Join us for one of our 2018 SPARK Destination Experiences
The SPARK Experience
Early Bird Registration Pricing: $797 per person, all-inclusive
Early Bird Pricing Deadlines:
Regular Registration Pricing: $997 per person, all-inclusive
Group Registration: $897 per person, all-inclusive
Join Us for an Upcoming SPARK Destination Experience!
Since 2014, SPARK co-founders Dr. LaMarr Darnell Shields and Dr. Marina V. Gillmore have been equipping teachers, school administrators, non-profit leaders, social workers, and other youth service providers with the tools and strategies to positively transform their own lives and, by extension, their professional practices.
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Our previous retreat attendees have come from schools and organizations including:
What makes the SPARK experience unique
Reflect
Structured space and processes in a beautiful, natural setting to intentionally reflect on your purpose to profession alignment and the role that wellness, self-efficacy, strengths, passion, and other elements play into the work you do on a daily basis.
Connect
Opportunity to connect with other transformational change agents in the field who are also committed to their own personal and professional growth and development.
Transform
Proven tools, resources, and a carefully-constructed curriculum to help you improve your life and, by extension, your professional efficacy and practice.
What you will take away from the SPARK experience
Clarity
Participants will leave SPARK with clarity on the direction of their professional course and the roles that their own wellness, mindfulness, and purpose-to-profession alignment play in their careers on a daily basis.
Renewal & Drive
Participants will leave SPARK feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to tackle the next phase of their professional lives with intention.
Focus
Participants will leave SPARK with the tools and strategies they need to focus on their most important work on a daily basis, including time management and mindfulness strategies.
“SPARK was at the very top of all the professional development experiences I’ve had. The intimate structure allowed each person to dig deep for their own growth and advancement in their next step in life. It was an experience that brought me back to myself It also helped me to release some negative energy and face my fears.”
“This may be hard to explain, but I was able to step out of my own self and really SEE me. The mindfulness activity where we got to track our thoughts helped me to observe what I was thinking and take control of my thoughts. The mirror activity helped me to see myself in a way I have never looked at myself before. It made me want to be kinder and more gentle with me. The overall retreat location and atmosphere helped me to step out of my daily roles and job title and clear my head and just be. It was fantastic!”
“This experience was not about teaching, but about reflecting. In that respect, it was incomparably better to any other professional development I’ve experience. I realized why I am in this profession, what I love about it, and what I am not willing to compromise. It has brought joy to me as I feel I see things with more clarity.”
“I realized at SPARK that it was okay to accept my failures because they were designed to happen in order for me to grow in all aspects of my life. The SPARK Experience gave me greater insight on the importance that physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional activities play in my life I am truly motivated to live into what I discovered about my purpose at the Spark Retreat.”
Retreat Agenda Overview
Day 1: Explorations
Check-In and Welcome Reception
Session 1: Sparking Community
Dinner
Session 2: Sparking Connection
Quiet Reflection
Day 2: Digging Deeper
Optional Sunrise Yoga and Guided Meditation
Optional Fitness Class or Guided Run/Walk
Breakfast
Session 3: Sparking Change Part I
Session 4: Sparking Change Part 2
Lunch
Session 5: Sparking Congruence
Labyrinth or Guided Meditative Walk
Fireside Chat with Guest Speaker
Dinner
Session 6: Film Viewing with Discussion
Day 3: Looking Forward
Optional Sunrise Yoga and Guided Meditation
Optional Fitness Class or Guided Run/Walk
Breakfast
Session 7: Sparking Clarity
Lunch
Closing Session & Celebration
Come Experience SPARK
Each SPARK experience is held at a unique and beautiful property that enhances your three-day long journey and takes full advantage of both the indoor and outdoor space that these one-of-a-kind locations have to offer. Everything we do at SPARK is highly intentional, and part of what makes this experience far exceed most traditional conferences and other professional development experiences is the space in which we immerse ourselves in the learning, collaboration and transformation.
Donate
100 percent of all donations go to support our SPARK scholarship program, which makes it possible for deserving teachers, social workers, and other change agents to attend one of our SPARK experiences and, in turn, transform the lives of the youth they serve daily.
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We believe that connection, dialogue, and community are the keys to sustained growth and change – both internal and external. Sign up here to join our mailing list and we’ll keep you up-to-date on all SPARK-related happenings.
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