Anchored in Hope
2024 Christian Homeschool & Parenting Convention
April 18 – 20, 2024
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Parking?
The Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center has ample and FREE parking avaialble!
Lodging?
Although there are many hotels in the area, there’s nothing like staying under the same roof as the convention. MassHOPE has blocked guest rooms with discounted rates at the Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center. Rates are $109 per night.
You must call 508-347-7393 and make your reservation with the front desk staff. Be sure to say that you are with MassHOPE to get the discount rate. Our room block will be lifted on March 28, 2024.
Stay with us at the Host and enjoy the salt water swimming pool, the indoor courtyard, the lakeside waterfront, and much more! Make it a couple or family weekend getaway!
Food?
Opportunities for all types of dining abound in Sturbridge, everything from McDonald’s to fine dining, many within a very close distance to The Host. There will also be an onsite concession selling breakfast and lunch foods.
Why Pre-Register?
- Discounted registration fee – You may also register at the door, but pre-registration is $10 less per household.
- MassHOPE Bucks – Purchase MassHOPE Bucks at a 10% discount and spend them at face value for purchases in our exhibit hall. This is a 10% savings to you, and sometimes the vendors offer their own convention specials, for even more savings. MassHOPE Bucks are refundable if not used.
- Children’s program – You must pre-register in order to sign your children up for the children’s program. This option is NOT available with onsite registration.
Ladies’ Dessert Fellowship – In order for us to plan ahead, this add-on is only available with pre-registration. Enjoy Friday evening, 6:30-8:00, with Nancy Manos and other moms, for some sweet refreshments and fellowship.
Children (ages 2-11)
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Children are welcome to attend workshops with you, but only if they can remain quiet and not be a distraction to other attendees. Please remember our recording equipment is very sensitive, and even happy noises can affect the quality of the recording.
- Children (ages 5-11) can be registered for the children’s program, only when you pre-register. This program fills up quickly and will close when full. Onsite registration for the children’s program is not possible.
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Teens (ages 12-18)
Your teens (ages 12-18) have three options when you register them for the convention
- attend the teen workshops with Rand Hummel of The Wilds of New England,
- attend a hands-on science lab hosted by Emilie Boyle,
- attend adult workshops if the topic is of interest,
- and/or volunteer in any number of ways.
They can choose one or all of these options!
Workshop Handouts
How do I choose which workshops to attend? Read the workshop descriptions on the MassHOPE website and make your best judgement as to which seems most beneficial for you.
What if I can’t decide, and there are two during the same time slot that I’d like to attend? We make every effort to record all of our workshop sessions (except the vendor workshops). These recordings are sold online in a downloadable format.
I noticed some workshops have handouts (as indicated with an icon). What is the purpose of this? If a speaker has a handout for a workshop being presented, we upload that handout so that our attendees can print them ahead of time and bring them to the convention. Sometimes scanning these handouts beforehand is helpful in making decisions about which workshops to attend, and a handout is almost always helpful when following along while listening to a recording of that workshop.
Recordings
Volunteers
There are a number of jobs we need covered by volunteers each year, and we rarely have enough. Please consider volunteering a portion of your time and earn some MassHOPE Bucks while you’re at it.
Area Attractions?
Pricing
Pre-Registration
- Full Conference:
Couple: $59
Single: $49
2-11 w/ Adult: $5
12-18 w/ Adult: $10 - One Day (Fri or Sat)
Couple $54
Single $44
2-11 w/ Adult: $5
12-18 w/ Adult: $10
Children's Program
- Ages 5-11:
Both Days: $30
One Day: $20
Ladies' Dessert
- Friday Night: 6:30 – 8:00
Enjoy an evening of fellowship with other homeschool moms and an encouraging word from our guest, Nancy Manos – all over dessert!
Register Today!
Save Time at the Door
Children’s Program (Ages 5-11)
Pre-registration Required
Aholy there! “Lost at Sea” centers on the gospel theme that Jesus is our Savior, and we can confidently place our hope in Him.
It emphasizes the good news throughout, that Jesus is our lifeboat who delights in rescuing all kinds of sinners. Students will learn what they must do to be saved and how to become fishers of men.
Finally, Jesus is our captain who will never leave us or stops caring about us. The rooms will be decorated in nautical theme including boats, whales, light houses, and life preservers. Each day will be filled with hands on and engaging crafts and games; as well as object lessons and skits to support the theme and Bible lessons.
Enjoy an evening of fellowship with other homeschool moms and an encouraging word from our guest, Nancy Manos – all over dessert! Friday night, 6:30 – 8:00.
There is an additional fee for this event. Pre-registration required.
Frog Dissection: Hands on Science Labs! Uncover God’s creation as we explore His amazing design of the leopard frog through this Creation-based dissection lab. This student workshop will give students an up close look at both the external and internal anatomy of these fascinating amphibians while we discuss their major organ systems and amazing adaptations for their environment. One of our very own homeschooled high school graduates will be leading the dissection labs. Tray, tools, frog, and apron are included in the workshop, as well as a post dissection worksheet. Space is limited, and we ask that students younger than high school be accompanied by a parent. Cost is $15 per student. Pre-registration is required.
Owl Pellet Dissection: Uncover God’s creation as we take a deep dig into an unlikely specimen: owl pellets. A great first dissection, owl pellets can tell us so much about the bird from which it came. What did your bird eat? What kind of digestive system does it have? Where does it fit in the food chain? Discover answers to all these questions and more in this fascinating workshop. Tray, tools, and pellet are included in the workshop, as well as a post dissection worksheet. Space is limited, and we ask that students younger than high school be accompanied by a parent. Cost is $15 per student. Pre-registration is required.
Sturbridge Host and Conference Center
Sturbridge Host & Conference Center, 366 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA
366 Main Street
Sturbridge, MA 01566
