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Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership
Youth Ages 14 – 18 & Adults
November 13-15, 2026
Upham Woods, N194 County Rd N, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Registration
Registration now open!
Youth and adults attend this conference as a team !
1. Team Member Registration
Open online from May 5-October 4, 2026. Each participant must register individually. All youth, including high schoolers aged 18, register as youth participants (or members if you are a 4-H club member).
Adults will register at the link above and follow instructions below to enroll as a volunteer. If you are new to YPCL, enroll using the instructions below first.
2. Health Forms
Complete your Health Form during online registration. If you need a paper health form, or Spanish health form, click here:
- UW-Madison Health Form
- Return completed and signed paper forms to pydadminteam@extension.wisc.edu or mail to UW-Extension PYD, 3500 University Ave, Madison, WI 53705
3. Required Forms and Consents
You will sign several forms in your online registration. If you need a paper copy or Spanish version, see the forms below:
- Youth Assumption of Risk (Spanish version)
- Youth Code of Conduct
- Youth Recorded Media Release (Spanish Version)
Adult Volunteer Enrollment
All adults, including 18 year old high school graduates, enroll as volunteers through 4HOnline. Adult volunteers who are planning on attending and staying overnight will need to enroll as Extension volunteers, which includes a criminal background check, agreeing to behavior expectations, and youth protection trainings to ensure a safe environment. As a volunteer for Extension, you are responsible for all youth at the event, not solely your organization’s youth. Adults who complete the process and are at least 21 are eligible to serve as cabin chaperones. Adults may not attend YPCL if background checks are not complete.
If you are already a 4-H volunteer or Extension staff member, ignore the instructions below. Register using the link above.
If you have a 4-H Online participant account (ex: attended YPCL in previous years): Register first using the link above. Then, follow these steps to change your participant account to a volunteer enrollment.
If you do NOT have a 4-H Online account (ex: have never attended Extension youth programming): First, follow these steps to enroll as a statewide volunteer. Then, use the link above to register.
You may request an interpreter, materials in an alternative language and/or format, and/or other services to make this event more accessible. Please contact Joe Maldonado at joe.maldonado@wisc.edu Make your request as early as possible, no later than October 4th, 2026. There is no added cost to you for these services.
Questions on registration? Reach out to pydadminteam@extension.wisc.edu.
Payment
Registration cost is $200/person, which includes meals and lodging. Scholarships are available and can be requested when registering.
Your team may bring payment to camp or will be invoiced after the program.
Need ideas to pay for team registration? We put together some Fundraising Ideas for YPCL Teams.
Orientation & Program Details
A web orientation will be held prior to the conference.
2026 YPCL Program Schedule (En Español) – will be updated soon!
2026 YPCL General Information & Packing List (Lista de empaque para la conferencia de YPCL 2026)
Program Description
What is YPCL?
The Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership Conference (YPCL) strengthens the voices of young people in their communities. We support youth and adults in working together as leaders in schools, organizations, and local communities. We create opportunities for mentoring, networking, and learning so young people can build leadership skills and make a difference.
Who should attend?
Teams of high-school-age youth (ages 14-18) and adults (19or older) sharing decision-making roles in communities, schools and organizations. Groups are limited to 10 people with a ratio of 5 youth to one adult (at least two adults per group of ten).
Can I lead a workshop?
Participating teams are encouraged to lead workshops and round table discussions. This year’s workshops align with our theme ‘Embrace Your Roots’. Workshops can range in topic areas, but should incorporate the themes of policy, systems, and environment. Submit your workshop via Google form here. Submissions are due October 4th. Priority is given to workshops that are led/co-led by youth.
Resource Tables
We are looking for organizations who are interested in providing resources and information (flyers, informational packets, swag) about their mission for YPCL youth and adult attendees throughout the program. Per UW-Madison Policy, you may not sell items or share political campaigning/information in these tables. Please submit your request for a resource table here: https://forms.gle/hMZyxJ4VhqgFNFzD8.
Community Issue Sessions led by Youth Groups Working in These Areas
- Healthy Lifestyles – healthy eating, going green, alcohol and other drug abuse prevention
- Interpersonal Relationships – social media/cyber issues, teen pregnancy, healthy dating relationships
- Diversity/Multicultural Engagement – issues related to race, sexual orientation, gender, immigration status
- Ending Bullying and Youth Violence – gang violence, school to prison pipeline, working for better juvenile justice
- Youth and Adult Power – working together on issues in education and politics
Questions? Email Joe Maldonado or call at 414-339-4574.