Music Competition

Thursday, June 4 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Ages 5 – 19

Children's Program

Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, June 4, 5, & 6
Ages 5 -12

Teen Program

Friday, June 5 & Saturday, June 6
Ages 13+

Photography

Beginning and Intermediate Photography add-on classes. Check below for details!

Dissection

Thursday, June 4 2 a.m. – 5 p.m. Ages 9+ Parent required

More Thursday Add-ons!

Scroll down to view the options!

We’re Sorry! Most Add-ons Are Full. Please Check At-the-door Registration.

But you can still join us onsite for an amazing convention!

Something for Everyone at the Convention!

Make this convention an unforgettable experience for the whole family. 

There are add-on events to suit every age and interest.

How to Add Events

Add your choice of events when you register for the convention. Questions? Ask the Help Desk.

Already registered for the convention?

Request to add an event to your registration here.

Questions? Call the HEAV office, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 804-278-9200.

Preregistration is closed. Please join us at-the-door!

Questions? Please call the HEAV office, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 804-278-9200
children and teen add-ons children's programs

Children's Program

Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, June 4, 5, & 6
Ages 5 -12
$35/non-members/child/day.

Strong & Courageous

This year, join us in Kingdom Courageous as we train to become Knights of God!

During our adventure, your children will memorize Bible verses, learn praise and worship songs, complete themed crafts, and have the chance to release their energy through active, exciting games! Activities are geared for children ages 5 to 12.

Learn more about the Children’s Program here.

children and teen add-on - teen program class

Teen Program

Friday, June 5 & Saturday, June 6
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ages 13+
$99/student

Odyssey
What would change if teens saw life as an odyssey—one worth preparing for?

This year, the Unbound Teen Track invites students to step back and see life through a wider, more purposeful lens. As Christians, we aren’t called to chase quick wins or easy paths; we’re called to live with endurance, hope, and conviction for the long haul.

Learn more about “Odyssey” here.

music competition - new

Music Competition

Thursday, June 4
2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ages 5 – 19
$29/member; $39/non-member

Share the skills you worked so hard to develop! Homeschool musicians can compete in three categories: piano, vocal, and instrumental. Cash prizes are given in each category, and the winners will be recognized at one of the three keynote sessions.

Learn more about the Music Competition here.

Pre-registration is required. 

Launchpoint young entrepreneurs teen add-on

LaunchPoint: Business Pitch Competition

Thursday, June 4
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ages 12+
$39/student

Have a big idea and the drive to build it? The Young Entrepreneur Pitch Competition gives ambitious tweens and teens the chance to pitch a business idea in just 30 seconds—and walk away with real rewards. Competitors vie for cash prizes of $250, $150, and $100, plus FREE Young Entrepreneur Booths at the 2027 HEAV Convention, offering a rare opportunity to showcase and sell their ideas to thousands of attendees. It’s fast-paced, high-energy, and designed to turn creativity into confidence—whether you’re dreaming up your first venture or refining one already in motion.

Get more Launchpoint Pitch Competition here. 

elementary art add-on

Beginning Art - Young Musicians of Virginia

Thursday, June 4
10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Elementary ages 9+
$49/student

Experience the genius of great composers—and connect what you hear to what you see.

In this immersive, hands-on activity, YMV art and music instructors guide participants in bringing scenery to life through sound and image. Students learn how composers use rhythm, melody, tempo, and dynamics to evoke visual scenes, then listen to carefully selected musical works designed to spark the imagination.

Each musical experience is paired with a guided art project, allowing participants to translate what they hear into what they create. Along the way, students explore techniques used by master composers and experiment with a variety of art media.

Selections are drawn from the standard orchestral repertoire, including works by George Gershwin and Antonio Vivaldi, offering a rich introduction to how music and visual art intersect to tell a story.

Pre-registration is required.

middle/high school art add-on

Intermediate Art

Thursday, June 4
2 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Middle & High School Ages (13-18)
$49/student

Experience the genius of great composers—and connect what you hear to what you see.

In this immersive, hands-on activity, YMV art and music instructors guide participants in bringing scenery to life through sound and image. Students learn how composers use rhythm, melody, tempo, and dynamics to evoke visual scenes, then listen to carefully selected musical works designed to spark the imagination.

Each musical experience is paired with a guided art project, allowing participants to translate what they hear into what they create. Along the way, students explore techniques used by master composers and experiment with a variety of art media.

Selections are drawn from the standard orchestral repertoire, including works by George Gershwin and Antonio Vivaldi, offering a rich introduction to how music and visual art intersect to tell a story.

Pre-registration is required.

children and teen add-on Sience

Science Dissection: Mystery of Science

Thursday, June 4
2 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ages 10-17
A parent or adult must be present.
$69/student
Additional $10 supply fee for gloves. 
Students will be handling dry ice and ammonia.

Join Karri Iverson—veteran homeschooling mom, teacher, and author of The Mystery of Science—for an action-packed afternoon exploring biology, physics, and chemistry. Watch acids and bases change color, identify states of matter, and explore the unique characteristics of dry ice.

Participate in a hands-on sheep pluck dissection (heart, lungs, and trachea) to explore how lungs inflate and oxygen moves through the body—an amazing example of how God designed our body systems to work together. You’ll keep track of your experiments in a lab journal (parents—yes, this counts for science!). Come curious. Leave amazed. Science is explored hands-on, thoughtfully taught, and grounded in wonder—with a clear emphasis on the Creator behind it all.

Pre-registration is required. A parent MUST attend with the student.

leatherworking teen add-on

Leatherworking - Artisan Kids Hub

Thursday, June 4
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ages: 12+
$120/student

In this hands-on leatherworking workshop, students ages 12 and up will be introduced to the art of leatherworking under the guidance of Lincoln Cashell, a young artisan who has built a thriving handmade leather business from the ground up. Lincoln also teaches the lost trades online in his family’s Artisan Kids Hub. This beginner-friendly class invites students to slow down, work with their hands, and experience the satisfaction of creating something real and lasting.
Participants will learn:

  • Choosing the Right Leather — understanding different types of leather and how to select the best one for a project
  • Building a Beginner Leather Tool Shop — what tools are essential and how to start simply and wisely
  • Core Leatherworking Techniques — step-by-step instruction in cutting, shaping, stitching, and finishing using professional tools
  • Personalization & Design — how adding initials, tooling, embossing, or dye can turn a handmade piece into something truly special
  • Finishing Touches — sealing and polishing leather so it ages beautifully over time

This workshop is perfect for students who love working with their hands, enjoy building things, or are curious about traditional trades and entrepreneurship. No prior experience is required—just a willingness to learn and try.

Pre-registration required.

embroidery

Embroidery - Teapot Society

Thursday, June 4 
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Ages 9-16
$59/students

In this interactive Teapot Society workshop, 13-year-old Holly Cashell—whose family owns the historic Mayhurst Estate built by James Madison’s family—guides girls ages 9–16 in learning two staple heritage skills once taught in early American homes. Participants will practice introductory embroidery as Holly will share how this skill and many others like these shaped the lives of America’s Founding Mothers. Girls will leave with handmade creations and a renewed appreciation for patience, craftsmanship, and the mentorship of history.

soldering teen add-on

Soldering for Kids - Applied Inspirations

Thursday, June 4 
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ages 8-12
$39

2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Ages 13-18
$39

More than just soldering, this hands-on introduction to electronics could spark an entirely new academic—and career—direction. We’ve seen students rethink their path after discovering just how engaging and accessible electronics can be.

Participants will learn the fundamentals of soldering while gaining exposure to the science behind simple circuits. By the end of the workshop, each student will take home a working LED circuit module to continue experimenting, testing ideas, and building confidence long after the session ends.

For some students, this is simply a fun, skill-building experience. For others, it’s the moment they discover a field they never knew to consider.

Pre-registration required.

children and teen add-on speech and debate class

Speech and Debate - NCFCA

Thursday, June 4
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ages: 12-18
$39/student

Always Prepared:
Learning to Speak Up on Issues and Ideas that Matter

In this interactive workshop led by NCFCA Christian Speech & Debate, students will learn the foundational skills of impromptu public speaking. Participants quickly assess a topic or question, clarify and organize their thoughts, and communicate ideas clearly under pressure.

Students will also develop effective delivery techniques, learn to connect with an audience, and gain confidence speaking on a wide range of subjects, including current events and matters of faith. This hands-on session equips students with practical tools they can use immediately, whether speaking in competition, the classroom, or everyday life.

Pre-registration for the convention is required.

children and teen add-on beginning photography class

Beginning Photography - Lenspiration

11Friday, June 5 – Saturday, June 6
Ages 11+
$79

Beginner Photography is a series of four interactive classroom sessions centered around learning practical photography skills regardless of what camera or skill level you have.

Bring any camera! Let’s go in-depth and more hands-on than a regular convention presentation.

With the theme of “Learning to See Light,” topics include

  • exploring ways to make the most of whatever lighting situation you are in,
  • understanding the three major attributes of light in photography,
  • using light to create an emotional impact in your photos,
  • taking full advantage of whatever time of day you are shooting in, and
  • seeing how professional lighting works in a portable studio.
  • live photo coaching and critique.

Pre-registration required.

Get more Beginner Photography details here.

children and teen add-ons Intermediate photography class

Intermediate Photography - Lenspiration

Thursday, June 4 through Saturday, June 6
Ages 13+
$99/student

Step outside the classroom and into a real-world experience! Photography Team members will receive real-time coaching during guided photo shoots as they help photograph the Convention.

Orientation and coaching begin on Thursday, focusing on gaining practical experience. You’ll photograph speakers, families, and Convention activities while learning the entire event photography workflow—from capturing images to editing them—using your own equipment, laptop, and photo editing software.

On Friday and Saturday, we’ll join sessions for artistic inspiration, broader instruction, and personalized photo coaching and critique. This is your chance to experience what event photography is really like!

Pre-registration required.

Get more Advanced Photography information here.

ASVAB teen add-on

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

Thursday, June 4
2 p.m. – 5 p.m. (check-in 1:45 p.m.)
Ages: High School Juniors & Seniors Only
FREE

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a standardized test that measures your student’s aptitude, strengths, and potential in areas like math, verbal skills, science, and technical skills. The test helps identify careers that may be a good fit for them.

Pre-registration for the convention is required.
Students MUST bring a laptop.

Pre-registration is closed. Please join us onsite to register!

Questions, please call the HEAV office, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 804-278-9200.

Intermediate Chess

intermediate chess add-on

Thursday, June 4
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Ages 7 – 19 (currently homeschooled)

Intermediate Chess Details

Presented by Robbie Jackson with Virginia Chess Federation

Suitable for students who are proficient in all material covered in the crash course, this mini-camp will include instruction on tactics, endgame techniques, and an introduction to strategic concepts, particularly positional assessment and pawn structure.

Pre-registration is required.

Chess Championships

chess championships add-on

Friday, June 5
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ages 7 – 19 (currently homeschooled)

Chess Championships

Presented by the Virginia Chess Federation.

In this course, students will learn the basics of the game of chess including terminology, board orientation and setup, piece movements including castling and en passant, basic defense and calculations, opening principles, basic checkmate patterns, and a brief introduction to tactics.

Location: Exhibit Hall

Pre-registration for the convention is required.

Chess Championships Page Click Here

Beginner Chess

chess beginner add-on

Thursday, June 4
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ages 7 – 19 (currently homeschooled)

Beginner Chess Details

Presented by Robbie Jackson of Virginia Chess Federation

Beginner Chess
Ages 7 – 19 (currently homeschooled)

In this course, students will learn the basics of the game of chess including terminology, board orientation and setup, piece movements including castling and en passant, basic defense and calculations, opening principles, basic checkmate patterns, and a brief introduction to tactics.

Pre-registration is required.

Convention Sponsors

Many thanks to our convention sponsors!

They have invested heavily in homeschool families—in YOU—to help keep our convention prices as low as possible and support homeschooling in Virginia. Please join us in thanking them for their generosity!