K-12 student activity capacity is full for Kelowna Connect. If you would like to add your children to a waitlist, please fill out this form.
Detailed Schedule
1:00-1:15
Please come to sign-in and drop off your students for the events!
1:15-1:35
Sara Kraushar & Craig Kwiatkowski
1:35-2:35
AJ Crocker
Practice Matters: Forming Faith in Our Kids is a practical, hope-filled session designed to help parents understand how everyday habits shape their children’s faith. Drawing on the wisdom of spiritual formation thinkers like Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and John Mark Comer, it invites families to move beyond belief alone and pay attention to the practices, rhythms, and desires that are forming their children. Rather than adding more pressure or programs, this approach helps parents notice what is already shaping their kids and encourages small, intentional practices that slowly and faithfully orient the heart toward Jesus over time.
2:35-2:50
Break
Grade 8-12 students will be dismissed to join you in the workshops. K-Grade 7 students will continue with student activities.
2:50-3:35
Workshop 1
AJ Crocker
What actually forms faith in children? This breakout unpacks some essential pillars of faith formation for elementary-aged kids and explains why each one matters. Designed for parents, the session connects theology with practice, offering concrete examples and clear practices to help families intentionally cultivate spiritual habits, biblical understanding, and a growing relationship with God throughout the elementary years.
Cultivating Resilience in Teens: Navigating Neurobiology, Digital Stimulation, and Spiritual Grounding for Emotional Well-being
Alison Isaak
This workshop encourages parents, teachers, and caregivers to help teenagers grow in emotional health, meaningful connection, and spiritual grounding by creating environments that foster regulation and presence. Teens face unique challenges as their brains continue to develop, including heightened sensitivity to reward, increased social pressures, digital overstimulation, and anxiety. At the same time, current research shows that teens are also highly capable of resilience when adults provide steady support and healthy, restorative practices. By combining practical, research-based regulation strategies with Sabbath rest, time in nature, and strong connections to Jesus and community, adults can help teens move through this stage of life with greater confidence, stability, and purpose. This presentation focuses on helping teenagers shift from distraction toward grounded presence, so they can build healthy relationships, strong social skills, and a deeper awareness of God in everyday life.
3:35-3:40
Transition
3:40-4:25
Workshop 2
From Pixels to Presence: Cultivating Regulation, Connection, and Spiritual Grounding in a Digital Age
Alison Isaak
This presentation encourages parents and teachers to help elementary students grow and thrive by creating calm, caring, and connected environments. Today, many children are affected by too much screen time and increasing anxiety, but there is also a real opportunity to help them build resilience and strength. By combining practical, research-based regulation strategies with Sabbath rest, time in nature, and strong connections to Jesus and community, adults can guide children toward greater confidence, stability, and purpose. This seminar explores how to help children move from feeling distracted and overwhelmed to feeling grounded and regulated, so they can build healthy relationships, strong social skills, and a deeper awareness of God in everyday life.
AJ Crocker
Drawing on recent Canadian research, this session explores five practices that make a lasting difference in a teenager’s faith. Together, students and parents will consider how these foundations can shape a faith that will remain strong into young adulthood.
4:25-4:30
Transition
4:30-4:45
Prizes and Closing
Regional Leadership Team
Please return to the main gathering space for prizes and closing, and then pick up your K-Grade 7 students.
Speakers
AJ Crocker
Executive Director, ACSI Western Canada
AJ Crocker is the Executive Director of ACSI Western Canada, serving and resourcing Christian schools across the region. AJ spent the previous 17 years serving in Christian education, primarily at Briercrest Christian Academy, College & Seminary, where he has led high school discipleship, conferences like Youth Quake, public relations, and marketing. For the past six years, he has served as Vice-President, guiding organizational design, budget processes, and strategic communication. On the side, AJ has enjoyed being a conference speaker and organizer with various associations and ministries such as Youth Worker Community. With a BA in Youth Ministry and an MBA in Digital Marketing, AJ is passionate about helping Christian schools thrive as places of spiritual transformation.
He and his wife, Cheryl—an ACSI high school teacher—have three kids. AJ is a devoted (and long-suffering) Toronto Maple Leafs fan, a sneaker-head on a budget, and a proud hockey and dance dad.
Alison Isaak
Registered Psychologist
Alison Isaak is a Registered Psychologist (CAP, CHCPBC) who brings over 20 years of experience to her practice, bridging the gap between the education sector and clinical psychology. Holding a Master of Education in School & Applied Child Psychology from the University of Calgary and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Inclusive Education from Athabasca University, Alison’s career has spanned K-12 teaching, educator mentorship, and clinical counseling.
As a psychologist, Alison specializes in comprehensive psychoeducational assessments across the lifespan, with expertise in ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disorders, and mental health. As a trained EMDR therapist, Alison utilizes trauma-informed interventions to support individuals facing significant life challenges, drawing upon both clinical expertise and her own journey of resilience and faith. After a horse-riding accident at age 15 led to multiple leg surgeries and a below-the-knee amputation, Alison’s experience of God’s steadfast presence amid physical and psychological adversity continues to inspire her commitment to helping others through their own hardships. She is dedicated to collaborating with families and professionals to develop practical, real-world strategies that empower individuals to thrive at home, school, work, and in the community.
Alison and her husband, Brad, are a beautiful, blended family with 5 adult children and one stinking cute grandbaby.