2026 Youth Conference

Faith, Family, Freedom
Click Here to Apply for the Essay Scholarship Competition!

Friday – Saturday, 30-31 January 2026

Youth ages 11 (turning 12 in 2026) through 18 are invited to come connect and make friends with other East Idaho homeschool youth. We will learn together through inspiring and engaging classes, play fun team-building games, do a service project, and party the night away at a family dance.

Idaho State University Pond Student Union Building Pocatello Idaho

Youth Conference Price:

 

$30

 

Register now

  Get a 20% registration discount for groups of five or more adults and/or youth!

Group Registration

Speakers & Schedule

This years speaker line up will not disappoint!  We are very excited about those who are coming to share their experience and knowledge with us.

Tracy Ward

Tracy Ward

Mentor

I’m Miss Tracy, a spontaneous, ardent believer in possibilities! I LOVE my mission of strengthening families and building a community of people who want to be the good in the world. I’m a wife to my best friend,…

Learn More ➔
Adam Hailstone

Adam Hailstone

Educational Coach

Adam is passionate about building a vibrant and expanding community to support students in their adventure through learning. He says, “I love inspiring parents and students to get a great education and overcome the barriers in their way.

Learn More ➔
Nephi Zufelt

Nephi Zufelt

Entrepreneur

Nephi is a servant of Christ; Elizabeth’s devoted husband; Zoe, Ainsley, Keller, Melina, and Stratton’s homeschooling father; world traveler; and a wannabe church basketball star. 

Learn More ➔
Breann Duffin

Breann Duffin

Homeschooler

Does her family always eat their daily veggies? Nope. Is her house a pristine canvas able to welcome guests at any moment? Also a negative.

 

 

Learn More ➔
Tim Hall

Tim Hall

Belle Ame Campus Director

Hello, friend. By way of introduction, I’m a board member and the Campus Director of Belle Ame Center for Artful Living – home of the Well-Educated Heart philosophy of learning. My wife, Irene, and I are the grateful parents of five children. 

 

Learn more...
Rosie Christman

Rosie Christman

Homeschool Mom

A homeschool mother of 8 with a degree in social work, Rosie worked with infants, toddlers, and adult mental health until she received a promotion and became a full time stay-at-home-mom, which is the hardest, yet most rewarding work she’s ever done.

Learn more...
Joey Mascio

Joey Mascio

Motivational speaker

Joey Mascio is a comedian, motivational speaker, certified coach, and former middle school teacher who helps teens with self-confidence, social skills, and goals. He earned a Masters in Education, was a Disneyland character actor, and is frequently in the weekend cast at ComedySportz in Provo, Utah.

Learn more...
Linsey Jensen

Linsey Jensen

CEO and Owner of Covalent Moments

Linsey Jensen is a physics educator, game designer, homeschooling mom of four, and a STEM advocate with a passion for hands-on, problem-solving learning. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s degree in Science Education. Linsey is the creator of the innovative CircuitWhiz Science kit that enables students to discover scientific principles through…

Learn more...
Caleb Woodland

Caleb Woodland

Homeschool Graduate

Caleb Woodland learned at a young age to set goals, find mentors, and pursue an education that best fit his life mission. Before serving a two-year mission he started a photography business creating his own webpage and learned how to market to find clients. Caleb loves to sing and …

Learn more...
Justin Horan

Justin Horan

Patriot

Justin Horan has been married to his wife Rachel for ten years and is a devoted father of their four children. A skilled finish carpenter by trade, he thrives on hands-on projects that bring craftsmanship and creativity together. Whether he’s working with wood and leather, shaping steel into a fine edge, or building something from the ground up, Justin finds fulfillment in the process of creating.

Learn more...
Sam Martineau

Sam Martineau

General Director of the Independent Education Program

Sam has taught speech and debate to thousands of homeschooled students over the course of seventeen years. He is the founder and director of the Wasatch Independent Debate League and the Independent Education Program. He is a 2021 U.S. Distinguished Teacher and a recipient of the KSL:Teacher of the Week award….

Learn more...
Stacie Mehr

Stacie Mehr

Curriculum Creator

Stacie was born and raised in Alberta, Canada but has lived in the United States for 30 years.  She has been studying American history and government for the past 15 years and is passionate about teaching the principles of freedom to others.  

Learn more...
Chantelle Holman

Chantelle Holman

Ballroom Dance Instructor

Chantelle grew up ballroom dancing in her mother’s studio. She competed all around the United States and has also competed at the world championships in England. Ballroom Dance is Chantelle‘s passion and is a huge part of her life. 

Learn more...

Schedule

Idaho State University Pond Student Union Building Pocatello Idaho

Click here for a map of the student union building classrooms

Day 1/ January 30th

TimeClass AClass B
9:00am - 9:45aamKeynote - Cameron and Paula Taylor
10:00am-10:45amGames
11:00am-11:45amNephi Zufelt - Take Charge of Your Brain, Take Charge of Your Life
12:00-1:00pmLunch
1;00pm-1:45pmBreann Duffin - Passion projects: turning what you love into something that mattersEmily and Seth Woodland - Dating
2:00pm-2:45pmDance Lessons with Chantelle Holman
3:00pm-3:45pmJustin Horan - What part do heroes play in our livesTim Hall - The Next Step: What To Do Next in Your Life
4:00pm-4:45pmLinsey Jensen - Hands-on Fun with ElectricitySam Martineau - When you just don't care: Dealing with apathy in your teen years
7:00pm - 10:00pmConcert and Dance

Day 2/ January 31st

TimeClass AClass B
9:00am - 9:45amKeynote - Adam Hailstone
10:00am-10:45amGames
11:00am-11:45amJoey Mascio - Becoming BullyproofBreann Duffin -Freedom to have fun: planning group activities that build friendships
12:00-1:00pmLunch
1:00-1:45pm Adam Hailstone - The Science of Motivation
2:00pm-2:45pmCaleb Woodland -Own Your Education, Accomplish Your DreamsStacie Mehr - Freedom 101
3:00pm-3:45pmJoey Mascio - Improving ANY Relationship
4:00pm-4:45pmTracy Ward - PerspectaclesRosie Christman - Worth
Tracy Ward

I’m Miss Tracy, a spontaneous, ardent believer in possibilities! I LOVE my mission of strengthening families and building a community of people who want to be the good in the world. I’m a wife to my best friend, Richard, and long-time homeschooling mama to six kiddos and Nana to five grandbabies. I’m passionate about learning, liberty, and laughter. I love kayaking, camping, reading, writing, mentoring youth, and creating events that bless families. Everyday I try to connect with heaven, cultivate joy in myself, and spread joy to others. Deep discussions of powerful ideas fill my soul. Sometimes I remember to make dinner and take out my contacts, but don’t count on it. You can find classes, coaching, and articles at my website, raisethetidecoaching.com.

Title: Greek vs. Hebrew Views of Truth and Why It Matters

We are swimming in the waters of a Greek world we inherited from Plato, Socrates, and the great thinkers of the Western World. That perspective views truth as an idea, while the Hebrew perspective views truth as a person. “This is why many of the questions we ask—however simple and honest they may seem—simply do not have immediate answers. It is because our questions implicitly assume a Greek world, and we are dealing with a Hebrew faith. The idea view of truth (and its Greek assumptions) has made the Hebrew tradition and belief look like nonsense” (Thayne & Grant). Come and learn the differences between these two ways of thinking! In doing so, you will deepen your search for truth, embolden your faith, and increase the power of Jesus Christ in your life.

Powered by
Adam Hailstone

Adam is passionate about building a vibrant and expanding community to support students in their adventure through learning. He says, “I love inspiring parents and students to get a great education and overcome the barriers in their way. My role directly aligns with my life’s mission, so it’s as much a calling as it is a career.” He studied Liberal Arts as an undergraduate and later received his MBA from the University of Michigan. Adam initially joined Williamsburg Learning in 2010 as a mentor and later designed much of The Williamsburg Curriculum. He has presented talks on education throughout the U.S. and Canada and loves finding creative ways to expand and enhance the Williamsburg tribe. He lives with his wife and family in Denver, Colorado.

Title: How To Think, Not What To Think
The world today operates differently from when our education system was created, let alone when we (parents) were growing up. Innovation, not conformity, is valued and rewarded, and the job market is starving for people who can connect the dots and lead.

Because you homeschool, your children will avoid the conformity mentality perpetuated by most schools today. But avoiding that isn’t enough. In this presentation, Adam Hailstone will teach you how to train your kids to be great thinkers, creators, and disruptors.

Title: The Science of Motivation
Motivation is not always easy to come by. Motivating others, especially our kids, can be even harder. So often, parents, teachers, and employers use methods to motivate others that work in the short term but do not last, or even worse, have long-lasting negative effects. In this workshop, Adam Hailstone will share with you the science of motivation and how to nurture deep intrinsic motivation in your children to achieve their potential.

Title: The Energy To Homeschool
Ugh! Sometimes, it’s hard to homeschool—energy wanes as the year goes on, the kids seem less engaged; it all feels like a grind. In his fun and inspiring way, Adam Hailstone will help you to see what’s blocking you from the energy you need. Then he will show you strategies and mindsets to help you build, increase, and discover new energy to tackle the challenge of homeschooling (and everything else).

Powered by
NEPHI ZUFELT
Nephi is a servant of Christ; Elizabeth’s devoted husband; Zoe, Ainsley, Keller, Melina, and Stratton’s homeschooling father; world traveler; and a wannabe church basketball star. In his free time from these important roles, he is the CEO of NexTek Innovations (a medical device incubator), entrepreneur, founder and president of Wealth Mentality Families, author of 2 best-selling books (Katie Bell and the Wishing Well; A Story of Finding True Wealth and The Big Startup Guidebook for Kids), and keynote speaker.
Nephi grew up in the beautiful landscape of Moab, Utah and graduated from Utah State with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a M.S. in Biomedical Engineering and MBA from the University of Tennessee. He has spent 10 years working his way into the C-Suite at a medical device manufacturing company only to turn around and leave it all for the uncertainty of startups and entrepreneurship so he could spend time doing what was most important to him; raising his family.
Nephi still enjoys the process of innovation and creation in the world of medical devices but finds his true passion in teaching and helping families to find their true purpose and create the life they desire. He teaches parents and youth how to avoid falling into the traps of worldliness and consumption while also pursuing true wealth in the correct way to be used in the service of others.
The boy crisis – Helping our young men find their way in a world that has left them behind. The data is clear; our young men are falling behind at an alarming rate. Worldwide the problem is even more serious. Young men are failing on nearly every metric we use to measure progress, but why? In this class we will discuss some of the problems we are seeing and what we can do to help our boys (our own and those around us) turn the tide and find success.
How to conquer a civilization – What would you do if you wanted to destroy a civilization? In this class we will look back at history to see what led to the fall of some of the greatest civilizations on Earth and draw parallels to what we are now seeing in Western society. You will leave this class with either a plan to conquer the world, or one to help your families change and try to save it.
Powered by
Breann Duffin

Does her family always eat their daily veggies? Nope. Is her house a pristine canvas able to welcome guests at any moment? Also a negative. Sometimes as her six children, ranging from preschool to high school, pass by her, she wonders if their fashion inspiration came from a Dr. Suess book with tassels of hair flailing, mismatched socks, no shoes, and the constant reminder to brush their teeth. Sacrifices had to be made as Breann Duffin grinded to learn everything she could about how to educate in a superhuman way. She has earned two Bachelor’s Degrees from Brigham Young University-Idaho. The first in Agriculture and the second in Secondary Education; certificates in Agriculture and All Sciences. She earned her Master’s Degree in Education in Curriculum Design and Instruction with an emphasis in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University. She added her Elementary Education certificate after she finished her master’s degree. Over the last twenty years, she has taught all levels, PreK through 12th grade, and also has a decade of experience in teaching at the university and adult levels. She has trained teachers from all over the nation, built a thriving music studio of fifty students, started and directed a PreK-12th grade youth softball program in her community, sang her heart out as the lead in the community musicals, served as the president of her town’s Arts Council, and has built the curriculum for and mentored three IDX STEAM teams who all won first place in Idaho.  She did all this as she was doing the most important work of homeschooling and nurturing her family. Her most valuable experiences have come through the constant introspection of her family’s character, their level of motivation and diligence, and the educational methodologies used in their homeschool. She is honored to be amongst other beautiful individuals at this conference as we learn to develop strengths that make us secretly superhuman.

Keynote address: Faith, Family, Freedom: Building the Homeschool of Your Dreams
Every homeschool parent has a vision for their family’s education — one that nurtures faith, strengthens family bonds, and embraces the freedom to learn and grow. In this keynote, you’ll discover how to intentionally design your homeschool so it reflects your values, your children’s strengths, and your family’s dreams. You’ll leave inspired to create a homeschool that works for your family, your goals, and your vision of success.

Freedom to Have Fun: Planning Family & Group Activities that Build Lasting Memories

Building connection doesn’t have to be complicated — it just takes creativity, intention, and a little fun! In this engaging session, you’ll learn how to plan meaningful family nights, group activities, and youth events that strengthen relationships and create memories that last. Whether you’re organizing a homeschool co-op, church group, play days, teen hangouts or family gatherings, you’ll leave with practical ideas, planning tools, and inspiration to make every get-together something special. Discover the freedom to have fun — and the joy that comes from bringing people together with purpose.

Youth Class #1: Freedom to Have Fun: Planning Group Activities that Build Friendships

Friendship and fun don’t happen by accident — they happen by design! Want to make your activities actually awesome? Come learn how to plan hangouts, games, and events that everyone will love. Discover creative ways to turn ordinary get-togethers into moments that inspire connection, build trust, and create real friendships that last. Experience the joy of making memories that matter — and the freedom to have fun while doing it!

Youth Class #2: Passion Projects: Turning What You Love Into Something That Matters

Got a hobby, idea, or talent you love? Learn how to turn your passions into projects that make a difference! In this fun, hands-on session, you’ll discover your strengths, explore what excites you, and learn how to plan a project step by step. You’ll practice turning ideas into action and find ways to share your project with others. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to bring your passions to life, build confidence, and create something that truly matters!

Powered by
Tim Hall
Hello, friend. By way of introduction, I’m a board member and the Campus Director of Belle Ame Center for Artful Living – home of the Well-Educated Heart philosophy of learning. My wife, Irene, and I are the grateful parents of five children. I’m a native of the Idaho Falls area, though we now live full time at the Belle Ame Center Campus in Northwest Missouri. We hope you’ll come visit us sometime.

My inclination toward education sprouted in a childhood of books and conversation, survived a BA in teacher education, ripened in a MA in second-language acquisition, and now thrives in practice. I have taught English and Spanish at private and public schools, managed a team of instructional designers at a nuclear energy lab, and overseen curriculum and learning at American Heritage School Worldwide. I am most interested in what I term “production-based learning”, where students learn in the context of creating something of genuine value to others. In practice, this production-based approach brings education together with my other great interest: regenerative agriculture. I’m grateful we’ll get to meet and learn from each other.

Title: Nourishing Hearts First: A Living Approach to Home and Home Education
Description:
Do you sometimes feel your homeschool is missing its spark—amid busy days, sometimes-interested kids, and the fear you’re not reaching their souls deeply enough?
In this interactive class, we’ll learn and experience principles and practices that put the heart in its rightful place, where it enlivens all our other efforts. These principles and practices come from our family’s 8-year journey in the Well-Educated Heart philosophy, and especially from my last two years as the Campus Director for Belle Ame Center for Artful Living. In that role I’ve learned together with hundreds of families, youth, and young adults in programs inspired by the Danish Folk High School model, aimed at re-enlightening and beautifying the soul.
I’ll share simple, joyful practices that revive spirits and inspire powerful, natural growth: morning song, poetry, and engaging with beauty through the arts and nature. We’ll experience a taste of these together, hear real stories of transformed families (including my own), and discover how nourishing hearts first creates the living education your family longs for—one filled with light, joy, and lasting purpose.

Powered by
Rosie Christman

A homeschool mother of 8 with a degree in social work, Rosie worked with infants, toddlers, and adult mental health until she received a promotion and became a full time stay-at-home-mom, which is the hardest, yet most rewarding work she’s ever done. She loves to mentor youth and adults, help heal hearts and families, and use her gifts and talents to bless others and further the Lord’s work here on earth. She comes from a yours-mine-and-ours family with 21 kids. She has lived in poverty-stricken Bolivia, helping people learn to read, garden, build adobe huts, and embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a family, they have raised pigs, dairy goats, chickens, Guinea hens, rabbits, turkeys, ducks, geese, sheep, an orphaned cow, dogs, and cats. They have also raised all sorts of crops for personal use and also to sell at farmer’s markets. They love hunting and processing their own meat, canning food, making cheese, fermenting foods, making home-made vinegar, and more! They have a business called the Homestead Institute where they teach people to be self-reliant, improve their emotional and physical health, and live off the land. Rosie loves people, life, and learning and her love for the Lord motivates her in all she does.

Powered by
Joe Mascio
Powered by
Linsey Jensen

Linsey Jensen is a physics educator, game designer, homeschooling mom of four, and a STEM advocate with a passion for hands-on, problem-solving learning. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s degree in Science Education. Linsey is the creator of the innovative CircuitWhiz Science kit that enables students to discover scientific principles through problem-solving rather than rote instructions. She has hosted several summer science camps, participated in hundreds of science outreach events, and has been contracted to make custom escape room games. Her work focuses on transforming STEM education by applying principles from game design to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Title:  Problem Solvers in the Making: Rethinking Science Learning at Home
Blurb: Science isn’t just memorizing facts—it’s about figuring things out. We’ll explore the three most common pitfalls in science learning and practical ways to shift from step-by-step lessons to hands-on problem-solving activities that will help your kids think critically, create boldly, and tackle challenges with confidence and resilience.
Title: Don’t Forget to Play: Using Games, Challenges, and Exploration to Teach Science at Any Age
Blurb: Play isn’t just for little kids—exploration, tinkering, and experimentation are how humans learn about the world at any age. In this session, we’ll explore the learning benefits of play, including how it builds curiosity, problem-solving skills, creativity, and scientific thinking. You’ll also discover practical ways to use games, challenges, and guided discovery to foster a lifelong love of science.
Powered by
Caleb Woodland

Caleb Woodland learned at a young age to set goals, find mentors, and pursue an education that best fit his life mission. Before serving a two-year mission he started a photography business creating his own webpage and learned how to market to find clients. Caleb loves to sing and play the piano. He was able to compose and post his music on Spotify, YouTube and other platforms. While serving, he had the opportunity to run social media for the mission and perform for various audiences. Celeb has found joy in learning and is enthusiastic about accomplishing his dreams and being a servant for Christ.

Powered by
Justin Horan

Justin Horan has been married to his wife Rachel for ten years and is a devoted father of their four children. A skilled finish carpenter by trade, he thrives on hands-on projects that bring craftsmanship and creativity together. Whether he’s working with wood and leather, shaping steel into a fine edge, or building something from the ground up, Justin finds fulfillment in the process of creating.

He has a deep appreciation for the outdoors and a natural curiosity that drives him toward meaningful discussions – especially on topics that challenge conventional thinking. A lifelong learner and avid reader, Justin is passionate about entrepreneurship, the US constitution, personal freedoms and the values that built this nation. He is constantly striving to better himself and his relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Hand of Providence in American History and the Effect It Has on Us Today
This country was founded by individuals who believed they were accountable to a higher authority. Guided by that conviction, they sought wisdom and direction in establishing a system of government intended to endure beyond their own lifetimes. Aware of the far-reaching impact of their actions, they willingly pledged their lives, fortunes, and honor in pursuit of a cause they believed would shape the course of history. By understanding their sacrifices and convictions, we gain valuable perspective on our responsibility to study, preserve, and defend the government they established. In doing so, we invite the same guiding principles to inform our efforts as we educate and prepare the next generation.

Youth Class

What Part do Heroes Play in our Lives
The Law of Concentration teaches that whatever we consistently focus on grows in influence in our lives. By studying the lives of men and women who exemplify values we admire—and reflecting on their behavior and mindset—those values become deeply embedded in our thinking. Over time, this shapes our subconscious responses, encouraging consistent action when situations arise. Choosing role models should therefore be a conscious and intentional decision. Understanding the lasting impact these individuals have provides clarity in selecting those whose example we choose to follow.

Powered by
Sam Martineau

Sam has taught speech and debate to thousands of homeschooled students over the course of seventeen years. He is the founder and director of the Wasatch Independent Debate League and the Independent Education Program. He is a 2021 U.S. Distinguished Teacher and a recipient of the KSL:Teacher of the Week award. He has seen significant success in coaching in the National Mock Trial Competition, International Public Policy Forum, and Utah Model United Nations.

Sam Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Weber State University with a B.S.and teaching certification in Communication Teaching and History Teaching.

When you just don’t care: Dealing with apathy in your teen years
Do you ever just feel like you’re going through the motions? That what you do doesn’t seem to matter–it’s just what others want you to do? It’s a normal feeling, especially in your teen years. And it can really suck the life out of school, friendships, and everything you do.
This class is about you. About how you view the world, your relationships, and your choices. It’s about making your life better, and what you can do to make life more enjoyable and fulfilling–especially when you feel you just don’t care.

Powered by
Stacie Mehr

Stacie has been studying the principles of freedom from primary sources for 15 years. She has organized and taught homeschool classes, family activity nights, and kids summer camps to make these principles fun and engaging for families. As a busy mom of seven, Stacie wants to make it easy for parents to teach these principles in their own homes. She developed no-prep lessons for parents called Liberty Workbooks and is excited to share her content with you in her class, Five Minutes for Freedom. Stacie is originally from Alberta, Canada, but currently lives in Ivins, Utah, where she has lived for 20 years. She loves hiking and family history.

Five Minutes for Freedom:

Stacie has researched dozens of curriculums, websites, books, videos, songs, and crafts about America. In this class, she will share her very favorite resources as well as some she has created. See how easy it is to incorporate patriotic learning activities into your school schedule, a few minutes each day or once a week. You will be surprised how much your kids will learn! It’s vital to teach children the truth about American history and government. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free.. it expects what never was and never will be.”

.
Powered by
Chantelle Holman

Chantelle grew up ballroom dancing in her mother’s studio. She competed all around the United States and has also competed at the world championships in England. Ballroom Dance is Chantelle‘s passion and is a huge part of her life. She is a homeschooling momma of 5 boys who all ballroom dance! She is married to the love of her life, Christian Holman, who to her delight, has learned how to sweep her off her feet on the dance floor! Chantelle’s homeschool dance program has been going strong for 3 years here in Pocatello, Idaho.

Class description:
Come get some tools to put in your Dance toolbox! Learn the ins and outs of dancing to just about any song you hear by understanding the counts of different dance moves and how to put them to the rhythm of the music. Additionally, in this class you will learn some of the round dances that we’ll be doing at the family dance!

Powered by