Nebraska Afterschool Conference
*UPDATED LOCATION*
September 26, 2025
Younes Conference Center North
Kearney, NE
The GetConnected 2025 Nebraska Afterschool Conference provides an opportunity to learn more about planning and implementing a quality afterschool or summer program. Sessions offered throughout the day target a variety of audiences including program leaders, program staff, teachers, school administrators, community partners, and others interested in afterschool and summer learning opportunities for children and youth.
2025 GetConnected Conference
We are no longer accepting proposals for presenters/vendors. Announcements on selections will be made soon! Keep an eye out!
Call for Presenters: We are now accepting proposals for workshops: Interactive sessions that provide practical strategies, tools, and insights for afterschool professionals.
- Session Length: 50 minutes
- Interactivity: Proposals should include interactive elements to engage attendees.
Call for Walk N Talk (Vendor) Tables: We are now accepting proposals for Walk and Talk Tables: A networking opportunity for organizations, businesses, and program partners to showcase their services, share resources, and connect with afterschool leaders.
- Dedicated exhibit time during conference breaks to maximize attendee engagement.
- Opportunity to showcase your resources, programs, or services to afterschool professionals.
- 6-ft table with two chairs provided. Space available for interactive displays upon request.
Conference Audience: Approximately 300 attendees, including:
- Afterschool program leaders and staff
- Community partners
- Administrators
- Business representatives
A block of rooms at the Crowne Plaza has been set up for both Wednesday (9/24) and Thursday (9/25) nights. The group rate is $144.95/night, plus tax (when applicable). The Crowne Plaza offers a suite of amenities, including:
- EV Charging Stations
- Fitness Center
- 1 on-site restaurant
- Starbucks
- Indoor water park
- Free Wi-Fi
Reservations can be made by contacting the Crowne Plaza at +1 (308) 238-7000. Make sure to let them know you are with the GetConnected Conference to secure the group rate.
*Note: The group rate is only available for the reserved block of rooms. Once all the rooms in the block are reserved, standard rates and fees will apply.
Registration is now open for the 2025 GetConnected After School Conference!
Credit Card Payments Only
Please use the following links to register based on your attendance type:
Regular Attenders register here!
Walk and Talk Vendors register here!
*Note: The Walk and Talk Vendor link can also be used to purchase additional meal tickets.
Registration will close on September 12, 2025. See you in September!
Official conference program with workshop options is still in the works. See tentative schedule below:
7:45-8:30 am: Registration/Check-In (on-site registration may be unavailable due to need for headcounts for food, etc. Please register in advance to ensure your ability to attend and enjoy some great food and networking!)
8:30-9:45 am: Opening Session Keynote with Adam Carroll
9:45-10:15 am: Break/Networking with Walk n Talk Table Vendors
10:15-11:05 am: Workshop I
11:05-11:30 am: Break/Networking with Walk n Talk Table Vendors
11:30 am-12:20 pm: Workshop II
12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch & Awards
1:15-1:30 pm: Break/Networking with Walk n Talk Table Vendors
1:30-2:20 pm: Workshop III
2:20-2:40 pm: Breal/Networking with Walk n Talk Table Vendors
2:40-3:30 pm: Workshop IV
3:30 pm: Conference ends
Session 1 (10:15-11:05 am CST)
- Afterschool Safety Doesn’t Happen by Accident- Jay Martin, Nebraska Department of Education
- The Adolescent Brain- Brooke Kavan, Educational Service Unit #7
- Building a Quality System from the Inside Out- LaRon Henderson & Nik Stevenson, Collective for Youth
- Using Staff Meetings to Grow Your Team- Saundra Frerichs, Nebraska 4-H; University of Nebraska
- Bridging the Bell: Connecting In-School and Out-of-School Time for Student Success- Jessica Dirks, K12 Coalition
- The Resource Exchange: Insights & Tools for Afterschool- Panelists from Crete Public Schools, Columbus Public Schools, Edgerton ExplorIt Center, & Nebraska 4-H
Session 2 (11:30 am-12:20 pm CST)
- Fueling Growth: Connecting Leaders to Ignite Belonging, Emotional Skills, and Positive Behavior Afterschool- Sara Gentry, Nebraska MTSS
- Planning Made Easy: Using ChatGPT to Streamline Afterschool Programming- Dayna Krannawitter, Lincoln Housing Authority & Arnold Elementary CLC
- Building a Grant-Ready Toolkit- Jessica Javorsky, Nebraska Department of Education
- Beyond Instructions: Fueling Young Engineers with Transformative Questions- Becky Swanson, Nebraska Extension: 4-H Youth Development
- The Empowered Minds Experiment- Aaron Weiner, Wisdom House Collaborative
- Administrator Panel- Panelists from Bancroft-Rosalie Public Schools, Schuyler Community Schools
Session 3 (1:30-2:20 pm CST)
- Writing Your Evolving Story- Billy Mawhiney, Black Hills Special Services Cooperative – ThirdSpace Collaborative
- Play, Make, and Take 13 Activities: Grow an Entrepreneurial Mindset in 30 Minutes or Less!- Tanya Crawford, Nebraska Extension
- Lessons from 16 Years of Staffing Teenagers- Maile Ila Boeder, The Leadership Center
- MLB Players STEM League: Creating the Next Math Champion- Jonathon McLean, Learn Fresh
- Relationships Matter: The Advantage in Learning and Leadership- Peter Ferguson, Peter Ferguson BHS, LLC
- ACRES: A Coaching Program for Educators Leading STEM Activities- Paula Buthorne, Millard Public Schools Foundation
Session 4 (2:40-3:30 pm CST)
- From Burnt Out to Balanced- Abby Miller, The Leadership Center
- Growing Readers Beyond the Bell- Stephanie Vadnais, Beyond School Bells
- Making a Difference: The Power of Advocacy for Afterschool- Nicole Everingham, Collective for Youth
- Empowering Parents as Club Leaders- Brian Welch & Keeli Watters, National Center for Families Learning & City of Lincoln Parks & Recreation
- 8 to Great: Engaging Head and Heart with 8 Life Skills for School Success- Roxie Smith, 8 to Great
- Hello! Do You Want to Get Married? The Importance of Building Relationships and Other Fundraising Tips- Allison O’Toole & Kelita Bak, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation
Adam Carroll is an internationally recognized speaker and author. Adam’s passion is inspiring people to “build bigger lives” through developing transformative keynotes and sharing tactics for personal and professional growth. Adam believes great leadership is more about self-leadership than anything. Join us for his keynote presentation at the 2025 GetConnected Conference, “Level 10 Leadership”. During this highly interactive presentation, Adam shares the 4 not-so-obvious things you can do daily to make sure you are not only living at a Level 10, but inspiring others to do exactly the same.
Conference Partners
