Saturday, March 20, 2010

Wanted: Performers for State Conference


Many of you enjoy hearing the talented young performers at the state conference in June each year. Perhaps you have wondered how these young people were selected. Each year we invite interested families to submit an audition tape to the General Sessions coordinator by April 15. If you know talented youngsters or families who could bless us at the conference, please urge them to apply, or let us know and we will contact them. Not only is this a wonderful opportunity to bless other homeschoolers, but it can be listed on your resume for college; not many students have the opportunity to perform for over 1500 people! For further information and an audition form, see this website HERE (www.chec.org); click to Events/State Conference/General Sessions & Talent Fair Audition. For remaining questions, please call Marcia Washburn at 970-842-4776 (mornings only) or e-mail her at marcia@chec.org. 

Colorado "Above Rubies" Retreat


 Moms, do you need encouragement...a time to be ministered to, and maybe, a little time away to regroup?  Check out the Colorado "Above Rubies" Retreat.

Above Rubies is a ministry to encourage women in their high calling as wives, mothers, and homemakers. Its purpose is to uphold and strengthen family life and to raise the standard of God's truth in the nation.

The name has been chosen from Proverbs 31.10 AMP, "A capable, intelligent and virtuous woman, who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far Above Rubies or pearls."


When: May 7-9, 2010

Where: Glen Eyrie, Colorado Springs

Topic: Changing the world from the heart of the home

Speaker: Nancy Campbell

Cost: Varies on number attending.

These prices are good until Mar 31 and are for the whole weekend.

Registration fee is $30/per family.

Room is $125 for 1 adult or $225 for 2 adults. Kids are free.

Food is $49 per adult, $24.50 per child ages (3-12).

As long as a deposit of half is made before the Mar 31 deadline, you will not incur any late registration fees.

Contact: Felicia Johnson at  719-478-2113.

Summit Ministries Note


Eric Smith, of Summit Ministries, here in Manitou Springs will be coming to speak briefly at Chapter SEEK on April 5, and at the Flood the Five Conference in Colorado Springs on April 16-17.  The visions of ICC and Summit intertwine beautifully.  Summit is committed to helping young people learn and understand the truths of a Biblical worldview, and ICC is committed to training young people to be effective cultural communicators of truth in their communities.  These two organizations have been working together for a couple of years now, and I am excited by the opportunities this will bring to all our Christian students.

I've attached a letter written by Jeff Myers that explains the critical reasons why our students need to be prepared to defend their faith now, and how Summit Ministries can help you do this.  I think you'll find it interesting and challenging. 

If you would like to meet Eric Smith and talk to him about how Summit Ministries and their worldview curriculum can help prepare your students, you can come to Chapter SEEK on April 5, or register and bring a student to hear him also at the Flood the Five conference on the 16-17.  Information on the conference is available on this website here (
http://www.instituteforculturalcommunicators.org/floodthefive) or feel free to contact me for more information.

If you are interested in coming on April 5, please contact me for the details.  Please forward this information to anyone who may be interested.


Karri Siebert
sponsor, ICC Chapter SEEK
Colorado Springs, CO

Junior Spokesperson Contest for Colorado CattleWomen


The contest for this area will be May 8 and will be in either Rifle or Meeker.  The person is still getting a final site; but kids could start working on their presentations and send in their registration forms to Kris Melnikoff in Collbran.  It's not on the brochure but in addition to the winners getting expense paid trips around their corner of the state and listed other events, we have come up with so far $250 cash prize per quarter of the state.  I have printed brochures and they can contact me at either by email or phone if anyone wants some sent. 

Give a Day, Get a Day


Volunteer for Nu Generation Foundation and receive a day at either Walt Disney Park. Nu Generation is an organization for the children. Providing activities for the youth & donating funds for youth activities or to other charitable organizations involving the youth are some of the programs we provide.

The inactivity of our nation's young people is a growing concern of health professionals, parents, and educators. Youth conditioning programs, sports, and events encourages kids to be more active.  Programs are designed to encourage a healthier lifestyle. Kids are motivated to understand goal setting and being their complete best, as an athlete, and as a responsible and active young person.  Additionally, by providing activities for the youth, it deters at-risk youth from criminal activities. Nu Generation Foundation is in the process of organizing a free spring event, but we need your help.

1. Submit a participant reservation by completing the contact form HERE (www.nugenerationfoundation.org)

2. We are in need of tax-deductible donations in order to ensure a successful event. 

2010 Lost Tools of Writing Essay Contest


Submitted by Andrew Kern, akern@circeinstitute.org

For students in 8th-12th grades. Education and Liberty are themes as American as baseball and apple pie. Yet, much of American literature, and most of American pop culture see the two as antithetical. Some people seem to see school as a barrier to liberty. In the 2010 Lost Tools of Writing Essay Contest, students are asked to consider the relationship between education and liberty. Are they indeed opposites? Or can one fulfill the other? Can a person be free without being educated? Can a person be educated without being free?

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 1, 2010

FINAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: May 10, 2010

WEBSITE found HERE for more information (http://www.circeinstitute.com/l_essaycontest.shtm)

Script Frenzy Young Writer's Program


Submitted by Natalie Tsang, YWP Program Assistant, Script Frenzy, ywp@scriptfrenzy.org

Script Frenzy is an international writing event in which participants attempt the creatively daring feat of penning a screenplay, stage play, TV script, or comic book script in the month of April. It is free of cost for kids and teens and provides professional writing resources to participants and educators. Our Young Writers Program is specifically designed for grade levels K-12 and our lesson plans (http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/lessonplans) are California State Standardized. We also offer free classroom kits (http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/leaderskits), and downloadable work books (http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/overview). Last year, over a thousand schools and homeschools used our programs to become better readers and writers!

WEBSITE found HERE for more info (
http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/)

13th Annual Bill of Rights Essay Contest


"Freedom and Civic Virtues"
                    
Each year, National Foundation for Women Legislators' (NFWL) and the National Rifle Association co-sponsor an academic scholarship for seven high school juniors and seniors.  Winners receive a $3,000 award and are given the opportunity to attend NFWL's Annual Conference.  At the conference, the scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to learn about public policy, receive leadership training, and network with lawmakers from all 50 states.  Several winners said their experience through the program strengthened their passion for public service.  It is important to note that in order to enter the contest all applicants must be sponsored by a woman legislator from their respective state in. Sponsoring legislators of the awardees will receive an NFWL travel scholarship to attend the Annual Conference in exchange for their participation in the entire conference with their student.

This year's essay topic is entitled "Freedom and Civic Virtues" in which applicants are asked to describe how moral principles and the U.S. Bill of Rights shape the role of young adults in civic engagement and politics.  NFWL and the NRA are proud to co-sponsor this annual essay contest in order to enable young women committed to defending the Bill of Rights to attend college and advance women in leadership.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:   Friday, July 30th, 2010 by which time essays must be received or postmarked to NFWL.

CONTACT:  The NFWL office at 202-293-3040, ext. 1005, scholarships@womenlegislators.org

WEBSITE found HERE for application and information (
www.womenlegislators.org)

Summer Camp


During the school year, you may find it difficult to teach all of the courses that you would like. If you have been meaning to include a worldviews/apologetics course, a summer camp could lessen your course load during the school year while providing your teen with the information he needs to be knowledgeable and confident when communicating his beliefs and values to others.

Summit Ministries offers young adults (ages 16–24) a two week camp preparing them for college or the workforce where they’ll face many different ideas that are in conflict to a biblical worldview. They will receive instruction in worldview analysis, apologetics and leadership. Summit Ministries’ camps are held in Colorado, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Similarly, Worldview Academy Leadership Camp is for teens ages 13 and up. Students learn about servant leadership, apologetics/evangelism, and comparative worldviews. The six-day camp includes creative activities, worship, and thought provoking seminars. 

Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship Program


The Kohl’s Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program recognizes and rewards young volunteers (ages 6-18) whose efforts have made a positive impact on their communities.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship Program. We are pleased to say that to date we have recognized more than 11,000 kids and awarded more than $2.2 million in scholarships and prizes.

And this year, Kohl’s plans to recognize an additional 2,100 kids with prizes ranging from $50 Kohl’s Gift Cards to $1,000 or $10,000 scholarships.

Nominators must be 21 years of age or older. Nomination deadline is March 15th, 2010.

FIND MORE INFORMATION HERE

(http://www.kohlscorporation.com/CommunityRelations/scholarship/index.asp)

Parlmentary Procedure Teen Group


Would you be interested in being a part of a teen group to learn Parliamentary Procedure?   This would be for High School and serious Jr. High age kids.  If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Renee Hathcoat at rhathcoat@q.com soon, so they can plan.  Depending on enough interest, this group would then plan on having a preliminary meeting to discuss dates, times, frequency and duration. 

Boys Fall Basketball


A district 49 private school would like to invite some homeschoolers to play on their 6-7th grade basketball team.  Interested families would need to reside in D49.  If interested, call Mel Waters at 265-3114 or mwaters@newlifechurch.org.   

Educators Appreciation Week & Discount at Borders Bookstores


The Borders' Educator Appreciation Week will be March 19-March 27, with a special educator reception on Saturday, March 20, from 2-6pm.  During this special event there will be a raffle, giveaways and samples from their cafe.  Borders Bookstores appreciate all that you do for the children in our community and want to make sure that they give back to you, so during this special event their usual educator discount will go from 25% to 30% for personal and classroom purchases. 

Special Challenges Workshop


A local workshop is planned for moms of kids with special challenges called “A Never-Give-Up Heart”. It will be held Saturday, March 13th from 8:30 am -12:00 pm at Springs Community Church. Cost is $25 if you call or email before the deadline of March 1st . The price goes up to $30 after that.

For more information or to register, email specialheartministries-workshops@yahoo.com or call Bev at 531-0904. This workshop is directed towards moms, but teachers are also welcome. 

Cultural Communications UPDATE


Only 5% of Americans are ready and willing to command the public platform.

The Institute for Cultural Communicators trains Christian students to think, speak, and connect with audiences through comprehensive training events, designed to flood the five percent of willing public speakers with articulate Christians.


Registration is now open for the Colorado Springs 'Flood the Five' Conference April 16-17. More details coming soon.


Early Bird discount ends April 2, so hurry and register before the deadline! Please contact me if you have any questions! 



MORE INFORMATION HERE (http://www.instituteforculturalcommunicators.org/registration/default.aspx?id=27)

Karri Siebert 

The Thorn 2010


High Country and New Life Church would like to invite you to The Thorn 2010. For those of you not familiar with The Thorn, it is a dramatic portrayal of the passion of Jesus Christ, featuring live music, dance, aerial acrobatics, special effects, and more. It is a powerful presentation of the Gospel and is a great opportunity to bring friends and neighbors who need to hear the message of the Gospel. Shows are March 26 & 27 and April 2 & 3. Get your tickets today HERE or at (www.thethorn.net) or in the foyer after service at New Life Church. For more information, e-mail info@thethorn.net or call 888.317.4564. 

Pure Rebellion -


Pure Rebellion (www.pure-rebellion.com) Due to popular demand, this FREE event is coming back to Colorado Springs for an encore performance for two nights on April 15th and 16th, 2010. Desperation Conference www.desperationonline.com 

High School and Beyond Conference


Finishing the job in preparation for life March 27, 2010 – Denver Metro (Parker) Join us for a one-day homeschool conference specifically addressing the High School Years and Beyond! The High School and Beyond all day Seminar:
…help your child live out their calling by preparing now
…receive guidance on how to teach high school from experienced homeschool moms and dads
…plan ahead with our new college preparation and an entrepreneurial workshop
…explore mentorship and apprenticeship options through the AME program. Only $59 per family! Includes a full syllabus and resource booklet full of information. For schedule and registration information, visit HERE. (
www.chec.org)

The Christian Connecter


The Christian Connector (www.christianconnector.com) is a "one-stop-shop" for receiving free information from Christian colleges. They have over 100 Christian colleges and Bible colleges ready to send you information! Completing the free information request form is like attending a huge Christian college fair without ever leaving home. They also offer a $2,500.00 Christian college scholarship drawing. The site has dozens of links to Christian colleges, as well as admissions and financial aid tips and more. All of their information services are offered absolutely free! U.S. students considering undergraduate Christian colleges can also take advantage of their free Christian College Scholarship Resource Program.