To continually see how seriously others take our work is uplifting and helps the world to see us a legitimate part of children's lives”

  - Luis, Program Director, OST Symposium participant

The OST Symposium

Each November, the Agenda for Children’s Out of School Time (OST) Symposium harnesses Cambridge's collective efforts and knowledge. This year we celebrated our 7th year!

The 2019 AFCOST Symposium was held November 4-8, 2019 at Lesley University's Brattle Campus.  For those of you who missed out, we're in the process of scheduling several workshops led by Symposium presenters from our OST community.  Contact Barbara Murphy-Warrington for more information. 

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OST Symposium 2019
Check out our Slide Show
Seeing Possibilities: Racial Justice, Equity & Access
Connecting, reflecting, teaching, sharing, learning!  

​AFCOST Youth Connectors, Damilola Oluwole and Medjine Lucien, and AFCOST Coach and Trainer, Melinda Barbosa pulled together these slides, reflections, and photos of the Symposium to inspire staff who work to support youth development in out of school time programs. 

​What inspires you to work with young people? 

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​Symposium History

In 2013, the Agenda for Children created the OST Symposium for the Cambridge out-of-school time community. The Symposium was designed as an opportunity for members of the community to present their passions, interests and best practices to each other in a conference-style format, with large group events, break-out sessions, and networking opportunities. The first Symposium included upwards of twenty-five workshops that engaged over 200 community participants. All presenters were members of the Cambridge OST community, including front line staff, program directors, executives, and Agenda for Children Coaches.

Each Fall the OST Symposium harnesses Cambridge's collective efforts and knowledge, moving the community forward in its pursuit of excellent practice. In the spirit of inclusion, equity and access, the event is open to everyone with an interest in participating, including our external partners.  

Goals

• The creation of a safe environment that supports our efforts in building our OST professional community through peer leadership, mutual learning, and sharing of challenges and promising practices. 
• The creation of a professional development opportunity for community practitioners that embodies the Agenda for Children’s mission, “to convene, support and share innovations with the youth-serving community of Cambridge,” and belief that “all people have the capacity for change and growth; when adults who work with youth are provided with opportunities for continuous learning, clear expectations and accountability, there is a positive impact on opportunities and experiences for youth."