The 2026 SPARC National Conference brings together school and auxiliary program professionals from across the country for several days of education, connection, and inspiration. Taking place October 4–7 in Scottsdale, Arizona, SPARC offers sessions focused on everything from program strategy and technology to enrollment, staffing, marketing, and operational efficiency.
CampBrain is proud to sponsor the SPARC Ignite Opening Session on Monday, October 5, and we’re excited to connect with school and auxiliary program leaders throughout the conference.
With a packed schedule of educational opportunities, we’ve highlighted 16 sessions that may be especially valuable for professionals looking to strengthen their programs and streamline their operations.
Monday’s 2026 SPARC National Conference Sessions: October 5th
Tuesday’s 2026 SPARC National Conference Sessions: October 6th
Wednesday’s 2026 SPARC National Conference Sessions: October 7th
Monday, October 5
From Portfolio to Plan: Building Your School’s Auxiliary Strategy
11:00 AM–12:00 PM | SoHo 2
Speaker: Ian Symmonds
Explore strategies for developing a cohesive auxiliary program plan and turning a collection of offerings into a purposeful, sustainable program strategy.
Streamlining Program Management with Google Workspace: A Collaborative Roundtable
11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Valley Ho 1
Speakers: Melissa Branigan, Elizabeth Essink
Learn how collaborative technology and streamlined workflows can help auxiliary teams manage programs, information, and day-to-day responsibilities more efficiently.
The Next Generation of Building Auxiliary Programs at Independent Schools
1:30–2:45 PM | SoHo 1
Speakers: Leahanne Fenton, Meghan O’Leary, Sophie Paris, Pamela Torres, Bob Rojee
This session focuses on the future of auxiliary programming at independent schools and the strategies leaders can use to build programs that meet evolving community needs.
From Spreadsheets to Strategy: Turning Data into Systems That Actually Work
1:30–2:45 PM | Tropicana
Speakers: Sabrina Raber, Jeremy Ehlers
Discover ways to move beyond spreadsheets and turn program data into practical systems that support better organization and decision-making.
Creative Program Spotlights: Ideas You Can Take Home
3:30–4:30 PM | SoHo 1
Speakers: Emily Roos, Sigita Newsom, Charley Pelissier
Explore creative program ideas and practical examples from fellow auxiliary leaders that you can take back and apply to your own programs.
Tuesday, October 6
From Data to Decisions: Systems That Save You 10 Hours a Week
10:45 AM–12:00 PM | SoHo 1
Speaker: Mike Evans
Take a closer look at how effective systems and data management can help auxiliary leaders reduce administrative work and spend more time on higher-value priorities.
From Good to Exceptional: Elevating the Parent Experience Through Intentional Systems
10:45 AM–12:00 PM | Sands
Speakers: Julie Gomez, Keri Packman
Learn how intentional systems can help create a more consistent and engaging experience for parents and families throughout their interactions with your programs.
Camp Hiring – A Full Cycle Journey
1:00–2:00 PM | Sands
Speakers: Nick Tosh, Sabrina Harris
Explore the full camp hiring process and strategies for attracting, hiring, and supporting the staff needed to deliver successful programs.
The Dynamic Duo: Director of Summer & Auxiliary and CFO
1:00–2:00 PM | Tropicana
Speakers: Danielle Tripp, Andrea Newman
Examine the relationship between auxiliary program leadership and financial leadership, with a focus on collaboration and organizational decision-making.
“Party of One”: When After-School and Summer Camp Programs Land on Your Plate
2:15–3:15 PM | Tropicana
Speakers: Liz Anglin, Ashley Scott
For professionals managing multiple responsibilities, this session explores the challenges and opportunities that come with overseeing after-school and summer camp programs.
Mapping the Camp Marketing Year
2:15–3:15 PM | Valley Ho 2
Speaker: Aubrey Bursch
Take a strategic look at camp marketing throughout the year and explore ways to plan communications and promotional efforts around key moments in the camp cycle.
Your Programs, Their Language: Communicating Auxiliary Value to Senior Leadership
2:15–3:15 PM | Sands
Speaker: Euan Oswald
Learn how to communicate the value and impact of auxiliary programs in ways that resonate with senior leadership and support broader school priorities.
Cost Per Camper: How Your Schedule Really Drives Your Costs
3:45–5:00 PM | SoHo 1 and 2
Speakers: Jake Andrus, Marcie Glad
Explore the relationship between scheduling and program costs and consider how operational decisions can affect the financial performance of your camp programs.
Operational Excellence in Facility Rentals: Coordinating Calendars, Staff, and School Systems for Success
3:45–5:00 PM | SoHo 1 and 2
Speakers: Carlos Rivera, Bruce Miller
Dive into the operational challenges of managing facility rentals and coordinating calendars, staff, and school systems to create a more organized process.
Work Smarter: Making Your Registration System Work for You
3:45–5:00 PM | SoHo 1 and 2
Speakers: Jenny Doherty, Rachel Crosscombe
Explore strategies for getting more out of your registration system and creating processes that work more efficiently for both staff and families.
Wednesday, October 7
Metrics that Matter for Your Auxiliary Programs
9:00–10:00 AM | SoHo 1
Speaker: Heather Murphy
Discover which metrics can provide meaningful insight into auxiliary programs and help leaders better understand performance, impact, and opportunities for growth.
Connect with CampBrain at SPARC
SPARC 2026 offers school and auxiliary program leaders an opportunity to learn from peers, discover new strategies, and explore ideas that can make a difference long after the conference ends.
From building stronger auxiliary programs and improving registration processes to leveraging data, technology, and more efficient systems, the conference schedule is packed with opportunities to bring new ideas back to your school.
CampBrain is proud to support the SPARC community and looks forward to connecting with school and auxiliary program professionals in Scottsdale. We hope to see you there!
