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Join Trying Together, Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST), and Allegheny County Department of Human Services for “UnConference: Launching School Age Summer Programming.” Registration is now open for the event, which will be held on Thursday, June 6 at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., participants will attend expert-led sessions that will equip them with skills needed to create safe and enriching summer experiences for school-aged children. Six PQAS and Act 48 credit hours will be available.

Workshops

The morning session is dedicated to American Red Cross Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED training. Participants will attend two afternoon sessions.

Morning Session (9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

Workshops include:

• Play Included: Building Friendships Through LEGO Play
  o  Speaker: John Balash and Team from Carnegie Mellon University
• Maximizing the Mind-Body Connection in Summer Youth Programming
  • Speaker: Danielle Thum, MS, RYT, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Family Care Connection Centers
• American Red Cross: First Aid/CPR/AED, Including Pediatric First Aid and CPR

Afternoon Sessions (1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.)

Following lunch, participants will attend two rounds of workshops. Sessions will focus on how to create welcoming and culturally inclusive environments; strategies to guide and mentor children; and using LEGO play to collaborate, communicate, and problem solve.

Workshops include:

• The Culturally Inclusive Check-In
  o  Speaker: Ja’Sonta Roberts from Assemble
• Everyday Mentoring
  o  Speaker: Sophia Duck from Mentoring Pittsburgh
• Play Included: Building Friendships Through LEGO Play
  o  Speaker: John Balash and Team from Carnegie Mellon University
• When Helping Hurts: Understanding the Impact of Compassion Fatigue
  o  Speaker: Sharice Nance, LCSW, CCTP
• Amplifying Youth Voice and Choice
  • Speaker: Katherine Spinney, PCC, MT, MSW
• Maximizing the Mind-Body Connection in Summer Youth Programming
  • Speaker: Danielle Thum, MS, RYT, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Family Care Connection Centers
• Supporting Youth From English Language Learning Backgrounds
  • Speakers: Meg Booth and Jenna Baron from Alliance for Refugee Youth Support and Education

More session details will be available soon.

More Details

Registration is now open for the conference. Tickets for the UnConference cost $25 and free parking will be available for participants at the conservatory. Lunch, which will be catered by Phipps, is included with registration.

Those interested in attending must register by May 27. Registrants will be asked to choose their preferred workshops at a later date. Group discounts are not available.

If you have questions about the UnConference, visit the event webpage or contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.