2026 SPARC National Conference

Auxiliary programs often run efficiently behind the scenes, but what families truly experience is how easy, clear, and supportive those systems feel. This session will highlight how small, intentional systems can transform the parent experience from simply functional to exceptional. Through real examples attendees will learn how to improve communication, reduce confusion, and create a more organized, parent-friendly experience. Walk away with practical, replicable strategies to elevate your program and build lasting trust with families.

Camp staffing can be one of the biggest headaches for Auxiliary Departments, with yearly turnover and significant needs across the board. This session will take you through the full cycle of camp hiring, from budget projections and compensation to onboarding/orientation, with a look at returning staff outreach and retention, as well as job posting and interviewing for new staff. We will take a look at what has worked well for The Berkeley Carroll School, and how we have shifted our process in the face of new staffing challenges. After a deep dive into our process, we will shift to a roundtable discussion where schools can share what has worked for them and where there have been difficulties.

When did you last walk out of a conversation with senior leadership feeling like they truly understood what your programs are doing for the school? The work is there and the value is real. What's often missing is the translation - from the operational language auxiliary leaders live in to the strategic language senior leaders listen for. This session closes that gap.

Using a three-lens framework (financial sustainability, mission alignment, and leadership quality) we will examine how senior leaders actually evaluate auxiliary programs and assess how clearly you are currently communicating across all three. Through a structured self-assessment and peer exchange, attendees will identify their specific communication gaps and leave with a practical toolkit for translating their work into strategic value: whether they are a department of one or lead a team of ten. Let's ensure the programs you've built get the recognition, resources, and advocacy they've already earned!