Youth Leadership Conference

JULY 11-13, 2023

University of wisconsin – Stout

Youth Leadership Conference (YLC) is a by-teens, for-teens cooperative leadership conference that is planned and developed by the youth board elected at the previous year’s event. Attending YLC will give you real-world skills to use in everyday life. You will learn about co-ops, leadership, interviewing skills, listen to great motivational speakers, meet new people, explore what life is like on a college campus, and most of all have fun! Attending YLC is an unforgettable experience, it’s a great resume builder, and looks fantastic on your college application.

Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative (ACEC) sponsors students to attend for FREE! ACEC provides round-trip transportation from the co-op to YLC. A chaperone from the co-op attends the event as well. Students stay in the campus dorms during this 3 day, 2 night event. There is entertainment in the evenings, and students stay busy from early morning until late evening throughout the event.

Check out this video for an overview of YLC 2018 to get a better understand of what it’s all about.

WHY YOU SHOULD GO to YLC

  • Participate in fun and challenging activities
  • Unleash your leadership potential
  • Meet students from other co-ops
  • Learn about the cooperative business model
  • Experience what life is like on a college campus
  • Explore co-op careers with industry professionals
  • Practice your interviewing skills
  • Listen to relatable motivational speakers
  • And most of all, have fun!

WHAT IS YOUTH BOARD?

Students that attend YLC will learn how they can run to be on the youth board. Six students get elected to youth board every year. Students must be nominated by fellow YLC attendees (similar to how people run for our board of directors) and complete an interview. On the last day of YLC, it’s announced who will be on youth board for the following year’s event. These students get to plan and conduct the following year’s event, and get to go on a FREE trip to Washington D.C. for Youth Tour the following year.

Youth Tour is like YLC, but on a nation-wide level by gathering students all throughout the United States. Students get to tour different areas of Washington D.C. and interact with students throughout the nation. Even if you aren’t elected to Youth Board, students who attend YLC still have the opportunity to go on Youth Tour by completing an essay after YLC and submitting to the cooperative.

Who should apply

Current high school sophomores and juniors (2022/2023 school year) active in their school and community in our service area.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

The deadline to register for YLC was Friday, June 9, 2023. Registration is closed.