LA Summer of Joy

Professional Development Summit 2025

Professional Development Summit

Saturday, May 17, 2025
8:30AM – 2:00PM
Roybal Learning Center – 1200 Colton St, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (map)

A Day of Inspiration and Connection to Ignite a Summer of Joy!

This free professional development opportunity is available to staff leading summer programs across Los Angeles.

Join to learn strategies and best practices for team management, youth engagement, and program development.

Agenda

8:30AM – 9:30AM

Registration
Exhibit Tables Open

9:30AM – 10:00AM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

10:00AM – 11:00AM

Breakout Session 1

11:00AM – 11:15AM

Break & Transition

11:15AM – 12:15PM

Breakout Session 2

12:15PM – 1:00PM

Lunch*
Exhibit Tables Open

1:00PM – 2:00PM

Breakout Session 3

*Lunch will be provided

Please see break out session descriptions below and then click the registration button to select your preferred sessions

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Breakout Sessions

Breakout sessions are categorized by the following themes:

Creative Engagement:
Fostering creative expression and increasing access to arts experiences.

Creative Engagement Sessions

Creative Cardboard Construction

Presenter: Rediscover Center
10:00AM, 11:15AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn how to facilitate cardboard-based art, engineering, and play activities for youth ages 5-14
  • Go hands-on with tools to use with different age ranges for getting your camp ready for a summer of creative cardboard construction

Play: the Last Piece of the Puzzle

Presenter: Innoplaytion
10:00AM, 11:15AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn practical insights and inspiration to incorporate playful, puzzle-based strategies into your program, ensuring your students are not only engaged but also empowered to think critically and solve problems creatively
  • Participate in engaging, hands-on puzzle and LEGO games and experience how playful activities can cultivate critical thinking, collaboration and perseverance skills for students

Using Writing to Tap into Inner Wisdom (for High School Level Programs)

Presenter: WriteGirl/Bold Ink Writers
11:15AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn and practice creative writing techniques that you can utilize in your own program
  • Be introduced to writing as a tool for self-expression, self-care, and play through healing-informed creative “experiments” that can be incorporated into program activities for students

Water Color for Stress Management

Presenter: The Teaching Well
10:00AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Use art, specifically watercolor, as a tool to manage stress and regulate the nervous system
  • Learn about practices that focus on the body and its connection to the mind and emotions

The Power of Music (for Middle or High School Level Programs)

Presenter: Change the Tune
1PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn about the power of music and how to communicate its benefits
  • Learn how to facilitate a learning experience based on music connection with students

Lights, Camera…Action! (for Middle or High School Level Programs)

Presenter: Girls IN Focus
10:00AM, 11:15AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn about how personal storytelling engages and strengthens group collaborations
  • Walk away with tools like icebreakers, improvisational exercises and storytelling prompts and how they can be integrated into their programs

Echoes of Summer: A Performing Arts Experience

Presenter: Woodcraft Rangers
10:00AM, 11:15AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn about the power of artistic expression, specifically in music and dance
  • Engage in hands-on activities in music, movement, and cultural traditions that you can use in your own program
  • Build creativity, teamwork, and confidence through performing arts

Healthy, Active Lifestyles:
Supporting whole child health by promoting healthy behaviors, habits and activities.

Healthy, Active Lifestyles Sessions

Adolescent Mental Health Crisis Response (for Middle or High School Level Programs)

Presenter: Child Mind Institute
10:00AM, 11:15AM, & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn how to identify signs of common mental health challenges that youth experience
  • Understand the 5-step action plan to respond to mental health challenges
  • Apply learnings to case scenarios that will strengthen your confidence to support the youth you serve

Identity Through Play (for Elementary School Level Programs)

Presenter: University of Fitness Information and Technology
11:15AM

In this session, participants will:

  • Discover how play fosters self-expression, creativity, and connection with others by engaging in interactive activities, group discussions, and reflections
  • Gain tools and ideas for incorporating play into your youth programs and lives to foster personal growth and connection
  • Understand the concept of identity through play and explore your own unique relationship with play

Cooking Up Fun in Your Program

Presenter: Lunch Bunch Community Foundation
10:00AM & 11:15AM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn how to incorporate student cooking classes into your program through a hands-on experience as “students” making their own creations
  • Understand the student perspective of cooking class and gain ideas for planning low-cost cooking activities that do not require a kitchen

KinFlow: Mindful Sports in the Digital Age

Presenter: KinFlow
10:00AM, 11:15AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn a new and inclusively engaging team sport that will keep their student communities entertained and enriched with lifelong skills
  • Be led through an imaginative mindfulness practice and learn the game of “KinFlow”
  • Walk away with tangible tools to gamify mindfulness/SEL for your staff and students
  • Note: This session will involve physical movement and be held outdoors.

Crash Course on Flag Rugby

Presenter: Rugby LA
10:00AM, 11:15AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Receive a crash course on flag rugby and effective games for teaching kids the skills necessary to excel in the sport
  • Learn a simplified version of rugby to take back to your sites and referee the game with students
  • Note: This session will involve physical movement and be held outdoors.

StrongHER: Empowering Girls Through Movement & Wellness (for Middle School Level Programs)

Presenter: Girls Athletic Leadership Schools Los Angeles
1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Explore how integrating movement and wellness into summer programming can create a more engaging and impactful experience for all participants
  • Gain practical strategies for integrating movement and wellness into summer programming and leave with a toolkit to use in your programs
  • Actively engage in exercises including wellness routines, mindfulness exercises, and movement-based learning techniques

Fostering Youth Flourishing Through Yoga & Mindfulness (for Middle School Level Programs)

Presenter: Y.O.G.A. for Youth
10:00AM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn hands-on strategies to incorporate simple, adaptable breathwork, yoga, and movement-based mindfulness practices into your programs, specifically for middle school summer program settings
  • Actively engage in evidence-based, guided movement exercises to create mindful, active, and engaging learning environments

Active Mindfulness

Presenter: The Epicenter
10:00AM & 11:15AM

In this session, participants will:

  • Engage in different hands-on exercises that integrate art, music, and mindfulness
  • Learn four new art and mindfulness activities that you can use with your students and in your own lives
  • Understand how to use art and mindfulness to assist students with expressing their emotions

Introduction to Motivation and Behavior Change (for Middle or High School Level Programs)

Presenter: Gasol Foundation
10:00AM & 11:15AM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn how motivational interviewing and the ASE model helps people find the motivation to change their behavior
  • Gain tools to implement activities in your program that motivate participation and behavior change in sports and education

Mindful Teaching, Mindful Living: A Self-Care Toolkit for Educators

Presenter: Holistically Dope
1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn 5-6 self-care skills and activities to build your own self-care program
  • Walk away with actionable mindfulness activities to integrate in your OST programs

Combating ACEs with Sport, Play, and Physical Activity

Presenter: LA84 Foundation & Center for Healing and Justice through Sport
10:00AM, 11:15AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Explore concepts of neurological development and the impact of trauma on youth
  • Learn best practices for designing sport and play experiences that leverage the healing power of sports and the importance of coaching

Leadership Growth:
Growing student and staff leadership skill sets

Leadership Growth Sessions

Leadership Tools for Success

Presenter: Live in Love Foundation
10:00AM, 11:15AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Build enhanced communication skills, strengthen teamwork and collaboration, and increase your confidence and leadership through hands-on activities
  • Engage in icebreakers, collaborative games and problem-solving challenges, and arts and crafts activities all geared towards teaching lessons for how to enhance interactions with peers and students

5 Key Commitments

Presenter: First Tee Los Angeles
10:00AM, 11:15AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn five key leadership skills and commitments including goal-setting, collaboration, growth through challenges, building positive self-identity, and exercising good judgement through the game of golf
  • Play hands-on golf activities to apply these skills in real-time
  • Understand how these leadership skillsets can be applied in your own life and how to support students to apply these same skills

Empowered to Lead: Building Confidence, Resilience, and Impact in Leadership

Presenter: Jeaneen Speaks LLC
10:00AM, 11:15AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Engage in interactive activities to strengthen your leadership skills, especially self-awareness, decision-making, and effective communication
  • Tackle leadership dilemmas and brainstorm solutions in discussion groups
  • Grow your self-confidence and resilience

Heartset Works! Building Student & Staff Engagement Through SEL

Presenter: EduCare Foundation
10:00AM & 11:15AM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn how to resolve conflict through tolerance, understanding, and compassion for yourself and your students
  • Develop greater empathy, relationship-building, and SEL skills and practices to strengthen student engagement
  • Practice strategies for mindfulness, emotional self-management, and effective relationship-building

Leading with Head and Heart

Presenter: EduCare Foundation
10:00AM & 11:15AM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn how to express yourself with authenticity and integrity to become a heart-centered leader
  • Develop the skills to integrate connection, empathy, and love into your leadership to foster deeper relationships and inspire positive change

Leadership in Your Role and Potential Tools

Presenter: Study Smart Tutors
10:00AM

In this session, participants will:

  • Identify 4-5 leadership strategies through interactive discussions and real-world case studies
  • Engage in role-playing scenarios to practice applying leadership tools in various professional settings
  • Recognize examples of successful leadership

Building a Positive Summer Program Culture: Strategies for SEL & Leadership Development

Presenter: Study Smart Tutors
1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Identify three key SEL principles that enhance leadership development in summer programs
  • Explore two strategies for creating a positive and inclusive program culture
  • Develop an action plan for implementing SEL-focused leadership activities in summer programming

Little Kids, Big Impact: Fostering Empathy and Social Action in Young Leaders (for Middle or High School Level Programs)

Presenter: In a Perfect World
10:00AM & 11:15AM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn practical strategies for fostering empathy, compassion, and social responsibility in young children, such as arts and stories, guided discussions, and perspective-taking techniques
  • Learn to develop fun and creative opportunities for young students to engage in social impact

Empowering Students & The Community Through Social Entrepreneurship (for Middle or High School Level Programs)

Presenter: Change The Tune
10:00AM & 11:15AM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn how to create engaging, hands-on student learning experiences that foster critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork
  • Gain strategies to help students develop leadership and social-emotional skills while guiding them through the process of building a social justice business plan
  • Be equipped to support students in turning ideas into actionable projects with real-world impact

Inspiring Action: Effective Leadership in After-School and Enrichment Programs

Presenter: After School All Stars Los Angeles
10:00AM & 11:15AM

In this session, participants will:

  • Promote teamwork through active listening, feedback, and communication to strengthen program effectiveness
  • Reflect on your current leadership skills and practices and work in groups to assess what has worked, what has not, and how to implement a plan that involves your team to inspire programmatic change

Building Community with Youth and Staff

Presenter: After School All Stars Los Angeles
10:00AM & 11:15AM

In this session, participants will:

  • Walk away with interactive exercises, icebreakers, and team-building strategies that foster connection and team work
  • Learn how to establish long-term practices that foster relationship-building and engagement with both staff and students

Delivering Feedback in Human Centered Ways

Presenter: The Teaching Well
10:00AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn about the three primary types of feedback
  • Explore strategies to offer feedback to peers, direct reports, or supervisors in ways that will contribute to personal and professional growth

Social-Emotional Learning:
Building and strengthening positive summer program cultures

Student Learning:
Strengthening connections between summer/OST experiences and the school day.

Student Learning Sessions

Game On! Putting the Fun of Sports in Science

Presenter: Science of Sport
11:15AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn actionable teaching techniques and engaging sports-themed STEM activities to use in your own program
  • Gain strategies to increase student participation, motivation, and academic performance
  • Receive comprehensive curriculum resources, including activity guides and lesson plans

Developing STEM Mindsets through Inquiry & Literacy

Presenter: TGR Foundation
10:00AM, 11:15AM, & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Engage in a hands-on, interdisciplinary inquiry activity by creating writing pieces centered around math topics
  • Deepen your understanding of how to cultivate STEM mindsets and apply inquiry and literacy strategies in your summer program
  • Reflect on your learning, share insights, and develop actionable steps to integrate these strategies into your programs

Getting Students Talking: Eliciting Ideas and Uncovering Misconceptions Through Discussion

Presenter: National Summer School Initiative
10:00AM, 11:15AM, & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Be equipped with simple, effective strategies to increase student participation, encourage deeper thinking, and uncover misconceptions through structured discussion
  • Learn questioning techniques to prompt deeper student reflection, promote critical thinking, and sustain meaningful conversations
  • Apply discussion strategies in real time to increase student engagement, build confidence, and create an interactive learning environment in their summer programs

STEM for Non-STEM Partners: Building Tomorrow’s Innovators (for Elementary School Level Programs)

Presenter: Tinker the Robot
10:00AM & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Gain the knowledge and skills needed to confidently lead hands-on STEM activities
  • Complete a hands-on paper circuit project, giving you a tangible example of how to integrate simple electronics into their own summer programs
  • Learn actionable strategies for keeping students engaged and excited about STEM learning, including tips for adapting activities to diverse age groups and skill levels

Cardboard Arcade: Hands on Learning with Recycled Materials

Presenter: Two Bit Circus Foundation
10:00AM, 11:15AM, & 1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Increase your creativity by engaging in a hands-on lesson where you build a cardboard arcade out of recycled materials
  • Learn how to implement easy and fun hands-on activities that do not require expensive materials in your own programming

Fun with Waste Reduction! Using games to teach kids the impact waste has on our climate (for Elementary School Level Programs)

Presenter: Grades of Green
1:00PM

In this session, participants will:

  • Learn how to introduce the topic of waste and its effect on climate change to their students
  • Learn how to implement waste-related games to increase students’ awareness of waste, how to reduce it, and how to create changes in habits

Contact

For registration questions and general event inquiries, please email [email protected].

LAUSD staff: For district-specific questions, please contact your unit supervisor.

City Department of Recreation and Parks staff: For Recreation and Parks specific questions, please contact Deanne Dedmon, [email protected].