Save the date(s)! Vermont Afterschool’s 17th Annual Conference will be held on October 22 and 23, 2026 at Hotel Champlain in Burlington! Click here to reserve your discounted hotel room today.

A 4-hour deep-dive training on Program Quality Assessment will be held on Thursday ($75). The Friday conference will feature a keynote, award presentations, and 5 hours of of workshops ($170 early bird rate; $190 after the early bird closes).

Keynote Speaker
Deep Dive
Workshops
Exhibitors
Details

Marissa Badgley

Marissa Badgley, MSW, is a globally recognized team culture transformation expert and facilitator with a dynamic background in organizational psychology, leadership development, education, conflict resolution, group dynamics, and social work. Her formative career experiences were in the afterschool and out-of-school time space, and she served as a program director for many years before moving into leadership at a national afterschool intermediary.

Marissa is the founder of Reloveution, a small business that leverages the magic of humanity to strengthen teams and deepen leadership impact. In short, she helps workplaces make sense of humans, and humans make sense of work. Since 2019, Marissa and Reloveution have worked with 150+ companies and tens of thousands of current and emerging leaders worldwide, facilitating transformational learning and community experiences that propel humans, teams, and entire organizations toward excellence, justice, and love. You can learn more about Reloveution at www.truereloveution.com.

Marissa has been featured as a thought leader in publications such as Forbes, Nasdaq, Business Insider, ThriveGlobal, Medium, and Crunchbase, and on podcasts such as Do Business Better, Small Biz Gone Viral, Welcome to my World, and Unlimited. She has also been a regular speaker on leadership and workplace well-being at conferences throughout the United States. Marissa holds an MSW in organizational and leadership development from Washington University in St. Louis and a BA from Franklin & Marshall College. She is also a certified workplace conflict mediator.

Deep Dive Workshop

Program Quality Assessment in Afterschool

Vermont Afterschool Staff

More details to come.

WORKSHOP BLOCK #A | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

The “Yes” Environment: Decoding Behavior and Supporting Autonomy through Nature Play
Beyond Hiring for “Fit”: Strategies to Reduce Bias and Increase Diversity in the Hiring Process
Safe: The Power of Presence and Co-Regulation
Deep(er) Dive: The Anatomy of Trust: Building Relationships that Last
Making the Case: Strategies to Fund and Advocate for Afterschool and Summer Learning
AI & Youth: Sparking Curiosity

WORKSHOP BLOCK #B | 1:00 PM–2:30 PM

Connecting the Dots: Building Stronger Networks of Support Around Student Career Planning
Playful Engagement Strategies
Relationships, Planning & Presence
The Story Behind the Struggle
Managing Through Change, Crisis & Uncertainty
Building Relationship-Centered Communities

WORKSHOP BLOCK #C | 2:45 PM–4:15 PM

Strong Families: How Afterschool Staff Can Support the Five Protective Factors
Youth & Relationship Development
Your Story: Build Vision and Sustainability with Classic Writing Techniques
Playful Engagement Strategies
NBA Math Hoops – Creating the Next Math Champion
Jr Iron Chef VT: What it Takes to Host a Team!

We invite organizations and businesses to support Vermont Afterschool by purchasing an exhibitor table. Exhibiting at our conference offers an opportunity to market your services, products, or resources to over 200 afterschool professionals.

Vermont Afterschool offers exhibitor tables as an incentive to conference sponsors at certain giving levels. Exhibitor tables are also available for $175 for nonprofit organizations and $350 for all other organizations on a first-come, first serve basis (space is limited this year). Email Becka Wilcke to reserve an exhibitor table.

COST

Individual Vermont Afterschool Members receive a $25 registration discount. Small Organization Memberships are eligible to receive a $25 registration discount for each registrant (limit of 3 registrants). Large Organization Memberships are eligible to receive a $25 registration discount for each registrant (limit 6 registrants). Visit our Membership page to learn how to become a Vermont Afterschool Member.

Early Bird Rate (deadline 9/12/26) – $170 Non-members/$145 Members
Regular Rate – $190 Non-members/$165 Members
Thursday Deep Dive – $75

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations must be sent in writing to becka@vermontafterschool.org by 5 PM on October 2, 2026 to be eligible for a refund. All cancellations after that date, including no-shows or illnesses, are non-refundable. After October 2nd, individuals or organizations with confirmed registrations are liable for all related registration fees, including payments that have not yet been received by Vermont Afterschool at the time of cancellation. We are unable to make exceptions for emergencies; however, you may send a substitute in the place of a registered attendee.

LOCATION

Hotel Champlain Burlington
60 Battery Street
Burlington, VT 05401
802-658-6500
www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bttvtqq-hotel-champlain-burlington/

PARKING

Parking for the hotel is managed by the City of Burlington. The cost is $12/day and subject to change per city regulations.

Enter the parking garage at 60 Battery Street or 60 College Street. The ramp to the hotel is on the 3rd floor. Pay for parking via the ParkMobile App by entering Zone #5826.

LODGING

Individuals planning to stay at Hotel Champlain Burlington are eligible to receive a discounted rate. To take advantage of this discount, please call1-800-HILTONS (445-8667) and mention the Vermont Afterschool Conference group code (ASAC26) or visit the hotel’s website via this link no later than October 1, 2026. Reservations received after this date will be accepted on a space available basis.

SCHEDULE

Thursday

12:45 PM: Welcome
1:00–5:00 PM: Deep-Dive Training (light refreshments offered during break)
TBD: Thursday evening activity

Friday

8:00–8:45 AM: Registration & Caffeine
8:45–9:00 AM: Welcome from VTA Executive Director
9:00–9:45 AM: Keynote Address
10:00 AM–12:00 PM: Workshop Block A
12:00–12:45 PM: Lunch
1:00–2:30 PM: Workshop Block B
2:45–4:15 PM: Workshop Block C
4:15–5:00 PM: Afterschool Cafe (Closing Remarks, Snacks, Raffle)

Stay tuned to this page for more details!

Thank you to everyone who helped make Vermont Afterschool’s 16th Annual Conference a HUGE success!

A rewarding deep dive training with Dr. Folami Prescott-Adams of HTI Catalysts and Addie Lentzer of the Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network kicked us off on Thursday, followed by a marshmallow roast and games. Friday started off with the presentations of two new annual awards for Afterschool Professional of the Year and Afterschool Rising Star of the Year, followed by an inspiring keynote from Dr. Prescott-Adams and 19 thoughtful workshops. We loved seeing 200+ afterschool directors and site coordinators, staff, educators, partners, and champions come together for two days of learning, networking, and celebrating the important work you do for Vermont’s children, youth, families, and communities. And we can’t wait to see you for the 17th Annual Afterschool Conference on October 22 and 23, 2026 at Hotel Champlain in Burlington!

Registration is NOW OPEN for Vermont Afterschool’s 16th Annual Conference has been scheduled for Thursday and Friday, November 6 and 7, 2025 at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee.

Thursday will feature a half-day, professional development deep-dive specifically for out-of-school time directors and site coordinators facilitated by Dr. Folami Prescott-Adams of HTI Catalysts and Addie Lentzer of the Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network (learn more below) and Friday will once again bring together Vermont’s out-of-school time directors, staff, educators, partners, and champions for a full day of workshops across three breakout sessions, an inspiring keynote from Dr. Prescott-Adams, networking, and a celebration of the important work you do for Vermont’s children, youth, families, and communities.

The registration cost for the Thursday Deep Dive is $60. Registration for Friday’s conference costs $175. And it’s $150 for Vermont Afterschool Members!

Be sure to register today and we’ll see you in November!

Your Support Makes the Annual Conference Possible.

Yes, I want to support Vermont's afterschool professionals today!

Click here to explore our Annual Conference Sponsorship Opportunities.

Vermont Afterschool, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and contributions are tax deductible. Your gift supports our efforts to increase the quality of and access to afterschool and summer programs in Vermont, as well as to empower youth.