STRENGTHEN | OST Conference
Alaska Out-of-School Time Conference
Join the Alaska Out-of-School Conference to gain valuable skills, network with peers, and explore more than 35 engaging workshops tailored for Alaska’s afterschool educators.
Schedule
Preconference Institute
November 17, 2025
Preconference Session 1: 7:30 am check in, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Preconference Session 2: 7:30 am check in, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Alaska Out-of-School Time Conference
November 18, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
November 19, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Agenda
Download our conference app, Whova, to access full workshop descriptions, create your own personal agenda, and to network with other attendees, presenters and exhibitors!
Register today for Alaska’s largest event for afterschool and youth development professionals!
Join a network of over 150 peers from across the state to gain valuable tools, fresh ideas, and inspiration to strengthen your programs. Dive into dynamic workshops covering STEAM, social-emotional learning, cultural protective factors, and more.
Register early to take advantage of discounted Early Bird rates!
Interested in even more learning opportunities? Check out our Pre-Conference Day options below.
General Registration: $150 starting October 1, 2025
Preconference: $35, (Optional, for more details see below)
Please note: the prices listed do not include processing fees.
Conference Registration
Vendor Registration
Join us as a vendor at the Alaska Out-of-School Time (OST) Conference and connect with over 150 educators, youth development professionals, and program leaders from across the state. This is a unique opportunity to share your resources, services, and products that support afterschool and summer learning programs. Whether you're focused on enrichment, curriculum, youth wellness, or family engagement, we'd love to have you there!
Vendor Registration: $300
Registration includes one 8-foot table and two chairs for November 18–19, 2025. Conference registration is not included and must be purchased separately. Please note: the prices listed do not include processing fees.
Cancellation Policy: In the event you have to cancel your registration, please contact Anna McGovern. Cancellation requests made by October 31, 2025 receive a 100% refund, less processing fees. Tickets are non-refundable after October 31, 2025.
Held on November 17, 2025 the Alaska OST Preconference Institute is an additional opportunity for out-of-school time providers to expanding their professional skill set. Preconference Institute offers workshops that provides an in-depth look into a learning topic and emerge with strategies and resources to bring back to their programs. The Preconference Institute is geared towards all out-of-school time program types.
This year, preconference will host two separate workshops, as well as the opportunity for providers to visit and learn from local out-of-school time providers. Please see below for more information on this year’s preconference workshops and site visit locations.
Organizations should consider taking a select, collaborative team approach when selecting a workshop and/or a site visit session, as space is limited.
Preconference Institute Schedule
7:30 - 8:00 a.m. - Check in
8:00 - 2:00 p.m. - Preconference Institute (A boxed lunch will be provided for all participants)
2:00 - 5:30 p.m. - Site Visits (Transportation provided)
Preconference Institute & Site Visits
Preconference Institute
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Time: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. with lunch provided
Presenter: Erin Moriearty; Alaska Afterschool Network
Audience: Youth Program Quality Initiative participants
Programmatic Grade Level: K-12
Session Capacity: 45 participants
Registration Deadline & Cost: October 31, 2025 // $35
Planning with Data is the Plan phase of the Youth Program Quality Initiative. Participating programs will analyze their collected data to explore their strengths and areas for improvement. Participants will work with their Professional Learning Community to discover root causes, refine goals, and build an improvement plan to implement in the Improve phase of the Youth Program Quality Initiative.
This workshop is open only to Youth Program Quality Initiative YPQI participants. This is an interactive workshop and program teams are encouraged to attend together.
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Time: 8:00 - 2:00 p.m. with 30 minute lunch
Presenter(s): Speakers TBD, The Flourish Lab
Audience:
Programmatic Grade Level:
Session Capacity: 40 participants
Traditional behavior management practices are rooted in the belief that youth behaviors develop as a result of rewards and punishments. This preconference workshop will trace the evolution of these methods, examine their limitations, and highlight why such practices are increasingly viewed as outdated in today’s learning environments.
In this workshop, participants will explore a fresh perspective that reframes how we think about youth behavior, shifting from reactive responses to proactive, relationship-centered practices. Through conversation and hands-on activities, participants will dive into:Moving from power-based mindsets to youth-adult partnerships
Why we often default to power versus partnership and explore approaches to start making immediate shifts
Exploring the principle of emotional intelligence that every behavior begins with a feeling
Seeing how this approach is both trauma-informed and culturally responsive
Designing environments that foster positive feeling and, in turn, positive behaviors
The role of social-emotional learning (SEL) in supporting youth growth and success
Site Visits
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Time: 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Programmatic Grade Level: 1st-5th Grades
Session Capacity: 10 participants per site.
Description :Anchorage School District hosts 10 afterschool programs across Anchorage. These program sites are federally funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Center Program and state funded through the Positive Youth Development Afterschool Program grant. These afterschool programs are designed to support academic improvement through enrichment activities. Site visits are limited to 10 participants per site.
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Time: 2:30-5:30
Programmatic Grade Level: Grades 1-5
Session Capacity: 10 participants
Camp Fire Alaska's school-age programs provide safe, engaging out-of-school time experiences for elementary students. These programs balance academic support, recreation, and social-emotional learning, helping young people build confidence and develop new skills. Camp Fire Alaska operates in 18 schools across Anchorage and Eagle River and creates inclusive environments where children explore their interests while supporting working families.
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Time: 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Programmatic Grade Level: K-5, 9th-12th- Grade
Session Capacity: 10
The Denełchin Lab is a cutting-edge “Super Fab Lab” that empowers Alaska Native youth and the broader community through hands-on STEAM learning, cultural connection, and creative exploration. It offers a unique opportunity to see traditional knowledge and modern technology intersect, with students using advanced tools to engage in projects that reflect their creativity, identity, and innovation.
Participants will have the opportunity to tour the space, explore available resources, and even take part in hands-on STEAM activities to experience the Lab’s impact firsthand.
Accommodations
A limited number of additional rooms has been added to our room block at the Hotel Captain Cook for conference attendees to book at a discounted rate of $169/night during their stay in Anchorage.
To reserve your room, call the Hotel Captain Cook at (907) 276-6000 and mention the Alaska OST Conference to receive the discounted rate.
Directions and Parking
The Conference venue, and hotel are within walking distance of each other.
Parking options are available across downtown Anchorage. While there is metered street parking, we recommend parking in one of the garages or lots indicated on the map.
Licensed School-Age Programs
Through Alaska SEED, licensed school-age providers are eligible for travel reimbursement (up to $1,000) and conference registration reimbursement (up to $500) for the Alaska OST Conference. Here's what you need:
Travel Reimbursement:
A Pre-Travel Application for the conference must be submitted online by Oct. 16th, 2025.
If you are pre-approved, SEED will email and/or mail you a confirmation and a Travel Request (TR) Verification Form. The TR Verification Form, along with all receipts and proof of completion, must be submitted by January 19, 2025.
Registration Reimbursement:
Your membership in the Alaska SEED Registry is current/active.
You are an early childhood or school-age professional operating or working as a paid employee of a licensed or approved child care facility.
You are currently residing in the state of Alaska.
Travel Scholarships
Continuing Education Units
Every year, participants in the Alaska Out-of-School Time Conference may use the below form to apply for one Continuing Education Unit (CEU). This CEU is only recognized by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) and can only be used to meet recency or renewal credit requirements when applying for any of the following Alaska Certificates:
Professional Teacher Certificate,
Master Teacher Certificate
Initial 5-year Teacher Certificate
Type B Administrative Certificate (regular), or
Type C Special Services Certificate (regular).
Thank you to our 2025 Conference Sponsors!
Click on a logo to learn more about each of our incredible conference sponsors.
Premier Level Sponsor
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Bronze Level Sponsor
Sponsor the Alaska Out-of-School Time Conference
Each fall, the Alaska Afterschool Network, a program of Alaska Children’s Trust, convenes educators from across the state to enhance their skills for working with youth. The Conference ensures that educators have the tools and skills they need to keep Alaska’s children and youth safe, healthy, and happy in afterschool.
Your sponsorship helps create better afterschool programs for kids in Alaska by supporting quality professional learning for afterschool educators.
If you need assistance completing your sponsorship, contact Kaila Pfister, Director of Community Engagement at (907)248-7378 or email her here.