Ark Encounter, Answers Center
We aren’t just raising kids; we’re raising souls who will live for eternity. It’s a weighty task we must take seriously if we’re to do it well to the glory of God. And we’re here to help equip you to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith for a godly legacy that continues for generations.
Join us for Answers Homeschool Experience—more than a homeschool conference, it’s a family experience! With three days of faith-building experiences for the whole family at the world’s leading Christian themed attractions: the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky. Enjoy:
Don’t miss this opportunity to make fun family memories while training yourself and your family for what really matters—eternity.
The ease of access to all workshops and the comfort of the auditorium and access to the event from the hotel in addition to the plethora of materials and information and engagement for all ages. Super family friendly. Clean grounds. Friendly staff. Great value for the price.
The sessions have been extremely encouraging to our family. It’s a spiritual refresher we look forward to every year.
It’s our third year, and we love it just as much as the first! Being able to take my family on a vacation that points them to their Creator is such a gift. And I get to be encouraged on the journey of homeschool. It’s a win-win!
The thoughtful speakers and content and the incredibly hospitable atmosphere for families with lots of littles!
It is a great way to get to know more homeschoolers. Also the speakers are all amazing. The homeschool conference is also the best way to see the Creation Museum and the Ark as a family.
We love the organization of the event [and] the pleasant attitudes of everyone (staff, attendees, speakers, etc.). My kids enjoy the classes and the playground. And the fact that everything points back to Christ is huge! We don’t have to worry about what will be said and if we will have to explain to our kids why what was said is wrong.
The speakers are so helpful and encouraging. Perfect for all ages. Really helps homeschoolers come together and learn new things. Wonderful time to worship and fellowship!
We’ve loved attending, enjoyed all the speakers and activities and experiences on offer. And just love that it’s such a biblically based homeschool and life schooling for all ages, experiences of information, encouragement, and resource.
What makes this conference different is more family oriented, great workshops for whole family, lots to do at the venue that is fun and educational, inspirational speakers.
It was one of the most educational homeschool experiences we have had. Being at the Ark definitely enhances the whole experience.
All young people (ages 13+) are invited to audition to attend the Academy of Arts workshop and participate in a special performance. Please follow this link for more information and to register for this special workshop: https://theacademyofarts.org/aig-homeschool/.
Register online to ensure your place at this experience!
Registration includes seven-day admission to the Ark Encounter and the nearby Creation Museum. Parking is also included.
Price: Starting at
Individual: $129
Family: $299
Add-on options are available.
See registration page for details.
Registration is non-refundable.
Ken Ham
Speaker, Author, and Founder of Answers in Genesis
Heidi St. John
Host of The Heidi St. John Podcast, Author, Speaker
Keith and Kristyn Getty
Singers, Songwriters
Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne
President of Living Waters
Rachel Zwayne
Speaker
Costi Hinn
Pastor, Author, and Founder of For the Gospel
Christyne Hinn
Author
David and Jason Benham
Pro Athletes, Entrepreneurs, and Authors
Logos Theatre
Dr. Jennifer Hall Rivera
Director of Educational Programs, Speaker and Author
Roger Patterson
Author and AiG Speaker
Avery Foley
Writer and AiG Speaker
Patricia Engler
Author and AiG Speaker
Doug Henderson
Supervising Art Director
Joel Leineweber
Paleoartist, VP of Design & Web Development
Dr. George Matzko
Chemist, BJU Science Ambassador
K9 Encounter
TrueSong
Christian Music Group
The Praisemen
Jubilate English Handbell Choir
Appalachian Bible College
| Thursday, May 14, 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time | Description | Location |
| 9:30 a.m. | Maranatha Baptist University Praisemen | Answers Center Auditorium |
| 10:00 a.m. | Developing a True Christian Worldview | Ken Ham | Answers Center Auditorium |
| 12:00 p.m. | Whatever the Cost: Equipping You to Face Your Fears, Die to Your Dreams, and Live Powerfully | Benham Bros | Answers Center Auditorium |
| 1:15 p.m. | Animals After the Ark | Animal Actors Stage |
| 1:30 p.m. | A Biblical View of Work & Wealth | Benham Bros | Answers Center Auditorium |
| 1:30 p.m. | Hands on Science at Home | Roger Patterson | AC Lower Level Lab |
| 1:30 p.m. | One Race for Kids | Avery Foley Schu | AC Lower Level Rooms 1 & 2 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Detecting Lies | Patrica Engler | AC Lower Level Rooms 3 & 4 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Let’s Sculpt Dragons! | Doug Henderson and Joel Leineweber | AC Lower Level Rooms 7 & 8 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Fingerprints: Evidence of Divine Design? | Dr. Jennifer Rivera | AC Lower Level Rooms 9 & 10 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Horticulture and Greenhouse Tour | Ark Stern (right side) |
| 2:30 p.m. | Creature Feature | Animal Actors Stage |
| 3:30 p.m. | Navigating Fears, Doubts, and the Early Years of Homeschool | Costi & Christyne Hinn | Answers Center Auditorium |
| 3:30 p.m. | Hands on Science at Home | Roger Patterson | AC Lower Level Lab |
| 3:30 p.m. | One Race for Kids | Avery Foley Schu | AC Lower Level Rooms 1 & 2 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Detecting Lies | Patrica Engler | AC Lower Level Rooms 3 & 4 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Let’s Sculpt Dragons! | Doug Henderson and Joel Leineweber | AC Lower Level Rooms 7 & 8 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Fingerprints: Evidence of Divine Design? | Dr. Jennifer Rivera | AC Lower Level Rooms 9 & 10 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Horticulture and Greenhouse Tour | Ark Stern (right side) |
| 3:30 p.m. | TrueSong | Noah’s Village Stage |
| 3:30 p.m. | Creature Feature | Animal Actors Stage |
| 6:00 p.m. | Mom’s Night Out! | Emzara’s 2nd Floor |
| 6:00 p.m. | K9 Encounter | Answers Center Auditorium |
| Friday, May 15, 2026 | ||
| Time | Description | Location |
| 9:30 a.m. | Jubilate English Handbell Choir | Answers Center Auditorium |
| 10:00 a.m. | Will They Stand: Parenting Kids to Face the Giants | Ken Ham | Answers Center Auditorium |
| 12:00 p.m. | The Busy Mom’s Guide to Daylight: How to Fit Your Size 16 Day into a Size 10 | Heidi St. John | Answers Center Auditorium |
| 1:15 p.m. | Creatures of the Creator | Animal Actors Stage |
| 1:30 p.m. | Culture Shock: How to Equip Your Kids to Thrive in a Post-Christian Era | Heidi St. John | Answers Center Auditorium |
| 1:30 p.m. | Hands on Science at Home | Roger Patterson | AC Lower Level Lab |
| 1:30 p.m. | One Race for Kids | Avery Foley Schu | AC Lower Level Rooms 1 & 2 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Detecting Lies | Patrica Engler | AC Lower Level Rooms 3 & 4 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Let’s Sculpt Dragons! | Doug Henderson and Joel Leineweber | AC Lower Level Rooms 7 & 8 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Fingerprints: Evidence of Divine Design? | Dr. Jennifer Rivera | AC Lower Level Rooms 9 & 10 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Horticulture and Greenhouse Tour | Ark Stern (right side) |
| 2:30 p.m. | Creature Feature | Animal Actors Stage |
| 3:30 p.m. | Hands on Science at Home | Roger Patterson | AC Lower Level Lab |
| 3:30 p.m. | One Race for Kids | Avery Foley Schu | AC Lower Level Rooms 1 & 2 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Detecting Lies | Patrica Engler | AC Lower Level Rooms 3 & 4 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Let’s Sculpt Dragons! | Doug Henderson and Joel Leineweber | AC Lower Level Rooms 7 & 8 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Fingerprints: Evidence of Divine Design? | Dr. Jennifer Rivera | AC Lower Level Rooms 9 & 10 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Horticulture and Greenhouse Tour | Ark Stern (right side) |
| 3:30 p.m. | Jubilate English Handbell Choir | Noah’s Village Stage |
| 3:30 p.m. | Creature Feature | Animal Actors Stage |
| 6:00 p.m. | The Gettys in Concert | Answers Center Auditorium |
| Saturday, May 16, 2026 | ||
| Time | Description | Location |
| 9:30 a.m. | TrueSong | Answers Center Auditorium |
| 10:00 a.m. | Home Is the Headquarters (Deuteronomy 6:4–9) | Costi Hinn | Answers Center Auditorium |
| 12:00 p.m. | Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing: Exploring the Ultimate Goal of Home Education | Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne | Answers Center Auditorium |
| 1:15 p.m. | Sssensational Snakes | Animal Actors Stage |
| 1:30 p.m. | How to Nurture Your Marriage as a Homeschooling Couple | Emeal & Rachel Zwayne | Answers Center Auditorium |
| 1:30 p.m. | Hands on Science at Home | Roger Patterson | AC Lower Level Lab |
| 1:30 p.m. | One Race for Kids | Avery Foley Schu | AC Lower Level Rooms 1 & 2 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Detecting Lies | Patrica Engler | AC Lower Level Rooms 3 & 4 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Let’s Sculpt Dragons! | Doug Henderson and Joel Leineweber | AC Lower Level Rooms 7 & 8 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Fingerprints: Evidence of Divine Design? | Dr. Jennifer Rivera | AC Lower Level Rooms 9 & 10 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Horticulture and Greenhouse Tour | Ark Stern (right side) |
| 2:30 p.m. | Creature Feature | Animal Actors Stage |
| 3:30 p.m. | Homeschool Moms: Nurturing Relationships with Your Children | Rachel Zwayne | Answers Center Auditorium |
| 3:30 p.m. | Hands on Science at Home | Roger Patterson | AC Lower Level Lab |
| 3:30 p.m. | One Race for Kids | Avery Foley Schu | AC Lower Level Rooms 1 & 2 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Detecting Lies | Patrica Engler | AC Lower Level Rooms 3 & 4 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Let’s Sculpt Dragons! | Doug Henderson and Joel Leineweber | AC Lower Level Rooms 7 & 8 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Fingerprints: Evidence of Divine Design? | Dr. Jennifer Rivera | AC Lower Level Rooms 9 & 10 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Horticulture and Greenhouse Tour | Ark Stern (Right side) |
| 3:30 p.m. | TrueSong | Noah’s Village Stage |
| 3:30 p.m. | Creature Feature | Animal Actors Stage |
| 5:30 p.m. | Logos Theatre Presents The Pilgrim’s Progress | Answers Center Auditorium |
| Thursday, May 14 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time | Description | Location |
| 10:15 a.m. | God’s Amazing Creatures and Me | Wonders of Creation Stage |
| 11:00 a.m. | Did God Create over Millions of Years? | Dr. Terry Mortenson | Legacy Hall |
| 12:15 p.m. | Critter Connection | Wonders of Creation Stage |
| 1:00 p.m. | Invisible Properties of Air | The Matzkos | Legacy Hall |
| 2:15 p.m. | Critter Connection | Wonders of Creation Stage |
| 3:00 p.m. | Darwin and the Origin of Species: A New Way for Creationists to Win | Dr. Nathaniel Jeanson | Legacy Hall |
| Friday, May 15 | ||
| Time | Description | Location |
| 10:15 a.m. | God’s Amazing Creatures and Me | Wonders of Creation Stage |
| 11:00 a.m. | Refuting Modern Myths about Jesus Christ | Dr. Tim Chaffey | Legacy Hall |
| 12:15 p.m. | Critter Connection | Wonders of Creation Stage |
| 1:00 p.m. | Invisible Properties of Air | The Matzkos | Legacy Hall |
| 2:15 p.m. | Critter Connection | Wonders of Creation Stage |
| 3:00 p.m. | Jerusalem Revealed: Exploring Its Significance in History, Archaeology, and Biblical Studies | Dr. Tim Chaffey | Legacy Hall |
| Saturday, May 16 | ||
| Time | Description | Location |
| 10:00 a.m. | Invisible Properties of Air | The Matzkos | Legacy Hall |
| 11:00 a.m. | God’s Amazing Creatures and Me | Wonders of Creation Stage |
| 12:15 p.m. | Critter Connection | Wonders of Creation Stage |
| 1:00 p.m. | Did Dinosaurs Evolve into Birds? An Aeronautical Engineer’s Perspective | Kevin Hadsall | Legacy Hall |
| 2:15 p.m. | Critter Connection | Wonders of Creation Stage |
| 3:00 p.m. | Fossils and Rocks: Record of Creation and the Flood | Kevin Hadsall | Legacy Hall |
Hands On Science At Home: Discover how to bring science alive in your homeschool through engaging, hands-on experiments that reveal the wonder and order of God's design in creation. In this workshop, families will explore practical, low-cost science activities, all grounded in a biblical worldview that celebrates the Creator behind every discovery.
One Race for Kids: Today children are bombarded with critical race theory, DEI, and other "woke" messages. But the true answer to racism is found in God's Word. As we explore what the Bible and science say about "race," you'll be equipped to pass on a biblical worldview to the next generation.
Detecting Lies: We’re bombarded by messages that contradict the Bible. How can Christians think through any such message and reach a biblical, logical conclusion themselves? Find out in this practical workshop, where you’ll become equipped with a tool kit of biblical critical thinking skills for discerning fact from fiction. From spotting propaganda, to catching logical fallacies, to separating truth from assumption, these tools are not only invaluable for students but also relevant for any Christian in today’s secular culture.
Let’s Sculpt Dragons!: In this hands-on workshop, students will learn about how scientists and artists reconstruct dinosaurs and get to sculpt a colorful dinosaur head that they can take home and display.
Fingerprints: Evidence of Divine Design?: Have you ever wondered what type of fingerprint patterns are on your hands? Did you know that humans are not the only living things with fingerprints? God created each of us with a unique set of fingerprints. The development of fingerprints is still a mystery to scientists, but God in his infinite wisdom understands His intricate design. Fingerprints give us identity, but friction ridge skin also has a specific purpose. In this interactive workshop you will learn about the three types of fingerprint patterns, discover what makes fingerprints unique, and look at your own fingerprints under a magnifier. You will also discover why fingerprints are not evidence of evolution by learning about distinct differences between human fingerprints and animal fingerprints. The beauty and complexity of fingerprint design is truly evidence of the all-powerful Creator God. Join us as we take a look at your fingerprints and discover your unique patterns.
Invisible Properties of Air: The pressure of the atmosphere on the surface of the earth goes unnoticed by most, but understanding this concept is the key to many other important concepts in science. Join Dr. George Matzko and his wife Darlene for interactive demonstrations that will illustrate several properties of air. The orderliness of the universe, including the laws related to air pressure, reflect God’s purposeful design of the universe. You’ll never think about air the same way again!
Our partner hotels offer special rates to Ark Encounter guests. To receive these rates please book your hotel at arkencounter.com/places-to-stay.
Q: Can I register by mail and/or pay by check?
A: Online registration with credit card payment is the only method by which we can process registrations.
Q: Will I receive registration confirmation through the mail?
A: When you complete your registration, you should immediately receive confirmation on the screen (with an order number). This is your ticket to the conference. You can show it on your phone or print it off for admission.
Q: How do I get my passes to the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter?
A: Your registration includes a 7-day pass to the Ark and Creation Museum. The ticket you receive with your confirmation will get you on the bus that takes you to the Answers Center, where the conference is held. In the Answers Center, you will receive a name tag that will also serve as your ticket to the Ark and Creation Museum. The pass is valid May 9–21 and must include conference days. Please note that the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum are closed on Sundays.
Q. When and where do I check in?
A. Check-in begins at 9:00 AM each day of Homeschool Experience at the Ark Encounter Answers Center. You can check in anytime throughout the day. If you plan to visit the Creation Museum first, just show your Homeschool Experience ticket for admission.
Q: Is there a cost for the workshops and do I need to register?
A: All workshops are free, and seating is filled on a first come, first served basis. You will be asked to show your conference name badge to enter. ALL children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older. Youth aged 14–17 cannot be considered the responsible adult for younger siblings.
Q: What is the closest airport to the Ark Encounter/Answers Center?
A: The Greater Cincinnati/N. KY Airport (CVG) is located about 10 minutes from the Creation Museum and 45 minutes from Ark Encounter.
Q: Are there any discounts on hotels?
A: Our partner hotels offer special rates to Ark Encounter guests. To receive these rates, please book your hotel at ArkEncounter.com/places-to-stay.
Q: Is there a shuttle from the airport to the museum or the Ark?
A: There are no shuttles provided from the airport or hotels to the Creation Museum or Ark Encounter. If you fly in, you will need to rent a car. Also, check with your hotel to see if they have a shuttle to and from the airport.
Q: Does registration for the conference include meals?
A: Meals are not included in registration. Food is sold at the Olive Leaf Café in the Answers Center lobby and Emzara’s Buffet next to the Ark. There may also be other food vendors available as well as “picnic specials” sold in the lower level of the Answers Center for Homeschool Experience guests.
Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.