SPARC National Conference 2024

Designed for both AI novices and Chat GPT pros, this session will delve into the innovative integration of AI to enhance and augment summer and auxiliary programs. We will explore eight immediately applicable strategies that include improved copy editing, brainstorming auxiliary program revenue streams, analyzing survey data, crafting challenging emails, and engaging AI as a dynamic thought partner. We will also discuss AI-based educational offerings for your Summer and Enrichment Programs. Explore endless possibilities in enhancing engagement and efficiency in summer, aftercare, enrichment, and flex programming. Don't miss out on this transformative discussion at the forefront of educational technology!

This wide-open discussion is intended for attendees to share their best strategies for improving their after school programming. Whether through staffing, program design, program offerings, pricing, structure, or anything else, bring your best ideas to share with colleagues!

As many summer programs have recently seen an increase in demand and surges in enrollment, how has this affected your registration processes? Have you changed your policies by instituting non-refundable deposits, creating earlier deadlines, or developing a process for waitlists? Join others in sharing strategies for optimizing your enrollment through the registration season!

It’s no secret that summer camps are all about creating unforgettable experiences! Discover how integrating special events and camp-wide celebrations can enrich the overall camp experience. This session will explore the art, logistics, and follow-through of creating and planning special events that are not only fun and engaging but also leave lasting impressions on campers. Get ready to unlock the magic behind creating experiences that resonate long after the campfire fades.

Discover how inbound marketing can revolutionize your program's outreach efforts. This comprehensive session will provide a detailed framework for attracting prospective families by creating valuable content and personalized experiences. Learn key strategies, including website optimization, SEO techniques, and effective content creation to drive organic traffic and engagement. This session will also cover practical steps for implementing a drip email marketing system to nurture leads and improve conversion rates. Engage in interactive activities to identify your most valuable personas and brainstorm targeted keywords. Understand the importance of measuring ROI through tools like Google Analytics and the use of UTM codes. By the end of the session, you will be equipped with actionable insights and tools to enhance your school's marketing efforts, ensuring a sustainable and effective inbound marketing strategy. Join Brendan to transform your approach to school marketing with proven inbound techniques.

Have you been up all night with After School ideas POPPIN' in your head? Whether you are looking to begin an After School or you're a veteran looking for new ideas, we've got you! When you POP into our session, you will see potential all 'round and reignite your passion and creativity for your After School Programs and how to carry these POPPIN' ideas into your summer camp!
#StartingPotentialAndReignitingCreativity (a.k.a. SPARC)

Still trying to answer the “What does your department do all year?” question? Feeling buried in tasks, but not sure how to advocate for yourself or your team? Or maybe you’re one of the adventurous explorers who has already started forging your own SPARC Compass path, but you’re curious to hear how others are using this tool for managing logistics, projects, and more. We will begin with a panel of Compass users from departments and programs of various sizes who will share their custom tweaks, strategies, innovations, and poignant moments of success after one year of Compass implementation. From there, you’ll have the opportunity to join a working group to further develop your own Compass tool. Participants will leave with an updated model of their own Compass and a network of other users to further collaborate with during monthly SPARC Waypoint sessions.

Participants should bring a laptop and a copy of their Compass (if available). Previous use of the SPARC Compass is not required for this workshop!

Have you experienced a tragedy at your camp? How do you navigate and support your camp when the unthinkable happens? We prepare and train never to be in a position where we could lose one of our campers to an accident; but the truth is, it can happen at any time. In this session, we will review two case studies and a tragic story from my own camp. A great review of lessons learned, camp liability, and insurance coverage.
*Trigger warning*