The SPARC New Director Intensive is designed for Directors of Summer and Auxiliary Programs who are within the first year on the job. The one day comprehensive curriculum will provide participants with concrete guidance and materials in each facet of their complex positions. Enrollment will be limited to a small number of participants and the day will include a variety of instructional methods. Upon completion, Directors will be equipped with best practices, helpful resources, and new ideas to implement at their school. In addition, they will have developed valuable relationships with a small cohort of peers and leaders that will provide guidance and support well beyond the conference.
When your head of school or CFO comes to you and asks how your programs are doing in relation to the school down the road or across the state, do you have the data you need to respond? In this session, we'll look at various sources of national data that can be used to benchmark your program's performance and to build a case for future program development.
Millennials are an extremely important and vital component to our workforce. Supervisors to Summer Camp Volunteers, this generation may represent the majority of your team. For better or worse, its a marriage that needs to work in harmony to get the most out of your Auxiliary Programs. If you have their back, they'll have yours!
A number of our students find themselves in schools and after school programs that are in some way foreign to them every day. They may look different than most members of the school community, speak a different language in their home, or practice a religion that is at best misunderstood. This session is intended to provide practical ideas and resources for bridging the gap between the majority and everyone else, embracing diversity, and celebrating a community of inclusion through programming.
Director of AFTER-SCHOOL & MSAS, University School of Nashville
I have been a part of the USN community for the last 17 years, and have just begun my second year as Director of the AFTER-SCHOOL and MSAS (Middle School AFTER-SCHOOL) programs. Our program touches roughly 75% of the student body in grades K-8 and is a vital part of the community... Read More →
When developing auxiliary programs, how often do we consider and conduct risk assessments after the fact? When should risk assessments be conducted? Who is responsible for risk management? What are the pitfalls of failing to conduct the risk assessment to the auxiliary program and entire organization? When leaders and others in an organization can effectively assess, practice, communicate and integrate risk management strategies, they increase the standing and sustainability of the organization.
Parents and campers have lots of options and school programs face stiff competition. How can you stand out among the crowd? Weaving customer service case studies from the independent school program perspective along with marketing and other experiences, we will touch upon successes and failures. Adapting marketing tools like the sales funnel and flywheel, join us as we think about marketing and customer service in innovative ways. Brainstorm on how to address friction in our programs. In this fun 4.0 marketing session that expands upon past ideas be prepared to move beyond cupcakes, coronas, color wheels as we take it to the Next Level!
Karen McCann McClelland has over 25 years of experience in auxiliary and summer programs. As director of Sidwell Summer which serves over 3200 campers annually, she coordinates the marketing, hiring, program design/implementation, and evaluation of 12 different programs. She also... Read More →
Director of Auxiliary Programs, Congressional School
Dan is the Director of Auxiliary Programs for Congressional School in Falls Church, VA. Prior to his work at Congressional, Dan spent 6 years in the classroom and started his own tour and travel company based out of Washington DC. Dan has served in a variety of roles on the ACA Virginias... Read More →
Through play and discussions, we will process how to build and deliver a successful staff training/meeting. We will discuss strategies, activities, and educational sessions that will help you communicate messages and information more effectively- to create results that will be beneficial and impactful for your staff. We will highlight trainings for both Summer Camp and After School staff/programs.
Effective fiscal management means not only prioritizing your spending and maximizing your revenue, but also having great "flight controls" to constantly evaluate and benchmark your goals and progress. This session dives into the essential questions of how to staff smarter, plan better, and benchmark more accurately so that you have a great handle on your numbers at any given time.
Director of Summer & Auxiliary Programs, The Fenn School
I've spent my whole adult life working with and advocating for kids. Currently I do that work as the Director of Summer Fenn and Auxiliary Programs at the Fenn School where I get to serve families and kids by providing an impactful camp and enrichment experiences for hundreds of children... Read More →
Public school students attending independent school after school programs can be a beneficial source of revenue and expand a school's mission. Why do so few independent schools do it? We will explore the questions, challenges, and opportunities of making such a change at your school. How would it impact finances, brand, school culture, parent reaction, etc.
Vendors come to your summer camp contracted to do a specific job, usually to provide specialized programming. However, have you ever thought to use your vendors as partners to come up with new ideas, staffing solutions and new processes? In this session, hear from four seasoned Auxiliary Directors who partner with their vendors to come up with creative solutions to their summer program challenges.
Director of Auxiliary Programs, Saint Andrew's School
Mike Jacobs is beginning his 28 year at Saint Andrew's school in Boca Raton, Florida. As the director of Auxiliary programs he oversees summer camps, facility rentals, club rentals, before and aftercare, enrichment, and driver certification. Mike also serves as a team captain for... Read More →
Karen McCann McClelland has over 25 years of experience in auxiliary and summer programs. As director of Sidwell Summer which serves over 3200 campers annually, she coordinates the marketing, hiring, program design/implementation, and evaluation of 12 different programs. She also... Read More →
Director of Auxiliary Programs, The Potomac School
Happy to chat with folks about all things Auxiliary Programs related. Always open to new programs and suggestions of camps that you have found to be enriching for your campers!
Wednesday October 16, 2019 11:15am - 12:15pm MST
Valley Ho I
Fred Rogers was not only an educational genius, he was a marketing genius. He understood to teach people you must first reach people. There were specific principles he followed build his brand, multi-generational loyal following, and enduring legacy. As fellow educators and developers of the human spirit, we will examine and apply these principles in our approach to summer auxiliary families. This session will answer these two questions: What were the things Fred Rogers used to make him known, trusted, and followed for decades? How we can apply these principles in the Summer Auxiliary industry to reach kids & families with our unique summer program experiences?
I help summer program's develop effective value propositions for their unique program and promote these effectively in marketing, website presence, social media, and alumni reach-outs. I bring successful marketing/ technology best practices that drive personalized connection, early... Read More →
Katlyn Grasso is the CEO and Founder of GenHERation®. In her role as CEO, Katlyn has created GenHERation Discovery Days, hosted the GenHERation Summer Leadership Series, developed original GenHERation webisodes, and has grown the GenHERation community to reach more than 250,000 young women. Katlyn is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she received a B.S. in Economics with concentrations in finance and strategic globalization. She is one of the inaugural recipients of the Penn President’s Engagement Prize, which provides graduating seniors with $150,000 to develop innovative projects that have the potential to change the world. Katlyn has started two nonprofit organizations and the dance exercise program Tap for Tots. Katlyn is a member of the Penn Fund Executive Board, the Penn Nursing Center for Global Women's Health Advisory Board, and is the Co-Chair of Momentum 2020: The Power of Penn Women. Katlyn is a frequent national television and radio contributor appearing on CNBC, Bloomberg, FOX Business, Yahoo Finance, and SiriusXM Radio. Her work has been featured across national media outlets, including Fast Company, Forbes, Seventeen Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Wharton Magazine, and The Pennsylvania Gazette.
This discussion will focus on on student enrichment through after school programming. Come prepared to share strengths of your program with others and discuss best practices.
Wednesday October 16, 2019 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST
Valley Ho I
Come together with others seeking to discuss best practices in facility rentals. Share your experience with contracts, fee structure, risk management, supervision, scheduling, and much more.
Wednesday October 16, 2019 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST
Valley Ho II
Join Ignite Keynote speaker Katlyn Grasso for a roundtable discussion. This conversation will allow attendees to ask questions related to the keynote and gain further ideas about how to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem at their school.
Wednesday October 16, 2019 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST
SoHo I
What comes next? Leading a larger program? Leading the school? Join other experienced Auxiliary and Summer Directors to discuss what might be the next step in their careers.
Wednesday October 16, 2019 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST
Pool II
How do you ensure that your office is following best practices relative to human resources? How closely do you work with the HR Director in your school? Join others to discuss strategies to ensure effective HR polies, procedures, and compliance.
Wednesday October 16, 2019 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST
SoHo II
This conversation will be focused on residential summer programs. Bring your questions and ideas for others whether it's about staffing, risk management, program structure, or specific trends that you may be experiencing.
We go to conferences and hear about best practices, great programs, ways to improve - what about all those times we tried but then failed? We will begin with our “Top 10 Failures” and lessons learned. Then we will open it up to your stories. One of the skills we want our students to improve is willingness to take a risks, be creative, and try new things. Let’s talk about how that translates into some of our best and worst endeavors. Be prepared to laugh, commiserate, network, and learn. Of course, this session will be at the pool bar so please dress/plan accordingly!
Wednesday October 16, 2019 3:30pm - 4:30pm MST
Pool I
Do you send participants off campus for day or overnight trips? Join others to discuss opportunities, challenges, and the many complexities of running safe travel programs.
Join other early risers looking for a little exercise with a group jog along the canal. Meet in the hotel lobby at 6:30am, and the group will head out on an easy out-and-back route from the hotel.
For those of you who are early risers (or jet-lagged east coasters), start your day with a gentle sunrise yoga session on the Sky Line Rooftop. Yoga mats provided. (Attendees are asked to limit their sign-up to one session of yoga)
How do we encourage staff to continue returning year after year? What do they need most? We'll explore how to build an intentional culture among our teachers, counselors and staff. There are multiple layers involved in supporting staff in feeling respected, connected, and known. Most of our programs have shifted or are shifting to a more collaborative and supportive work environment. In this workshop, you'll hear about what we do to achieve such a high retention rate. Come ready to engage, learn and share about what is already working for you in creating an intentional culture, as well as gain some insight as to some new strategies you may bring back to your own program.
For independent schools in general and summer programs in particular, the allure of the Chinese student market has become increasingly apparent over the past decade. While this burgeoning market holds all kinds of promise for enlarging and enhancing a school’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and for generating new revenue streams, a school needs to implement an initiative of this sort, grasping the nature of the commitment and the challenges – as there are many. Given our intimate knowledge of this market, direct experience with Chinese parents, the ability to navigate in a fully bi-lingual and bi-cultural fashion, and privileged access to premium Chinese families as well as leadership in China’s ministry of education and beyond, we will explore and discuss topics related but not limited to: The Why: Motivation and rationales for implementing a comprehensive China outreach program...The How: Outreach to China... current realities and considerations...The What: What are the desired outcomes?
Founder & CEO, Shang Learning Group Tabor Academy Trustee IECA Professional MemberA Beijing native, Nini was one of the first Mainland Chinese students to study at a U.S. boarding school. She graduated from Tabor Academy in 2003 followed by Princeton University in 2007. She also... Read More →
This information packed session will dive into one camp’s digital marketing strategy that has led to successful year over year enrollment growth…What they did…what worked…and lessons learned along the way. Join us for a discussion on how you can add some of these strategies to your camp today.
Director of Auxiliary Programs, Congressional School
Dan is the Director of Auxiliary Programs for Congressional School in Falls Church, VA. Prior to his work at Congressional, Dan spent 6 years in the classroom and started his own tour and travel company based out of Washington DC. Dan has served in a variety of roles on the ACA Virginias... Read More →
Technology plays a more critical role than ever in the effective management of summer and auxiliary programs. Forward thinking schools are now utilizing web-based registration systems, content management websites, Google, and many other apps and tools to streamline their business operations throughout the year. This session will introduce a variety of technology tools and advice that can help summer and auxiliary programs improve registration, communication, human resources, and customer service. Come prepared to share your own successes with technology and to leave with many new ideas to further research and implement in your own school.
CampBrain provides web-based management and registration software to the summer and auxiliary programs market. Serving 1700+ organizations (500+ Schools) since 1994, we have a dedicated team of 55+ providing personal, caring support and building beautiful, intuitive software.
I started as Product Manager for a subsidiary of Payscape called RegPoint Solutions. Regpoint was a software solution that helped AUX programs take registrations and manage them - We work with Lovett, Avon Old Farms, School of the Sacred Heart San Francisco, and many more. We've... Read More →
Domestic student interest in boarding school is declining annually. Boarding schools can reduce the effect of the national trend by incorporating summer residential programs that intentionally attract middle schoolers and their parents to the boarding environment. Research suggests that benefits of summer camp have ties to attracting prospective boarding school students. A survey and interviews of boarding school leaders also provide supporting evidence. Learn about the potential, opportunity, and future benefit of incorporating a residential summer program at your boarding school that can overcome the national trend and increase domestic enrollment.
Are you responsible for creating budgets, managing budgets, or simply interested in financial management? This session will explore the steps in reviewing fixed and variable costs and revenues in camp (or other auxiliary programs) to determine cost-per-camper, yield-per-camper, profit/loss statements, and other financial scenarios. This session is intended for novice to intermediate financial abilities.
Diversity and cultural competency are two important subject matters that are being discussed in society. An understanding of cultural competency, diversity, and blindspots in auxiliary programs as schools begin to embrace individuals from a variety of backgrounds is a necessity. In conjunction with understanding cultural diversity and cultural competency, having tools and resources to help identify blindspots within an existing program are vital.
Director of Athletics and Co-Curricular Programs, Oak Hill School
My name is Patrice Elder and I am the Director of Athletics and Co-Curricular Programming at Oak Hill School. Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, Belonging, and Togetherness are topics of interest for me as I conduct research and work in education and athletic settings. I am excited to... Read More →
Where are all the results? What’s a pixel? Custom audiences? Did I get any leads or ROI? Despite investing an inordinate amount of time into social media, most company’s return on investment is bleak. Can you honestly say Facebook was a successful digital marketing tool driving leads and purchases? Facebook sure makes it easy to spend money but if you are feeling frustrated with how to leverage Facebook as a digital marketing tool, we’ll discuss various strategies from Organic to Paid. We’ll even take a sneak peak into the backend of successful Facebook campaigns and discuss their approach.
Join the Extension Department from Oregon Episcopal School for a conversation about strategies we use to align our programs to the school’s mission and to continue a revenue stream. This session valuable for both after school and summer directors. Over the past four years, our team has aligned our programs to the school’s mission and increased our revenue stream. Join us for a conversation about the strategies that we used to accomplish this, grow our programs, and have a great time doing it.
In an increasingly competitive market, the most successful auxiliary programs continually innovate, invest, and intentionally improve both programs and operations. Forward-thinking schools embrace a growth mindset, empowering their auxiliary leaders to develop and implement new ideas within a culture of improvement. Join this session to gain three different perspectives on the power of innovation and entrepreneurship and leave with strategies to launch successful new ideas at your school.
Founder & CEO, Shang Learning Group Tabor Academy Trustee IECA Professional MemberA Beijing native, Nini was one of the first Mainland Chinese students to study at a U.S. boarding school. She graduated from Tabor Academy in 2003 followed by Princeton University in 2007. She also... Read More →
At many independent schools, auxiliary programs and their directors often exist outside of the central structures of the school. This isolation can have the impact of limiting program potential and growth. The purpose of this session is to empower auxiliary leaders to become more effective within their school communities. Combining a panel of experienced Directors with the opportunity to share among peers, all attendees will leave with new ideas and concrete strategies to increase auxiliary integration. Communication and collaboration with other department heads, partnering with school initiatives, joining committees, and building relationships among the faculty all can contribute to furthering auxiliary department goals.
Are you early in your auxiliary leadership career? Are you continually surprised by your daily reality being different than your initial expectations? Join a group of experienced directors who will highlight important lessons learned on the job, sharing examples related to job descriptions, personnel management, integration within the school, and much more. This session will be discussion oriented, allowing for attendee questions and collaborative problem-solving.
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 →
Karen McCann McClelland has over 25 years of experience in auxiliary and summer programs. As director of Sidwell Summer which serves over 3200 campers annually, she coordinates the marketing, hiring, program design/implementation, and evaluation of 12 different programs. She also... Read More →
Director of Auxiliary Programs, Congressional School
Dan is the Director of Auxiliary Programs for Congressional School in Falls Church, VA. Prior to his work at Congressional, Dan spent 6 years in the classroom and started his own tour and travel company based out of Washington DC. Dan has served in a variety of roles on the ACA Virginias... Read More →
Come prepared to share all the details of your most valued, highest netting, and exciting camps with fellow SPARC attendees. In this session you will move around discussing and hearing about the best sports, academic, and enrichment camps offered all over the country. Come prepared to speak about your own programs and learn about others you never thought about.
Many summer programs are relatively small and have a similarly small marketing budget. This session will explore the different factors to consider when creating a marketing program with a small budget, including how to craft your message, determine your audience, and create your materials. Traditional marketing materials as well as digital marketing techniques will be considered. Special emphasis on ideas that are free or very low cost.
Explore the changing landscape of campus safety, security, and risk management related to Auxiliary Programs. Topics include emergency and crisis preparedness planning, training, professional development, technology and campus solutions. Be more prepared and learn how you can help your school create a safer campus and manage risk not just during the school day but after hours, weekends, and during the summer.
AUXS was founded to support independent day & boarding schools in the areas of auxiliary programs, risk management and campus operations. The AUXS network of Advisors is made up subject matter experts with extensive experience working with and for schools. Our combination of talents... Read More →
Thursday October 17, 2019 2:45pm - 3:45pm MST
Valley Ho II
Hiring part-time and seasonal employees carries its own challenges. In this session, we'll discuss the benefits and challenges of employing non-regular staff and some of the considerations program directors should consider in advance. We’ll start by looking at the national employment landscape and explore recruitment and hiring challenges. We’ll also navigate specific considerations when on-boarding non-regular staff, including the shifting benefits landscape and the unique challenges of employees who may serve multiple roles within the school. We’ll finish the session by exploring risks related to hiring these individuals and considerations for terminations. Hear from seasoned HR professionals and the Auxiliary Programs Directors at their schools and gain some tools to take back to your school's HR Team!
Are you seeking guidance in how to advance your career in the field of auxiliary programs? Share your own experience with others and learn about new ways that schools are defining auxiliary program leadership roles.
Thursday October 17, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm MST
Pool II
Access to current benchmarking data is invaluable when it comes to decision-making and adhering to industry norms. This discussion will be an opportunity to share what other kinds of benchmarking data you'd like to see in the future.
Thursday October 17, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm MST
SoHo II
Many directors are seeing a decline in the level of creativity in their staff. Join this discussion to share ideas about how to build a staff culture that embraces and elicits staff spontaneity and creativity.
Thursday October 17, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm MST
SoHo I
This discussion will be devoted to the many challenges and opportunities that come with serving an early childhood population. Whether through summer programming, or after school, come prepared to share your thoughts on programming, supervision, staffing, facility, parents, and regulation.
Are you interested in brainstorming with others about event ideas? This roundtable will focus on off-season events that focus on marketing and retention as well as in-season events that engage participants and potentially their families as well.
Thursday October 17, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm MST
Pool I
As more and more Chinese youth seek to enroll in our summer programs, both boarding and day, how are we effectively including them? Join with others to share strategies, resources, successes and failures.
Many directors are seeing a steady increase in the social and emotional needs presented by youth in their programs. Come share with others how you are addressing this growing challenge through staffing, communication, program adjustments, etc.
Thursday October 17, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm MST
Valley Ho I
For those of you who are early risers (or jet-lagged east coasters), start your day with a gentle sunrise yoga session on Palm Court Lawn. Yoga mats provided.
After school care for early childhood can be erroneously viewed as “babysitting” when, in reality, it is a ripe opportunity for learning. Early childhood after school educators meet the fundamental needs of children while providing them with experiences that support and enhance development. Learn how an enrichment model is valuable to children under six years old, their caregivers, and their schools.
Join us for a conversation between the director of a small summer program on a strict budget, and the video marketer with whom she worked to create high quality, targeted marketing tools. We will explore the process and the pitfalls: the options available when both sides work together to generate content, the importance of director involvement, and the chance to elevate your program in the marketplace in line with programmatic values. Attendees will leave with a list of concrete action steps that they can apply right now.
Join us for a hands-on, practical session that will empower attendees to improve and grow their school’s auxiliary programs. This session will introduce and explore the use of several tools that can be implemented to strategically assess current programs and determine best directions to build future programs. Areas of focus will include strategic goals, asset inventory, capacity analysis, and the concept of a program “scorecard.” Attendees will leave with customizable resources and a clear strategy to envision a new future for their auxiliary programs.
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 →
Karen McCann McClelland has over 25 years of experience in auxiliary and summer programs. As director of Sidwell Summer which serves over 3200 campers annually, she coordinates the marketing, hiring, program design/implementation, and evaluation of 12 different programs. She also... Read More →
Director of Auxiliary Programs, The Lawrenceville School
Ryan Williams has over 14 years of experience in auxiliary and summer programs. As Director of Auxiliary Programs at The Lawrenceville School, Ryan oversees summer programs, facility rentals, select student services, the Lawrenceville School Golf and Tennis Club, and the School’s... Read More →
A case study of a real fire evacuation, outlining a chronology of events, tactics and tools adapted and deployed in the moment, and planning for your own emergency. Learn about our communications strategies and how we used online tools to keep families informed and confident that their kids were safe. Bring your questions – and answers -- as we share issues and solutions that might not be on your radar. Learn from our experiences managing a major evacuation.
Vice President, Summer & Auxiliary Programs, Idyllwild Arts Academy & Summer Program
Mark Davis became Director of Summer and Auxiliary Programs for the Idyllwild Arts Foundation in June 2015, and is a member of the IAF President’s Senior Leadership Team. As Director, Mark has increased enrollment, expanded program offerings beyond summer, and enhanced program offerings... Read More →
Near North Montessori (NNM) runs over 200 specialty programs each year; 95% are taught by NNM faculty. By bringing it in, NNM utilizes teachers to provide quality programs and increase revenue. Join the NNM programs team to learn how they successfully empower teachers to create afterschool programs that thrive and meet the needs of families. If you are looking to increase your profit margins and provide a smoother transition from school day to extended day, this session is for you!
There’s a lot of confusing misinformation floating around the Internet when it comes to search engine optimization. Do keywords still matter? What’s a rich snippet? Why set up Google Webmaster Tools? Should I trust this nice prince from Nigeria looking to help me generate backlinks? We’ve all read the same blog articles and attended the standard search engine optimization seminar. This is something different. We’re going to debunk the myths and give you actual strategies that you can put to work immediately.
Peter Ross is the co-founder of 829 Studios, a midsized marketing firm based in Boston that specializes in the camp and travel industry. He leads a team of approx 40 designers, programmers, and marketing professionals who consult for camps across the country. This year his team was... Read More →
Friday October 18, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am MST
SoHo I
Young adults on our staff and our students/campers alike are arriving with more anxiety, more behavioral challenges and more complex socio-emotional profiles. Experience the dramatic mindset shift of Collaborative Problem Solving (R) that has transformed entire teams and schools. Learn the basics of this skill building model that has shown to have a profound effect in developing a more empathetic and functional team/community culture.
Director of Summer & Auxiliary Programs, The Fenn School
I've spent my whole adult life working with and advocating for kids. Currently I do that work as the Director of Summer Fenn and Auxiliary Programs at the Fenn School where I get to serve families and kids by providing an impactful camp and enrichment experiences for hundreds of children... Read More →
This interactive workshop will help you prepare for all the potential “what ifs” that we as Auxiliary/Camp leaders must be prepared for. You will leave this workshop ready to tackle all the potential sticky situations you may face during the summer/school year. We will role play scenarios that could potentially happen at camp (and other auxiliary programs) and we will talk about policies, procedures, training and other factors that will add to the success of handling these situations. We will also discuss how certain people in our communities may react to these situations and how a proactive approach may influence these outcomes.
