2026 SPARC National Conference: Full Schedule

October 4-7, 2026 | Scottsdale, AZ, USA | Conference Website | Accommodations | Contact us
Please note the schedule is subject to change. Details are updated regularly to reflect the latest information.

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7:00am MST

Registration

Monday October 5, 2026 7:00am - 8:30am MST

Lobby

Come to the registration table to check in, receive your name badge, and conference bag.

Conference keycards are sponsored by Nations Classroom.

Sponsors

NationsClassroom

Our mission is to exceed educator expectations on domestic and international educational tours. Since 2015 educators have rated their experience with Nations 9.5 out of 10, more than half of the schools that we serve have come to us via referral and we have a near perfect retention... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 7:00am - 8:30am MST
Lobby

Registration

7:30am MST

Breakfast

Monday October 5, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am MST

Main Place Courtyard

Join others for an informal continental breakfast.

Monday October 5, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am MST
Main Place Courtyard

Meal or Break, Meal

8:30am MST

Welcome to SPARC

Monday October 5, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am MST

SoHo 1 and 2

Led by Executive Director and Founder Nat Saltonstall, this opening session will set the tone for the conference ahead and inspire attendees to make the most of their time together.

Speakers

Nat Saltonstall

Executive Director + Founder, SPARC

Nat Saltonstall is recognized as a leading expert in the field of independent school summer and auxiliary programming. Over the past 25+ years, Nat has developed and directed multiple high performing summer programs at several independent schools while also providing targeted guidance... Read More →

Bob Rojee

Senior Advisor, Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative (SPARC)

Bob Rojee, SPARC Sr. Advisor, is a seasoned leader with more than 30 years of experience in youth and staff development, recreational operations, and auxiliary program management. He has built and directed successful auxiliary programs from the ground up at multiple independent schools... Read More →

David Sullivan

Senior Advisor, Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative (SPARC)

David began his career in education as an instructor, then Director, at Explo and later was on the faculty at Milton Academy and Northfield Mount Hermon School. For the last 23 of his 36 year career, he led The Brooklin School and Breakwater Learning, the latter being an educational... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am MST
SoHo 1 and 2

General Session

9:15am MST

SPARC Ignite Opening Session

Monday October 5, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MST

SoHo 1 and 2

Ian Symmonds is a strategist, author, and advisor to independent schools and colleges around the world. After 15 years in senior leadership roles at private schools, colleges, and universities — driving enrollment growth and institutional turnarounds — he founded Ian Symmonds & Associates (ISA) in 2003. Ian leads every ISA engagement personally, from the first conversation to the last — the same continuity of relationship clients have counted on since 2003.

Ian's leadership career spans Pacific University, Culver-Stockton College, Saint Mary's Hall, and Trinity University, where he served as a senior officer, executive director, and dean. He has lived in Boston, San Antonio, Portland, Chicago, and San Diego, and has worked with institutions across Europe, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South America, Canada, the Middle East, and Asia — over two decades and thousands of client engagements.

In 2011, he launched #JustCause, connecting ISA with organizations tackling social issues through education. The initiative partners with nonprofits on projects spanning access and equity, youth sport development, and community rebuilding — reflecting Ian's belief that independent institutions carry influence well beyond their own gates.

His work sits at the intersection of strategy, education, sport, and social impact — helping leadership teams and their boards navigate complexity, clarify direction, and build long-term relevance.

A former competitive tennis professional, Ian sees his practitioner's lens as shaped by discipline, curiosity, and pattern recognition — a student of culture and human nature, always learning and reflecting. Husband, father, and aspiring guitarist, he's convinced that some of life's best thinking happens on a motorcycle, and that the journey usually teaches more than the destination.

This event is sponsored by CampBrain.

Speakers

Ian Symmonds

Founder & President, Ian Symmonds & Associates

Sponsors

CampBrain

Optimize your task management with robust solutions tailored to meet the unique demands of various camp settings, including schools, day, overnight, faith-based, special needs, conference centers, and YMCAs.

Monday October 5, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MST
SoHo 1 and 2

General Session

10:15am MST

Refreshments with Sponsors

Monday October 5, 2026 10:15am - 10:45am MST

Main Place Courtyard

Enjoy coffee and refreshments with other attendees while engaging with our Sponsors.

Monday October 5, 2026 10:15am - 10:45am MST
Main Place Courtyard

Meal or Break, Break

11:00am MST

From Portfolio to Plan: Building Your School's Auxiliary Strategy

Monday October 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MST

SoHo 2

The keynote made the case that auxiliary programs belong inside your school's strategic portfolio, not outside it—this session opens that up as a conversation. Ian will field questions and work through real scenarios with attendees, translating the portfolio model into practical next steps schools can take back to their board or leadership team. Expect dialogue over slides and actionable strategy over theory.

Speakers

Ian Symmonds

Founder & President, Ian Symmonds & Associates

Monday October 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MST
SoHo 2

Breakout Session, Program Design

11:00am MST

Lessons from Bob the Builder: Designing Programs with Purpose, Play, and Sustainability

Monday October 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MST

SoHo 1

What can a children's construction show teach us about summer camps and after-school programs? More than you might think. In this interactive session, participants will explore how intentional program design creates stronger outcomes for children, greater value for families, and more sustainable auxiliary programs for schools and organizations. Drawing inspiration from Peter Gray's research on the developmental power of play, the Reggio Emilia approach to child-centered learning, and proven strategies for embedding life skills development into camps and enrichment programs, we'll examine how every program can be designed with purpose.

Speakers

Bob Rojee

Senior Advisor, Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative (SPARC)

Nomi Hershman

Regional Relationship Manager, Nexplore

Monday October 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MST
SoHo 1

Breakout Session, Program Design

11:00am MST

Little Fires Everywhere

Monday October 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MST

Sands

Have you ever felt completely prepared for camp, only for little issues to come up, here, there, and everywhere? In this session, we will talk about situations that have come up or can come up and the optimal way to handle these; participants will be encouraged to share their own situations and how they dealt with them.

Speakers

Jason Shuster

Director of Summer Camps, University School of Nashville

Monday October 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MST
Sands

Breakout Session, Leadership and Staffing

11:00am MST

Strategic Partnerships: Aligning Data, Marketing, and Auxiliary Programs for Growth

Monday October 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MST

Valley Ho 2

Move your Marketing and Auxiliary relationship from transactional to strategic. This session explores the key data points that matter, regardless of your role, and how to align auxiliary insights with broader school data to drive smarter decisions. Learn how to shift from reactive requests to intentional planning that supports both enrollment and program growth.

We’ll break down how to use data to inform marketing efforts, improve communication with MARCOM teams, and build trust through a shared strategy. When you move beyond quick fixes and last-minute asks, you create space for stronger collaboration, clearer messaging, and more impactful results. Walk away with practical ways to streamline your process, strengthen your partnership, and position your auxiliary program as a strategic asset within your school.

Speakers

Courtney Franks

Director of Auxiliary Programs, Academy of the Holy Names

Academy is a PK-8th grade co-ed and 9th-12th all-girl day school placed in the heart of South Tampa, meaning space is always tight. Auxiliary at AHN includes After School Programs, Early Bird, Extended Day, Summer Camp, and all the other things that come across my desk.

I'm always happy to talk about all things Auxiliary! I have a passion for connecting with my employees and bringing new programming to my school. Recently was given the title Logistics Queen at my school, so love chatting through operations as well. I am always willing to shake th... Read More →

Ellen Madden

Director of Marketing & Enrollment, Academy of the Holy Names

Monday October 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MST
Valley Ho 2

Breakout Session, Marketing and Communications

11:00am MST

Streamlining Program Management with Google Workspace: A Collaborative Roundtable

Monday October 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MST

Valley Ho 1

Turn the tools you already have into powerful, low-cost systems for managing your conferences and programs. This interactive roundtable explores how Google Workspace—especially Google Sheets—can be leveraged to streamline data management, improve organization, and automate workflows, helping you scale your programs more efficiently and accurately. Facilitators will share real-world systems and examples that leverage formulas, data connections, automation tools (such as Apps Script), and communication workflows (including mail merge strategies with Google Education Plus) to reduce manual work and improve accuracy. In addition to Google tools, the conversation may also touch on complementary platforms and emerging approaches such as AI-assisted (“vibe”) coding to extend functionality.

The format will be collaborative and discussion-driven. Presenters will guide the conversation through structured subtopics with tips & tricks from our experience and create space for participants to share their own tools, challenges, and solutions.This session is best suited for participants with a basic familiarity with spreadsheets. Those already highly advanced in Google Workspace automation may find the content more foundational, and we would love to hear your input & perspective through the discussion. Attendees will leave with new ideas, practical strategies, and adaptable frameworks to make their program data management more efficient and accurate.

Speakers

Melissa Branigan

Director of Extended Programs, Sycamore School

Elizabeth Essink

Technology Support Specialist, Sycamore School

Elizabeth is a technology support specialist at a small independent school for gifted learners in Indianapolis, IN. Applying a background in business and librarianship, she modernizes workflows, drives system efficiencies, fosters collaborative solutions, and supports student and... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MST
Valley Ho 1

Breakout Session, Business and Operations

11:00am MST

The Parent Trap Playbook: Magic in the Middle

Monday October 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MST

Tropicana

"Let's get together (yeah yeah yeah)..." Great camps are built behind the scenes and in the moment. In this session, you’ll learn how to design a staff experience that’s intentional, meaningful, and uniquely yours, your camp’s “secret sauce.”

We’ll explore how to blend culture, skills, and values into training that sticks, using unseen learning, purposeful play, and connection-driven strategies. You’ll have to step out of the isolation cabin to build your own “artisan s’more,” a thoughtful mix of belonging and experience that keeps staff coming back!

Speakers

Laura Walker

Director, Latin Camps, Charlotte Latin School

Camp Name: Pippi • Latin Camps • Charlotte Latin School • Summer Camp Director • Birth-4yr ECE • TK-12 Coed academic, college-preparatory school • Students: 1,550 • Charlotte, NC • Over 16 years of camp experience.

Haley Dickinson

Assistant Director of Latin Camps, Charlotte Latin School

Monday October 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MST
Tropicana

Breakout Session, Leadership and Staffing

12:15pm MST

Lunch on the Lawn

Monday October 5, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm MST

Palm Court

What could be better than an outdoor lunch! Served buffet style, the menu includes salads, entrées, and desserts.

Monday October 5, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm MST
Palm Court

Meal or Break, Meal

1:30pm MST

Be the RIPL: Selling Innovation to the HOS & CFO to build a Sustainable School Strategy

Monday October 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MST

Valley Ho 1

Most strategic planning starts with a vision and works backward, often without a clear picture of the underlying business model needed to sustain it. Revenue streams, cost structure, market position, and institutional capacity are too often treated as assumptions rather than as the foundation for innovation. In this session, the speakers will introduce a business model-first approach to innovation and strategic planning and apply it directly to auxiliary programs and other entrepreneurial opportunities. Using the “RIPL” framework (Research, Innovate, Play, and Learn) you will explore how to test new ideas, understand their financial and strategic value, and build case studies and proposals to bring to your Head of School and CFO to get them on board. Expect a practical, working conversation grounded in frameworks, real data, and real school examples, with time to examine your own program portfolio. You will leave with sharper questions, a clearer understanding of how innovation fits into the school’s broader financial model, and a more compelling way to move a good idea from concept to sustainable strategy.

Speakers

Jim Brewer

Head of School, The McGillis School

Jim Brewer has been a head of school for 10 years. He is on the Board of Governors of NWAIS and a Board member at Leadership + Design. Jim was a Spanish teacher and launched the first international middle school trips at his first independent school. He loves to bring entrepreneurial... Read More →

David Hanson

Founder & Principal, Winthrop & Associates

Monday October 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MST
Valley Ho 1

Deep Dive Breakout Session, Business and Operations

1:30pm MST

Centralizing Auxiliary Programs: Leading with Clarity, Structure, and Control

Monday October 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MST

SoHo 1

Auxiliary programs don’t become fragmented by accident, and they don’t get fixed without intentional leadership. Whether you’re stepping into a new role or have been in the seat for years, this session focuses on how to take control of your program and build systems that actually work. We’ll walk through how to evaluate what you’ve inherited, define what matters, and centralize operations across registration, staffing, finance, communication, and reporting. This session balances high-level leadership decisions with practical execution. For experienced directors, it’s about tightening control, improving alignment, and making confident decisions. For newer leaders, it provides a clear target and the steps to get there. You’ll leave with both a strategic framework and tangible, immediately usable systems to bring consistency, clarity, and accountability to your auxiliary programs.

Speakers

Joe Ali

Director of Auxiliary Programs, The Webb School

Monday October 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MST
SoHo 1

Deep Dive Breakout Session, Business and Operations

1:30pm MST

From Spreadsheets to Strategy: Turning Data into Systems That Actually Work

Monday October 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MST

Tropicana

Many auxiliary program leaders use spreadsheets as digital filing cabinets, places where data goes to rest. But what if your spreadsheet could actually do the work for you? This interactive session blends strategy and practice to help participants think like systems builders and design tools that actually support decision-making. Through a guided challenge, attendees will first tackle a real-world scenario, identifying what data matters and how to structure it. The session then introduces a practical framework for building effective systems in Google Sheets and Excel, followed by real case studies including multi-departmental budgets, payroll tracking, and enrollment dashboards. This session is ideal for leaders who want to move from reactive spreadsheet use to building streamlined systems that drive clarity, efficiency, and strategic insight. In this interactive session, we will move beyond basic data entry to transform spreadsheets into a powerful project management, data visualization, and decision-making tool.

Speakers

Sabrina Raber

Director of Auxiliary Programs, University School of Milwaukee

I serve as the Director of Auxiliary Programs at the University School of Milwaukee. In this role, I oversee summer camps, before and after-school enrichment and activities, transportation, rentals, the school store, private music lessons, daycare, and other programs that extend learning... Read More →

Jeremy Ehlers

Chief Financial Officer, University School of Milwaukee

Monday October 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MST
Tropicana

Deep Dive Breakout Session, Business and Operations

1:30pm MST

Gen Z, Decoded: Real Talk for Program Leaders

Monday October 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MST

Valley Ho 2

Gen Z is reshaping our programs, expectations, and day-to-day realities—and many of us are navigating that shift in real time, often without a clear roadmap. This session offers a space to come together as colleagues facing similar challenges and opportunities. Through a guided, candid conversation, participants will share what’s working, what’s not, and the questions we’re still trying to answer. From engagement and communication to boundaries and expectations, we’ll explore the evolving dynamics of working with the next generation in our programs.

Speakers

Rebecca Stokes

Director of Auxiliary Programs, University School of Nashville

Monday October 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MST
Valley Ho 2

Deep Dive Breakout Session, Leadership and Staffing

1:30pm MST

The Next Generation of Building Auxiliary Programs at Independent Schools

Monday October 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MST

SoHo 1

This session explores next generation auxiliary programming within a broader strategic question: why now, and what does the market demand of independent schools? Rather than treating these efforts as add-ons, we will explore how to build intentional ecosystems of experiences that align with mission, strengthen brand, and generate revenue. Using case studies from Miss Porter’s School and The Cambridge School of Weston (CSW), presenters will share the evolution of their adult education initiatives, including program development, enrollment trends, and lessons from early experiments such as CSW’s adult summer camp program and Porter’s professional learning offerings. We will surface key questions around market demand, ROI, partnerships, and aligning programs with institutional strengths and brand. In this working session, participants will identify opportunities within their own schools, leveraging existing assets to reach new audiences. Attendees will leave with practical tools for launching, evaluating, scaling, or sunsetting programs - inspired to think expansively about their school’s future.

Speakers

Leahanne Fenton

Porter's Center Global Leadership Auxiliary Programs Coordinator, Miss Porter’s School

I've joined our recently formalized Auxiliary Department. My position is responsible for the programs handling bookings and registrations. I'm interested in learning more about what other Aux Departments use and how to grow/staff our department.

Meghan O'Leary

Director of Summer and Auxiliary Programs, The Cambridge School of Weston

Sophie Paris

Director, Auxiliary Programs, Miss Porter's School

Sophie Paris is the Director of Auxiliary Programs at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut, where she leads the development of year-round programs, partnerships, and facility rentals that generate non-tuition revenue while advancing the School’s mission. Her work focuses... Read More →

Pamela Torres

Director of Strategic Initiatives & Dean of Staff, The Cambridge School of Weston

Pamela Torres is an experienced educator and strategic leader with over 20 years of dedication to fostering inclusive, innovative, and globally minded learning environments. She currently serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives & Dean of Staff at The Cambridge School of Weston... Read More →

Bob Rojee

Senior Advisor, Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative (SPARC)

Monday October 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MST
SoHo 1

Deep Dive Breakout Session, Business and Operations

1:30pm MST

The Valley Ho Vibe: Designing Energy, Identity, and Connection at Camp

Monday October 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MST

SoHo 2

What can the home of the SPARC National Conference teach you about building a stronger camp brand? The Hotel Valley Ho is a living example of how intentional design, distinct identity, and carefully crafted experiences come together to create something people feel. In this session, we’ll use the Valley Ho as a case study to explore how camps can align branding and marketing with the day-to-day camper experience.

We’ll unpack key elements including visual and verbal identity, designing a cohesive vibe, and bringing your brand to life through programming, environment, and interaction. Using a simple framework, we’ll explore how to make your camp unmistakable by intentionally engineering belonging, structuring connection, building meaning through traditions, and focusing on the small details that make a big impact.You will walk away with practical ideas to strengthen your camp brand, elevate your programming, and create a camp experience that is distinctly your own.

Speakers

Michael Carmody

Founder, Make It Campy

Michael Carmody is a Brand Identity Developer for summer camps and auxiliary programs. After earning his Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology in 2011, Michael made the leap into the world of summer camps, serving as the Director of Camp Experience and Community Engagement for Rally... Read More →

Katie Peterson

Director of Auxiliary Programs, Breck School

Katie Peterson is the Director of Auxiliary Programs at Breck School in Golden Valley, Minnesota. In her role, she oversees a wide range of programs and services including Summer Programs, Extended Day, After School Enrichment, Private Music Lessons, the Campus Store, Facility Rentals... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:45pm MST
SoHo 2

Deep Dive Breakout Session, Program Design

2:45pm MST

Refreshments with Sponsors

Monday October 5, 2026 2:45pm - 3:15pm MST

Main Place Courtyard

Enjoy refreshments with other attendees while engaging with our Sponsors.

Monday October 5, 2026 2:45pm - 3:15pm MST
Main Place Courtyard

Meal or Break, Break

3:30pm MST

AI in Action: Transforming Auxiliary Programs from Planning to Performance

Monday October 5, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST

SoHo 2

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing how auxiliary and enrichment programs operate, but where should leaders begin? This interactive breakout session explores practical, real-world applications of AI that can enhance every stage of program delivery, from designing engaging curriculum and training staff to analyzing enrollment trends and making data-informed decisions.

Through three focused presentations, attendees will learn how organizations are leveraging AI to improve efficiency, strengthen program quality, personalize learning experiences, and gain actionable insights while maintaining responsible data practices. Whether you are just beginning your AI journey or looking to expand your use of emerging technologies, this session will provide tangible examples, proven strategies, and practical tools you can implement immediately.

Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how AI can support their teams, improve outcomes, and create more impactful experiences for students, families, and staff.

Speakers

Boxuan Liu

Founder, Xtatic Education

Xtatic is an education technology company that combines high-quality after-school programs, AI-powered curriculum development, and an all-in-one school management platform to help schools deliver exceptional learning experiences.

Aymen Alssadi

CTO, Xtatic

Caitlin Hampton

Director of Community Engagement and Alumni Connections, Pine Crest School

Jana Blackwell

Executive Director of Community Engagement, Pine Crest School

Jeff Bowman

Founder & Principal Consultant, Co-opppetition Consulting

Bob Rojee

Senior Advisor, Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative (SPARC)

Monday October 5, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST
SoHo 2

Breakout Session, Business and Operations

3:30pm MST

Creative Program Spotlights: Ideas You Can Take Home

Monday October 5, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST

SoHo 1

Discover fresh ideas from three schools that are rethinking what auxiliary programming can be. In this fast-paced, one-hour showcase session, each presenter will share a creative program or initiative that has made an impact on their campus, offering practical insights and lessons learned. Featured topics include "Birthday Parties Without the Pressure: Building an Inclusive After School Party" and "New Program Development: Global Welcome Week," along with “An Innovative Partnership that Strengthens Both Organizations”. Leave with new ideas, proven strategies, and inspiration you can adapt to your own school's programs.

Speakers

David Sullivan

Senior Advisor, Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative (SPARC)

Emily Roos

Auxiliary Programs Director, Lesley Ellis School

Sigita Newsom

Director of Community Programs, The John Thomas Dye School

Charley Pelissier

Director of Auxiliary Programs, St. Andrew's School (Barrington, RI)

I am the Director of Auxiliary Services at The St. Andrew's School in Barrington, RI. I run the school's summer programming, after-school programs, facility rentals, the school store, challenge course, safety programs, and some evening programming.

Monday October 5, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST
SoHo 1

Breakout Session, Program Design

3:30pm MST

Empowering Future Leaders: Building an Effective CIT Program for Middle School Engagement

Monday October 5, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST

Valley Ho 1

Are you looking for a way to energize your camp, support your staff, and meaningfully engage your middle schoolers? Join us for a dynamic session on how to build and implement a strong Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program that does more than just keep tweens busy, it develops leadership skills, fosters responsibility, and lays the foundation for future job success. In this session, we’ll explore how to effectively train middle school students to become capable, confident, and committed junior leaders by:

- Structuring a CIT Program that aligns with your camp’s culture and goals
- Providing age-appropriate leadership training that sticks
- Creating real, valuable roles for CITs that support your instructors and enrich the camp experience
- Promoting mentorship, teamwork, and a clear path to future employment

Whether you're launching a CIT program for the first time or looking to improve an existing one, this session will provide practical tools, proven approaches, and real-world examples to help you empower your middle schoolers and transform your camp community.

Speakers

Whitney West

Director of Summer Programs, St. John's Episcopal School (Dallas, TX)

Mallory Davis

Director of CIT Program, St. John's Episcopal School (Dallas, TX)

Monday October 5, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST
Valley Ho 1

Breakout Session, Leadership and Staffing

3:30pm MST

Financial Aid for Auxiliary Programs: Partnerships, Process, and Impact

Monday October 5, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST

Valley Ho 2

Offering financial assistance within revenue-generating programs can feel challenging—but it is possible to design models that expand access while maintaining program sustainability. In this session, two auxiliary program leaders share how their institutions built financial assistance into their summer camps and enrichment programs. Presenters will walk through the rationale behind allocating aid, how they partner with community-based organizations to reach families, and the operational processes used to distribute and manage funding. The session will also highlight lessons learned, including how these efforts have strengthened community partnerships and broadened program participation. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for creating financial aid structures, identifying community partners, and making the case for access initiatives within auxiliary and summer program operations.

Speakers

Katie Saylor

Director of Extended Learning, The Nueva School

I oversee the summer camp, after school enrichment program, and mid-year Intersession. My team also oversees connecting students with service learning and high school internships.

I really love connecting students to the world around them. There is so much to learn outside of the classroom! I felt this way even as a high schooler myself; I chose the (likely misattributed) Mark Twain maxim, "Don't let school get in the way of your education" as my senior qu... Read More →

Tanner Taylor

Director of Extended Program, Children's Day School

Monday October 5, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST
Valley Ho 2

Breakout Session, Business and Operations

3:30pm MST

Get Found First: The Website Secrets That Fill Enrollment

Monday October 5, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST

Tropicana

Your program's website isn't just a digital brochure—it's your most powerful enrollment tool. But only if families can actually find it. In this session, we'll reveal the "secret ingredients" that push auxiliary and summer program websites to the top of Google search results—no paid ads required. We'll share real examples, including how one SPARC member built their site strategically and saw program enrollment increase dramatically in year one.

You'll walk away with a practical Website Health Check you can use immediately, plus data and language to build the investment case for your CFO or head of school—because getting budget approved for a website is half the battle. This session will change how you think about your school's most underutilized enrollment asset.

Speakers

Jenn Richey Nicholas

CEO, Pixel Parlor

I’m Jenn Richey Nicholas, CEO of Pixel Parlor and founder of Wild & Wander. Pixel Parlor is a woman-owned, Certified B Corp branding and design studio with deep experience supporting public and independent schools, education not for profits, summer camps, and auxiliary programs... Read More →

Lou Stuber

UX Design Director, Pixel Parlor

I am a detail-oriented, savvy, and caring design director known for increasing client confidence in the design process. My ability to lead creative teams through successful collaborative projects is the result of my decade+ of experience as an award-winning designer, art director... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST
Tropicana

Breakout Session, Marketing and Communications

3:30pm MST

Top 10 Failures

Monday October 5, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST

Pool

We all experience failure… it's inevitable. But what's important is how we respond to those failures. Come to this poolside discussion to share recent professional failures and what you've learned as a result!

Speakers

Dan O'Neil

Director of Auxiliary Programs, Episcopal High School

Monday October 5, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST
Pool

Breakout Session, Leadership and Staffing

5:00pm MST

Sky Line Rooftop Reception

Monday October 5, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm MST

Sky Line Rooftop

Our evening reception on the Sky Line Rooftop patio is a signature event of the conference that is not to be missed. Cash bar and hors d'oeuvres will be served with live music. The reception is sponsored by VAC Enrichment and will be your best photo opportunity of the conference!

Sponsors

VAC Enrichment

VAC Enrichment provides specialized, in-person after-school enrichment classes and summer camps. Our programs include, but aren't limited to, Coding and the Outdoors, Cooking Through History, Clay Creations, Film Acting, Coding, and Soccer. In terms of curriculum, our focus is... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm MST
Sky Line Rooftop

Social Event, Reception

6:00pm MST

Dinner on Your Own

Monday October 5, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm MST

Scottsdale

Make new friends and head out together to one of Scottsdale's many fine restaurants for dinner and an evening of fun.

Monday October 5, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm MST
Scottsdale

Meal or Break, Meal

8:00pm MST

Campfire Hour: Evening Connection & Reflection

Monday October 5, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm MST

Tropicana

After full days of learning, networking, and innovation, Campfire Hour offers a warm, welcoming space to unwind, connect, and reflect. These one-hour evening gatherings at the SPARC national conference are designed to evoke the spirit of a traditional campfire— spaces where stories are shared, relationships are kindled, and moments of stillness are honored. Each Campfire Hour invites participants to decompress and engage in thoughtful, low-pressure conversations that nurture introspection, build professional bonds, and center personal purpose in the midst of an energizing conference. Whether you’re new to the field, seasoned in leadership, Campfire Hour is your chance to slow down and soak in the ”sparcs” of connection.

This event is sponsored by ACTIVE Network.

Moderators

Nancy Hartmann

Director of Auxiliary Programs, Pike School

David Sullivan

Senior Advisor, Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative (SPARC)

Sponsors

ACTIVE Network

ACTIVE Network revolutionizes the way camps and classes engage with their communities, enhancing participation and connection through innovative technology. Our comprehensive suite of solutions simplifies the management of registrations, schedules, and communications, allowing camp... Read More →

Monday October 5, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm MST
Tropicana

Roundtable

8:00pm MST

Karaoke Night - SPARC Harmony

Monday October 5, 2026 8:00pm - 10:00pm MST

Scottsdale

Sponsored by Ultra Camp, we have reserved space at a local restaurant/bar to continue the networking and camaraderie after your dinner plans on Monday. The first drink is on our friends from Ultra Camp, please stop by their table during the day on Monday to grab a drink ticket. Get ready to sing and continue the fun with all your SPARC colleagues and friends. The Grapevine Restaurant and Bar, 4013 N. Brown Ave, Scottsdale.

This event is sponsored by UltraCamp.

Sponsors

UltraCamp

With UltraCamp, you have everything you need at your fingertips; registration, reporting, staff management, and more. With software that adapts to your camp’s needs and unlimited support, you’re never left out in the woods. Camp runs better with UltraCamp.

Monday October 5, 2026 8:00pm - 10:00pm MST
Scottsdale

Social Event

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7:30am MST

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8:00pm MST

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