Author: NJSACC

NJSACC 2026-2027 Fall Conference Request for Proposals – Due Friday, August 21, 2026 NJSACC: New Jersey’s Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Professional Network is excited to introduce a new conference format for 2026–2027! Instead of one two-day conference, NJSACC will host two separate one-day conferences; Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. The Fall date is Friday, December…

Lights On Afterschool 2025: New Jersey Shines Bright This October New Jersey turned up the brightness for afterschool programs statewide as communities, schools, and partners came together to celebrate Lights On Afterschool. We were honored to see Governor Phil Murphy officially proclaim October 23 as Lights On Afterschool Day in New Jersey, a public recognition…

🧪 STEM Activities For Summer Camp From Mizzen By this point in the summer, you’ve probably noticed something: Young people are naturally curious. They want to build things, test ideas, ask questions, take things apart, and figure out how the world works. As camp leaders and educators, the challenge is often finding activities that channel…

🌞 NAA Has Quite a Bright Spotlight This Month August 19 Webinar Explores Movement-Based Activities Movement does more than support physical health, it can strengthen learning, improve behavior, and help young people build important character skills. Join the Collaborative for Advancing Healthy Experiences in OST (CAHE-OST) and Skillastics for Building Character & Academic Success Through…

✨ Inspiring New Ideas for a Changing OST Landscape ✨ As the needs of youth, families, and communities continue to evolve, so too must the programs that serve them. This year’s Soaring Beyond Expectations: A Statewide Afterschool Celebration once again brought together afterschool professionals from across New Jersey to explore innovative practices, exchange fresh ideas,…

NJSACC’s Quality Team News NJSACC’s Quality Team has two big announcements to share this summer. First, congratulations to our own Patricia Pugliese who has been promoted to the newly created Senior Quality Specialist position in recognition of her expertise, leadership, & years with NJSACC’s Quality Team. Second, please join us in welcoming Kyle Vandenberg to NJSACC’s Quality Team as a Quality Specialist. Kyle’s…

NJSACC Celebrates French-American Heritage Month. You can too. French-American Heritage Month takes place in July and is a month to celebrate the contributions French-Americans have made to American history, society and culture. SOME French-American Heritage Month Resources Bastille Day Activities for Kids France Lesson for Kids: History & Facts France Lesson Plan for Elementary School…

5 Strategies for Sustaining Summer Learning Programs Strategies for Sustainability OST professionals understand that summer learning programs face various hurdles. From funding fluctuations to staffing issues and beyond, these challenges underscore the importance of long-term planning and sustainability. Podcast guests covered helpful strategies, starting with creating a sense of ownership among stakeholders. Actively engage stakeholders so that they’re…

🎆 Reflecting on Independence: Afterschool and the American Spirit As we celebrate the Fourth of July, we’re reminded that independence is not just a historical milestone—it’s a shared value we nurture every day. In afterschool programs across the country, young people are exploring their voices, building confidence, and learning how to contribute meaningfully to their…

Share Your Afterschool Story Every program has something to share and we want to hear your Afterschool and Out-of-School Time (OST) stories! We want to hear how your Afterschool or Summer program is making a difference in the lives of students and their families. Submit an article, media clip, or your own story (brief narrative)…