2026 SPARC National Conference: Full Schedule

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7:30am MST

Continental Breakfast

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

TBA

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

Meal or Break, Meal

8:30am MST

Welcome to SPARC

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

TBA

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

General Session

9:15am MST

Ignite General Session

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

TBA

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

General Session

10:15am MST

SPARC Connections

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

TBA

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

Meal or Break, Break

11:00am MST

From Data to Decisions: Systems That Save You 10 Hours a Week

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

TBA

Most camp offices rely on spreadsheets, but few have systems that truly support decision-making. This session focuses on how to move from manual tracking to streamlined workflows that reduce workload and improve clarity. Using real examples from a high-volume summer program, you will see how data can be structured to update automatically, surface key insights, and support faster decisions around staffing, enrollment, and communication. Rather than focusing on technical builds, this session outlines a practical framework for organizing your information, identifying inefficiencies, and shifting repetitive tasks into automated processes. You will leave with a clear approach to evaluating your current systems and identifying where changes can save time and improve outcomes. Why Does This Matter? Better systems lead to faster decisions, stronger staffing alignment, and a smoother experience for families.

Speakers

Mike Evans

Managing Director of Strategic Programs, St. John's Prep

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

Breakout Session, Business and Operations

11:00am MST

Little Fires Everywhere

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

TBA

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
TBA

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

TBA

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

Ellen Madden

Director of Marketing & Enrollment, Academy of the Holy Names

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

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

TBA

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

Elizabeth Essink

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

Breakout Session, Business and Operations

11:00am MST

The Next Generation of Building Auxiliary Programs at Independent Schools

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

TBA

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 & Auxiliary Program, The Cambridge School of Weston

Sophie Paris

Director of Auxiliary Programs, Miss Porter’s School

I design and run our year round auxiliary programming for girls and women which includes summer programs on our campus at Miss Porter's as well as a virtual ChangeMaker's Institute, virtual and in-person Porter's LEADS workshops and our virtual Global Seminar Series. Programming is... Read More →

Pamela Torres

Director of Strategic Initiatives, 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 at The Cambridge School of Weston (CSW), where... Read More →

Bob Rojee

Senior Advisor, 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... Read More →

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

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

TBA

"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

Haley "Cricket" Dickinson

Assistant Director, Latin Camps, Charlotte Latin School

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

Breakout Session, Leadership and Staffing

12:15pm MST

Lunch

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

TBA

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

Meal or Break, Meal

1:30pm MST

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

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

TBA

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

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

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

TBA

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

Jeremy Ehlers

CFO, University School of Milwaukee

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

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

TBA

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
TBA

Deep Dive Breakout Session, Leadership and Staffing

1:30pm MST

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

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

TBA

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, SPARC

Nomi Hershman

Regional Relationship Manager, Nexplore

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

Deep Dive Breakout Session, Program Design

1:30pm MST

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

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

TBA

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
TBA

Deep Dive Breakout Session, Program Design

1:30pm MST

Your Program Has a Business Model. Does Your Strategy Know It?

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

TBA

Most strategic planning starts with a vision and works backward, without a clear picture of the underlying business model. Revenue streams, cost structure, and market position are often treated as assumptions rather than as the foundation on which the plan should be built. In this session, Peter Baron, founder of MoonshotOS, and David Hanson, managing partner of Winthrop & Associates, bring a business model-first approach to strategic planning, one they use with schools across the country, and apply it directly to the world of auxiliary revenue. You'll see how mapping your program's actual business model, not just its budget, changes the questions you ask and the priorities you set. Expect a working conversation grounded in real frameworks and real data, with time built in to think through your own portfolio alongside the group. You'll leave with a sharper set of questions to bring to your own strategic planning and a clearer sense of how your program fits into the school's broader financial picture.

Speakers

David Hanson

Winthrop & Associates

Peter Baron

Founder, MoonshotOS

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

Deep Dive Breakout Session, Business and Operations

2:45pm MST

Afternoon Snack

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

TBA

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

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

TBA

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

Caitlin Hampton

Director of Community Engagement and Alumni Connections, Pine Crest School

Jana Blackwell

Executive Director of Community Engagement, Pine Crest School

Jeff Bowman

Bob Rojee

Senior Advisor, SPARC

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

Breakout Session, Business and Operations

3:30pm MST

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

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

TBA

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

Mallory Davis

Camp St. John's CIT Program Director, St. John's Episcopal School

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

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

TBA

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

Extended Program Director, Children’s Day School

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

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

TBA

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

Lou Stuber

UX Design Director, Pixel Parlor

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

Breakout Session, Marketing and Communications

3:30pm MST

Top 10 Failures

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

TBA

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