[SOLD OUT] 2026 Bridge Conference: The Art of Being Water

What is Bridge?

School’s Out Washington’s annual Bridge Conference brings together school-age care providers, youth development professionals, leaders, community organizers, funders, and policymakers from across the country. Attendees hear from thought-provoking presenters and learn new strategies to build strong programs and equitable systems for young people, in and out of school. Reflected in all aspects of the Bridge Conference are the values of Collectivism, Joy, Racial Equity, Belonging, and Innovation & Curiosity. Our attendees and presenters represent the diverse communities we work with across Washington state.

Our Learning Objectives

We gather to:

• Engage with diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise to broaden understanding and strengthen professional practice.
• Examine how racial inequities affect youth, expanded learning opportunities, and educational outcomes, and identify strategies to address those disparities.
• Build meaningful connections that foster a sense of belonging, collaboration, and ongoing professional networking.
• Develop practical, actionable strategies to implement high-quality programs and advance an equitable expanded learning opportunity ecosystem.
• Recognize and navigate power dynamics within programs and systems and begin co-creating stronger cross-sector partnerships.

Schedule

Bridge 2026: The Art of Being Water, will be held at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, WA. Our schedule includes inspiring keynote speakers, six workshop periods, an exhibitor showcase, connection and networking opportunities with youth-serving professionals from across the state, and much more.

• Day 1 — Monday, October 26th, 2026 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM PST

• Day 2 — Tuesday, October 27th, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM PST

Registration Rates

Registration will open on July 6, 2026. This is a two-day Conference (Monday, Tuesday), and you will need to indicate which day(s) you plan to attend when you register.

To make Bridge Conference more accessible, School’s Out Washington offers registration rates that are lower than the true cost per person. Full Cost options help School’s Out Washington subsidize these costs and provide a high-quality, equitable, and rewarding conference experience for all attendees.

Questions about registration?

Check out the FAQ for written and visual supports on:

• Registering Yourself and/or your Team: for how to navigate Eventbrite, enter Promo Codes, use the Early Bird Team rate, and more.

• Registration Policies: for information on cancellations, refunds, and registration changes.

• Scholarship Information: for Promo Code information and how to request scholarships.

Still have questions? Reach out to us by sending an email to bridge@schoolsoutwashington.org

Cancellation and Refunds

Registration Cancellation requests for Attendee tickets will receive a:

• PARTIAL REFUND, if requested by Friday, October 2, 2026. These requests are subject to a 10% cancellation fee, and you will be refunded 90% of the total cost of your registration. (e.g., an individual will receive a refund of $594.00 for a $660.00 ticket)

• NO REFUND, if requested after Friday, October 2, 2026. This is considered a late cancellation.

• There are NO REFUNDS for Exhibitor Tickets. All sales are final.

Can I transfer my registration?

If you want to transfer your registration to a different individual, have the new attendee submit the request through the Registration Request Form. Please email us at bridge@schoolsoutwashington.org if you have not received a response to your request within 5-7 business days.

Accessibility Information and Health & Safety Protocols

See the Health, Accessibility, and Safety Resource Guide for the 2026 Bridge Conference. This resource includes the most up-to-date health and safety protocols.

If you have a disability and/or accommodation request, please describe your request in your registration form for reasonable accommodations to fully participate in the conference. We will follow up to see how we might be able to accommodate your accessibility needs. Please reach out as soon as you are aware of your access need and/or by Friday, Oct. 2, 2026 if you have an accommodation request.

DCYF Training Reimbursement

If you have a STARS ID, you may qualify for DCYF Training Reimbursement. Please follow these steps to request reimbursement:

• Head to the DCYF Training Reimbursement webpage.

• Scroll down and navigate to 'Training Reimbursement’ to learn more on how to apply. Individuals can apply for up to $250 worth of training reimbursement each year.

Exhibitor Opportunities

Are you interested in promoting products or services at the conference? For more information about exhibitor opportunities visit our website or contact Sala Sataraka at bridge@schoolsoutwashington.org

Sponsorship Opportunities

Interested in sponsoring this event or providing scholarships for attendees? Visit www.bridgeconference.org for more information.

Questions?

Any questions about the 2026 Bridge Conference? Our customer service team will respond to your requests within 1-2 business days.

Email: bridge@schoolsoutwashington.org

Phone Number: 206-336-6922

For more information head to the 2026 Bridge Conference Website!