March 23 - 24, 2026 | Sacramento, CA
Deadline to register is Monday, February 23 (subject to availability)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Registration
Ticket Updates for Challenge 2026
There are a limited number of general and subsidized tickets available this year. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you are unable to secure a ticket, you are still welcome to join us for the March and Rally on Tuesday, March 24, but unfortunately, you will not be able to participate in the March 23 activities and March 24 legislative visits. Register early to secure your spot!
Deadline to register is Monday, February 23 (subject to availability)
Sliding Scale Pricing
The California Afterschool & Summer Challenge is facing rising costs and new challenges as it continues to grow. Now, more than ever, we depend on your financial support to keep this vital event going. While CalSAC has traditionally been the primary funder, supported by community sponsorships, sustaining the Challenge moving forward requires significant investment from both participants and partners.
When you register, please select the pricing tier that best reflects your organization’s capacity. Your contribution helps ensure that every voice can be heard in advocating for California’s children and youth.
Hotel Information
A limited amount of rooms are available in our room block for March 22 - March 24. Reserve early to secure your room!
Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel
1230 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814
$259 per night (plus fees) for 1 King | $279 per night (plus fees) for 2 Doubles
Reserve through the booking link or by calling 888-236-2427 and mentioning room block code “MWE”
Deadline to reserve is Monday, February 23 (subject to availability)
Event Schedule
*Event schedule subject to change. Updates will be shared as the event approaches.
Day 1 | Day of Learning
Monday, March 23rd | 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm | Our Place Event Space & Kitchen (1107 Firehouse Alley, Sacramento, CA 95814)
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm | Registration & Check-In
1:30 pm - 2:15 pm | Opening Plenary
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm | Legislative Team Meetings
Day 2 | Day of Action
Tuesday, March 24th | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | Location Varies
8:00 am - 8:45 am | Registration & Check-In (Tuesday-only attendees)
8:50 am - 9:30 am | March to the Capitol
9:30 am - 10:30 am | Rally at the Capitol
10:30 am - 12:30 pm | Legislative Team Meetings & Lunch
12:30 pm - 4:00 pm | Legislative Visits
About the CA Afterschool & Summer 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
Rally on the Capitol 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
The importance and role of the Challenge
Protecting the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program: Investment in the Challenge is especially critical in 2025 and 2026, as the field is focused on elevating the impact and success of the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) and ensuring that this funding is protected for years to come. The Challenge is an essential component of the broader advocacy strategy of the field, as it helps to personalize OST through the first-hand stories told by young people, parents, and practitioners directly to their representatives. In addition, this experience activates participants and inspires them to continue advocacy work in their local communities, contributing to greater civic engagement across the state.
If you have youth that would like to be involved in advocacy opportunities, learn more about our Teens Advocating for Civic Action (TACA) program.
The Challenge Countdown Corner
Looking to learn more about the Challenge and how to advocate during the event? Keep an eye out for our short educational videos on Advocacy, COMING SOON!
For a deeper dive into everything Challenge-related — from bringing youth to being a team leader and more — visit our Challenge Countdown Corner on YouTube. You’ll find all the details you need to get ready for the CA Afterschool & Summer Challenge.
Bringing Youth to the Challenge
Youth participation at the California Afterschool & Summer Challenge is vital for shaping the future of out-of-school time (OST) programs. At the 2025 Challenge, over 200 youth voices participated, sharing their firsthand experiences and stories directly with legislators to showcase the life-changing impact OST programs have on their success in school, work, and life.
This experience empowers young people to find and use their voices, demonstrating how they can speak out and advocate for change. By participating in the Challenge, youth not only contribute to the broader advocacy strategy but also gain confidence, training, and tools to continue advocacy work in their local communities, becoming a driving force for civic engagement and the advancement of OST programs.
Guidelines for Adults Bringing Youth
To ensure proper supervision, CalSAC requires a 1:6 adult-to-youth ratio. Each adult can register and supervise up to six youth participants. For example, if your organization plans to bring 24 youth, you will need at least four adults to register separately. This ensures a safe and enriching experience for everyone involved. See below for all the requirements to bring Youth:
Maintain a 1:6 Ratio: Adults must commit to maintaining the required 1:6 adult-to-youth ratio throughout the Challenge.
Supervision Responsibility: Adults bringing youth are responsible for ensuring adequate supervision at all times, including during programmatic sessions and Youth Day events.
Legislative Visit Requirements: Youth in grades 7th-12th are welcome to attend legislative visits!
If you are bringing more than 4 youth in grades 7th–12th that will be attending legislative visits, you are required to serve as a Team Leader for your group. No policy experience is needed—CalSAC will train and prepare you for success as a Team Leader. This includes:
Attending a virtual Team Leader Orientation (1 hour)
Attend a virtual Team Leader Training (2 hours)
Attend a virtual Team Leader Prep Meeting (3 hours)
While it is recommended that youth attend both days of the Challenge to prepare for their visit, we recognize that may not always be possible. To ensure success in legislative visits, you will receive a Legislative Visit Kit from CalSAC, which you are required to review with your youth before the Challenge.
Youth Registration Coordination: CalSAC will contact you closer to the Challenge to gather youth registration details.
Need more information? Watch the webinar, “Bringing Youth to the Challenge: Best Practices" and/or contact our Director of Programs, Zak McKenzie-Parpia at zparpia@calsac.org.
If you have youth that would like to be involved in more advocacy opportunities, learn more about our Teens Advocating for Civic Action (TACA) program.
Be a Team Leader at the Challenge!
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
Attending a virtual Team Leader Orientation (1 hour)
Attend a virtual Team Leader Training (2 hours)
Attend a virtual Team Leader Prep Meeting (3 hours)
Attend the full Challenge Event (March 23-24, 2026)
Need more information? Watch the webinar, “Who Wants to be a Team Leader?” and/or contact our Director of Programs, Zak McKenzie-Parpia at zparpia@calsac.org.
Support STEM Learning and Afterschool Advocacy!
We’re excited to share that CalSAC has teamed up with Pitsco Education to make advocacy more accessible for the California Afterschool & Summer Challenge!
When schools and organizations purchase hands-on STEM kits and curriculum from Pitsco using the promo code CALSAC5, you’ll receive a special discount and a portion of every purchase will come back to CalSAC to fund the 2026 Challenge! This ensures that everyone has the opportunity to raise their voice for advocacy, regardless of their ability to attend. Learn more about this partnership.
Pitsco offers a comprehensive range of scalable, hands-on STEM resources and curriculum. Their tools help educators create learning environments that address all learning styles and help all students find success while tackling challenges, being creative, articulating ideas, and thinking with their hands.
Shop today and empower the youth of our future.
Become a Challenge Sponsor!
Thank you to our Challenge Sponsors & Partners for helping make the 2025 Challenge a success!
Become a Challenge Sponsor for the 2026 Challenge and help empower young people to explore civic engagement, advocate for their communities, and grow as leaders.
Stay tuned for more details, or connect with our Executive Director, Lupine Reppert, at lreppert@calsac.org to explore sponsorship opportunities.
“I was so inspired and moved at the California Afterschool & Summer Challenge – it was amazing to see so many people fighting for one cause – together with the children who are impacted… This experience solidified my commitment to the out-of-school time field and to youth work, as I now understand the big picture and the importance of the work that we do.”