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Foundation, Family, Future
Phil Downer
June 20-21, 2008
| until the 2008 Convention opens |
Last updated 13-May-08
Information will be added as it becomes available
We are looking for any good, new or gently used homeschooling textbooks, reading books, educational games (with all the pieces), or other supplies for our Single Moms' workshop. They will be distributed first to our single moms, with the remainder offered to any homeschool families in need. All materials donated in past years were given to good homes with grateful parents. We appreciate the thoughtfulness of homeschoolers who have blessed many families with their books.
College Fair
Friday 10-noon
What's New This Year?
- Extended Hours for the same price - more time to shop
- More Workshops - 6 workshop slots rather than 5
- More Events for Leaders 1
- Free Convention Entrance for One Leader per Support Group or Accountability Association 2
- Free Convention Entrance for Parents with Preschoolers who have never homeschooled before and want to explore the option 3
THE FINE PRINT
1 Special Events for Leaders
- Special give-aways at each of the following events! Please pay attention to which of the following leaders' events require pre-registration in order to participate.
- Friday 10:00-11:30: Leaders' Brunch with Guest Speaker Todd Wilson. Invited: two leaders (and spouse) who are on the actual Board of Directors or Steering Committee from each support group and accountability association. Free brunch provided. Must pre-register on pre-registration form by the pre-registration deadline.
- Friday 3:30-4:30: Leaders' Town Hall. Invited: Homeschool leaders of all types - members of the board of directors or Steering Committee, Park Day coordinators, Science Fair or Arts Festival coordinators, Journalism Club or 4-H Club leaders, co-op leaders, those who would like to be in leadership in the near future, etc. Leaders have until May 15th to submit questions they want considered for discussion at this Town Hall, so that discussion agendas can be printed for dissemination at this meeting to maximize usefulness of the discussion. The forum will be such that attendees are encouraged to come forward to microphone to give input on issue under discussion, with strictly-enforced 2-minute time limit given to each speaker so as to allow many people to offer opinions and ideas.
- Saturday 12:15-1:45: Leaders' Lunch with Guest Speaker Eric Burges. Invited: Homeschool leaders of all types (see above description). Leaders bring own lunch to this meeting to eat during the meeting or may pre-order and pay for lunch at the registration desk no later than 10:00 am on Saturday to avoid wait time in line at Food Court (prepaid meals will be delivered to the meeting room).
- Saturday 2:00-3:00: Workshop "Virtual Charter Schools, Group Insurance, 501(c)3 Status, and Other Administrative Issues." Invited: Any homeschool parent is welcome to attend this open workshop, but it is especially geared for those in leadership in groups.
2 Free Convention Entrance for One Leader per Support Group or Accountability Association
- Offer is for one leader who is on the actual Board of Directors/Steering Committee of the respective support group or accountability association.
- Free entrance offer includes spouse of the leader (spouse must be pre-registered as well)
- Covers convention entrance only, not food, motel, travel expenses, purchases, or childrens/teen programs.
- Leader must pre-register by pre-registration deadline, noting "Free--Leader of ___ Group" on the top of the pre-registration form
3 Free Convention Entrance for Parents of Preschoolers who have never homeschooled before and want to explore the option
- Offer is for parents whose oldest child is less than 5 years old by September 1, 2008 AND who have never homeschooled before
- Covers convention entrance only, not food, motel, travel expenses, or purchases
- We request that you pre-register but this is not absolutely required. Pre-registration helps us figure out the number of free POP bags we will need at the convention. When you pre-register, please mark "Free-POPS" on the top of the form.
Registered Vendors
Location
Coming from Columbia
On HWY 378 take a right onto Alice Drive at the light with the Arby's in the right hand corner. At the third light, take a left onto Miller Rd. USC Sumter is on the left immediately past Alice Drive Middle School. Take the street between Alice Drive Middle School and USC Sumter for parking.
Coming from Mrytle Beach area
Take HWY 378 By-Pass around Sumter. Take a left onto Alice Drive at the light with the Arby's on the lefthand side of the road. At the third light, take a left onto Miller Rd. USC Sumter is on the left immediately past Alice Drive Middle School. Take the street between Alice Drive Middle School and USC Sumter for parking.
Coming from the Low Country
Take I-95 to HWY 378 to Sumter. Take HWY 378 By-Pass around Sumter. Take a left onto Alice Drive at the light with the Arby's on the lefthand side of the road. At the third light, take a left onto Miller Rd. USC Sumter is on the left immediately past Alice Drive Middle School. Take the street between Alice Drive Middle School and USC Sumter for parking.
Coming from the Upstate
Take I-385 to I-26E to Columbia. Take I-77N (Exit 116 to the LEFT). Take Exit 9 (US 378 towards Sumter). On HWY 378 in Sumter,take a right onto Alice Drive at the light with the Arby's in the right hand corner. At the third light, take a left onto Miller Rd. USC Sumter is on the left immediately past Alice Drive Middle School. Take the street between Alice Drive Middle School and USC Sumter for parking.
Fun and Educational Things to do in Sumter
Teen Conference
"My Worldview: Find It, Get It, Keep It"
Teen Conference is for 12 years old and up. $15/teen, no family discount. Limited scholarships for Teen Track available for SCHEA member families with financial need.
You can contact S.C.H.E.A. to inquire about scholarship. If God has blessed you and you would like to help sponsor a teen for this Teen Conference, you can contact S.C.H.E.A. as well.
PLEASE NOTE: College Fair is from 10 AM – 12 Noon on Friday before the Teen Conference begins. All teens and their parents are invited to attend. It’s Free!
* Note that teen sessions overlap adult sessions, but are somewhat longer, since the teens do not have to walk between buildings to get to the next session. Therefore, they will have a short break between sessions but not very long. Teens are expected to stay in the Teen Conference, except when they are at mealtimes with their parents. Teens are welcome to attend the adult workshops with their parents if they wish, but are not allowed to roam freely without parents during the convention.
Teen Conference Schedule:
Friday June 20th
| 10:00-12:00 | College Fair |
| 1:00-3:30 | Sessions #1-2: Christian Worldview Thinking: First Step - Clear Away the Obstacles presented by Joe Wirtz of The Cultural Commission, North Carolina
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3:45-5:00 | Session #3: The Power of the Media in an Entertainment Society presented by Paul Downer of Discipleship Network of America, Tennessee
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Supper with parents
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7:00-8:30 | Session #4: I Wonder What Jesus Thinks presented by Rick Velilla
Cerebral Café – energized discussion and snacks
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Saturday June 21st
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9:00-12:00 | Session 5: break-out session on writing and public speaking (teens choose which one they’d like to attend)
- Applying Christian Worldview through Writing (Subtitled: What Would Jesus Write about Current Issues?) presented by Lisa Baghdady
Or
- Applying Christian Worldview through Speaking (Subtitled: What Would Jesus Speak about Current Issues?) presented by Noelle Gebel, Andrea Lynde
and Suzanne Safley
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Lunch with parents
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2:00-3:45 | Session #6: Where Do I Fit? presented by Eric Burges of National Black Home Educators Association, Louisiana
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3:45-5:00 | Session #7: Dream Big presented by Todd Wilson of FamilyMan Ministries, Indiana
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Paul Downer is the Director of Operations for DNA Ministries and Managing Director of Eternal Impact Publishing. He travels the country with his father, Phil Downer, speaking at 1-2 conferences per month, and appears with Phil on their daily one-minute broadcast, A Discipleship Moment, which airs on over 120 stations in America.
Homeschooled from Kindergarten through Grade 12, Paul earned academic scholarships for college. He attended Bryan College as a Presidential Scholar. Having also been discipled by his parents, he was a Student Life Staff Resident Assistant and an RA team mentor throughout his college career.
Paul came to Christ at 5 years old. Despite this, however, he was in a crisis of anger and dishonesty by the age of 12. His life began to fracture as he became conquered by lying, a fiery temper, stealing, and a deep-seated anger toward his father, Phil. God moved onto the scene and transformed not only their lives, but also their relationship.
Paul graduated magna cum laude from Bryan College in 2005 with a B.A. in Bible and a B.S. in Business Administration, and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Christian Studies from Regent College in Vancouver, Canada. He has been discipling guys one-on-one for 8 years and speaking with Phil for 10 years, including engagements in Canada, Peru, and Africa.
He conveys a powerful message for young people on fighting their life-defining battles, and imparts to both children and parents Godly principles for living the Christian life in godliness, purity, and purpose.
Paul can be reached at PaulDowner@DNAministries.org.
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Rick Velilla has been involved in youth ministry for the past 10 years. He served as the director of Jeremiah's House, a teen outreach center in Chapin, SC, for 3-1/2 years. This ministry saw hundreds of students make commitments to Christ. He is currently the director of
student ministries at the Church at Dutch Fork in Irmo, SC.
He celebrates 25 years of marriage to his devoted wife Marie, in May. He is the father of 4 redeemed homeschooled sons. Ricky and Joshua are honor graduates of Cedarville and Liberty Universities. Micah is a junior at Emory University, while Nicolas is a junior homeschooled high school student. Rick's passion is to see students come to know, love and serve Him who is worthy.
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Speakers
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Phil Downer is President of Discipleship Network of America (DNA), a nationwide network of people committed to following Christ's life of winning and discipling others to become disciple makers. He speaks at couples events with Susy, his wife of 35 years, and at family conferences with his six children. Phil and his son Paul are popular speakers at men's events.
A former machine gunner who served in Viet Nam with the United States Marine Corps, Phil holds a B.A. from Southern Methodist University and a J.D. from Emory University. Phil was a successful lawyer before being led to Christ and discipled by fellow professionals. He left his position as senior partner and management team member of a multi-city law firm to serve as President of CBMC, before leaving to found DNA. Phil is on the Executive Committee of the National Coalition of Men's Ministries and a member of CBMC.
The Downers homeschooled five children from K-12, and their sixth child is in 8th grade. They speak with transparency about their weaknesses and how they found Biblical solutions as the Lord worked in their lives. Their homeschooling experience is laced with struggle and failure, such as days when Phil came home from work to find Susy in tears after spending most of the “school day” disciplining bad attitudes, stopping fights, and grappling with character flaws such as anger and dishonesty. They never forget their constant dependence upon God. Their passion is to pass on what He has taught them.
Phil is the author of Eternal Impact: Investing in the Lives of Others, A Father's Reward – Raising Your Children to Walk in the Truth, Optimize Your Marriage, and Brave, Strong, and Tender. He and Susy are coauthors, with David and Theresa Ferguson, of Unlimited Partnership: Building Intimacy & Teamwork Into Your Marriage. Phil is also the editor and coauthor of Effective Men's Ministry, published by Zondervan.
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TODD WILSON, author of Help! I'm Married to a Homeschooling Mom and The Official Book of Homeschooling Cartoons, is a dad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd's humor and gut-honest realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions across the country and a recent guest on Focus on the Family.
His articles have appeared in various magazines, including Christian Parenting Today, Men of Integrity, and Stand Firm. Christianity Today also posts his weekly column (The Familyman Weekly) on their website.
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The National Black Home Educators (NBHE) is a resource network founded by Eric and Joyce Burges in July 2000. This association will encourage, support and offer fellowship to families who are exploring benefits of home education. Eric and his wife, Joyce, have homeschooled for nearly l4 years.
Eric graduated 2 sons, Eric, Jr. and Lawrence and a daughter, Candace from their school, The Most Excellent Academy. He was the president of CHEF of Louisiana, a homeschool organization in Louisiana, for three years. He now serves as Immediate Past-President with the board of directors.
Joyce is a gifted singer, homeschool mother/teacher, advisor and lecturer. She is the mother of five children ranging from the ages of 27-8 years old. She is continuing to home educate their two daughters Candra and Victoria. She has spoken to many women locally and nationally. She present topics such as A Home School Tour, The Art of the Gentlewoman, Recapturing the Flair of Femininity, etc. She is a frequent speaker to young girls homes (ages 13-18) where she encourages them on the principles of healing past hurts, finding your identity in your image, valuing your integrity, and maintaining a great love for yourself through serving others.
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Schedule & Tickets
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FRIDAY
9:30 Registration
10:00 Vendor Hall opens
10:00-12:00 College Fair
10:00-11:30 Leaders Brunch -
Guest speaker: Todd Wilson
LUNCH: Food Court
1:00-2:00 Workshop #1
2:30-3:30 Workshop #2
4:00-5:00 Workshop #3
SUPPER ON YOUR OWN
7:00-8:30 Keynote: Phil Downer
9:00 Vendor Hall closes
SATURDAY
8:30 Registration
9:00 Vendor Hall opens for the day
9:00-10:30 Keynote: Phil Downer
11:00-12:00 Workshop #4
LUNCH: Food Court or On Your Own
12:15-1:45 Leaders Meeting -
Guest speaker Eric Burges
2:00-3:00 Workshop #5
3:30-4:30 Workshop #6
5:00 Vendor Hall closes, Convention ends
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Preregistered Cost
per family
$40.00 -- Non SCHEA members per family
$15.00 -- SCHEA member per family
$20.00 -- Vendor hall only per family
$15.00 -- Teen Conference
Cost At the door
per family
$45.00 -- Non SCHEA member per family
$20.00 -- SCHEA member per family
$20.00 -- Vendor hall only per family
$15.00 -- Teen Conference
Children's Program
$10/child, max $25/family Must Pre-register
Volunteerswith 4 hours of work admission free (does not apply to teen or children's programs)
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Hotels
| America's Best Value Inn & Suites | (803) 469-4740
Hwy 521 & Hwy 378 | ($49.95 single, $49.95 double) |
Best Western | (803) 773-8110
1050 Broad St | ($55.95/single king, $65.95 double queen) |
Comfort Suites | (803) 469-0200
2500 Broad St | ($99.99/night 2 double beds or $85.49 with AAA or AARP) |
Days Inn | (803) 469-8400
2430 Broad St | ($59.95/king; $59.95/suite) |
Fairfield Inn | (803) 469-9001
2390 Broad St | ($75.00) per room rate for the convention. Up to 5 people per room, hot breakfast, high speed internet and other amenities. |
Hampton Inn | (803) 469-2222
1370 Broad St | ($99.00/double queen or 109.00/king) |
Holiday Inn Express | (803) 469-4444
2490 Broad St | ($89/single) |
Sleep Inn | (803) 469-0500
2510 Broad St | ($74.99+tax) 5 rooms w/ double beds and 5 rooms w/king bed
Reservation Under SCHEA |
Travelers Inn | (803) 469-9210
1210 Camden Hwy, PO Box 2731 | ($59.95/single, $69.95 double)
(Corner of Hwy 521 and 378) |
Workshops
Click here for 2008 Workshop Schedule and suggested Tracks
Keynote Addresses
New or Prospective Homeschoolers
Parents of Preschoolers
Leaders
Beginning High School Track
Special Needs Track
Exiting High School Track
For Men Only
For Women Only
General Workshops
Children's Program
Friday
12:45-5:15
6:45-8:45
Saturday
8:45-12:15
1:45-4:45
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Puppets of Praise is a Christian puppet team made up of students, faculty, staff and alumni of Bob Jones University. They share the gospel and Biblical principles through scripts and songs (mainly Patch the Pirate songs). Throughout the year they minister to Sunday Schools, children's churches, Bible clubs, nursing homes, and several Chick-fil-a restaurants during their Kids Night. This year they will be the featured leaders of the Children's Progam. As always there will be lots of games (including outdoor water games), songs, crafts and now, also, Puppets!
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