Jump Start 2026

This training will benefit program coordinators and staff who are interested in building leadership skills in youth.You will learn to teach tangible leadership skills that youth can practice within the afterschool environment and carry into their adult lives. These include peer mentoring, conflict resolution, activity planning, service learning, group leadership, and advocacy.This training will equip you with tools and strategies to cultivate a strong youth leadership component in your program. By empowering youth to take ownership, serve as positive role models, and lead with purpose, you can boost engagement, improve program quality, and create a more meaningful and impactful afterschool environment.

This presentation will lead the attendees through what the Window of Tolerance is and how it impacts students' behavior in the classroom. Attendees will be given the science behind regulation of students and self, what happens when students' environment moves beyond their own windows and how to better help students stay within their own windows so that learning can occur.

In this highly interactive session, you'll experience hands-on yarn activities that require little more than inexpensive supplies and a spirit of curiosity. Explore fiber arts, collaborative challenges, and creative invitations that foster problem-solving, persistence, fine motor skills, social connection, and youth leadership. You'll discover practical, low-cost ideas that can be adapted for a wide range of ages and abilities.
Together, we'll explore the WEAVE framework for designing meaningful afterschool experiences: Welcome, Explore, Achieve, Value, and Empower. You'll leave with fresh inspiration, practical resources, and a new appreciation for how one simple material can unlock endless possibilities for creativity, belonging, and learning.

Afterschool professionals and youth educators: managing challenging behaviors can often feel overwhelming, but connection is the key to transformation. In this interactive session, explore innovative, practical strategies designed to reach school-age youth when traditional behavior management falls short. Discover how relational approaches, creative de-escalation techniques, and intentional engagement can turn moments of friction into opportunities for growth. Walk away with an actionable toolkit of low-cost, high-impact strategies, real-world activity ideas, and practical resources you can implement immediately in your program. Join us to transform how you respond to complex behaviors and build lasting, positive connections with the youth you serve.