

March 23, 2012
Capitol Youth Day Celebrating Democracy Day.
Students will have the opportunity to meet
with available members of the state legislature
and statewide elected officials;
tour the Capitol (dome included);
and participate in a student rally.

April 2012
Capitol Project (three days).
Selected students will choose issues, draft mock legislation,
debate, lobby and vote on their legislative packages.

Fall 2012
Mock General Election (for groups).
Curriculum is being created which classroom teachers may use
to engage students in discussions on the electoral process,
the issues, and the candidates.

For information on how your student or group can participate
in any of these programs,
contact Jen Fagan, project coordinator by email:
jen.fagan@sos.iowa.gov
or by phone at (515) 725-2874

2012 NICHE Graduation
May 19, 2012
First Assembly Church
Des Moines, IA
Click here for more information
and registration link


2012 NICHE Conference
June 8-9, 2012
Renovated Vet's Facility/Iowa Events Center
Des Moines, IA
Click here for more information

Dordt Discovery Days
June 25-29, 2012
Sioux Center, Iowa
If you are looking for a strong academic camp
for your junior high/middle school students,
you've found it! 
Dordt Discovery Days is a five-day camp
for students who have completed 6th, 7th, or 8th grade.
This camp offers over 40 classes
in the arts, sciences, music, and recreation.
Choices include Lego Mania, Beginning Guitar,
Photography, Cartooning, Engineering, CSI,
Ooey- goey Science, Theater Makeup Studio,
and Ink Slingers.
Choose 1 morning & 1 afternoon class for the week.
Lots of hands-on activities and a low instructor/student ratio.
Classes are taught by Dordt College faculty
or local middle school or high school educators.
Residential, commuter or day camper options are available.
Registration opens March 24 at
www.dordt.edu/events/ddd. 
Watch this website for class selections about March 1.
Questions? Dianne De Wit (712) 722-6029
ddewit@dordt.edu
Dordt College is a Christian liberal arts college
located in Sioux Center, Iowa. 
This is Dordt Discovery Day's 16th year.

MasterWorks Festival
Summer 2012
MasterWorks Festival is a 4-week
Christian performing arts festival
that strives to reach
the performing arts world for Christ,
offering programs for
classical music, theater, and dance,
and the opportunity for students to come and learn
from professionals in their field
and get training not only in their art form,
but also in learning how
to share their faith with others.
This program is an excellent training source
for students ages 14-26.  
If you have any questions, contact Daniel Moore
publicity@christianperformingart.org
or visit their website at www.masterworksfestival.org

Homeschool Cross Country Meet Planned
Jaguars Plan Midwest Regional for October
October 13, 2012
The Rochester (MN) Area Home School Jaguars
Cross Country team is planning to host a meet
for all homeschool students in grades 7-12
in Minnesota and other Midwest states.
Tentatively, the date is set for October 13, 2012.
This would only be open to individuals
and teams who are homeschooled.

Please contact Wayne Dickie at wsdickie@q.com
to indicate interest in participating
and ensure you are part of future communications.

Serving Families Homeschooling in Iowa - Since 1992
Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators - Box 158, Dexter, IA, 50070 - (515) 830-1614 - (800) 723-0438 in Iowa