Power Up Summit 2025

PRESENTERS

Emcees

Jennifer Redford

Keynote Presenters

Mónica Guzmán

Tyler Norris

Breakout Sessions

2025 Power Up Summit RESOURCES

Anna Almerico, Senior Director Idaho Out-of-School Network
Andrea Hill

Out-of-school programs are uniquely positioned to be a powerful force in supporting youth mental health and well-being. This session will explore how upstream prevention—addressing the root causes of mental health challenges before they arise—can be woven into the fabric of after-school environments. Discover practical strategies for building protective factors into your programming by creating safe, supportive, and empowering spaces that foster connection and help young people develop the skills they need to thrive—now and in the future. Together, we’ll reimagine out-of-school programming as a catalyst for long-term youth wellness and success.

Anne Wolverton

This session will showcase multiple free Idaho data sources specifically tailored for community organizations and schools. Participants will receive hands-on training on how to access and effectively use these resources to support planning, programming, and community engagement. Discover how to harness local insights to drive meaningful impact and make informed, data-driven decisions that strengthen your efforts and outcomes.

 

 

Carly Decker

Let’s reimagine engagement by putting youth at the center of the conversation. Explore innovative strategies to amplify youth voices and foster engagement to promote a sense of well-being and belonging. Together we will investigate reasons why amplifying the voices of youth is important and how to implement practical strategies and tools that foster youth engagement.

RESOURCES

Corrie Befort
Megan Mack

(Moscow Contemporary’s After School Arts Program) What “special powers” do animals have? How is our anatomy similar to hawks, mountain goats, cheetahs, octopus? Can we imitate herds, packs and flocks to make powerful, graceful and ferocious dances together? In Animal Dances kids manipulate models and wearables and handle bones and taxidermy. Biomechanics underlying contemporary modern and ballet technique, aikido and yoga intertwine with sensory exploration and improvisational play to empower and amplify children’s physical voices and natural inner animals. Session participants will be guided through a short class, handle teaching materials and see teaching structures that successfully move students of all levels toward confident, full-bodied expression.

Daniel Hatcher

Join Healthier Generation for an interactive workshop where we’ll explore simple, meaningful ways to lift up community and family voices. We’ll try out real, research-backed tools—like mindfulness and creative arts—that build trust and create lasting impact. Through solo reflection and small group conversations, you’ll leave feeling more grounded, refreshed, and connected to the people around you.

RESOURCES

Deana Brown

In a world full of uncertainty, today’s youth need more than just knowledge — they need a sense of purpose, agency, and the tools to shape the future they want. Help youth and your peers navigate uncertainty with purpose and confidence! In this interactive session, you’ll learn how strategic foresight and futures thinking create rich, engaging experiences that empower students to shape their futures. Explore tools like backcasting, forecasting, and The Futures Thinking Playbook to inspire agency in youth while strengthening staff competence and motivation through ongoing professional development. Leave equipped to foster empowered, future-ready learners — and a future-focused, energized team.

RESOURCES

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Dr. Kristen McAdams

Discover how community partnerships can elevate youth programs by building strong relationships and providing new experiences for Idaho youth. Drawing from experiences enhancing Girl Scouts programming through local collaborations, this session offers practical strategies that can be applied across out-of-school and youth education settings. Explore real-world examples, lessons learned, and simple steps for building meaningful partnerships. We’ll also discuss how these partnerships can support staff by offering professional development opportunities and helping to reduce workload, ultimately creating more sustainable programs. Participants will leave with an action plan to engage community partners and strengthen their programs.

RESOURCES

ReBekha LuLu

Discover how Learning Blade can bring STEM career awareness and hands-on learning to afterschool programs! This session will showcase engaging, easy-to-implement activities that align with Learning Blade’s missions and help students explore STEM careers in a fun and interactive way. Participants will learn how to integrate Learning Blade into their afterschool programs, blending digital learning with real-world applications through hands-on STEM challenges. Walk away with strategies, resources, and ready-to-use activities that will inspire students to explore future career pathways.

RESOURCES

Lacie & Tayce Robinson

In a world full of screens, our students need real, meaningful connections. This session will explore how to promote student-to-student, student-to-family, student-to-mentor, and student-to-community relationships. We will dive into why connection matters and how to naturally incorporate it in our after school culture and communities. Participants will leave with practical ideas and inspiration to help students unplug, engage, and thrive. Let’s reignite the power of human connection—LET’S SPARK A CONNECTION.

RESOURCES

Lisa Billings

How often do you hear “Their bullying me!” or “I’m being targeted!” by a youth in your program? Are you tired of being the “solver” or “police” of all kid related relationship conflicts? Would you like a better understanding of developmentally appropriate youth interactions and be given tools to use to help empower youth to solve most of their own conflicts? Using a hands-on approach this session covers real-life practical strategies that give youth development staff the tools to enable youth to successfully navigate their way in social emotional regulation and interpersonal communication amongst peers.

RESOURCES

 

Jamie Garza
Katie Marshall

Discover how community organizations can transform lives by partnering with community schools. Participants will learn practical strategies for forming meaningful partnerships and see firsthand the impact these collaborations have had in a rural Idaho school district. Gain insight into how organizations like yours can contribute to creating thriving schools and stronger communities everywhere.

RESOURCES

SPONSORS

Thank You For Your Generous Support!

SUMMIT SESSIONS

Resources