Lights On Afterschool 2026: A Celebration of the Field in CT

Our pampering sessions include massages, reading nook, meditation, henna, arts & crafts, food, giveaways, and other activities to remove the day-to-day stress. On the National level, we encourage providers to participate through local events including lighting up city landscapes, inviting state officials, or celebrate the accomplishments of their program to broaden the awareness of the field and the critical role it plays in overall youth development and success. To sign up your LOA event, click here.

Our Lights On Afterschool Celebration is FREE to attend. A day full of activities and all about YOU, the Out-of-School Time Professional. Pre-registration is required. Participants will receive continental breakfast, lunch, t-shirt, and more. This annual event helps illuminate the importance of and impact afterschool programming has on children and youth. Often being an afterthought, afterschool programs provide a safe and nurturing place for thousands of children across Connecticut. Each day nationally, 7.6 million children go home alone afterschool.

Schedule of Events (subject to change)

Keynote: Jodi Grant, Afterschool Alliance

Jodi Grant has spent the past two decades making afterschool a national priority. As Executive Director of the Afterschool Alliance since 2005, she has secured billions in federal and state investments, built a network of nearly 30,000 partners, and positioned afterschool and summer learning programs as essential supports for children, families, and communities. She has testified before Congress, influenced bipartisan legislation, and elevated afterschool in major outlets from The New York Times to PBS NewsHour.

Activity Stations (subject to change)

Best of Connecticut – Recognition Awards

The Connecticut Network for Children and Youth is seeking nominations for their Annual Recognition Awards, recognizing exemplary individuals or programs. These awards recognize their work and/or support provided to the out-of-school time field.

Individuals eligible for this award:

• Serve youth in grades K-12
• Work in childcare centers, nonprofit, public, private, faith-based, or any other program that supports youth during non-school hours in Connecticut.

Recognition Awards Categories:

• Afterschool Program of the Year
• Afterschool Teacher of the Year
• Afterschool Rockstar
• STEM Program of the Year
• STEM Teacher of the Year

Finalists will be recognized, and winners will be announced during the Lights On Afterschool Celebration on October 2, 2026, at Camp Ingersoll in Portland.

Submission deadline: September 4, 2026. Submit your nomination here.

Terms of Registration

Submission of your registration authorizes the Connecticut Network for Children and Youth to publish in any format and use for promotional and educational purposes your name and any photos, videos, and audio recordings taken of you at this event. It also authorizes the Connecticut Network for Children and Youth to contact you by mail, phone, or email. Please note the following Media Release.

Consent to Photograph, Film, or Videotape Participants for Non-Profit use (e.g. educational, public service, or health awareness purposes)

As a conference participant, I acknowledge and grant permission to the Connecticut Network for Children and Youth to use my image (photographs and/or video) for use in Connecticut Network for Children and Youth publications including videos, email blasts, recruiting brochures, newsletters, and magazines and to use my image in electronic versions of the same publications or on the Connecticut Network for Children and Youth website or other electronic forms of media.

I hereby waive any right to inspect or approve the finished photographs or electronic matter that may be used in conjunction with them now or in the future, whether that use is known to me or unknown, and I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of the image.