Dear Wisconsin 4-H Community,

It is with disappointment that we share the decision to cancel the Youth Conference for the summer of 2022. This annual event, which brings together over 400 young people in grades 7-10 on the UW-Madison campus, has long been a stepping stone in the 4-H experience.

Youth Conference is an important part of the Wisconsin 4-H Program, and we look forward to its return in 2023. Youth Conference is:

• A developmental opportunity at a critical age for youth to spend time on campus, meet other youth from across Wisconsin, and learn about post-secondary pathways and personal growth.
• a key event for many of the state 4-H teams to learn and apply leadership skills and develop strong youth-adult partnerships. Teams such as the Wisconsin Leadership Council, 4-H Drama Company, 4-H Arts Team, 4-H Communication Team, and the Youth Conference Planning Committee come together each year to plan and execute this statewide event.
• A motivator for youth to maintain participation in their 4-H clubs at an age when youth benefit from expanding engagement beyond the club level.

The path to determine this decision was not clear and many different perspectives and realities were investigated. The planning of the event was delayed due to the uncertainty of the landscape in which the COVID pandemic has created and the vacancy in the lead state staff position responsible for organizing and implementing large events, such as Youth Conference. We determined we had too little time to provide a well-run, well-executed youth-adult planned event.

Currently, staff and volunteers are engaged in conversations to determine alternative programming that may be offered yet in the summer of 2022. Although not Youth Conference, we hope to provide opportunities for young people to learn, lead, and grow on campus, while also simultaneously planning to ensure a widely successful Youth Conference in 2023.

We are thankful for your patience and perseverance throughout these challenging years. We are dedicated to supporting a growing and thriving Wisconsin 4-H program and look forward to the months and years ahead.

With gratitude,

Matt Calvert
Director, Institute for Positive Youth Development

Jessica Jens
Associate Director, Wisconsin 4-H Program