About the Conference
Be equipped, inspired, and refreshed at HSLDA’s annual National Leaders Conference, with a program cultivated just for you, the leaders who help make homeschooling possible! You’ll hear from encouraging speakers and enjoy fellowship with new and old friends as we all come together in service to homeschooling.
Event Highlights
Why Should I Attend?
LEARN
Gain new information and skills to grow as a leader and meet the needs of your homeschool group.
SHARE EXPERTISE
Compare notes, ask questions, and exchange insights with fellow leaders about how to support homeschooling families.
MAKE CONNECTIONS
Form friendships and build your network with others who understand the rewards and challenges of leadership.
RENEW
Relax and enjoy the fun, food, fellowship, and sightseeing, and refresh your faith with daily worship and devotions.
Program Details
The whole family is welcome at the National Leaders Conference! In addition to our adult program, we offer kids and teen programs for ages 5–19. Check out our program schedules to get an idea of what to expect."
Stay Informed
Join the conference Facebook group for the latest updates!Location
2026 Speakers

Kevin Boden and his wife, Wendi, became homeschooling parents in 2008, when their oldest child was in 1st grade. Now, many years later, they continue to educate all their children at home. Kevin is a graduate of Wheaton College and received his JD from Seattle University. Before joining HSLDA, Kevin served on active duty in the US Air Force for 10 years as a judge advocate, which allowed him and Wendi to homeschool in three different countries and five states. Kevin has served three years in the Alaska Air National Guard and continues his service as a drill-status guardsman. As an HSLDA staff attorney, Kevin serves as the primary contact for members in nine states and one territory. He is passionate about the freedom to homeschool and the blessings of being a dad. He also enjoys running, (almost) all things outdoors, and spending time with his family.

Chris Butler is a homeschool dad, pastor, advocate, and experienced organization builder with over 25 years dedicated to public service at the intersection of faith and civic life. He and his amazing wife, Aziza, have six wonderful children. Chris has pastored at Ambassador Church (formerly Chicago Embassy Church Network) for nine years. He also serves as the director of Christian Civic Formation at the Center for Christianity and Public Life, where he leads efforts to equip Christians for thoughtful and transformative engagement in the public square, creating resources and spaces that encourage spiritual and civic formation for the common good. Chris is a strong supporter of homeschooling freedom and parental rights, and his 2022 primary campaign, in which he ran from Chicago’s South Side as a pro-life Democrat for Illinois’s first congressional district, was endorsed by the HSLDA Action PAC. Chris holds a master's in theology from Northwest University and is a coauthor of Compassion (&) Conviction: The AND Campaign’s Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement.

Chrystal Evans Hurst is a speaker, best-selling author, coach, and entrepreneur who helps individuals and organizations lead with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose. As founder of The Sister Circle, Chrystal has built a thriving membership community and professional development platform that equips women through coaching, leadership training, live events, and digital education. Drawing from years of experience in leadership, communication, and personal growth, she helps leaders, communicators, and entrepreneurs strengthen their message, expand their influence, and create meaningful impact. Known for her ability to blend strategic insight with authentic storytelling, Chrystal speaks on leadership, communication, resilience, and purpose-driven growth. Her practical, engaging approach has made her a trusted voice for audiences seeking both inspiration and actionable results. Chrystal is passionate about helping people lead with intention, communicate with confidence, and live with lasting impact.

Since joining HSLDA to lead the litigation team in 2001, Jim Mason has represented homeschooling families in a wide range of challenging situations and has set precedents that have expanded freedom for the homeschool community. Under Jim’s leadership, HSLDA’s 4th Amendment litigation work has changed the way three states (North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico) approach social services investigations. In Wilson v Russo, HSLDA won a $700,000 settlement for our client, a single parent whose children were seized by a rogue child protective services investigator. Jim was instrumental in litigating the 2008 California case Jonathan L., in which a state appellate court reversed its previous ruling that homeschooling was illegal. This put an end to years of controversy over the legal status of homeschooling in California and set a precedent that affects other states as well. Jim became the president of HSLDA in 2022 after serving as vice president of litigation and development for seven years. He also serves as the chairman of ParentalRightsFoundation.org. He and his wife Debbie live in Winchester, Virginia. They have seven children and seven grandchildren. The Masons homeschooled all of their children through high school.

Mike Schutt has served students as a Worldview Academy faculty member since 2002. Before taking on Worldview Academy's executive director role, he served as a clinical associate professor at Trinity Law School and director of the Institute for Christian Legal Studies, a cooperative ministry of the Christian Legal Society (where he directed the Law Student Ministries) and Regent University School of Law. He also taught on the faculty of Regent Law for 20 years. Mike’s book, Redeeming Law: Christian Calling and the Legal Profession, is an exhortation to students and lawyers on Christian integrity in the law. He lives in Mount Pleasant, Texas, with his wife, Lisa. They have three grown children and six grandchildren. Before entering academia, Mike practiced law in Fort Worth. He is an honors graduate of the University of Texas School of Law.

Bible Study Fellowship has been central to the Brockway family since 2011. Tad Brockway and his wife, Natalie, have served in volunteer leadership roles and their children have grown up in BSF. Tad has extensive experience in the technology industry and a passion for sharing God’s Word with people around the world! Tad joined BSF as chief technology officer after 25 years at Microsoft, where he held multiple product and engineering roles. Most recently, Tad was a corporate vice president in Microsoft Azure, where he led cloud product teams in the areas of computing, storage, networking, and 5G technologies. He has an MBA from the University of Washington and a BS in computer science from Western Washington University. Tad and Natalie live with their children in San Antonio, Texas, and have made multiple visits visits to many parts of India.

Darren Jones has worked at HSLDA since 1996, first as a legal assistant and then as an attorney in various capacities. He spends his time at the office: 20% talking to members in legal difficulties, persuading them that it’s not as bad as it could be and HSLDA has got their back; 60% advising homeschool group leaders about everything from crafting statements of faith (he prefers the Nicene Creed) to designing policies to protect children at co-ops; 10% writing legal briefs (and wondering how in the world documents of 30 pages can possibly be called “brief”); 10% keeping HSLDA and its sister organizations in compliance with the charitable solicitation laws of way too many competing jurisdictions; and 100% advocating for the fundamental right of parents to direct the education of their children. Darren and his wife, Sara, homeschool as a team and have graduated the oldest two of their four children. He enjoys board games, teaching Sunday school, and speaking at homeschool conferences around the country.

Peter Kamakawiwoole was born in New England and raised in Hawaii. He graduated first in his class (of one) from Keolahou Christian Academy (est. 1992, by Peter and Rhonda Kamakawiwoole), earning the honorific of “guinea pig” along the way. After high school, Peter attended Patrick Henry College, where he met his wife, Corrie. They live in Northern Virginia with their five children. After earning his law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law, Peter returned to Northern Virginia to join HSLDA as a staff attorney. As the director of litigation, Peter assists families across the country with legal difficulties ranging from administrative appeals and Social Security benefits to truancy proceedings and civil rights lawsuits.
Testimonials
HSLDA is a fantastic organization! We have been members for years and continue supporting their efforts through membership even though our youngest graduated two years ago. Valuable resources and wonderful people.
I would not have been able to purchase most of these supplies had we not received a grant. We are so grateful for those who have unselfishly donated to this fund. Our family’s life has been significantly impacted by their kindness and generosity.
Thank you for a grant this year. It came at a time when we couldn't have continued homeschooling without it. My 8-year-old daughter struggled to read. Now, two years later, because of homeschooling she is a wonderful reader and her fears are gone.
Meet Our People
We're privileged to have an amazing team of attorneys and educational consultants who are passionate about defending homeschooling families and helping them thrive.Have questions about the conference? Contact Us
2025 Sponsors
Special thanks to our sponsors, who make this event possible!
Interested in sponsoring? Please reach out to Trudi Miller by emailing trudim@hslda.org .
Newcomers Sponsor
Lunch Sponsor
Break Sponsor
Exhibitors
Meet Our People
We're privileged to have an amazing team of attorneys and educational consultants who are passionate about defending homeschooling families and helping them thrive.Cost to Attend
Children 4 and under are free, but no childcare is provided. Registration covers all sessions and catered meals. Lodging is not included; it is the responsibility of each attendee to make hotel reservations as needed.
*Reduced rate available through July 31, 2026
Registration closes on August 19, 2026.



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