At the start of the new year, we thought we’d highlight a few noteworthy after-school conferences coming up around the country.
At the end of this month, the California Afterschool Network helps host the Bridging the Bay Conference in San Francisco. The conference, scheduled for Jan. 28-29, connects 800 after-school professionals from seven California counties to discuss important issues in after-school programming for elementary to high school students in the region.
Foundations’ 14th annual Beyond School Hours conference comes to Atlanta Feb. 23-26. More than 1,500 professionals participate in workshops, networking opportunities, and discussions of youth enrichment and development in after-school hours. Al Roker rounds out a list of featured speakers and presenters, which also includes some well-known education administrators, teachers, and program coordinators.
The National Afterschool Association (NAA) holds its 23rd annual convention at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Fla., April 16-18. After-school professionals can choose from 200 professional development workshops and training opportunities in which to participate, with topics focusing on STEM, global learning, the future of after-school professionals, leadership in after school, and after-school academic enrichment.
After-school leaders, educators, and general supporters will join together on May 16 and 17 for the 10th annual Afterschool for All Challenge in Washington to advocate for after-school programs, particularly at the federal level. This event, sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance, brought out 2,500 attendees last year to discuss the state of after-school programming in the nation; registration will open in February.