2026 Annual Afterschool Conference: Session 2

2A.  Collaborative Afterschool Activities for Environmental Literacy – Discover easy-to-implement, high-engagement activities that help young people explore relationships among people, resources, and the environment. Learn to facilitate hands-on activities that use collaborative strategies to approach problem solving, including sharing natural resources and planning for sustainable communities. The presented activities foster teamwork, discussion, and critical thinking while building environmental literacy. Take home materials that align with state academic standards for several disciplines and provide stimulating experiences in out-of-school settings. Susan Quincy,  Kellogg Environmental Center Older Elementary School, Middle School , STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), Take It and Run, Youth Voice and Choice

2B.  Effective Strategies for Maxing Your Minutes – We will explore strategies for creating a culture of belonging, providing the structure of clear routines, developing an agreed upon set of rules, use of transition signals, considerations for large groups, and dealing with student dysregulation. The focus will be on active play spaces. This content will be applicable to all age groups. Amanda Amtmanis, Middletown Public Schools All Ages, Diversity Equity Inclusion, Behavior Management, Special Needs/Inclusion, Supervision/Management, Active/Nutrition, Play-Based Learning, Youth Voice and Choice

2C.  Feedback Without Fear: Preparing Young People for the Conversations That Shape Their Futures – Feedback Without Fear equips afterschool professionals with practical, youth-centered strategies for helping young people navigate feedback, correction, disagreement, and other difficult conversations. Participants will explore why feedback can trigger defensiveness, learn a brief regulation practice, and experience an observation–feelings–needs–requests framework that strengthens communication without diminishing youth voice. Through guided reflection, paired practice, and realistic scenarios, attendees will gain activities they can immediately adapt for their own programs. This interactive workshop helps young people build self-awareness, confidence, resilience, and the ability to stay engaged when conversations become challenging. Cynthia Rae, M.Ed., M.Sc., Pink Blazer All Ages, Social Emotional Learning, Take It and Run, Youth Voice and Choice

2D.  Watch Them Grow: The Benefits of Afterschool Garden Programs – With or Without a Garden – No garden? No problem! This workshop will highlight the powerful impact of after-school garden programs and how they support hands-on learning, healthy habits, and social connection. We’ll share fun, practical ideas for bringing gardening to life using containers, sensory activities, and garden-based lessons, proving that meaningful garden experiences can happen anywhere. Leave with creative ideas and accessible tools to help your students grow, wherever you are. Caroline Fazzina, Keane Kids After School Program Elementary School, Middle School, STEM, Take It and Run, Play-Based Learning

2E.  Is My Program Neuro Affirming? Designing Systems for Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging – Afterschool leaders are increasingly tasked with creating programs that serve youth with diverse learning, sensory, emotional, and communication needs. This workshop takes a systems-level approach to understanding what it means to be neuro affirming, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed in afterschool settings. Participants will examine how policies, staff practices, and program structures can either support or unintentionally create barriers to inclusion. Through reflection and practical frameworks, attendees will learn how to shift from individual behavior management to organization-wide practices that promote accessibility, emotional safety, and meaningful participation for all youth. Jona Shook, MA, MT-BC, Infinity Music Therapy Services All Ages, Diversity Equity Inclusion, Behavior Management, Special Needs/Inclusion, Supervision/Management, Program Space Design

2F.   From Ideas to Impact: Adapting Youth Pitch Competitions for Afterschool Programs – This interactive workshop will introduce afterschool staff to a pitch-based entrepreneurship model that can be adapted for out-of-school-time programs. Drawing from Youth Entrepreneurs’ work with middle and high school students, participants will learn how to guide youth through a simple “problem-to-pitch” process that builds voice, confidence, communication, teamwork, and career readiness. The session will feature Youth Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition winners, who will share their experiences, demonstrate elements of their pitch, and reflect on the supports that helped them succeed. Attendees will leave with practical activities, discussion prompts, and a mini pitch-planning template they can immediately adapt for afterschool programs. Dr. Laquita Joyner-McGraw, Youth Entrepreneurs Inc Middle School, High School, Social Emotional Learning, Take It and Run, Youth Voice and Choice

2G.  The Anchor Program: Fostering Civic Health Through Afterschool Programs –Low civic health and rising social isolation directly weaken the safety net and community pride available to our youth. When afterschool programs operate in isolation, they miss a vital opportunity to heal these neighborhood fractures. This session explores how programs can act as “Anchor Institutions” to serve as civic hubs that pull fragmented communities together. By shifting from a mindset of merely serving families to actively organizing communities, programs can use their space and events to foster trust and connection for everyone in the community. Nichelle Harris, Ten Speed Consulting All Ages, Supervision/Management, Take It and Run