Come set sail with us as we embark on a journey in the waters of the deep blue, navigate the passages of sailors gone before us, and learn of the faith that turns fear into victory.  The Lord, the captain of our ship, will teach us more about Himself on this adventurous Victory Voyage.  Children’s Ministries of Texas is back with a fun-filled program of entertaining skits, fun crafts, exciting games, and songs children ages 4-12 will love!  Visit www.ChildrensMinistriesofTexas.org for details.

On-Site Registration WILL BE Available!

Children’s Program registration on-site will be available as long as space lasts.  If the program fills to capacity, a notice will be posted here. 

Teen Staff Program– Sold Out

The Teen Staff Program (TSP) offers a perfect mix of educational workshops, fun activities, and important service jobs for pre-registered teens, ages 13-18.  Teens, will again join together to check name badges, man book check, staff the Exhibit Hall, and the like.  They will also enjoy exciting games, activities, and fellowship with other homeschooled teens.  The TSP is a two-day commitment (August 15-16, 2008).

FRISCO HOMESCHOOL ASSOCIATION will host a "Great Starts" orientation 
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 19 at Water's Edge Church, 5475 Coit Road. 
Cost is $10. Visit www.friscohis.org.


Can I really Homeschool?
How to get it all done!
What about Socialization?
Curriculum, Curriculum, Curriculum
Wife, Mom, Teacher…Me
Q&A Time with Veteran Homeschool Moms
http://www.friscohis.org/pdf/greatstartflyer.pdf

The Texas Renaissance Festival announces new Performing Arts Festival at 
School Days Oct. 28-29
http://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/publish/article_45670.shtml

The Performing Arts Festival is a two-day adjudicated competition in 
classical theater and early music for students in the intermediate and 
secondary grades. Participants will be judged by experienced and 
accredited theater and music professionals and adjudication will be 
based on an impartial system.

Theater students will compete in various categories including monologue 
and soliloquy, duet and group acting and one-act play with  performance 
selections taken from classical theater works such as those of Greek 
Drama, Christopher Marlowe, Shakespeare and Moliere or modern works set 
in the classical period.

The Early Music Festival consists of both vocal and instrumental 
competitions in which students can perform works from the renaissance, 
baroque and classical music periods.  Vocal ensembles of all sizes are 
encouraged to compete, including choirs, madrigal groups, quartets and 
trios. Instrumental groups may consist of bands, orchestra, brass, 
woodwind and string ensembles or other similar combinations.

The Performing Arts Festival is open to all public, private and home 
school organizations, but there are a limited number of competition 
slots available and y will be filled on a first come, first served 
basis.  No registration fee is required to participate in the Performing 
Arts Festival, though participants must purchase a School Days ticket 
for admission into the park. 

Reserved admission for students, as well as chaperones and educators, is 
$6.00.  Gate pricing for tickets will be $8.00 for all.  A lunch ticket 
will also be available for $8.00 during reservation times as well as at 
the Box Office on School Days.  The last day to purchase tickets for the 
reduced price is October 3, 2008.

For more information please call 1-800-458-3435 or visit our newly 
renovated website at http://www.texrenfest.com/. 

****Registration now open for New Beginnings***
 
We are a support Group for YOU, the new homeschool mom. Our first workshop starts in August, but join us to learn more about our New B program as both groups meet for a social.
 
Social:
 
When: Friday, July 25, 2008 -  11:15 a.m.
Where: Incredible Pizza, Conroe
http://www.ipcconroe.com/
Dutch Treat
Bring the Kids!
RSVP please: woodlands_newbie@yahoo.com
 
 
Woodlands Group Registration for workshops.
Email: woodlands_newbie@yahoo.com
Tina Robertson
 
 
Kingwood Group Registration for workshops.
Email ladybughomeschool@embarqmail.com
Karen Burkett
 
 
 
Who and what is New Beginnings?
 
 
New Beginnings workshops are lead by veterans who have several years of experience assisting, guiding and supporting new homeschoolers.
 
The thought of homeschooling your children may seem
overwhelming at first. We know several questions are
going through your head. Can I really do this? Where do I
get curriculum? What about socialization? Let us guide
you in a gentle way to get your questions answered.
 
By joining New Beginnings, we are confident you will feel
better equipped to successfully homeschool your children.
 
Your full membership includes:
 Outlines for eight workshops
Teacher ID Card
Attendance to all the workshops
Continued support after your first year.
 
Calendar
Aug. - Here we Go!
Sep. - Organizationally Challenged?
Oct. - God's Gifted Children
Nov. - The A to Z's of Picking Curriculum
 
Jan. - I don't wanna
Feb. - From Dr. Seuss to 6th Grade
Mar. - Successfully homeschooling your teen through the high school years
Apr. - After your first year
 
Learn more at:
www.hsiz.org

Tina Robertson

There are many clubs in Texas, check the website for one near you or email Sarah to see about starting a Debate Club.

-Official wording for debate resolutions
-Affiliate forms will be up July 15th
-Do you have a club or class?
-New LD opportunities

Dear Texas Speech and Debate Family,

Wanted to let you all know that the official wording for debate
resolutions has been released and posted to the website.

Team Policy Debate: Resolved: That the United States Federal Government
should significantly change its policy toward India.

Lincoln Douglas Debate:Resolved: When in conflict, idealism ought to be
valued above pragmatism.

The 2008-2009 NCFCA Affiliate forms should be posted to the website next
week.   You might want to take advantage of that early bird registration
discount!!

Also, if you have a local speech and/or debate group, I would love to hear
about it :o)  Doesn't matter if your group is open or closed, competes or
not, I'd love to connect.  As the NCFCA representative, I receive inquiries
about communication opportunities for private schools and home
school students across the state.  I'd love to know what is working for you
locally, so we can share every option with others.  If you have a co-op,
closed group, or a club that competes in NCFCA, I'd love the opportunity to
hear more about it.  I'm happy to maintain your privacy; however, others
might want to organize a similar group....so tell me what's working for your
club!!

Since I posted camp information, we have had two new opportunities for LD.
I did want to make sure you were all aware... One in Texas, August 13-16 -
www.citedebatecamp.com  and one in Arkansas, August 14-15
laura.clark12@yahoo.com.


Sarah Singleton
NCFCA TX State Rep
TX NCFCA 

Home School Information Zone Presents

Susan Wise Bauer

Saturday, July 19, 2008
8:45a - 4:30p
College Station Conference Center
1300 George Bush Drive, 979.764.3720

Limited tickets are now on sale!!

Susan's most recent book for Norton, The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome (2007) is the first in a four-volume series providing a narrative world history. Her previous book, The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had (2003), is a guide to reading the classic works of fiction, poetry, history, autobiography, and drama. Norton also published The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home (with co-author Jessie Wise); originally published in 1999, this bestselling guide to education in the classical tradition was revised and updated in 2004. Susan has written a four-volume world history series for children, The Story of the World, for Peace Hill Press. Volume 1, Ancient Times, was published in 2002 (revised edition 2006); Volume 2, The Middle Ages, in 2003 (revised edition 2007); and Volume 3, Early Modern Times, in 2004. The final volume, The Modern Age, was published in 2006. Susan is also a contributing editor to Books & Culture and a frequent contributor to Christianity Today.