If you need reasons to come to our Women’s Encouragement Day on Feb. 3 – just the word “encouragement” should be a motivator! – here’s a quick list of goodies for all attendees:
1. A welcome, safe place.
Moms, this is your day to be treated and pampered like no other! From the moment you enter to the moment you leave, we’ll have breakfast, lunch and afternoon refreshments waiting just for you.
Enjoy a delicious variety of foods and drink for all eaters, including those who are gluten-free and dairy-free. And yes, coffee for the early morning is an absolute must!
Brew Haha Coffeehouse’s mobile coffee trailer will be at our event until 10 a.m. as a special treat. If you love coffee as much as we do, come straight to the event to get your specialty drinks. Products from Brew Haha Coffeehouse are not included in the registration price. While we plan to provide complimentary drip coffee as in years past, we also wanted coffee lovers to know of this arrangement ahead of time!
2. Guest speakers.
We’ve always noticed a delicate balance in selecting guest speakers for this event.
On one hand, we want a person with some perspective: a veteran homeschooler who has been able to see the fruits of her labor and speak truth with compassion to those following in her footsteps.
On the other hand, we also want someone who’s in the homeschool trenches day to day and understands our daily challenges. Sometimes it’s been difficult to find someone who matches both criteria.
This year, we’ve solved the dilemma beautifully – by inviting Zan Tyler!
Zan’s homeschool journey began in 1984 when homeschooling was illegal in her state. The State Superintendent of Education threatened Zan with jail for insisting on homeschooling her son. For the next eight years, she and other homeschool families battled for homeschool freedom and the establishment of landmark homeschool legislation in South Carolina. To this day, her legislative success has spearheaded legislation to ensure homeschool freedom in other states. In 1990, she founded the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS) and served as its president for ten years.
Her fight for homeschool freedom led her to serve as the National Grassroots Director for ParentalRights.org, to advocate for homeschooling in the media (appearing on NBC’s Today Show) and at the nation’s capital, and to write profusely about the benefits of homeschooling. Zan’s deepest desire is to encourage parents to raise children who love the Lord, understand their callings in life, and become active citizens who understand the freedom principles undergirding our great American heritage. She is an inspirational speaker and author and a consultant for BJU Press Homeschool and for Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). For sixteen years, Zan worked with Christian publishers to develop homeschool curriculum and resources. In 2015, she was presented with the Chris Klicka Award for her dedication and commitment to home education worldwide. She considers the twenty-one years she and her husband, Joe, spent homeschooling their own three children from kindergarten through high school to be one of the greatest privileges of her life. Zan is the host of the Zan Tyler Podcast, which launched in August 2022 and is sponsored by BJU Press Homeschool. Join Zan and a special guest for real encouragement, engaging stories, and practical wisdom for surviving and thriving on the homeschool journey. A new episode airs each Wednesday.
3. Fellowship with other homeschool moms.
So often it’s easy for homeschool moms to feel alone and isolated, as though they’re the only people doing this. On those days, you need to remember your friends and fellow homeschoolers walking right there with you.
We’ve made fellowship time a priority this year. Although we start at 9:30 a.m., the doors open an hour early for you to enjoy refreshments, worship and catching up with old friends (and making new ones!) before the main event.
4. Lunch!
Yes, we’ll be having another fantastic lunch this year. Delicious catered dining, with gluten-free options for those interested. And yes, is that dessert waiting just around the corner…?
Better yet, no washing dishes afterward!
5. Room to relax and pause.
Our Encouragement Day committee always prepares in loving detail for this event. Savor the beautiful decorations, take time out just to be alone (if that’s what you wish) or with a small group, and bring along your journal if you like to take notes.
We also have a nursing moms room if you brought little ones (we don’t provide childcare, but we know many of you have babies who can come along for free)!
6. Giveaways.
Make sure you enter all our contests and giveaways at the event, because we want to delight as many winners as possible! Special thanks to all the donors and advertisers who have a heart for the homeschool community.
Be sure to follow us on social media for all the details!
7. Limited space!
Numbers always fill up fast for this event, and we would love to provide a seat to every mom who wishes to attend. Tickets are nonrefundable, but If you’ve already registered and can’t attend for whatever reason, please contact us so we can open up your spot to another mom if we need to start a waitlist.
Registration ends on Jan. 21. Register today to book your seat!
