Stepping Stones is North Iowa's Homeschool Association, associated with the Homeschool Iowa (Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators). We are an ecumenical group of Christian believers that share a Christ-centered approach to homeschooling. Our methods and curriculum are varied, but our core is the same, God in Christ. We strive to offer support, encouragement, and fellowship to our members.
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, divinely preserved Word of God, the supreme and final authority for all faith and life. We believe there is one God, externally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, and His imminent bodily return in power and glory. We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict mankind; indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service. We believe man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin and is therefore lost, and only those who put their faith in Jesus Christ alone, not trusting in any personal works whatsoever, can be saved. We believe salvation is the free gift of God brought to the sinner by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose substitutionary death on the cross paid the penalty for man’s sin. We believe in celibacy in singleness and that marriage is between one man and one woman.
Each Stepping Stones family agrees, through its Stepping Stones membership, to commit to the following:
- We will strive to participate as time, talent, and treasure allow, understanding we all have much to contribute and many hands make light work.
- We will maintain discipline of our children while involved in any group activity, co-op, outing, or field trip.
- We will be considerate of other member’s time by being punctual as outlined in the Rules of Conduct.
- We will independently home educate our children.
Each month during the school year, events are organized and planned by the Leadership Team for our group. Participation is encouraged, but is optional, of course. We hope that each family prayerfully considers what events would benefit their family. Members are encouraged to plan activities they would like to do as well and the Leadership Team will advertise it for the group.
Here are some examples of activities and field trips we have organized in the past:
- ART Exhibition, Forensics Study, Etiquette Meal
- Roller Skating, Sledding, Fossil Park Adventure
- Activites at the Lime Creek Nature Center
- TEEN events: Movie Night, Game Night, Bonfire/Hayride
- Police or Fire Station Tour
- Winter Olympics
- KIMT TV Tour, Globe Gazette (local newspaper)
HSLDA - Home School Legal Defense Association
The Home School Legal Defense Association is a non-profit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms. Through annual memberships, HSLDA is tens of thousands of families united in service together, providing a strong voice when and where needed.
Homeschool Iowa
Homeschool Iowa (previously known as the Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators - NICHE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of home educators in Iowa. They provide valuable information and encouragement through their monthly newsletters, website & annual conference.
MACHE - Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators
MACHE is a statewide organization for parents who have chosen to home educate. MACHE endeavors to provide information to the home educator and act as an effective vehicle to facilitate and safeguard the Christian home education opportunity in Minnesota.