Conference rooms filled with light and laughter, friends of new and old, and minds open to each session’s transformative ideas. This is the heart of the Missouri School Age Conference (MOSAC).
The morning of November 22, 2024 kicked off the 31st annual Missouri School Age Conference (MOSAC). MOSAC is a time for afterschool professionals from across Missouri–and numerous other states–to learn from each other’s experiences and make lasting connections. In case you missed it, Rebecca Longenecker shares her top takeaways from MOSAC.
- The community you experience at MOSAC is unmatched. The Missouri Afterschool Community is so strong. Sometimes in the afterschool field, you can feel like you are the only one experiencing what is going on in your program, but when you talk to others at MOSAC, you find so many people who know what you are talking about. They have been through or are going through what you are experiencing. It is so magical to be a part of such a large community and feel like you belong.
- The breakout sessions were so good! So many new topics were covered and it was honestly so hard to choose which ones to go to. There were many times I wished I could duplicate myself so I could go to more than one session at a time. They brought so many educated trainers in the field to share what they know so that we could take it back and use it in our programs. Such a high-quality PD experience for all!
- MOSAC is always such a great time to just rest and get re-energized. The MASN Team creates so many opportunities for people to learn but also just to rest. In afterschool, it can feel like you are running constantly and a “work” conference can feel like that as well, but MOSAC never feels that way. It gives me what I need to go back to my program ready to tackle whatever comes my way. That energy I need to keep going and give my all is easily done after I spend a weekend at MOSAC.
- The exhibitors at MOSAC were so great. So many new ideas and curriculums that can easily be brought to programs. I got to interact with so many exhibitors with curriculums I had never heard of and now I want to use them in my setting. Those new curriculums and ideas are so important to keep running a high-quality program in my area.
- Laughs and Fun! MOSAC is a FUN conference. Everything is created around the idea that laughter is good for the soul and you feel that. The speakers and extra events planned all weekend truly just give you time to have pure fun. Laughing with 500+ people is a valuable experience that warms my heart each year. It is pure joy and magic at MOSAC.
The MASN team would like to thank our wonderful afterschool leaders for their responses. If you would like to share your top takeaways from MOSAC, email us at moasn@missouri.edu.
Learn. Connect. Celebrate.
