About

Welcome to ParentCamp, the transformational Family-School-Community Engagement Model focused on creating a school ecosystem where adults are connected and committed to supporting each child and each other. In order for children to succeed, building strong, collaborative relationships between teachers, staff, families, students, and the community is essential.

Traditional family engagement models often rely on a one-way, transactional approach, which limits meaningful connection and keeps participants in isolated roles. ParentCamp changes this dynamic. Our model emphasizes two-way, transformational engagement, creating a space where relationships are nurtured, trust is built, and everyone feels welcome to participate.

Through ParentCamp, parents, educators, students, and community members come together in an open, supportive environment to engage in meaningful conversations and share ideas. Each session helps break down barriers, fostering stronger connections and a sense of shared purpose, all focused on supporting the success of every child.

By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, ParentCamp sparks dynamic conversations that lead to real change. Each session is an opportunity to build trust, break down silos, and form lasting relationships that empower everyone involved.

We are redefining family-school-community engagement—one hour at a time, one ParentCamp at a time. Welcome to a unique experience that truly transforms school culture and education.

We would like to invite you to join us in our nationwide Virtual ParentCamp “model classroom” every other Wednesday night. Come see what joyful family-school-community engagement looks like, sounds like, and feels like. Register at www.parentcamp.org/events. We are training school teams of 8 people in the Virtual ParentCamp Model. We think you’ll be pleased to know the teams are made up of family, school and community!

Find us here:

NOW is the time to transform your family-school-community engagement to family-school-community integration!

ParentCamp Headlines 2020-21

1.    Video: National Teacher of the Year, Tabatha Rosproy, shares her story after Virtual ParentCamp!

2.    Video: Author of Parents as Talent Developers, Dr. Brenda Williams-Harewood, shares her story after Virtual ParentCamp!

3.    ParentCamp LinkTree – all the main links in ONE place

4.    Publication—GETTING SMART: Julie Pile and Laura Gilchrist wrote Getting Smart Article: Stakeholders at the Heart of   Education

5.    Publication—KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION: Find Laura Gilchrist talking about Virtual ParentCamp in a recent Kauffman Foundation article: As Schools Debate Reopening, Parents are Called to be Partners.

6.    ParentCamp is presented at the Nevada All Virtual Family Engagement Summit on October 17, 2020  (Nevada DOE Family Engagement)

7.    Virtual ParentCamp is Keynoting “ClassTag Collaborate” Conference Series “Building School Community” in North Carolina and Georgia, beginning October 2020.

8. ParentCamp is partnering with the US Department of Education and the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children & Families, Early Childhood Catalysts to kick off Radical Family Engagement Week with Virtual ParentCamp.

9.    ParentCamp is presenting at the Virtual ESEA Conference Feb 8-11, 2021.  ParentCamp: Family-School-Community Integration to Create the Ideal Education Ecosystem (Session Link)

10.  ParentCamp partnered with NAFSCE, the National Association for Family School Community Engagement, on September 16 and September 24, 2020 to design and host “Virtual ParentCamp Experiences” for NAFSCE members.  

11.  ParentCamp partnered with the Maryland State Department of Education in July and August 2020 to design and host 3 Virtual ParentCamp Experiences statewide.

12.  Virtual ParentCamp partnered with DigiStoryKC and Thank You Walt Disney to design and host the first nationwide Virtual CareerCamp – Digital Media Careers using ParentCamp’s Family-School-Community Integration Model, June 18, 2020. We received positive feedback from participants. KC Digital media industry participants were amazing. and requests for future CareerCamps.