Jump Start 2026

Discover how adopting a coaching mindset as a supervisor can transform everyday interactions with staff into meaningful opportunities for fostering connection, growth, confidence, and ultimately, stronger program quality. We'll explore when to lead, when to manage, when to mentor, and when to coach; practice giving feedback that is both human-centered and actionable; strategize navigating difficult conversations with confidence and empathy; and learn tools for helping staff set goals, solve problems, and reflect on their own practice. Leave with practical coaching tools, conversation frameworks, and immediately implementable strategies that cultivate a positive team culture and strengthen staff performance to create the conditions for young people to thrive.

Designed for program staff working directly with youth, this interactive session utilizes facilitator-led modeling to demonstrate high-impact program delivery. Upon entering the room, participants will experience the session from the youth perspective as the facilitator actively models best practices in real time. Through this live demonstration, you will observe firsthand how to seamlessly integrate youth leadership opportunities, scaffold skill-building support, and facilitate intentional conversations before, during, and after activities. Come ready to engage in this dynamic, role-play-driven professional development experience.

Advocacy doesn't have to be a drag! While engaging policymakers can feel intimidating, the secret is simple: they’re just people who want real connection. As an afterschool pro, you already have the superpowers needed to win them over. In this session, we’ll ditch the "scary" stuff and discover how to use your existing skills—the same ones you use to connect with youth and families—to become an advocacy rockstar. Let’s reshape how you make the case for your program and turn "cumbersome" into "connection!"

Change is constant in afterschool programs, but it doesn't have to drain your team. Discover how small leadership shifts can build staff resilience, strengthen team culture, and improve outcomes for youth. Based on 13 years of VentureLab's experience, this session gets you hands-on with a framework rooted in creativity, adaptability, and purpose. Leave with ready-to-use strategies you can implement immediately, plus a complimentary seat in VentureLab's online course to continue the learning!