CARING for a Lifetime 2026


CARING for a Lifetime 2026, hosted by Milestones, is a two-day, in-person professional development experience designed to educate, energize, and celebrate child care providers across Minnesota. See full schedule and course descriptions HERE!


Registration Options: 

  •     - Saturday Training $99
  •     - Friday Night Dinner & Entertainment $59
  •     - Friday Night Dinner & Entertainment + Saturday Training COMBO! $129

            *Add additional Friday Night guests for $49


This signature event brings together family child care providers, center-based educators, directors, and early childhood leaders for meaningful learning, powerful connection, and space to pause, reflect, and recharge.


At CARING, we focus on the whole provider—your work, your leadership, and you—because when those who care for children are supported, our communities thrive.

April 10th Pre-Conference (40 seats available)

  • "Conscious Discipline"
  • 12:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Location: Milestones Training Room

 

April 10th Evening Event

  • Dinner
  • Entertainment by: Dueling Pianos group Felix & Fingers
  • Location: Park Event Center


April 11th All Day Conference Schedule

Morning Keynote (7:45am-9:45am)

  • "Making Sense of Baffling Behavior" - Robyn Gobbel, MSW:  


Morning Sessions (10:00am-12:00pm)

  • Strengthening the Brain through Play - Robyn Gobbel, MSW
  • Understanding Implicit Biases: Do We Really Have Them? - Lakeshore Learning
  • What Can I do Outside Today? Standards Aligned Outdoor and Nature-Based Learning Activities for Young Children - Kelly Kazeck
  • Unlock the Magic of Loose Parts Play - Stacy Boysen


Afternoon Sessions (1:00pm-3:00pm)

  • Sticks and Stones: Supporting Child Safety and Healthy Risk-Taking in Nature Play - Stacy Boysen
  • Effective Classroom management: Building Better Routines - Lakeshore Learning
  • S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K- Movement Anchors Learning! -  A Chance to Grow
  • Building Relationships for Program Success and Harmony - Heather Charmoli

Friday Evening Dinner: 

Choice of: 

  • Chicken Breast
  • Three Cheese Ravioli
  • Slow Roasted Beef
  • Stuffed Squash (Allergy Friendly)

Sides: 

Salad with French and Ranch

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Glazed Carrots

Saturday Breakfast: 

Muffins and bagels with cream cheese

-Vanilla yogurt with granola and fresh berries

-Hard-boiled Eggs

-Fruit Juice and Coffee


Saturday Lunch: 

Working Box Lunches

Stir Fry (Allergy Friendly)

🏨 Hotel & Travel Information

If you need overnight accommodations, booking a hotel in Waite Park is simple and convenient. The Park Event Center Complex offers two excellent hotel options located right next to the conference venue. Their on-site sales staff can assist with coordinating accommodations based on your needs.


🏨 Residence Inn by Marriott

📍 450 Division St | Waite Park, MN 56387
📞 (320) 640-0200 | 🌐 Marriott.com/stcwp

This all-suite, extended-stay hotel offers spacious studio, one-, and two-bedroom suites with separate living and sleeping areas. Enjoy a full kitchen, complimentary breakfast, grocery delivery service, free Wi-Fi, pool, whirlpool, fitness center, business center, and on-site laundry. Pet-friendly options and a small meeting room are also available.

BOOK CORPORATE RATE at the Residence Inn by Marriott

Guests can also call the hotel directly at 320/640-0200 and request TPEC LNR to receive the same discounted rooms!


🏨 Hilton Garden Inn

📍 550 Division St | Waite Park, MN 56387
📞 (320) 640-7990 | 🌐 HGIstcloud.hgi.com

The Hilton Garden Inn features modern guest rooms with generous workspaces, large-screen TVs, and comfortable bedding. On-site amenities include Maverick’s Steak & Cocktails (open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), an indoor pool, fitness center, business center, snack shop, and free Wi-Fi.

BOOK CORPORATE RATE at the Hilton Garden Inn

Guests can also call the hotel directly at 320/640-7990 and request TPEC LNR 3371751 to receive the same discounted rooms!

Attendee Registration

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Address *

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Registration Type *

Friday Pre-Conference

Additional Friday Dinner Guest - spouse or friend not attending Saturday Training

Organization Type *

If you have a Develop ID Number, type it in the box below. Information about how to receive a Develop ID Number can be found at this link: http://www.developtoolmn.org

Develop ID Number

Make a donation to the Milestones endowment fund

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