Feast of Ideas Retreat
A Charlotte Mason Educational Gathering
You are invited to experience beauty, goodness, and truth through the lens of Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education at the
Feast of Ideas Retreat:
A Charlotte Mason Educational Gathering.
Whether you are an experienced Charlotte Mason educator or you haven’t yet met Charlotte Mason’s philosophy, you are welcome to join us as we joyfully immerse ourselves in Charlotte Mason’s principles for education.
Where: The Crossing Retreat Center, Lexington, NE
When: January 15-17, 2026
The 2026 Feast of Ideas Retreat plenary sessions will feature experienced Charlotte Mason educator and co-editor of Commonplace Quarterly, Mariah Kochis.
Plan to experience additional break-out sessions with speakers from Living Feast Collective! And, of course, no Charlotte Mason gathering would be complete without folk songs, folk dancing, picture study, nature study, book discussion, handicrafts, and a lively Shakespeare performance.
More information about registration and retreat policies can be found HERE.
Speakers and Breakout Session Leaders
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Mariah Kochis
Plenary Speaker
Mariah is a homeschool mom of three—the oldest is now a speech therapist—and a longtime Charlotte Mason educator. She’s an editor at Common Place Quarterly, an idealist stuck in the real world, and doing her best to mind her own business, love like Jesus, and give everyone—including herself—grace. She lives in Wyoming with her husband and children, a mother down the street, two dogs, and seven chickens.
We are grateful to welcome Mariah as our plenary speaker! Her emphasis will be on homeschooling through the storms.
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Lisa Hajda
Breakout Session Leader
Lisa Hajda has been adhering to Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education for almost 35 years as she homeschooled her ten children. With one child still at home, Lisa continues to enjoy every aspect of a Charlotte Mason education, seeking beauty in nature, the arts, science, literature—and the relationships she has in the Charlotte Mason community.
Please join Lisa for her breakout session: Charlotte Mason’s Secrets!
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Sara Holmquist
Breakout Session Leader
Sara Holmquist is an entrepreneur, Charlotte Mason homeschooling mom of four, and co-owner of Normal Roasting Company alongside her husband, Josh. When she’s not running businesses or wrangling kids, she’s likely reading aloud, exploring the great outdoors, or crafting something by hand. She’s passionate about fostering a thriving homeschool community—preferably with a fresh cup of coffee in hand.
Please join Sara for her breakout session: The Neverending Notebook!
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Christine Kremer
Breakout Session Leader
Christine Kremer is a founding member of the Living Feast Collective, wife to Micah, and mother of nine. Passionate about education and empowering mothers, Christine brings wisdom, vision, and heart to all she does. She’s known for her thoughtful insight—and her love of a good literary tragedy.
Please join Christine for her breakout session: Beauty Will Save the World!
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Hannah Cone
Breakout Session Leader
Hannah Cone is a devoted wife to Brandon and mother of four. She has been involved in Living Feast Collective since its beginning and brings a heart for community to everything she does. Known for her love of hospitality and a good laugh, Hannah is passionate about building strong connections among families and helping create a warm, welcoming environment for all.
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Amelia Rodgers
Breakout Session Leader
Amelia Rodgers is a second-generation homeschooler who has loved using Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy while homeschooling her own children for the past 10 years. She is impacted daily by the rich, welcoming, and enlivening atmosphere that this lifestyle provides, both for her children and herself.
Please join Amelia for her breakout session: The Art of Narration!
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Clara Williams
Breakout Session Leader
Clara Williams is a second-generation homeschooling mother of four daughters. Her ideal day consists of plenty of time to read aloud and create with fiber arts. Always up for a cup of tea and a good laugh, Clara is grateful for the wisdom Charlotte Mason has given her to educate her children in a way that enables them to better know God and the world He created.
Please join Clara for her breakout session: Curating Your Living Library!
Retreat Schedule
Thursday, January 15, 2026
4:00pm—Registration Opens
5:00pm—Supper
6:15pm—Plenary I Session with Mariah Kochis
8:30pm—Group Folk Dancing
Friday, January 16, 2026
7:15am—Morning Prayer
8:00am—Breakfast
9:00am—Plenary II Session with Mariah Kochis
11:00am—Breakout I
12:00pm—Lunch
1:00pm—Reflection (or nap!)
2:15pm—Breakout II
3:45pm—Crafternoon! Supplies and instruction provided for embroidered felt bookmarks and/or bring your own crafts to work on
5:30pm—Supper
6:45pm—Book Discussion on Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
8:00pm—Thirty-minute Shakespeare: Julius Caesar
Saturday, January 17, 2026
7:15am—Worship
8:00am—Breakfast
9:00am—Plenary III with Mariah Kochis
10:30am—Panel Q&A
12:00pm—Lunch
1:00pm--Departure
Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session I
Choose one breakout session to attend!
Charlotte Mason’s Secrets with Lisa Hajda
Margaret Coomb’s thoroughly researched biography of Charlotte Mason gives us a broader understanding of the context of her life and the development of her philosophy of education
Beauty Will Save the World with Christine Kremer
Exploring how placing beauty before your student can train their hearts and minds to love the beautiful and be drawn towards Christ.
The Neverending Notebook with Sara Holmquist
Notebooking: because a full life beats a full notebook. Join us for a lighthearted, honest look at how Charlotte Mason-style notebooks can nourish your homeschool—and your soul—one imperfect page at a time.
Breakout Session II
Choose one breakout session to attend!
Curating Your Living Library with Clara Williams
Charlotte Mason says, “…children must have books, living books; the best are not too good for them; anything less than the best is not good enough….” Spend some time exploring the concept of what makes up a “living book,” as well as discussing some practical tips for the curation and organization of your own living library.
The Art of Narration with Amelia Rodgers
We know that narration is an essential part of a Charlotte Mason education. But what exactly is narration? And what does it look like in our 21st-century homeschool? This breakout will explore what Mason said about narration, the power of narration as an educational tool, and how to practically do narration in your home without losing your mind.
Title to Come with Hannah Cone