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| Blog Owner: | [ Homeschool ALUMNI ] |
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| Contributors: | [ Camden Spiller, Hannah Georgeff ] |
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At long last, we've confirmed a date for the 2013 National Reunion!
September 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th!
Location to be announced shortly!
More to come...
If you're anywhere near Boise, ID this weekend, please join us at the 2013 Rocky Mountain Biblical Worldview Conference!
Several HSA members will be there, and Sarah and I are going to drive out there this weekend from Portland - so drop us a note if you can make it.
Hope to see you there!
- Camden
The National Reunion is unique event, and finding a host facility has always been a challenge... but even more so this year.
We've been in discussions with a several potential facilities to host the National Reunion this year, and unfortunately, we've struggled to find one with the right mix of features, pricing and -- more often the case this year -- summertime availability.
The Reunion is one of the personal highlights of my year, so I'm sad to've had to make this call, but at this point we feel like we need to invest all our energies in to 2013 and forgo the prospect of what could only be, at this point, a last-minute scramble.
If you're like me, you're probably pretty bummed about it, but we really appreciate ya'lls friendship, support, prayer, and understanding for everything it takes pull this event together.
Since we took the year off in 2010 and kind of started this every-other-year thing, some of the feedback we've received actually indicates that people would be more interested in a a big National Reunion every-other-year, so as to give more opportunity for people to put together informal, member-organized, regional/local get togethers in the off years.
What do you think of this? Do you prefer the every-other-year approach or, if we could pull it off, would you prefer to have the National Reunion every year?
Either way, I hope you're not overly disappointed and can share our excitement as we shift focus on preparing for the 2013 Homeschool ALUMNI National Reunion. My goal is for us to have a date and location announced this fall so we can give everyone plenty of time to plan ahead.
I hope personally be able to get around to at least a few of the regional/local events myself this summer, so I hope to see you there!
Camden Spiller
Founder / Director,
Homeschool ALUMNI
We're working to finalize arrangements for the host 2012 facility this year (location yet to be announced), and there's something we'd like your feedback on...
As you know, we go to great lengths to keep the cost of the event as low as possible, and one of the greatest expenses is the venue itself.
Summer weekends are prime-season for reserving retreat and conference centers, so one option that's surfaced this year is the option of having the event midweek; Tuesday thru Friday instead of the traditional Thursday thru Sunday.
Depending on the facility we choose, a midweek schedule could reduce registration costs by 25-30%.
Homeschooler's like to save money, so the midweek option is compelling, but on the other hand, it would require everyone to take a couple more days off of work, school, etc., so we wanted to reach out to you for your input.
What do you think?
Are you thinking about coming to the 2012 National Reunion?
If so, would a ~25% reduction in cost with a mid-week schedule increase or decrease your likelihood of attending?
Update: We've added a handy little poll option here - please vote, but also weigh in with your comments in reply - it's always good to hear what you're thinking!
We give you... the 2011 Homeschool ALUMNI National Reunion Group Photo!! Thank you to Bradi Spiller, Riley Spiller and the Bonclarken Staff guy for capturing this awesome picture! (By the way, keep an eye out for the great big, official album of Reunion photos that's coming soon.)
This year's Reunion was... incredible! So in recognition of those who made it happen we'd like to say a big THANK YOU to all of this year's HSA Reunion Volunteers:
Reunion Host
Daniel Gardner
Speakers
Voddie Baucham
Israel Wayne
Round Table Discussion Co-hosts
Camden Spiller & Mercy Hope
Talent Show Director
Mac Spiller
Registration Coordinator & Graphic Designer
Sarah Spiller
Communications Director
Hannah Georgeff
Transportation Coordinator
Leah Sargent
English Country Dance Host
Laura Plett
Interactive Audience Technology Director
Caleb Sturtevant
Audio & Stage Director
Joseph Sturtevant
Team Leaders
Bradi Spiller
Daniel Hernandez
Drew Boon
Emily Spiller
Israel Wayne
Jason Craig
Lizzy Stewart
Mary Kate Gygax
Nathan Skirvin
Noelle Magnell
Medical & Emergency Team
Allison Reilly
Tyson Bond
Registration & HSA Store Attendants
Amber Covington
Angela Covington
Beth Cardoza
Glory Savage
Stage Hands
Cory Warren
Daniel Hernandez
Mitch Warren
Peter Hernandez
Official Photographers + Folks Who Gave Us Their Photos
Amber Van Vleet
Angela Covington
Bradi Spiller
Daniel Gardner
Elizabeth Stewart
Hannah Georgeff
Natalie Roth
Riley Spiller
Beth Cardoza
Caleb Young
Hannah Cason
John Calvin Young
John Cook
Katie Allison
Laura Curran
Megan Kunkel
Olivia Fletcher
Roger Sisk
Sara Geny
Praise & Worship Team
Amy Burback (vocals)
Daniel Gardner (vocals & guitar)
Leah Sargent (violin)
Mac Spiller (vocals & guitar)
Megan Kunkel (piano)
Mercy Hope (vocals)
Talent Show Participants
Drew & Crew: Drew Boon, Amanda Howell, Amy Burback, Amylia Grace, & Elijah Lofgren
Leah Sargent
Rita Kopp & Emily Johnson
Travis Tyson
Anna Helgerson & Maghan Kunkel
Sarah Northrop
Amber & Angela Covington
Sheen Sisters & Co: Raquelle & Heather Sheen, Katie Allison, Mary Kate Gygax & Merrianna Mutton
Anna & Mary Warnke
Reunion Directors
Camden & Sarah Spiller
Attendees
Thank YOU!! We had the best of times and hope you did too! 
The Homeschool ALUMNI National Reunion is TOMORROW!!
Which means it's time to point you to some cool information (that's actually been updated) from the Schedule page...
Registration and reception will begin at 4:30 PM on Thursday, June 30th and the closing ceremony will wrap up around noon on Sunday, July 3rd.
Also, keep an eye on the forums for volunteer-organized pre- and post-reunion events here.
See you soon!!
So! With the Reunion being just a few days are away, are you organizing your trip to Flat Rock, NC?
Because you should totally plan to come a day early to the Reunion or stay a few days late! Flat Rock, NC is close by numerous opportunities for hiking, rafting, rock climbing, and caving in the surrounding mountains as well as minutes from shopping, dining, museums, and parks
Here are some links for you (from the Local Attractions page) The Thomas Wolfe Home, The Pisgah National Forest, Chimney Rock State Park, The Biltmore Estate, The Carl Sandburg Home and Museum, Historic Blue Ridge Parkway, Flat Rock, Lake Lure, Caesar's Head State Park & Tablerock Sate Park.
Also! If you're hoping to spend even more time with other HSAers, be sure to check out the 2011 Reunion Forum for Before & After events.
Hope to see you around!
(L-R) - The Biltmore Estate, Chimney Rock State Park, Historic Blue Ridge Parkway, Thomas Wolfe Home, Pisgah National Forest, Carl Sandburg Home and Museum
Don't worry, it's not quite time to pack just yet! 
But we wanted to let you all know in advance about a great little packing page on the main Reunion site...
Hello there Reunion Attendees!
Registration closed last night, so the official countdown to the actual Homeschool ALUMNI 2011 National Reunion beings NOW!
While we wait for the day to finally arrive we wanted to share with you some of the exciting things we've been up to... because we're finalizing details left and right over here!!
So far we put the final touches on the Reunion Autograph Book and then sent it off to be printed! This year we are printing the Scavenger Hunt inside. PLUS, each page has been completely custom designed!
We purchased a whole bunch of snazzy plastic bags in which to package the pile of loot ya'll will receive on the first day of the event! We don't want to spoil too many of the little surprises, but the bags will be color-coordinated to match the teams this year.
The official Reunion T-Shirts became a reality this passed week too! Can't wait to see what you guys think of the design! Until then though, the color is also a surprise! A lot of you have asked about that but I assure you it's not a strange color or odd design. Never fear, we've got style! What color do you think it will be?
Registration was also organized! It's so great to see so many old and new names!! AND we're working on the outline for the Round Table Discussion! Or should we say, Camden's putting a lot of great work into it. He can't wait to share this with you guys at the Reunion!
This year's MC, Daniel, reminds us what to bring: "Reunion checklist: √ toothbrush, √ camera, √ clean socks and √ medium-sized suitcase full of fun." And a tip from our ECD host, Laura: "Don't wear high heels, wear something that has grip & will stay on your feet."
Okay, that's all for now folks! Just 13 days, 4 hours, 52 minutes & 10 seconds left to go!!
We simply can't wait to see you soon!! Woohoo!
Did you know that Registration for the 2011 Homeschool ALUMNI National Reunion closes in just 4 days?
Well, now you do! So, if you want be there for the "fellowship, friendship, foodship and a whole bunch of other things" be sure to...
We're really looking forward to seeing YOU there!!