Day 1 Sessions

SPARKS Sessions | 1:30-2:00 PM

Presenter: The Flourish Lab

We’re here to debunk the traditional notion of what leadership looks like. We define an ideal leader as: YOU AT YOUR ABSOLUTE BEST, whatever that looks like…. and growing from there. Leadership is a process, not a destination. This onpoint workshop helps identify and celebrate your unique blend of strengths (sometimes we call this your secret sauce!), and explores how to use them with intentionality in your work with youth.

Discover…

• How to name and celebrate your strengths.

• How to use your strengths as an anchor during difficult times.

•Your version of an ideal leader.

Session Title: Using Job Quality Standards to Reduce Recruitment and Retention Issues 

Presenter: Heid Ham

Description: The NAA OST Job Quality Standards, Usage Guide, and Assessment offer actionable guidelines to enhance job quality, encourage workforce development, and address the OST field’s recruitment and retention challenges. Join this session to learn more about the Standards and hear how various audiences–from systems- to program-level personnel–can use these resources to prioritize job quality and create a more stable and effective OST workforce, ultimately improving program access, quality, and outcomes for young people.

Session Title: Reflection that Resonates

Presenter: Kristen McFarland and Cassie McVay

Description: The importance of Reflection Practices in after school programs. Why reflection is important, reflection strategies and take home activities that focus on reflection in student learning. 

Learning Sessions A | 2:30-3:45 PM

Presenter: The Flourish Lab

Description: When we are at our best, the sun seems to shine brighter, and there’s a bounce in our step. We also have moments that feel quite the opposite. To address the ups and downs of life and work, this module explores inner critics, self-compassion and how to practice empathy for yourself so that you can be ready to lavish it on the children you serve.

Discover…

• that being human means having an inner critic

• strategies for building self-compassion and acceptance

• why self-empathy is a critical element in teaching empathy

Session Title: Designing for Belonging

Presenter: MIZZEN

Description: Join Mizzen Education for an interactive session that unpacks how and why high-quality youth programs begin with strong relationships and environments that promote belonging. Explore the meaning of belonging and othering and how to design practices for feeling, seeing, and shaping belonging that influence program design, delivery, and team culture. Expect to move, talk, play, and walk away with tools you can immediately use to make your program space more inclusive, joyful, and connected.

1) Understand the foundational role belonging and relationships plays in youth development and program quality

2) Be able to name and describe the dynamics of belonging and othering

3) Begin applying a belonging lens to program decisions and interactions with youth and teams

Presenter: The Flourish Lab

We like to think of goals as micro-plans with purpose. Goal-setting infuses any program and activity with naturally occurring opportunities for social and emotional growth. Goals nudge us to deal with disappointment, and make room for pure, unadulterated celebration (over and over again). This workshop celebrates the benefits and ease that can come from inspired goal setting.

Discover…

• How to formulate intentional goals for everyday activities

• The many benefits of goal setting for youth (and why it’s so worth the effort!)

• Strategies for in-the-moment celebration

Using Self-Care to Avoid Burnout is an evidence-based training designed to help educators and youth program staff recognize the signs of burnout and implement sustainable self-care strategies. Rooted in research on secondary trauma, emotional resilience, and workplace well-being, this session encourages reflection, boundary-setting, and the development of realistic, personalized self-care plans. Participants will explore the connection between wellness and program quality, and learn how to model healthy practices for their teams and students. Attendees will receive a printable self-care workbook and a shareable slide deck to use in staff meetings or professional development sessions. Ideal for leaders and direct service staff.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how burnout impacts both personal well-being and program effectiveness. They will leave with practical, research-backed strategies to manage stress, strengthen emotional resilience, and maintain healthy boundaries. The included self-care workbook and staff-ready slide deck empower participants to bring these tools back to their teams, fostering a culture of wellness and sustainability across their programs.

Presenter: Perrin Chick, Maine Math and Science Alliance
 
Description: We have all heard the trending phrases: Workforce Ready, Career Connected Learning, Pathways to employment…..There is definitely a lot of focus these days making sure our youth are ready to work. And rightly so, as there are lots of high paying STEM jobs available and these jobs require people to be creative problem solvers and critical thinkers and to have soft skills around communication and connection. Join this session and you will realize that afterschool educators are already extremely influential in this area. This will be a hands-on and engaging session that showcases some of the ACRES project free resources and has participants engaged in conversation about funding and policy trends.There will be tips and tricks and resources shared to help you feel more confident, connected and ready to nurture the STEM identities of youth.

SPARKS Sessions | 4:00-4:30 PM

Presenters: Shilo Johnson and Summer Lamprey

Description: The presenters will provide a brief overview of social and emotional milestones in this age group. We will ask participants to consider the range of social and emotional skills of the youth in their care, due to age, ability and experience. A local OST provider will provide examples about some activities she implemented intentionally enhance social and emotional development.

Participants will:
Review social and emotional development of 5-12 year-olds
Consider several activities to add to curriculum

Presenters: Rebecca Cote and Cindy Reardon

Description: Visual art modalities offer a variety of avenues for students to demonstrate what they have learned. In this hands on SPARKS workshop we will explore various methods of making that are engaging and expressive and demonstrate an understanding of content. Participants will walk away with strategies that allow students to express what they have learned.

Presenter: Heidi Ham, Chief Operating Officer, National AfterSchool Association

Description: Research shows that staff is critical to afterschool program quality, and staff diversity yields many important outcomes for children and youth. Youth-serving organizations must create inclusive environments for staff of all identities to thrive. Join this session to explore the resources and tools in the OST Leader’s Guide to Equitable Hiring and Staff Development.

Day 2 Sessions

Learning Sessions B | 10:30-11:45 AM

Presenter: The Flourish Lab

Description: 

It is our job to control the things we can: our lessons, time, space and materials. Planning ahead with intentionality allows us to focus on children in the moment, which is always the point. The message young people get with each well-thought-out lesson plan, choice of materials, or age-appropriate option, is that they matter. And that’s everything at The Flourish Lab. 

Discover…

• How to become a genius at managing time and materials • effective space planning for greater engagement

• The connection between lesson-planning and relationships and presence 

Presenter: The Flourish Lab

Description: Problem solving is a muscle and we get to help young people build it. The problem is, as adults we often try to solve problems for young people, instead of allowing them to figure it out for themselves. The challenge and invitation here, is to step out of your role as all-knowing adult, and into the role of coach. Our job is no less important from the back seat — as we celebrate the discoveries, validate feelings, offer choices and useful questions to guide our capable students. This workshop explores a variety of ways to help children solve personal, social and task-related problems; and offers creative ways to get out of the way while doing it.

Discover…

• Opportunities for youth to solve problems

• Problem-solving strategies to help students hone their problem-solving skills

• How to get out of the way, so that young people can build their own set of skills

Presenter: Kirsten Tennney – Full Plates

Description: Incorporating youth voice and choice fosters leadership, confidence, and belonging among young people. Safe spaces enable youth to advocate for themselves, engage in discussions, and drive positive change.

Youth perspectives lead to innovative solutions that reflect the diverse needs of the next generation. Schools, local governments, and community organizations can all increase youth voice in their work to create a vibrant, equitable future for all. Learn about the Maine Youth Food Council, a youth-led initiative improving the food system, and explore ways you can increase youth voice & choice in your work.

Participants will be able to participate in an activity of mini stations digging deeper topics in the school food system and how to engage youth, classrooms, and programming: local, inclusive, nourishing, accessibility, food waste & youth focused! 

Presenter: Abigail Gaw, Internal Wellness

Description: “Wellness as a Lifestyle” will be an interactive high-energy, heart-centered keynote that blends storytelling, evidence-based practices, and practical strategies. Youth-serving professionals often give so much of themselves to others but sustainable impact starts with how we care for ourselves.

By modeling wellness, presence, and professionalism, we set the tone for high-quality, purpose-driven programming. This session aims to:

  • Reduce burnout and compassion fatigue
  • Reignite commitment to mission-driven work
  • Increase capacity to lead with empathy, energy, and authenticity
  • Create ripple effects across youth programming outcomes

Attendees will walk away with:

  • A deeper understanding of digital, mental, emotional, and physical wellness — and how these pillars influence the way we lead
  • Strategies to avoid burnout and reconnect with purpose
  • A “Wellness Reset Framework” that they can use and share with colleagues or youth they serve
  • Simple, realistic tools for mindfulness, movement, and mental clarity
  • Ways to set boundaries with technology and reduce digital fatigue
  • A renewed sense of balance, motivation, and inspiration

Presenter: Hailee Moehnke and Kristin Stayer – MIZZEN Education

Description: Supercharge your facilitation skills and make every activity more impactful, inclusive, and fun in this highly interactive, hands-on session designed to help program staff at all levels bring new energy, intention, and creativity to how they lead youth programming. Explore how to make learning stick by inviting young people into their own learning process with practical, easy-to-implement strategies that create meaningful engagement, promote choice and voice, and build ownership. From how to hook attention to a new activity to closing with meaningful reflection, this workshop will help elevate your facilitation game—and you’ll have a great time doing it!

SPARKS Sessions | 1:30-2:00 PM

Presenter: Abigail Gaw

Presenters: Cindy Reardon and Rebecca Cote

Description: Participants will work with ipads to create a stop motion animation that tells a short story they have created. We will cover how to create a story, story structure, and how to use visual imagery to tell the story you have created. Appropriate for all grade levels. Resources will be provided such as links to free stop motion animation app, and ideas for using storyboards and flip books for planning.

Presenters: Kirsten Tenney (Full Plates Full Potential) Chelsea Marshall, Full Plates & Tobey Solomon-Auger, DHHS/OFI

Description: Explore innovative approaches to ensure that students have access to nutritious meals during their time away from school! This workshop will provide an overview of child nutrition options for Out of School Time providers.

Utilizing afterschool and summer meals, as well as providing outreach for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) & SUN Bucks (Summer EBT), helps to provide children with nutrition when school is not in session. Participants will get a brief overview of Afterschool Meals, Summer Meals, and more information about SNAP & SUN Bucks outreach. Attendees will then move into smaller groups to dig deeper into what programs are already being utilized, what could be, and how to engage the community and other stakeholders in providing this important nutrition.

Participants will: 

  • A better understanding of Out of School Time Nutrition the impact for students and families and to get started
  • Resources and support to engage in conversations around Out of School Time Nutrition with community members and stakeholders

Presenter: Drew Blanchet

Description: Have you ever tried juggling and was immediately turned off by the steep learning curve? There are actually many circus arts that have evolved over the years to be more accessible to youth who are interested in creating unique performances and building body awareness. In this SPARKS Session, we will showcase how you can utilize beginner juggling sticks as a spring-board to exposing youth to the broader array of circus arts. We will discuss what materials you will need, how to start with simple tricks, and ways to incorporate your program goals into these activities. Here is another VPA/physical activity in your toolbox to use for working toward program goals

Learning Sessions C | 2:30-3:45 PM

Presenter: The Flourish Lab

Description: The response you choose in each moment has an inevitable ripple effect on the youth in your program, co-workers, parents, guardians and others in your program community. When we are intentional about our actions, we can maximize the chance of making a positive impact on those we care about. In this workshop, we consider the multitude of ways to respond to common scenarios in youth development, and the possible outcomes of those choices.

Discover…

• how you can choose to respond

• the impact you have on others

• scenarios for applicable practice

Presenter: Meg Taft, Rural Youth Institute

Description: Learn about the Rural Youth Institute’s Aspirations Incubator, a successful model for effective mentoring with young people in rural communities. Presenters from the Rural Youth Institute and Bryant Pont 4-H NorthStar program will share insights about what works for connecting with youth in rural communities, while exploring the roles that informal relationship building, strong school-community partnerships, and long-term program design play in building and sustaining relationships with youth starting in middle school and continuing through high school graduation and onto successful post-secondary pathways.

1. Participants will be able to identify opportunities to implement informal relationship building into program design; understand how incorporating connections with young people outside of core programming strengthens program engagement and retention rates; and what internal policies and practices will need to be reviewed and adjusted to accommodate safe interactions outside of programming.
2. Participants will be able to identify opportunities for strengthening school-community partnerships in rural areas; consider how to develop and sustain positive relationships through school leadership transitions; and explore strategies for improving communication among schools, youth-serving organizations, and families.

Presenter: The Flourish Lab

Description: Reflecting on our experiences and process allows us to solidify learning, refine practices and connect in deeper ways. In this module we explore what it means to reflect as both youth and adults; uncovering why this important process matters. You will be challenged to choose a new and consistent reflection practice that will have you flourishing along with your students.

Discover…

• How to master reflection practices that add value to your process

• The importance of reflection for both youth and adults

• Actionable reflection strategies

Presenter: Dawn Fickett

Description: The Basics of Trauma-Informed Care in Out-of-School Time offers a practical framework tailored specifically for afterschool and summer learning programs. This session explores how trauma impacts youth behavior and engagement, and provides concrete strategies for creating emotionally safe, supportive environments that foster connection, regulation, and resilience. Grounded in whole-child, equity-centered practices, the approach aligns with the unique rhythms and relationships of out-of-school time. Participants will leave with actionable tools and access to a free companion training manual designed to support ongoing professional development for program staff at all levels. Ideal for site leaders, educators, and youth-serving professionals. By the end of this session, participants will understand the core principles of trauma-informed care in out-of-school time settings and be equipped with practical strategies to apply in their daily work. They will leave with increased confidence in supporting students affected by trauma, tools to build emotionally safe and engaging environments, and access to a free training manual to extend learning with their staff teams.

Presenters: Jennifer Conley, Diane Hancock

Description: Close the digital gap by providing young people with the skills and opportunities to explore Artificial Intelligence. Afterschool professionals will learn effective strategies to engage youth in critical thinking while supporting high-quality digital learning. We will discuss how to navigate AI safely and then provide opportunities to practice and explore ChatGPT, Gemini, and other AI tools. Participants will leave with resources, ideas and an increased confidence to implement AI in their programs.

• Participants will understand how AI can actively engage youth in learning, prepare them for future careers, and ensure safe navigation of digital learning platforms.
• Participants will gain practical experience with AI tools and leave with actionable resources and ideas.