After School Zone Conference- September 29, 2018
The 15th Annual After School Zone Conference held on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018 was a huge success. Group Publishing offered a luxurious, comfortable environment, with a delicious breakfast and lunch, that provided child care providers serving school-aged children a sense of professionalism that is critical to their future.
Connor Long, advocate on behalf of people with differing abilities both physical and intellectual, started us off at the breakfast keynote. He reminded us “that every child is perfect exactly as they are at that moment”. At lunch, William Anderson, Educator, offered a thought-provoking and honest presentation that motivated us to be the best we can be with our students. Plus there were sixteen workshops offered that were hands-on and interactive. Concepts learned in each workshop were supported through related door prizes that encourage participants to go back to their programs and apply what they have learned.
The Early Childhood Council was effective in implementing sponsorship levels for the conference this year. Thank you to each of our sponsors: Kaplan Early Learning and the OtterCares Foundation at the Gold level; Lakeshore Learning, Odell’s Brewing Company, and the Walmart Foundation at the Silver level, and Colorado Christian University at the Bronze level.
The After School Zone Conference would not be possible without the tremendous enthusiasm and energy of the planning subcommittee including Heather Griffith, Young People’s Learning Center; Mary Ward, Elizabeth Fuller, Stacy Hale, Christina Mussallem, and Brenda Ullom, BASE Camp; Madonna Mehia, Community Member; Valerie DiBenedetto, Lauren Powers, and Judy Seybold, Early Childhood Council of Larimer County.
Comments about the conference on the evaluations included: “I felt like everything I learned was very relevant and has given my tools to use for myself and for my after school program.”; and “You knocked it out of the park this year – well done!” There were 120 participants and volunteers in attendance for the day!
Thank you for the ongoing support of child care providers attending our conference.