CHEA — Christian Home Educators of California

Central California Homeschool Mini-Con

Enjoy an opportunity to fellowship with other Central California homeschoolers. Be refreshed with encouragement and instruction through workshops for both new and “not-so-new” homeschoolers.

Saturday, October 24, 2026 Fresno, CA
Register Now Schedule
Date and time
Saturday, October 24
8:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Check-in opens at 8:00 a.m.
Location
Campus Bible Church
North Maple location
4710 N Maple Ave, Fresno, CA 93726
Get directions
Registration
$25 individual · $40 couple
Discounts for members, active military, and first responders.
See pricing details
Preserving Liberty

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17b · CHEA's theme for 2026

New this year

Student recitations and displays

In honor of our country's 250th Anniversary, we want to invite students of all ages to participate in this year's Regional Mini-Con with any displays or recitations they may have that pertain to the theme of “Preserving Liberty.”

As many students as would like to may set up a display (each will be allotted half of a 6′ table). Students are encouraged to be present at their table during the lunch break, but it is not required that they be in person at the table during the event. Displays related to the theme completed during any school year and from any class/subject are welcome.

A few will be chosen to give recitations at the Opening and Closing Sessions as well. Please note that they need to be no longer than 2 – 3 minutes. The deadline to nominate your student for a recitation is Friday, October 16.

If your student has something you think might be appropriate, please note it on your registration, and our Student Involvement Coordinator will be in touch with more details. If you’ve already registered and then decide your student would like to participate, simply email the info to our office (cheainfo@cheaofca.org).

All students will receive a Certificate of Participation!

Speakers

Jenny Vandever
Jenny Vandever

Jenny Vandever, a second-generation homeschooler, just graduated her older daughter and is still homeschooling the younger one. Jenny is married to Andrew Vandever (CHEA Board of Directors), who is her ideal Amazing Race partner and main cheerleader as she teaches their girls to write persuasive essays, multiply exponents, and locate Paraguay on a map.

Nathan Pierce
Nathan Pierce
Family Protection Ministries

Nathan began working at Family Protection Ministries (FPM) in 2002 to protect private homeschooling in California. He was homeschooled himself through high school graduation and received a B.A. in Political Studies from The Master’s University. Currently he serves as Executive Director and Legislative Liaison for FPM and on the CHEA Board of Directors. He works behind the scenes at the State Capitol, meeting with legislators to advocate on behalf of homeschoolers. He and his wife, Betsy, homeschool their own eight children.

Angela Lasch
Angela Lasch
CHEA Executive Director

As CHEA's Executive Director, Angela Lasch gets to work every day toward her vision of families knowing they can absolutely home educate their children. As CHEA was a tremendous help to her while she and her husband, Scott, were homeschooling their three boys, she now gets to encourage others in their own homeschool journeys. Even though she graduated her youngest in 2022, she loves aiding families throughout California, including a PSP in her home church. Above all, she cherishes her role as a grandmother and finds great joy in spending time with her two granddaughters.

Elizabeth Goddard
Elizabeth Goddard

Elizabeth Goddard was homeschooled through high school alongside her five siblings, and now homeschools her own three children, leaning daily on God’s grace. She brings training in conflict resolution and mediation from her Communications degree into both her home and ministry work. Elizabeth and her husband, Kyle, are active in their local church and homeschool group, and Elizabeth serves as a substitute teaching leader for Bible Study Fellowship. When she has any spare time, you’ll catch her eating chocolate from her hidden stash and starting another hobby.

Monica Ybarra
Monica Ybarra
CHEA Administrative Assistant

Monica and her husband, David, have been married for 28 years. They have 4 children, whom she has joyfully homeschooled for 24 years, and will be graduating her youngest daughter and final senior this year. Monica loves homeschool families and has a heart for encouraging and supporting them as they follow the journey the Lord has called them to do. She enjoys spending time with her family, cheering others on, and soaking up every moment as a new Nana.

Schedule

8:00 AM
8:00 – 8:30 AM
  1. Check-in and registration open
8:30 AM
Welcome and Opening Session
8:30 – 10:15 AM
  1. Welcome and About CHEA Angela Lasch
  2. Two student recitations
  3. Nathan Pierce
    Keynote
    Preparing Your Children To Take On A World Gone Wrong & Legislative Update
    Nathan Pierce

    Do you know about the real-life political skirmishes and shenanigans that go on at our State Capitol, where a fair fight is not valued nearly as much as a win? As we in obedience pray for those who rule over us, do we trust in God or in a political solution? In this day of growing government, are we inadvertently teaching our children to look to government to be the answer to our problems and needs? Hear how home educators can be involved in making a difference in current issues which affect our parental rights that are being debated in our legislature, while depending on God alone.

    Do you know about the real-life political skirmishes and shenanigans that go on at our State Capitol, where a fair fight is not valued nearly as much as a win? As we in obedience pray for those who rule over us, do we trust in God or in a political solution? In this day of growing government, are we inadvertently teaching our children to look to government to be the answer to our problems and needs? Hear how home educators can be involved in making a difference in current issues which affect our parental rights that are being debated in our legislature, while depending on God alone.

  4. Jenny Vandever
    Keynote
    What is Education For?
    Jenny Vandever

    Homeschooling gives us the freedom to rethink education—but too often, we simply recreate school at home. This session challenges some of our assumptions about what “counts” as learning and asks a more fundamental question: What are we actually trying to accomplish when we educate our children?

    Homeschooling gives us the freedom to rethink education—but too often, we simply recreate school at home. This session challenges some of our assumptions about what “counts” as learning and asks a more fundamental question: What are we actually trying to accomplish when we educate our children?

10:15 AM
3 workshops 10:15 – 11:00 AM
English

One of the questions we get asked most often is how to get started homeschooling or how to leave the charter system and homeschool privately. If you are one of those asking these questions, this is the workshop for you. With much wisdom and encouragement, Angela will walk you through the process (which is basically the same for either of those scenarios) step by step. Come begin your own exciting homeschool journey!

Español

Una de las preguntas que más nos hacen es cómo empezar a educar en casa o cómo salir del sistema de escuelas charter para educar en casa de forma privada. Si usted es una de las personas que se hace estas preguntas, este taller es para usted. Con mucha sabiduría y ánimo, Monica la guiará paso a paso por el proceso (que es básicamente el mismo en cualquiera de esos casos). ¡Venga a comenzar su propia y emocionante jornada de educación en casa!

How do you keep multiple grade levels moving forward without dropping the ball on any of them? The fear that comes with teaching different ages at once is real. This workshop gets honest about what it actually takes, with practical strategies and tips for managing it all. You'll walk away seeing what you're truly capable of, encouraged, equipped, and ready to homeschool with confidence instead of fear.

What is the foremost thing we should be teaching our children? God calls the Gospel “of first importance.” So then, how do we link our every instruction to the importance of the Gospel? In this workshop, Nathan discusses the important concept of developing and teaching an intentionally biblical worldview. Nathan will also share how his work at FPM relies every day on an understanding of the significance of competing worldviews in the work of defending our homeschool freedoms.

11:15 AM
2 workshops 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

As a homeschooling dad who is just as busy as the next guy, Nathan understands the struggle of balancing work and family life. Drawn from his own failures and victories, he gives his top ten tips to help Dads be more effective in leading their families in their homeschool journey. Wives sometimes feel that they need more help from dad and dads are often at a loss as to how to be more involved. Nathan talks about how we as husbands can not only help our wives with homeschooling, but with God’s help actually lead from the front instead of trying to play catch-up.

You don’t have to look far to find a woman who does something better than you. She gets up at 5 a.m., her house is always clean, she bakes from scratch, never misses a workout, and somehow her hair is always curled. Or does she? Somewhere along the way, the good things we admire in others can become an impossible standard for ourselves. In this session, we’ll talk about comparison, contentment, and what it looks like to let go of who we think we should be and focus instead on being faithful to what God has actually called us to.

12:00 PM
12:00 – 1:30 PM
  1. Lunch break

    Option to purchase a box lunch beforehand. Student displays and sponsor tables are open during the break.

1:30 PM
Closing Session and Wrap-Up
1:30 – 2:45 PM
  1. Two more student recitations
  2. About CHEA: resources and member benefits Angela Lasch
  3. Jenny Vandever
    Keynote
    The Things That Don’t Make the Transcript
    Jenny Vandever

    At the end of our homeschool years, some of what mattered most may be the things we never graded, measured, or put on a transcript. A closing reflection on what we’re building along the way—and what we hope our children will carry with them when they leave our homes.

    At the end of our homeschool years, some of what mattered most may be the things we never graded, measured, or put on a transcript. A closing reflection on what we’re building along the way—and what we hope our children will carry with them when they leave our homes.

  4. Closing Thoughts Angela Lasch

Session times are subject to change.

Registration

$25 per individual
$40 per couple

Discounts are available for CHEA members. Active military and first responders receive a 10% discount on registration. Call (562) 864-2432 or email cheainfo@cheaofca.org for your coupon code.

Register Now

Additional details

  • Free parking is available at Campus Bible Church.
  • There will be an option to prepurchase lunch when you register: a choice of sandwich, chips, a water bottle, and a cookie. Lunch orders close Wednesday, October 21.
  • Childcare is not available, so we ask children sit respectfully with their parents.
  • Questions? Call (562) 864-2432 or email cheainfo@cheaofca.org.

Thank you to our sponsor

This Mini-Con is made possible by the generous support of our sponsor.

Classical Conversations
Sponsor Visit Website
Also this fall: Redding Regional Mini-Con

Thursday, October 22, 2026 · Grace Baptist Church, Redding · 3:30 – 8:45 p.m.

See details

Thank you to HSLDA for their America 250 Grant!

Save your seat in Fresno

Saturday, October 24, 2026 at Campus Bible Church. $25 per individual, $40 per couple.

Register Now