Conference Children’s Policy
Many of our conference keynote and workshop sessions are designed to inspire and edify both parents and youth.
- Parents who register for the Full Conference Pass may purchase an Additional Family Member Pass for each child they wish to attend with them.
- Although a child of any age is allowed to attend on an Additional Family Member Pass, the messages are geared for a maturity level of approximately 10 and above.
- Each youth wishing to participate in the Christian Heritage Chorale must register for a Chorale Pass instead of an Additional Family Member Pass.
- All youth attending the conference must remain with a registered parent at all times (except while participating in the Chorale sessions and performance).
- No child care will be provided. Nursing infants attend free. Nursing Mothers’ Room and Toddlers’ Room provided.
- IMPORTANT: Because all conference sessions are recorded and out of courtesy to the other attendees, we ask parents to quickly exit the General Session or Workshop Room with any child/infant making distracting noises.
- CRY ROOMS for AUDITORIUM A are located in both BACK CORNERS of the auditorium on the SECOND FLOOR. Enter from the hallway.
- Due to space constraints, strollers, etc. are not allowed in session rooms.
Letter from the CH Board Regarding our Children’s Policy
Dear Homeschooling Friends in Christ,
Doing a large conference is a huge task involving many complexities. One of these involves what to do with our children. Christian Heritage, of course, is unquestionably pro-children, pro-family. Please notice, for instance, that our other Christian Heritage events are designed to specifically include parents and children together. But regarding involvement of children in the annual state conference, there are some major issues involved.
First, we at Christian Heritage believe that the state homeschool conference should be primarily for parents. Because children are continually the recipients of their parents’ year-round efforts, we intend for hardworking, self-sacrificing homeschooling parents to be the principal beneficiaries of this conference. So we work very hard to design a very concentrated two days worth of sessions to encourage, equip, and inspire parents for the challenges they face 365 days per year.
- However, we understand that while many couples look forward to a weekend of spiritual and practical refreshment away together, many other parents want to share the inspiration and encouragement of the conference with their children. So we have tried to make this possible, as well.
Second, there are other realities involved: space and money. Putting on a conference literally costs a fortune. Among other things, we must pay for a huge facility, marvelous speakers from around the country, reliable services, effective publicity, etc. The bottom line, when all the expenses are considered, is that every seat costs us a certain amount whether a child takes it or an adult does.
- As we plan the conference there are several options for addressing this matter. One is to exclude children entirely. Many state homeschool conferences do this. Another option is to greatly increase the cost of the conference for adults but charge little or nothing for children. But this would charge extra to parents who do not bring their children for the sake of those who do.
- Instead, because we want as many fathers to come as possible, we invite the spouse of a full conference registrant to come free. And we charge a reduced price for each child and grandparent. This keeps the costs as low, per person and per family attending, as we can possibly manage and still pay the bills.
- So, while parents of young children may bring their little ones with them to the conference:
1. We encourage parents to consider entrusting at least their youngest children to the loving care of a relative, a couple whose homeschooled children have graduated, a “grandma” in your church, or someone else with whom they would be safe and comfortable.
2. Like you, we have not often left our young children in others’ care. However, there are rare times where this is needful and even best. We would hope that the significance of this conference might make this one of those times for your family.
Please know that we sincerely attempt to meet the varied needs & desires of homeschooling families. We choose many of our speaking sessions to be instructive and inspiring for both parents and youth (approximately ten and up). We offer an exceptional choir experience for musical youth thirteen and up through our Christian Heritage Chorale. And we present a family night so that as many parents as possible may affordably bring their entire families to share a part of the conference.
So we trust you will understand both our hearts and our constraints. And we trust that you will be able to work out your arrangements for attending the conference in a way that ministers to the needs of all in your family.
Sincerely, in Christ,
The Christian Heritage Board