Breakfast Club Blog

The BOOST Breakfast Club Blog is a curated space where bloggers from around the world contribute content on a continual basis about a variety of topics relevant to in and out-of-school time. The BOOST Breakfast Club blog is at the heart of an ongoing dialogue where expanded learning and education professionals share their personal thoughts and stories from the in and out-of-school time field. They also tell us what they ate for breakfast!

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer, or company. Enjoy the brain food.

The BOOST Breakfast Club Blog is Brain Food for In and Out-of-School Time Leaders!

Interested in becoming a blogger? Email breakfastclub@boostcollaborative.org

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STEM Identity Matters: How to Help Youth See Themselves in STEM (and Stay There)

In this interactive session, participants will explore a research-based framework for building STEM identity through four key pillars: belonging, capability, connection, and creativity. You’ll learn how to guide youth to see themselves as STEM thinkers and doers. Through role models, storytelling, and hands-on strategies, you’ll leave feeling empowered with practical tools to create inclusive programs where students don’t just participate in STEM, they discover it as part of wh... Read More

#iAmImpact Healing Circles

#iAmImpact Healing Circles are a restorative practice that invites participants into intentional dialogue. In this high-energy and engaging activity, participants will be challenged to explore what it means to be restorative in youth development work. Read More

TK-Tastic Adventures: Learning to Play (and Playing to Learn!) with Our Youngest Learners

Ever feel like your Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students are tiny, energetic, and curious little humans sent to teach you a whole new language? You’re not alone! Working with four-year-olds in an expanded learning setting is a delightful, yet unique, adventure. Join us for a joyful, jam-packed session that will turn your TK program into a developmentally appropriate, standard-achieving wonderland! We’ll stop guessing and start knowing exactly what makes these little explorers tick. Come prepa... Read More

Supporting Neurodiverse Students: Building Equity, Access, and Belonging in Expanded Learning Spaces

Expanded Learning programs play a powerful role in creating spaces where every student feels seen, supported, and capable of success. Yet, many traditional approaches to neurodiverse students still rely on deficit-based views of disability. This interactive session invites expanded learning professionals to reframe how they understand and respond to neurodiversity through an equity and access lens. Participants will explore the difference between the medical and social models of disability, exam... Read More

Connect, Collaborate, Celebrate: Build Lasting Relationships in Your After-School Program

Join us for an engaging workshop designed to empower after-school staff with the tools and mindset to connect, collaborate, and celebrate within their programs. Participants will explore strategies for understanding commitment, fostering active participation, and building strong relationships with students, families, and the community. Enjoy fun interactions while setting meaningful goals to enhance your after-school environment and culture. Read More

25 Fabulous Enrichment Ideas & Where to Get More

This is your time to remember what is it all about, having FUN with your children through intentional youth development! Get inspired and take your enrichment game to the next level as we explore a ton of fabulous ideas. We’ll also examine many low-cost and free resources to keep the fabulous ideas flowing once you are back home. A fast, interactive experience as you customize fabulous enrichment just right for your program! Read More

Uncover Your Purpose: Discovering and Defining Your WHY.

Embark on a transformative journey to uncover the core of your motivation! This engaging workshop presentation invites participants to dive deep into their values, passions, and aspirations. Participants can expect to engage in the following: Interactive Exercises Values Assessment Drafting Your WHY Statement Sharing and Feedback Action Plan Development Presenter: Dwayne Wiggins, Jr., Owner/Founder, A Human. Being!, La Mesa, CA Read More

Coaching Through Chaos: Helping Staff Navigate in Uncertain Times

This informative session offers after-school leaders a practical guide to help staff navigate change and uncertainty. Through real talk, tools, and reflection, we will explore five strategies: Adapt, Anticipate, Act with Excellence, Achieve More with Less, and Manage Fear. Whether you lead a small team or a large site, you’ll leave with tools, ideas, and a renewed mindset to support your staff through tough times. Presenters: Ray Trinidad, CEO, !Mpact People/Players; Gabe Ogilvie, Co-Founder, !M... Read More

Compassionate Systems: A Path to Educational Renaissance

This interactive workshop introduces expanded learning practitioners to the Compassionate Systems Framework, a powerful approach to fostering well-being, equity, emotional intelligence, and transformative leadership in education. Participants will explore practical strategies to cultivate self-awareness, empathy, and systemic thinking, empowering them to create learning environments where students and staff thrive. Through reflective exercises and collaborative discussions, attendees will gain t... Read More

#AfterschoolWorks – Opportunities and Challenges in the Trump Administration

How does the 2024 election impact afterschool? This Town Hall will discuss opportunities and challenges our field will face under the Trump administration, the nongovernmental committee, and at the state level. It will also focus on messaging: what works and what doesn’t when communicating about afterschool and how to engage local business advocates and allies. Read More

Uncover Your Purpose: Discovering and Defining Your Why!

Embark on a transformative journey to uncover the core of your motivation! This engaging workshop presentation invites participants to dive deep into their values, passions, and aspirations. Through interactive discussions, thought-provoking exercises, and collaborative activities, you will learn how to articulate your personal “WHY”—the driving force that shapes your decisions and fuels your ambitions. It guides participants through a structured exploration of their personal motivat... Read More

Take on Tough Challenges with Data-Informed Confidence

How do we take a strengths-based approach to evaluation and problem-solving? Join us as we engage in an Appreciative Inquiry interview process, reflecting on successful experiences. We’ll use a modified coding process, identifying key elements that made success possible, and apply these elements to a current challenge. We will also present a few evaluation practices we have found to be effective at Monarch School Project, a 501c3 exclusively serving unhoused children and families. Read More