Learn24 Network's 2026 Out-of-School Time Conference & Showcase!

Learn24 Network's 2026 Out-of-School Time Conference and Showcase: "Illuminate, Evaluate Elevate."

Join OST providers, youth development professionals, and community partners from across the District for two days of learning,collaboration,and innovation on June 22nd and June 23rd, 2026.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

DYNAMIC KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

YOUTH ASSESSOR CORPS PANEL DISCUSSION

Conference Workshop Themes:
- Grant Administration and Compliance
- Program Sustainability and Effectiveness
- Program Quality Assurance/Evaluating OST Programs
- Funding Sustainability
- Capacity Building
- Positive Youth Development
- Data-Driven Decision-Making
- Family and Community Engagement

CONFERENCE AGENDA:

Day 1 (June 22, 2026 – 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.)

9:30 am-9:45 am: Welcome, Introduction, and Opening Remarks

9:45am – 10:45 am: Chef Rush – Keynote Speaker

11:00 am-12:00 pm: Workshop Block 1: (Concurrent professional development workshops)

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch (Learn24 Panel – Youth Assessor Corps – Quality programming from a youth perspective)

1:15pm – 2:15 pm: Workshop Block 2: (Concurrent professional development workshops)

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Workshop Block 3: (Concurrent professional development workshops)

3:45 pm – 4:15 pm: Closing

Day 2 (June 23, 2026 - 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.)

9:30 am – 9:45 am: Opening Session

9:45 am – 10:45 am: Keynote Speaker

11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Workshop Block 4: (Concurrent professional development workshops)

12:15 pm – 1:15pm: Workshop Block 5: (Concurrent professional development workshops)

1:15 PM – 2:15 PM: Networking Lunch

OST Grantees’ Showcase

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM: Opening of students’ exhibits

3:15 PM – 4:15 Pm: Performance/entertainment by students

FEATURED KEYNOTE SPEAKER

CHEF RUSH!

Chef Rush is a globally recognized culinary leader, decorated combat veteran, and unwavering advocate for mental health, youth empowerment, and military service. Raised in Columbus, Mississippi, he developed his passion for cooking from his mother, grounding his craft in heritage, discipline, and heart. These are values that would later define both his military and culinary careers.

Chef Rush is passionate about mentoring youth and standing firmly against bullying. He believes in empowering young people with confidence, discipline, and leadership skills — not just to navigate today’s challenges, but to prepare them for a future far more complex than generations before.

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