Registration Now Open!

Fee: $10

We are asking participants to pay a small fee to help with event costs - if the fee is a barrier to participation, please use the free registration option.

Deadline to register: February 28, 2024

Note: Photos will be taken at the event, which CalSAC may use for publications, online or in print. By registering for this event (and unless other arrangements have been made), you are agreeing that your image may be used for this purpose.

Schedule

  • 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Pre-Event: Team Leader Meeting (in-person)

    10:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Pre-Event: Youth Morning (in-person)

    12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Arrival, Registration and Check-in

    1:30 PM - 3:00 PM | Opening Plenary

    3:00 PM - 3:15 PM | Break

    3:15 PM - 5:15 PM | Advocacy Training Tracks

    5:15 PM - 5:30 PM | Break

    5:30 PM - 6:15 PM | Legislative Visit Team Meet and Greet

    6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Beats & Brushstrokes: An Opening Reception Hosted by CA3 (Optional)

  • 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM | Rally Sign Making and Tuesday-Only Registration Check-in

    10:00 AM - 10:30 AM | March to Rally Location

    10:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Rally

    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Lunch and Team Meetings

    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Legislative Visits

    4:00 PM | Check Out

NEW schedule ADDITIONS!

Youth Morning

  • This year, we are excited to introduce a new addition to our schedule: the Youth Morning! In addition to the afternoon Youth Advocacy Training track, we will also host a special Youth Morning event from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm on Monday, March 11th. This convening will gather youth from across the state and prepare them to engage in advocacy. They'll have the opportunity to hear from others on civic engagement and feel inspired to continue using their voices to create change. Space is limited.

  • If you are interested in having your youth attend, contact Kim Cabais at kcabais@calsac.org or 510-444-4622 x 108.

Beats and Brushstrokes: An Opening Reception hosted by CA3

  • CA3 is hosting an opening reception called Beats and Brushstrokes on Monday, March 11th from 6:00 - 7:00 pm at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento. Experience a taste of afterschool with other Challenge attendees, Representatives, and staffers. Today's Future Sound will have a live beat making demonstration and Attidunal Healing Connection will be creating a mural.

  • RSVP for the reception at caity@tkpublicaffairs.com

 

Challenge Venue/Lodging

Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown Arena
300 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 (map)

Reservations:

The deadline has passed to avail of our special guest room rate at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown Arena.
You can still make a reservation with the standard price through the online booking link if you need lodging for the event.

Parking:

Overnight self-parking: $20
Day parking: $2.50/half hour, max $30

Team Leaders Needed!

Team Leaders are an integral component to the success of CalSAC’s California Afterschool & Summer Challenge! As a Team Leader, your team will consist of afterschool and school-age care professionals, parents, and youth with varying levels of advocacy experience. This is a skill building opportunity for many who attend the event as well as an opportunity to advocate for afterschool and school-age programs.
No policy experience needed! We will train and prepare you for success as a Team Leader.

Team Leader Requirements

  1. Attend the full CA Challenge Event: March 11-12

  2. Attend a virtual orientation, February 27, 11:00am-1:00pm

  3. Attend the in-person Team Leader Training, March 11, 10:00am-12:30pm

Ready to sign up? Register for the Challenge and select “YES” for the question, “Would you like to be a Team Leader?”

Need more information? Watch the webinar, “Who Wants to be a Team Leader?” and/or contact Kim Cabais, kcabais@calsac.org or 510-444-4622 x 108

Get Ready for Challenge 2024!

Challenge Webinar Series

Missed a webinar? Check out our Challenge Countdown Corner to find all the information you need for the 2024 Challenge.

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About the Challenge

The annual statewide California Afterschool & Summer Challenge educates and empowers professionals, youth, and families to engage in grassroots advocacy. In addition to helping advance the out-of-school time field (like before school, afterschool and Expanded Learning programs), this advocacy experience helps show young people and emerging leaders how to speak out and use their voices to create change. In collaboration with policy organizations across the state, CalSAC convenes a collective voice for out-of-school time programs, to raise awareness about the impact these programs have on the success of children and youth in school, work and life.

The Challenge Experience

  • Gain tools and receive training, designed for emerging, experienced and youth advocates, led by policy experts, community leaders and youth

  • March with hundreds of advocates through the streets of Sacramento, led by the
    All-Star Marching Band

  • Rally on the Capital steps, hearing from legislative champions, field leaders, family members and youth 

  • Share your stories and expertise with legislators to make the case for out-of-school time

  • Connect with advocates from your community to build a local base and coordinate future efforts

Thank You to Our 2024 Partners and Sponsors!

At CalSAC, we believe that every person should have the opportunity to advocate for the things that are most important to them, which is why we offer the Challenge experience free-of-charge to all participants.  Nonetheless, the cost for facilitating such an involved event is substantial, which is why we need your help.  

By becoming a Community Sponsor, you are stepping forward to create opportunities for young people to explore civic engagement, advocate for their communities, and build their leadership. Will you join us in supporting youth and OST professionals as they tell their stories at the State Capitol this spring by becoming a Community Sponsor?

For more information, contact Jennifer Merrill at jmerrill@calsac.org or (510) 444-4622 x105.